Hip Replacement Rehabilitation at Home
Undergoing a total hip replacement is a significant event. While surgery repairs the joint, the weeks that follow determine how well you recover. For many older adults in Southampton, Bournemouth, Ringwood, and across Hampshire & Dorset, the thought of travelling to a clinic immediately after discharge is daunting — sitting in a low car seat can be uncomfortable and may risk breaking the hip precautions essential for safe healing.
At Medella, we bring specialist hip replacement rehab at home directly to you. Our HCPC-registered physiotherapists and occupational therapists work together to restore your mobility, rebuild your confidence, and ensure you can manage daily tasks safely — all in the comfort of your own home.
Understanding Your New Hip
A total hip replacement (also called a total hip arthroplasty) involves replacing a damaged hip joint with a prosthetic ball and socket. It is one of the most common and successful orthopaedic procedures in the UK, with over 100,000 performed each year on the NHS. The operation relieves pain and restores the structure of the joint — but it is the rehabilitation that restores your function, strength, and independence.
Most patients are discharged from hospital within one to three days with a set of exercises and a list of movement precautions. Without professional guidance, it is easy to feel uncertain about what is safe, what is normal, and how quickly you should be progressing.
That is where we come in. Our therapists follow your surgeon's specific protocol, answer the questions that arise once you are home, and guide your recovery from day one through to full independence.
Recovery Timeline
Every patient is different, but a typical home recovery after hip replacement follows this progression:
Weeks 1–2: Safety First
Managing swelling and pain. Mastering safe movement with your walking frame or crutches. Learning to follow hip precautions (the "90-degree rule") during everyday tasks like sitting, dressing, and using the toilet. Your therapist visits to check your gait, ensure wound healing is progressing, and begin gentle exercises.
Weeks 3–6: Building Strength
Weaning off walking aids and progressing to a single stick. Strengthening hip abductor muscles to stabilise your pelvis when walking. Practising stairs, outdoor walking, and getting in and out of bed more confidently. Most patients notice a significant improvement during this phase.
Weeks 6–12: Growing Independence
Walking unaided around the house and garden. Returning to light activities and hobbies. Many surgeons lift formal hip precautions at six weeks. We continue to build balance and endurance to reduce the risk of falls.
Month 3+: Return to Normal Life
Returning to outdoor walking, driving (typically from 6 weeks), and daily routines with full confidence. Some patients continue with maintenance sessions to build long-term strength and prevent future falls.
Planning Ahead? Consider Pre-Hab
We also offer "pre-hab" visits before your operation. We assess your home for safety, recommend any equipment you will need on discharge (raised toilet seat, bed lever, grab rails), and teach you the exercises that will give you a head start on recovery. Patients who prepare beforehand often recover faster and more confidently.
Common Difficulties After Hip Replacement
Recovering at home presents specific challenges. We help you manage:
Pain & Stiffness
Managing discomfort during movement or disturbed sleep. We teach you positioning strategies and safe exercises to ease stiffness without forcing the joint.
Mobility Fears
Nervousness about walking on different surfaces, getting in and out of chairs, or tackling stairs. We build your confidence gradually in your own home.
Hip Precautions
Strict adherence to rules such as not bending past 90 degrees, not crossing your legs, and not twisting on your operated leg. We show you practical techniques to follow these safely.
Daily Tasks
Difficulty putting on socks and shoes, washing, getting dressed, or getting out of bed. Our occupational therapists teach adapted techniques and recommend the right equipment.
How Our Team Helps After Hip Replacement
By combining physiotherapy (movement and strength) with occupational therapy (daily living and home safety), we deliver a complete rehabilitation programme — not just exercises.
Physiotherapy: Rebuilding Movement & Strength
Our physiotherapists have an average of 19+ years of experience. You will be treated by a senior clinician who understands post-operative hip protocols.
- Gait re-training — correcting your walking pattern to prevent a limp and restore a natural stride on your own floors, stairs, and garden
- Hip strengthening — targeting the hip abductor muscles that stabilise your pelvis during walking, the most common cause of a persistent limp
- Range of movement — gentle mobilisation and stretching to reduce stiffness and improve how far the joint moves safely
- Stair practice & balance — teaching you the safest way to tackle your staircase at home and reducing the risk of falls during the vulnerable early weeks
Occupational Therapy: Daily Life & Home Safety
While physiotherapy rebuilds your body, occupational therapy focuses on your environment and daily routines.
- The 90-degree rule in practice — techniques to wash, dress, and use the toilet without bending your hip past the safe limit
- Home safety assessment — checking seating heights, bathroom safety, bed access, and trip hazards. See our home adaptations service
- Equipment recommendations — long-handled shoe horns, sock aids, raised toilet seats, grab rails, or specialist seating
- Fatigue & routine management — pacing strategies so you can manage your energy and maintain independence while your body heals
Why Home-Based Rehab After Hip Replacement?
Getting into a car with a fresh hip replacement is painful and risks breaking your movement precautions. A low car seat forces the hip past 90 degrees — exactly what your surgeon has told you to avoid. Travelling to a clinic uses up the energy you need for your actual exercises.
By coming to you, we save your energy for what matters. We practise the things you actually need to do — climbing your stairs, getting out of your favourite chair, managing your bathroom safely. This functional approach leads to faster, more confident recovery because every exercise has a direct purpose.
Family members can also watch and learn, giving them the confidence to support you safely between sessions.
What to Expect
Initial assessment at home
Your therapist visits within days of discharge (60-90 minutes). We review your surgical notes, assess mobility and pain levels, check your home environment for safety, and set clear rehabilitation goals.
Personalised rehabilitation plan
Based on your surgeon's protocol and your personal goals, we create a plan with measurable milestones. You receive a written home exercise programme after every session — not a generic sheet from hospital.
Regular sessions at home
Typically one to two sessions per week, progressing exercises as your strength and range improve. We bring everything we need — you do not need any specialist equipment to start.
Return to independence
Our goal is to get you walking confidently, managing stairs, and returning to daily life as safely and quickly as possible. Most patients see meaningful improvement within 6–12 weeks of starting home physiotherapy.
Hip Replacement Rehab Pricing
Hip replacement physiotherapy and occupational therapy from £60 per home visit. Your initial assessment (£120, 60-90 minutes) includes a full physical evaluation, review of your surgical protocol, home safety check, and a personalised rehabilitation plan.
No contracts or minimum commitments. Most families start with an initial assessment, then agree a session frequency based on goals and budget. We invoice monthly with no upfront payment required.
£120
Initial Assessment
60-90 minutes
£60
30-min Follow-up
30 minutes
£90
45-min Follow-up
45 minutes
What Patients Say About Our Hip Replacement Rehab
Independent reviews from patients who have recovered from hip surgery with our team. Read all our 5-star Google reviews.
"We had Seena help my 91 year old mum recover from a hip replacement operation last year. Seena was excellent at encouraging my mum to do all the appropriate exercises and getting her confidence back after her fall. We have been very pleased with the results. We have been using Seena on a weekly basis for 10 months as we see the benefit she is giving to my mum. She would not be as strong on her feet if we did not have Seena helping us. Thank you Seena."
Carole Richmond
Google Review
"Jo was excellent in supporting my 99 year old dad after he suffered a hip fracture. She supported him to get mobile and provided exercises to help him regain muscle strength. Lots of incredibly helpful suggestions and an extremely positive and encouraging therapist — we are extremely grateful!"
Annie Jenkinson
Google Review
"A very professional service. I had a fall and fractured my hip bone which required major surgery. My therapist is kind and has helped me make good progress with the exercises and my walking has really improved. I shall continue to use their service to help my recovery."
Brian White
Google Review
Your Hip Replacement Rehabilitation Team
Senior clinicians only — our team averages 19+ years of experience. No junior staff, no assistants. View all team profiles.
Naomi Patrick
Clinical Director & Senior Physiotherapist
Physiotherapy
Julia Pervin
Senior Physiotherapist
Physiotherapy
Seena Thomas
Senior Physiotherapist
Physiotherapy
Sarah Grisenthwaite
Senior Physiotherapist
Physiotherapy
Rosie Watts
Senior Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapy
Naomi Gibson
Senior Physiotherapist
PhysiotherapyWhen to Seek Urgent Medical Advice
Contact your GP or surgical team immediately if you notice:
- ● Increasing redness, heat, or tracking lines around the wound
- ● Fluid or discharge leaking from the surgical site
- ● New or severe pain in the calf muscle (a potential sign of DVT)
- ● Sudden shortness of breath or chest pain
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start physiotherapy after hip replacement?
Ideally within the first week of being discharged from hospital. Early intervention prevents stiffness from setting in, ensures you develop a correct walking pattern from the start, and reduces the risk of complications. Contact us before you leave hospital if possible — we can often arrange a first visit within days.
How often will I need sessions?
Most patients benefit from one to two sessions per week in the early stages, gradually reducing as strength and confidence improve. The exact frequency depends on your surgical approach, your progress, and your goals. There are no contracts — you can increase, reduce, or stop sessions at any time.
When can I drive again after hip replacement?
Most surgeons advise waiting at least six weeks before driving, though this varies depending on which hip was operated on and whether you drive an automatic or manual car. You must be able to perform an emergency stop safely. Your therapist can assess your readiness and advise on when it is safe to return to driving.
What equipment will I need at home?
Common items include a raised toilet seat, a perching stool for the kitchen, a long-handled shoe horn, a sock aid, and grab rails for the bathroom. Our occupational therapist can assess your specific home and advise on exactly what you need. We do not sell equipment, but we tell you precisely what to buy and where to find it.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can contact us directly to arrange your first appointment — no referral is needed. However, if you have specific post-operative protocols from your surgeon, we will ask to see these so we can follow their instructions precisely. We are happy to coordinate with your NHS team, consultant, or GP.
Start Your Hip Replacement Recovery at Home
Do not wait for weeks on NHS waiting lists. Contact us today to arrange a post-operative assessment at home. We can usually visit within days of your discharge.