How Long Will My Hip Replacement Last?

Joint replacement surgeries happen frequently across the United States. In fact, surgeons perform more than one million hip and knee replacements each year. As both surgical techniques and replacement joint technology have advanced, these procedures come with less downtime and better results.

Notably, experts now expect hip replacements to last longer than they used to. The longevity of your hip replacement depends, to some extent, on your lifestyle, your current hip, your age, and other factors that are unique to you. To get a better idea of how long your hip replacement could last, don’t hesitate to talk to Karl Siebuhr, MD, and our team at Reconstructive Orthopaedics of Central Florida in Ocala, Florida. 

To give you a general idea of what to expect, though, we’ve created this guide.

The lengthening life of hip replacements

Historically, hip replacement patients could expect at least a decade with their new artificial hip. Surgeons commonly told candidates for this procedure that they would likely get 10–15 years before they needed any kind of medical intervention.

Those numbers still apply today, but as artificial joint technology advances, replacement hips often last longer. In fact, a study from 2019 found that more than half of patients still lived comfortably 25 years after their hip replacement surgery.   

Today, with the latest arthroplasty techniques — something Dr. Siebuhr specializes in here at Reconstructive Orthopaedics of Central Florida — replacement hips can last 15–20 years, if not longer. 

What to expect with hip replacement

We tailor your procedure and your new joint to you. Some people benefit from total hip replacement, for example, while others only need partial hip replacement. Additionally, when possible, Dr. Siebuhr uses minimally invasive or robotic-assisted surgical techniques. 

We help you understand what your procedure and recovery process will look like based on the specific procedure Dr. Siebuhr recommends for you. 

In most cases, hip replacement is an outpatient surgery. That means you go home the same day as your procedure. 

Generally, we encourage you to start moving as soon as possible after your surgery. That means starting physical therapy right away and moving around the house, usually with a walker at first. 

Most people are able to return to a desk job and driving within a couple of weeks. You should be able to get back to most of your activities, including sports, within six weeks. 

If you want to learn more about hip replacement and find out if one might be right for you, call our office or request your appointment online today.