Travel after hip replacement

six months, minimum.

This is really one for your doctor, not for us helpliners. There's a lot of individual variation in how quickly a person bounces back from surgery generally. Hip replacements differ considerably in terms of invasiveness. Your level of pre-surgery fitness matters. Your weight, how well you tolerate pain, how faithful you are with physical therapyall affect recovery time. All of these factors have to be considered by you and your doctor in estimating likely recovery time. For my dad, he wouldn't have been able to handle tourist activities for many months after his surgery, whereas my admin assistant's hip replacement ended with a much quicker, easier recovery period. Personally, I wouldn't make costly plans until I knew how the surgery was going to go and how recovery was progressing. Too many variables, and you might be tempted to push yourself too fast just to accommodate a scheduled trip. RelaxEurope will still be there when you're ready to go, and planning is half the fun.

I think it would depend on what condition you are in now - both physical fitness and your pain levels. My husband had a hip replacement 10 years ago, when he was in his early 50's. The pain had gotten so bad for him that he was unable to walk around for more than 1 hour. He has a REAL fear of doctors, needles, etc. so had been putting off the surgery but when I put it to him that I planned to do our regular summer trip (i.e. walking around Europe) with or without him, he finally scheduled it. This was in early October and our trip was for late June. I can't remember exactly how long it took for him to completelty heal, but I know that he woke up in less pain than when he went in. He was over-enthusiastic about the physical therapy and had to be "reigned in" but it was the best thing that ever happened and we had a fabulous trip that summer. He had to give up running and basketball, but took up cycling and we have continued our annual Europe trips with only a minimal amount of slowdown for our "advancing age".

Hi Grier, I had a total hip replacement on Nov.9th. I have been limping, walking slowly, taking celebrex, yet still pulling my carryon and backpack, for a couple of years now. I am still in PT at less than 2 months,but am walking without a cane, no painkillers,driving, shopping, no problems. My legs had become a little weak so am building them up. Standing still bothers me some, such as you might do in a museum or waiting in line. My doctor said no travel for 3 months, but much of no traveling now is due to the discomfort of airline seats or being shaken by bad roads. I have a trip planned for midMarch and am working on a summer family vacation. You have to be careful about number one rule which is "No Falling" for 6 months.I am sure I will be in better shape than ever by March, and will just watch for slippery surfaces. BTW, I am 58.
Being active again is worth it, as the operation is low to no agony. Good Luck!

I'm very interested in this topic since my hip is about gone. The Surgeon said I could get another year or so out of it but I'd need a replacement soon. I love Europe and don't want to give up the trips but it's getting harder to walk the distances required . I may try to plan a shorter trip with less walking but the recovery time is of great interest to me.

Thank you for your helpful replies. I'm 56, healthy, exercise regularly, and not overweight. I haven't met with a surgeon yet but am getting close to that point. I'm being treated by a rheumatologist at the moment.

A close friend of ours had a total hip replacement in September. He is 67, very fit, and had the "minimally invasive" kind. He was home on Day 3 and we visited and had dinner with them on Day 4, when he was walking without support. Within weeks he was back to full activity (except fro running, which he can never do again.) They are now on their way to London for 3 weeks, flying tonight.

My mom had her first hip replaced in June and her second in September and felt comfortable traveling to Europe in March (six months). This was Light hiking, using public transportation, cafe going, etc. She was in pretty bad shape beforehand, so I don't know if that is typical recovery time. There is some accommodation for disabilities in Europe, but it isn't up to the ADA level we have here, and you run into situations like trains (or cultural sites!) up a level (or five!) with stair only access (sometimes this is because the escalator is out, sometimes they don't exist), so keep that in mind for how healed you want to be.

@ Larry, I was getting to the point where I was starting to mess my knees up from walking crooked, and I know that knee surgery is much worse than hip recovery. I have been pleasantly surprised by how easy recovery has been. I wasn't ever going to climb the Matterhorn, but I can certainly walk longer distances than I have been able to for the last 2-3 years. If I had given in to my doctor earlier I would have enjoyed my last few trips far more. Lots of great docs in the Texas Medical Center!