Frequent Questions About Hip Surgery

Hip preservation means more than just hip surgery – it is total care of your hip joint. Our goal is to help you be free of pain, and return to physical strength and good range of motion. To help you feel more confident in your treatment plan, here are some of the common questions our patients ask.

What are the risks?

Most patients have a low risk for problems from surgery. You may have pain and numbness in the surgery area after surgery. There is some risk of hip dislocation, leg length discrepancy, and/or fracture. You may also have bleeding from your surgical wound. You will learn the major risks of surgery when talking to the doctor and reading the surgery consent form. Major risks of any surgery include but are not limited to infection, pneumonia, heart problems, or blood clots. There is little risk of death with this surgery. Your doctor will always discuss the risks of surgery specific to your health.

How long will it take to recover?

Your hip will continue to heal and gain strength for up to 1 year after surgery. Common problems include loss of strength and limited range of motion as the hip heals. Most patients feel better about 3 months after surgery. By 6 months, most patients are happy they had surgery.

When can I return to work?

Patients with desk jobs return to work at 4-6 weeks, those with moderate physical jobs (e.g. nursing) return at 12 weeks, and those with highly physical jobs return to full duty in four to five months. Individuals who have the flexibility to work initially from home can return to work much sooner.

When can I restart a sport or other activity?

The return to sport timeline depends on the activity or sport, and on how your body recovers after the surgery. Typically, it is six months after the surgery. Always talk with your doctor and physical therapist before restarting sport or active hobbies.

Hip Preservation Program (PDF)

For more detailed information about what to expect from your hip surgery and recovery, you can download our Hip Preservation Program booklet for Hip Arthroscopy.