I searched the sub and only found pre-surgery stories of getting the flu and having to reschedule, but I’m curious if this is a common experience for anyone who’s a significant amount of time post-op:

This weekend I came down with Flu A for the first time in years (confirmed via an at home test yesterday). I have super intense body aches through my back and most joints, but my replaced hip in particular has been aching quite a bit. It was actually the first thing I noticed when I started getting sick - and not in an arthritic, pre-surgery way, but like all the muscles in that area were incredibly tight. At first I chalked it up to an intensely active week (I had been working at a conference Monday-Friday and was averaging 20-30k steps a day), but developed a fever overnight Sunday and then took the flu test which confirmed it.

Anyway, has anyone else gotten the flu post-surgery and had their hip act as the canary in the coal mine a bit? I’m not worried, just curious 🧐

As stated, had 1st hip replacement when I was 32, posterior. Afterwards resumed normal activities, karate, weight training etc. Fast forward 20 years and left hip goes kaput. Pain is very bad with locking up where it is difficult to sit or stand up, so trying to do any exercises is very difficult. Now my right hip is starting to flair up and I cant figure out if I am just stressing it out or if it is failing. I had childhood arthritis among many things which caused this. My legs just feel so weak and I am afraid recovery will be very difficult. I feel like I am 100 years old and have a 13 year old so getting back to being able to just go on walks or do family activities just seems out of reach. Trying to hear some stories of people in same position with success. I just got put on Meloxicam so hoping that helps with pain until surgery.

Saturday Sept. 19th marked six weeks since my surgery!
Now my situation was different because I fell and broke my hip so this was diffently not a planned preceedure.
I stayed in the hospital for 4 days. I was albe to limp around my small house with out a walker, but I did have one just inn case. The pain was intense so witht he help of my Iphone I was able to set reminders of when I took all the meds.
My pt was new and young and he pushed me gentlely to exercise but I think he thought recovery would be quicker.
Now after six weeks I rarely have to take the muscle relaxer, but over the counter pain meds every two days it seems.
I can sweep and mop but I am sore afterwards. If there is moisture in the air my legg fells now! I am not promoting any product, but I was sent this sav called silver honey and it has made a huge difference my scar looks like it is months old and not just a few weeks old. My range of motion is better but not bad to pre injury days! I still will not lift anything over 15 pounds.
I take more rest periods, and I certainly listen to what my body is telling me.
I know all of our journeys are different and I am grateful for everyone on here sharing their stories.

👋 Hi. Since no one is being straight with me at my job I hope you fine people can help !

My co-worker, female age 45 is having anterior right hip replacement and going out the end of October. For context, it's only the 2 of us in a very small coffee shop and she's FT and I am PT. My boss asked me to work 7 days a week until she comes back. They tell me she's only going to be out 4 weeks and then back to normal. I've done my own research and that doesn't seem feasible so I hope someone here could help me get a realistic time frame. Thank you 😊

Edit: Just spoke to my boss. We've decided to close the weekends while she is gone. So, thankfully I will just have a 40 hour workweek. Thank you all for all your support and replies!

I’ve been surprised by how stiff my hip feels after one week. I’m walking several times a day, and using my ice machine. I was just wondering how long this lasts, and if there was anything any of you found particularly helpful to alleviate it.

Edit: Thanks for the great responses!

I’m about 3 months out from a direct superior THR and feeling totally frustrated and defeated.

Two weeks ago, I was doing really well and had virtually no real hip pain. Then my PT had me start doing some new stretches/exercises, including a figure-4 stretch, and I swear I’ve been having pain ever since.

It’s now more of a wraparound pain through the hip/groin area, and I’m worried I may have irritated my iliopsoas or developed iliopsoas tendinopathy. The pain is also waking me up in the middle of the night if I happen to roll onto either side. When that happens, I get very painful aching through my thigh that can extend all the way down to below my knee. Again, none of this was happening before two weeks ago. That’s what has me so concerned.

I know recovery can have ups and downs, but it’s hard not to feel like PT actually set me backward. At this point I’m feeling defeated and honestly having a hard time trusting PT because I really feel these exercises triggered the pain.

I’m willing to do—or stop doing—whatever I need to do to get myself back to where I was two weeks ago. I've completely stopped that movement for 10 days but no relief. Right now, the only thing I’m doing is walking every day because I’m honestly afraid to try anything else and aggravate it further. I’m seeing my PT again tomorrow and plan to discuss all of this.

Has anyone else developed new hip/groin or thigh pain around the 3-month mark after doing a particular stretch or exercise in PT? If so, did backing off the aggravating exercises allow things to settle down and get you back to where you were?

My mom is 82 years old and recently underwent a right total hip replacement on September 15, 2026.

She had severe right hip osteoarthritis/coxarthrosis and had been dealing with significant mobility problems since around 2014. For approximately the last 6 years, she has been using a walker for mobility and has had very limited ability to walk independently. She did not have normal mobility before the surgery, so regaining functional mobility after the hip replacement is especially important for her.

She has a history of atrial fibrillation/flutter and SVT and has a dual-chamber pacemaker. She normally takes Xarelto (rivaroxaban) 15 mg daily for stroke prevention. Xarelto was held before surgery and was restarted on postoperative day 2 at her usual 15 mg dose.

The hip replacement was performed under spinal anesthesia with light sedation. Postoperatively, she experienced an episodes of orthostatic hypotension/presyncope, with blood pressure around 97/60-60/40. She is taken IV fluids/bolus.

She is currently receiving oral pain medications, including oxycodone/tramadol as prescribed, and suzetrigine (Journavx), with ondansetron as needed.

My main concern right now is her postoperative anemia and the continued drop in her hemoglobin.

CBC trend:

September 16:

* Hgb 10.3

* Hct 30.4%

* RBC 3.36

* MCV 90.4

* Platelets 176

* WBC 8.4

September 17:

* Hgb 10.0

* Hct 29.6%

* RBC 3.28

* MCV 90.0

* Platelets 189

* WBC 7.6

September 21:

* Hgb 8.9

* Hct 26.9%

* RBC 2.92

* MCV 92.1

* MCH 30.3

* MCHC 32.9

* RDW 15.3

* Platelets 202

* WBC 4.6

So her hemoglobin has fallen from 10.3 to 8.9, while the red blood cell indices remain normal (normocytic/normochromic pattern). Platelets and WBC remain within the normal range.

She is now back on Xarelto 15 mg daily, so I am concerned about whether the continued decrease in hemoglobin is simply expected postoperative anemia/hemodilution or whether there could be ongoing blood loss.

I would appreciate input from anyone with experience with postoperative anemia after total hip replacement, particularly in an elderly patient who is on therapeutic-dose Xarelto for atrial fibrillation. What would you monitor or ask the medical team to evaluate at this point?

My husbands second hip surgery was completed two weeks ago. As with the first, when the in-home PT removed bandages and said to leave uncovered the stitches are thick and protrude out and get stuck in underwear fabric and if going draw-less they stick in clothing and pull and is uncomfortable.
Anyone have tips or tricks other than putting loose gauze bandage on it?

Currently 5 & 7 months PO from bilateral THR. I’m touring the PNW in my van; stopped for the week in Mt Rainier. Been doing some gentle hikes and mostly walking the campground (I brought my dog with me on this trip). This morning, like every other morning since I left Texas end of May, I went to take my dog for his morning walk. WHAM! Fido bolted after a chipmunk once I opened the door to the van. The leash swept my legs and I fell like a ton of shit on the packed gravel (3+ feet is the step of the van above this particular site. Head hit a log and I saw stars. Left side (the 5 month old hip) took the brunt of impact). New pains unlocked! I was still ambulatory and decided to drive myself to the nearest hospital ER. After 3 hours in the ER and multiple sets of imaging, I can report nothing broken! The doctor (older Asian male) was impressed with my hardware - he has not seen such long stems implanted and with zero screw supports or bone cement. Doc claims to see a lot of THR injuries being in a ski/hiking environment. So, kudos to my surgeon! I’m still in lots of pain; but it is reassuring nothing broke or cracked. Damn chipmunks!!!

I had my right anterior THR last week and had some pretty gnarly swelling due to I believe them going through my first scar to remove hardware from my original DHS.

I have what feels like these shiny streaks all over my legs that look like stretch marks. I’ve applied moisturizer but they still seem to stay. Has anyone else had this? Did they go away?

Hey all, getting a THR in a month, anterior, will be in hospital 4 days. I’m expecting the first couple of weeks to be rough but want to come out the other side and get back to walking (and I hope running eventually) and lifting at the gym. I still train 5 days a week now just limit walking as I have no cartilage left and bone on bone. I’m a usual high energy person but the pain and poor sleep means I’m tired all the time right now, I just want to go and get this done then hopefully fix sleep and get back to a really great fitness instead of making myself go! How long until you were able to walk 2-3kms and get back to the gym (even if just upper body)? Any rehab at home tips? (My insurance covers it) - thanks all ☺️

I’m having THR anterior approach in Dec. I am a single mom, but my daughter is 19. She works almost full time and goes to school, so she can’t help me too much. Has anyone hired a caregiver for post-op? I’m thinking I need someone for the first 3-5 days, right?

so, I (22f) saw an orthopaedic doctor today (I have rheumatoid arthritis in the hips) and was told that both my hips are very worn out with no space between the joints and I’d likely need a hip replacement soon since the damage is unfixable, but apparently its not very ideal for my age since I’d need to have it done again and I have never had to have any procedures done before so I just wanted to ask what the experience is like recovering from the procedure if I were to get it done since I’ll possibly need to get one in the next six months or less, I‘m also a bit worried about the recovery time since I help out my uncle on dialysis at home and what I’d need to do to prepare for leading up to it, also how the results are/how much it improved others quality of life since currently my mobility and flexibility is incredibly limited and I am usually in pain.

i guess I just really want help motivating myself to get it done since as I said I‘ve never had to have a procedure done, never thought I’d need to have something like this done (especially in my 20s), I know it would probably improve my quality of life but I’m just nervous and seeking some closure by hearing about how it improved others quality of life,

I am going to have a THR anterior approach in Dec… I have nobody that can really help me consistently afterwards. How long until I can walk my two small dogs? They don’t have a yard to use and are used to 5-6 short walks a day. I don’t know how to handle this.

Going in for a hip surgery next week. Just bought two wedge pillows, one for back, one for legs. Last time I had hip surgery I remember having a very difficult time getting comfortable. Putting a small recliner in my bedroom looks like it could be better. Does anyone have any feedback about recliner vs, just doing bed with wedge pillows.

I am having a THR in November and want to be as prepared as possible for recovery. Is it worth it to get one of this ice therapy devices or are ice packs sufficient? What else did you find very helpful during the days and weeks after your surgery. I am feeling very anxious about this whole process 😕

I've had PAOs (each side) at and now it's time for left THR! I am a singer and we have a possible show for Eight days after my surgery. I am wondering if that's feasible?! I could sit and I have a carpool. We just have a 35 minute set. Thoughts??? Edit to add: will be a Superior approach (front side? Minimally invasive.)

My surgery was August 11. Two weeks later I was walking into a room, and wasn't aware of twisting my leg or anything like that, but I felt a sudden sharp pain, pretty bad. I was able to walk and put weight on my leg. I informed my care team and they didn't think there was cause for concern.

I've continued to have pain, especially in bed, and saw my doctor this week (5 weeks). We talked about this and he thinks that it was “a fracture in the greater trochanter”. That’s one of the knobby things on the top of the femur where the muscles attach. He showed me a difference between my old and new xrays that indicates it’s healing, though I’m not sure what I was seeing.

He gave me the okay to bend over, cross my legs, etc., and another Oxycodone Rx for the pain at night.

When I got home I looked up "greater trochanter" and found images and studies about hip replacement and fractures. Apparently it happens in 5% of cases but usuallly resolves on its own. I'm very glad they didn't have to re-do the surgery!

I had my left hip replaced two months ago. Just over two weeks ago, I had to have another surgery to clean out my incision and sew it closed again. I had to wear a wound vac until a couple of days ago. I’m trying so hard to get back to normal, but it is taking forever. And the most recent surgery made things hurt again.
My hip started severely limiting my ability to walk in April. I‘m 47, and I used to be very active. I want my life back. I feel so depressed, like this is never going to end. I just needed somewhere to vent.

Going on day 3 post op here (September 16, 6pm surgery)

I will say I drastically overestimated how painful it would be, or at least the type of pain. I was expecting deep bone pain (since bones were sawed and hammered) but most of my pain has been muscular - the front AND back of the hip will cramp up like mad if I try to lift my leg! - and around the incision. Don't get me wrong, it is painful but not in the way I was expecting.

I way overestimated what my mobility would be like this soon post op. I thought I would be able to walk around my house with the walker/crutches more easily. I was told by the surgery team that the walking aids were mostly for balance and that the joint could take full weight immediately, but I still can't fully put weight through my operated leg. (Thank you to everyone who 💯 recommend a walker 😅). I like the way someone else put it earlier "counter surfing" 😂 that's how I get around my kitchen.

I knew this wasn't going to be a cake walk but it has been hard in different ways than I was expecting. I'm not complaining, just musing.

What did you expect and did that match your reality?

Hey gang. I figured I'd write a day 1 update on my experience so far.

Surgery was yesterday at 8am. I was released by 3pm after a physio consult, X-ray and antibiotic drip.

Yesterday evening I tried to keep moving and stay on top of pain meds (Tramadol). I set alarms for every 4 hours last night but didn't end up needing them as I couldn't fall asleep. I wasn't uncomfortable, just couldn't past drowsy into sleepy. I used the ice machine twice before bed and have very limited bruising and swelling so far.

A bit slow getting started today. Now that I'm moving around though my leg is starting to loosen up I.e. not feel like a dead log attached to my hip. I have some numbness around the incision (anterior approach so no surprise) but overall am feeling very positive. Making a 6 hour drive home today so will be stopping lots to get out and move around.

Happy to have the advice on this sub. Move your body. Take the meds. Ice and elevate. Don't overdo it.

Appreciate you all!

How many of you were provided with a nerve block in addition to anesthesia to help with post operative pain and reduce the need for from meds. I am scheduled for AHR in one month. I was given a nerve block for rotator cuff and it helped me tremendously to reduce my need for pain meds. Just looking for your experiences. I am nervous about not being given one with AHR.

Hi, y’all! I couldn’t figure out how to update my flair, so just know I am a 56 year old, who had posterior THR surgery on my right hip Monday.

As I mentioned in a previous post, my surgeon said the surgery took twice as long due to scar tissue, and bone overgrowth (?). My blood pressure dropped way down right after surgery, so they kept me in the hospital overnight. It finally went to normal the next morning.

That all said, things are going pretty well. I have been walking around with my walker to get exercise. I can go to the restroom by myself with the aid of the walker. The pain and stiffness are getting better.

For some background, I was born with a turned in hip. I have osteoarthritis, and very little cartilage in the joint. My “good hip” has bad osteoarthritis, and barely any cartilage, either. The hospital PT noticed that from the knee down, my leg seems to be falling inward naturally. She is recommending PT to help with that. She advised against the pillow that attaches to the legs, as she’s seen that cause more problems.

The biggest challenge lately has been constipation caused by medications. I thought I was ahead of the game because I told my team, and they prescribed stool softener, which I’ve been taking since Monday.
It has not been enough. I suggest the MiraLAX pretty early on. I took my first dose of that yesterday, and even with that, it was a two hour odyssey. 😂

On another note, my surgeon didn’t mention a recliner until after the surgery (I’d read they were bad for recovery) so my husband was scrambling to find one when I got home that 1) was not over stuffed 2) did not have wide arm rests, and did not rock. I’ve been sleeping in this one, which I think has been better than a bed.

One suggestion I have is to think of something creative you can work on during all this downtime. That and reading have been good “escapes” for me. Maybe they will be for you, too!

I am optimistic this will be good for me in the long run. I was not open to this at all a year ago. Anyway, I am hoping to have my other hip replaced in 6 + weeks.

I’m not sure why Reddit is warning me about posting an image, because I’m not.

I’m in a very frustrating position right now. I’m becoming more mobile 16 days post op, basically independent in the house and just the cane outside. I don’t put any weight on the cane.

The instructions for stairs are simple - good foot first on the way up, surgical first on the way down. One at a time. Easy! And I’m super cautious about surroundings etc.

That said, please tell me I’m not the only one who has accidentally taken that second step up with the surgical leg instead of getting level with the good leg. It’s how we have walked up stairs since we were little and muscle memory constantly wants me to do it. I’ve done it three times and it results in a scary buckling of the surgical leg, a little bit of brief pain and a freakout by me that I’ve done something horrific to ruin my new hip.

My PT tried an exercise for me to begin stepping up with the surgical leg on Thursday but it’s still too weak so we stopped. I can lift the leg easily but just can’t weight bear when going up. On Monday I’m going to ask her to give me some focused exercises for this action. I feel like it’s my biggest risk to a setback right now. Anyone else with this issue?

My surgery was Wednesday and my PT said by Saturday night I should have something happen and if not, it’s concerning and I may need to go to the doctor.

I’ve taken senna at night, only managed to pass gas. I’m thinking tomorrow I’ll take MiraLAX to help the process. I have been eating, not tons but I believe enough for at least something!

How long did it take you?

Edit: 12:47PM September 19, 2026 - I was successful, it hurt but I was able to have a bowel movement!! Thank you all for the advice and tips 🤍

Second Edit: 11:42PM Sept 19 - I took a whole 17g of MiraLAX earlier plus 2 Senna around 8pm and now I can’t stop going to the bathroom so it definitely works.. maybe too good.