Hip replacement is designed to get you back to living your life.
Whether your goal is walking without pain, traveling, playing golf, working in the yard, or simply putting on your shoes comfortably, the purpose of surgery is to restore your quality of life — not limit it. Below are the questions I hear most often after hip replacement.
Golf provides excellent exercise while placing relatively low impact on the hip.
Many patients begin:
Most golfers return to playing around two to three months after surgery, although everyone recovers differently.
Walking the course is excellent exercise when your endurance returns.
The goal isn't just to get rid of pain — it's to get back to the first tee.
Pickleball has become one of the fastest-growing sports, and one of the most common questions I hear.
Recreational doubles pickleball places relatively modest stress on the hip.
Singles pickleball requires much more running and sudden direction changes.
Return should be gradual.
Regain your:
before returning to competitive play.
Ease back into sports so your fitness catches up with your new hip.
Walking and hiking help maintain:
Start with shorter distances.
Gradually increase mileage and elevation.
Listen to your body.
One mile becomes two. Two becomes five. Consistency matters more than speed.
Modern hip replacements are remarkably durable.
However, repetitive high-impact activities increase forces across the implant.
Most patients choose hip replacement so they can return to:
rather than distance running.
If running is extremely important to you, discuss that before surgery.
Protect the investment you've made in your hip.
Many patients undergo surgery specifically so they can travel again.
Whether driving across Texas or flying internationally, remember to:
If you're traveling soon after surgery, discuss timing with your surgeon.
Movement during travel is good medicine.
Hip implants contain metal.
Occasionally additional screening is needed.
You generally do not need an implant identification card.
Simply inform security personnel that you have a hip replacement.
Your scar is usually all the identification you need.
Having a hip replacement does not prevent you from having MRI studies.
Metal near the hip may create some image distortion around the implant itself.
MRIs of other body parts are routinely performed without difficulty.
Always let the imaging center know you have a hip replacement.
Hip replacement does not close the door on future MRI studies.
Recommendations have changed over the years.
Older guidelines encouraged antibiotics before many dental procedures.
Current research has not demonstrated that routine antibiotics reduce the already very low risk of joint infection from dental work.
Some patients with previous joint infections or certain medical conditions may still benefit.
If you're uncertain, contact our office. We're always happy to review your situation and prescribe antibiotics when appropriate.
When in doubt, call us.
Today's implants have outstanding durability.
Longevity depends on:
Fortunately, many patients never require another hip operation.
Maintaining a healthy weight and remaining active are two of the best ways to maximize implant longevity.
The goal is one hip replacement for life.
One of my favorite follow-up visits is hearing, "I forgot I had a hip replacement."
That's exactly what we hope to accomplish.
You may occasionally notice mild stiffness after unusually active days.
However, the deep arthritic pain should be gone.
The goal isn't perfection.
The goal is to give you your life back.
A successful hip replacement fades into the background of your life.
Every hip is different. If hip pain is limiting your life, schedule an appointment to discuss your symptoms and treatment options with Dr. Jadye Kee.