My 84 year MIL is a candidate and is starting the process. She has not been able to walk correctly for years. Is to the point now she cannot walk without a roll cart walker. Just wondering what to expect as we will be providing support. She lives independently to this point.

Thanks all.

Had mine done just over 2 years ago. Should’ve done it years sooner. I just turned 53.
I was in surgery for about 45 minutes, according to my sister. I was the first surgery of the day, about 0800. I was up walking before lunch.
I had one issue, my AFIB kicked in and kept me from doing any real therapy for nearly a week. After that episode was over I improved some every day. Biggest thing was getting over the soreness from the surgery. But my hip pain was gone.
I have had a few recurrences of soreness, but mainly from me over doing it (working cattle, dirt bike, stuff like that).

A good family friend of mine had his done about two weeks before me. He was 82 at the time. He has really good genetics and was up running around like a 16 year old in just a few weeks.

Get a reputable doc, and make sure she DOES THE THERAPY.

My wife has had both hips done. Her first at age 47 and second at 51. Once complete the joint is completely weight-bearing and stable. The real limitation on motion is the pain from the muscles and ligaments that were moved to accommodate the surgery. The incision will have some small amount of pain as well. There are two approaches the surgeon can take, posterior and anterior. From what we've seen the posterior approach is a longer recovery as more muscle groups are cut through and disrupted. Both of my wife's surgeries have taken the anterior approach. In both cases she was up and moving same day.

It's common to have areas of numbness on the surface of the leg that persist.

The real barrier to recovery is the amount of confidence the patient has on being willing to trust the joint. Movement is your friend. You'll work with a physical therapist and likely the doctors PA for follow-up appointments. The physical therapist will really be doing the heavy lifting on helping your mom get back her mobility and confidence. Help her do all of the exercises even though they might seem minor or simple.

My wife went from running half marathon to barely being able to walk around the block. 6 months after her first surgery we did a 10 mile hike in perfect comfort. Though she can't run anymore due to worry of increased wear and tear on the appliances, she's able to be very active and carry on her everyday life.

About 10 yrs. ago my nephew did a hip replacement on a guy who was 94 but he was very active and a regular in marathons all his life. He came thru with flying colors.

She must be in extra spectacular physical condition otherwise.

At that age there are some doc's here that won't do hip replacement surgery unless the patient is in their 70's with no other medical concerns

I've had two. I would have been in a chair 24 years ago without the replacement. I don't know a single person who has been declined the needed surgery for fitness reasons-other health, once, a ticker problem and I know many with replacements of hip or knees.

Recovery isn't instantaneous but nearly. My wife's hip, done a year ago had her on her feet that afternoon and home the next morning. She did the PT, had no pain and was normal in two weeks if that.

I'm a fan

I had total hip done a year ago at age 60, best thing I’ve ever done. They took be back at 6am and had me under by 645 according to my wife, took me to recovery room at 2pm and was walking out the door at 245. I couldn’t believe it, of course I was a bit loopy still. The first day or 2 were rough but my physical therapy guy had me give up the walker the second day and use a cane. Make sure she does the therapy, it’s vital. I’d do it again in a minute if I had too. It’s life changing at least for me. The only thing I have problems with now is my opposite knee is trash after walking so screwed up for so long, that’s next on the list. Best of luck to her.

My neighbor is 80+, and she is a bit overweight. They did her as an out-patient and was home about 3 hours after her surgery. She is walking daily appox. 1/2 mile.

Thanks guys, going to be a double for her. Oaklane, I believe she is the same as you. Has trashed a knee or two by walking the way she has for years.
Scheduled for late July unless they call her due to an opening in the schedule.