“How long does it take for soft tissue to heal after hip replacement?”
I am a 45 year old female. I want to know how long does it take for soft tissue to heal after hip replacement?
3 Answers
It varies per patient, per surgery, per technique, but in general, it can take 6-12 weeks for the soft tissues to heal after hip replacement. Patients often get stronger over the course of the first year after surgery. Minimally invasive surgery techniques, and anterior approach hip surgery may allow faster recoveries.
That depends on several factors - The Patient Health/Age/ Diet. Surgical Approach. Activity Level , etc - It is a process over time- which should be discussed with the Surgeon.
Dear 45-year-old female,
It depends a little bit on what you mean regarding soft tissues. The incision and external soft tissues will usually look healed at about 2-3 weeks after surgery. The deeper tissues, like the hip ligaments/joint capsule will take approximately 6-8 weeks which is also when the incision will have more resistance to tearing back open if one were to fall. The soft tissues that are the engine of the hip would be the big and powerful postural muscles that support the hip joint and core. Those muscles won't begin to get their reflexes back for approximately 3 months which is why it is so imperative to avoid falls after surgery but especially during the first 6 months. It is at 6 months from surgery, regardless of the approach I use as a hip replacement specialist, that the majority of people with have no pain with resumption of all normal activities. During the 6-12 month time window, it is important to note that approximately 30% of patients will still have some very transient minor aches and pains, in and around the hip, as the body fully adjusts to the new normal, post hip reconstruction. At 1 year from surgery >90% of my hip replacement patients have no pain, no residual complaints and have completely forgotten they ever had hip arthritis pain at all!!
Hope that helps you and best of health.
Dr. T
It depends a little bit on what you mean regarding soft tissues. The incision and external soft tissues will usually look healed at about 2-3 weeks after surgery. The deeper tissues, like the hip ligaments/joint capsule will take approximately 6-8 weeks which is also when the incision will have more resistance to tearing back open if one were to fall. The soft tissues that are the engine of the hip would be the big and powerful postural muscles that support the hip joint and core. Those muscles won't begin to get their reflexes back for approximately 3 months which is why it is so imperative to avoid falls after surgery but especially during the first 6 months. It is at 6 months from surgery, regardless of the approach I use as a hip replacement specialist, that the majority of people with have no pain with resumption of all normal activities. During the 6-12 month time window, it is important to note that approximately 30% of patients will still have some very transient minor aches and pains, in and around the hip, as the body fully adjusts to the new normal, post hip reconstruction. At 1 year from surgery >90% of my hip replacement patients have no pain, no residual complaints and have completely forgotten they ever had hip arthritis pain at all!!
Hope that helps you and best of health.
Dr. T
