Joint replacement surgery can be uncomfortable, but hip replacement pain can be manageable for most people.

Published: February 20, 2025

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Hip replacement surgery is a common treatment when hip pain or damage affects daily life and when nonsurgical options are no longer enough. During this procedure, a surgeon removes the damaged parts of the joint and implants either part of a new joint (partial hip replacement) or an entire new hip joint (total hip replacement).

Arthritis damage is the most common reason for this type of joint replacement surgery. A certain level of pain and discomfort can be expected after any joint replacement, but for most people, it’s manageable and decreases over time.

“Setting realistic expectations for recovery is key,” said Kevin J. Himschoot, M.D., orthopedic surgeon with Norton Orthopedic Institute. 

What is hip replacement surgery?
The amount of pain you experience after surgery may depend on several factors, including type of surgery, the implants used and your overall health.

“Joint replacement procedures have a certain amount of discomfort no matter what,” Dr. Himschoot said.

There are different types of hip replacement or partial replacement surgeries. There are also hip resurfacing procedures that cap the bones with metal or ceramic implants, instead of replacing them with a synthetic joint. The goal of a hip replacement, either total or partial, is to restore or maintain movement and flexibility in the joint.

The causes of hip pain and damage can include:

• Osteoarthritis, which commonly occurs with normal everyday activity over time: Osteoarthritis damages the cartilage at the ends of the bones and helps joints move smoothly.
• Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an overactive immune system, which creates inflammation that can erode cartilage and occasionally underlying bone, resulting in joint damage.
• Osteonecrosis is a less common condition, when there isn’t enough blood supplied to the ball portion of the hip joint, which can cause the bone to collapse and deform.

You also may need a partial or total hip replacement if you injure the joint. Hip fractures are more common as we age, especially in women. 

Hip replacement may be an option if your chronic pain:

• Persists, despite pain medication
• Worsens with walking, even with a cane or walker
• Interferes with sleep
• Affects the ability to walk up or down stairs
• Makes it difficult to rise from sitting down

Your doctor can help you decide whether you’re ready for joint replacement surgery.

Pain during and after hip surgery

You will be given anesthesia (pain management) for the surgery. Depending on your specific situation, you may be given a regional anesthetic, which blocks nerves to a certain part of your body. You are still awake during the procedure, but you may have a light sedative to help you relax. You may be given a general anesthetic, which acts on the brain and nervous system and puts your body to sleep. 

Immediately after surgery, you will spend time in recovery. There will be some pain and soreness at the incision site. There may be some bruising, and you may feel very tired. Your pain will be monitored and managed by hospital staff. You will get up to walk as soon as possible after the operation, using a cane or walker. Many people report feeling more pain on the second day after surgery.

“The goal is to stay a step ahead of your pain with ice or pain medication,” Dr. Himschoot said. “You will go home with prescriptions for your pain management and directions on how to use those medications, as well as other pain relief techniques.”

Your experience will be unique to you, but many people report:

• Discomfort in the hip for one to three months after surgery
• Discontinuing pain medication one to four weeks after surgery
• Resuming normal activity, with possible mild discomfort, in about six months
• Being pain free in about a year

Recovering from a hip replacement

Hip replacement recovery also may include:

•  Physical therapy (PT): You will start PT in the hospital after surgery and continue for several months. This includes stretches for mobility and strengthening exercises for the muscles around the new hip. 
• Assistive devices such as a walker or cane
• Nondrug approaches like ice, heat or massage.
• Medications including opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (also called NSAIDs) or other medicine.

Hip replacement recovery experiences vary from person to person. Factors that affect your pain levels include:

• Your individual tolerance for pain and discomfort
• Age, health and overall fitness level
• How well you follow your doctor’s instructions for your recovery after surgery, including for physical therapy and medications

Your surgeon and the rest of your medical team will be there to guide you through your hip replacement recovery and beyond. 

If you or a loved one has questions about minimally invasive hip replacement surgery and other replacement procedures, ask your doctor. They can help dispel myths about joint replacement, assess whether you may be a good candidate for hip surgery and help you choose an orthopedic surgeon.