Free Hip Replacement Recovery Checklist: The First 14 Days
- Tom Morgan, Chartered Physiotherapist
- Aug 9
- 2 min read
The first two weeks after hip replacement are mainly about healing, safe mobility and gradually rebuilding confidence. This checklist gives you a simple framework for early recovery. Your own surgeon, hospital and physiotherapist's instructions — including any hip precautions or weight-bearing restrictions — always take priority.
Days 0–3: protect, move and practise safely
Take prescribed medication exactly as directed by your medical team.
Use the walking frame, crutches or other aid recommended by the hospital team.
Complete short, regular walks rather than one large burst of walking.
Keep up early circulation and muscle-activation exercises such as ankle pumps, quadriceps activation and gluteal activation where prescribed.
Follow the stair technique and transfer advice taught before discharge.
Follow any precautions specific to your surgical approach; generic online advice should not override your own instructions.
Days 4–7: settle into a home routine
Continue short walks through the day and build activity gradually.
Use ice, elevation or compression only where these are appropriate and have been recommended or are comfortable for you.
Monitor the wound and follow your surgical team's dressing and wound-care instructions.
Keep daily activity paced; a good day is not a reason to suddenly double the amount you do.
Expect fatigue, weakness, bruising and swelling, but look for gradual overall improvement.
Week 2: begin progressing strength and independence
Progress walking distance gradually while keeping the best walking pattern you can.
Do not discard a walking aid simply because two weeks have passed. Reduce support when gait quality, balance and strength allow.
Progress early strengthening such as sit-to-stands, heel raises and standing hip exercises if these are appropriate within your programme and precautions.
Continue practising everyday transfers and stairs using the technique you have been taught.
Keep following any temporary hip precautions until your own surgical team tells you they can be relaxed.
Contact your healthcare team if something is worsening
Contact your surgical team, GP or physiotherapist if pain, swelling, wound appearance or function is moving in the wrong direction rather than gradually improving. Seek urgent medical attention for sudden breathlessness or chest pain, marked one-sided calf swelling, a hot increasingly red joint with fever, sudden loss of function or other symptoms your surgical team has told you require urgent review.
Want the full hip replacement recovery plan?
The Complete Hip Replacement Recovery eGuide covers preparation before surgery, staged rehabilitation, walking and walking-aid progression, precautions, strength and balance, gym progression, everyday activities, travel guidance, checklists and QR-linked exercise video demonstrations.
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