Recovering from Hip Reconstruction: What to Expect

Surgical intervention could be what you need to resolve your hip pain. Whether you had a hip replacement that’s run into problems or you’re dealing with something like a fracture in your femur, hip reconstruction may be the best treatment for you.

Before you choose surgical treatment, though, you probably want to know what your recovery process will look like. To a large extent, that depends on the type of hip reconstruction surgery that Karl Siebuhr, MD, performs for you. Still, our team here at Reconstructive Orthopaedics of Central Florida in Ocala, Florida, wants to give you an idea of what to expect so you can prepare.   

What to expect with hip reconstruction

Dr. Siebuhr tailors your hip reconstruction procedure to you. 

Let’s say you have a fracture in the upper part of your femur but the socket of your hip joint is still healthy. With hip reconstruction, he can support healing in your femur without the need to fully replace your hip joint. 

Or maybe you had hip replacement surgery but you’ve come up against an obstacle like an infection or misalignment in the artificial joint. Dr. Siebuhr can use hip reconstruction surgery to correct the issue and help you lead the most mobile, pain-free life possible with your new hip. 

He uses what’s necessary to correct your specific issue. That might mean artificial components, graft material, or a combination of the two. If Dr. Siebuhr does need a graft of connective tissue, he takes it from another part of your body where it will be minimally disruptive. 

Your recovery timeline

The length of time it takes for you to fully recover from hip reconstruction depends on what Dr. Siebuhr does during your procedure. If he needs to take a graft, for example, healing that area becomes part of your recovery process. It won’t necessarily lengthen your recovery timeline, but it does mean added steps while you heal. 

Most patients are back at full capacity within six months of their hip reconstruction surgery. You won’t be immobile during those months, either. Our team works with you to ease you back into your usual activities as your hip heals. 

For most patients, that means moving around throughout the day, even right after your procedure. You’ll use a walker at first, but we work with you to get you back on your feet independently as quickly as possible. 

In the weeks that follow your hip reconstruction, you should see your mobility increase as your discomfort fades. To explore what this specialized type of procedure could do for you — and what recovery would look like with the specific surgery your hip issue needs — call our office or request your appointment online today.