Post-surgical physical therapy for hip replacement in Downtown West St. Louis, MO is a critical part of your recovery journey, supporting your return to normal movement, reducing pain, and helping you enjoy your daily life again. From pre-op planning to post-op care, physical therapy in Downtown West St. Louis, MO is essential to healing well and regaining independence.
At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in guiding Downtown West St. Louis, MO-area patients through every stage of post-op recovery with clinically proven techniques, personal support, and goal-oriented plans. We’ll help you build strength, restore function, and regain confidence — at your pace and on your terms.
What This Page Covers:
- How physical therapy supports your recovery after hip replacement surgery
- What the different phases of physical therapy look like after surgery
- How many weeks of rehab to expect and what’s included
- What types of therapy techniques help you recover faster
- How Axes Physical Therapy helps patients in Downtown West St. Louis, MO recover stronger
- Tips for walking, climbing stairs, and staying active after surgery
What Is Hip Replacement Physical Therapy in Downtown West St. Louis, MO and Why Is It So Important?
Hip replacement physical therapy is a carefully planned rehab process that supports your safe recovery from hip surgery. It includes a combination of targeted exercises and movement training to restore your ability to walk, bend, and stay active. Your therapist will also help you control pain, reduce inflammation, and avoid risky movements as your hip heals.
Physical therapy usually begins within 1–2 days after surgery and continues for a few months, helping Downtown West St. Louis, MO patients get back to normal life — including walking, driving, and everyday tasks.
Putting off therapy can result in joint stiffness, pain, and a more difficult road to recovery. That’s why consistent physical therapy is so important after hip surgery — it’s critical to long-term success.
Key Takeaway: Post-surgical rehab is key to building strength, improving flexibility, and preventing problems after your hip replacement. Skipping it may slow recovery and leave you with lasting limitations.
What to Expect Right After Hip Replacement Surgery in Downtown West St. Louis, MO
It’s common for Downtown West St. Louis, MO patients to start light movement within a day of surgery, usually while still admitted. You’ll probably begin walking short distances with assistance from hospital staff or a rehab specialist. But the real progress begins once you start working with an outpatient Downtown West St. Louis, MO physical therapy provider.
Our Downtown West St. Louis, MO physical therapists see patients shortly after they’re discharged, often within a few days of surgery. We continue your care with a customized, research-based plan focused on getting you back to full function safely and efficiently.
From Hospital Discharge to Outpatient Therapy
Most patients receive a starter exercise routine before they’re discharged from the hospital. While those movements help keep you active, they don’t replace structured physical therapy. Once you’re cleared for outpatient PT, our Downtown West St. Louis, MO team steps in to take your recovery to the next level:
- Observe your gait, posture, and joint movement for safe progression
- Provide pain-relief techniques like manual therapy or dry needling as needed to reduce soreness and improve mobility
- Progress your exercises safely and effectively
- Monitor healing and prevent delays in healing
- Help you feel comfortable returning to your normal routine
The sooner you begin outpatient rehab, the more effective your recovery tends to be
Key Takeaway: Inpatient activity starts recovery, but outpatient therapy is where true progress happens. Starting PT shortly after discharge, with a physical therapy team in Downtown West St. Louis, MO that understands your goals, leads to faster, safer, and more complete healing.
What’s the Typical Length of Physical Therapy After a Hip Replacement in Downtown West St. Louis, MO?
On average, hip replacement rehab lasts between 6 and 12 weeks, though the exact duration varies based on health status and recovery pace. At Axes, your physical therapy plan in Downtown West St. Louis, MO is based on your individual recovery — not a rigid timeline.
What Your Rehab Timeline Might Look Like
- Weeks 1 to 3: Manage pain, regain basic movement, and use support tools like walkers safely
- Weeks 4–6: Add strengthening and balance work while developing more independent movement
- Weeks 7–12: Build endurance, work on stairs or uneven surfaces, and return to daily activities or recreational goals
You might begin with 2–3 sessions per week, then taper to once weekly as you improve. At each stage, your home plan evolves to match your therapy sessions and recovery speed.
Can Therapy Go Longer?
Absolutely. People with more difficult recoveries or long-standing mobility issues may need extra support. Others may finish earlier if they meet their goals quickly.
Consistency is everything — missing appointments or stopping too early can delay recovery and lead to setbacks.
Key Takeaway: The average course of hip rehab lasts one to three months. You’ll recover best by committing to your plan and partnering with Downtown West St. Louis, MO therapists who adapt it to fit your needs — not a fixed schedule.
Downtown West St. Louis, MO Hip Replacement Physical Therapy, Step-by-Step
Axes Physical Therapy helps Downtown West St. Louis, MO patients move through each stage of hip replacement rehab — from day one to full independence. Every step of the process is designed to restore your strength, stability, and comfort.
Strengthening the Right Muscles
After surgery, the muscles that support your new hip — including the glutes, quads, and hamstrings — require focused work to regain strength and control. Our therapists lead you through strengthening routines that support stability, posture, and safe mobility.
Improving Joint Flexibility Post-Replacement
Stiffness is a normal part of early hip replacement recovery. Gentle stretches and mobility drills help you regain full range of motion in your new joint so you can bend, reach, and move more naturally.
Increasing Weight Safely After Surgery
As your hip heals, we’ll gradually increase the amount of weight you put on your leg — starting with a walker or crutches and working toward walking without assistance. Every step is monitored to ensure safe progress and reduce risk.
Gait and Balance Training
After joint surgery, it’s common to favor one side or develop poor walking patterns. We’ll work with you on posture, foot placement, and stride so you can walk confidently, safely, and with better alignment.
Rehab That Supports Your Everyday Goals
Whether it’s walking your dog, climbing stairs, driving, or playing golf, your plan will include specific exercises that help you meet your personal goals. Our Downtown West St. Louis, MO therapists build each plan around your recovery timeline and daily life needs.
Key Takeaway: Step-by-step recovery leads to lasting results — starting with motion and ending with full functional return. With the right plan and expert guidance, you’ll go from cautious steps to confident movement in just a few months.
Which Treatments Help Most with Hip Surgery Rehab?
At Axes Physical Therapy, we offer a range of evidence-based treatments designed to help you heal safely and efficiently after a hip replacement. Each plan is personalized to your body, goals, and how far along you are in recovery.
Here are some of the services we may include in your rehab plan:
- Pre/Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
Whether you worked with us before surgery or are starting post-op, we’ll guide your recovery with customized exercises, mobility training, and progressive strengthening - Manual Therapy
Therapists use manual techniques to relieve stiffness and tightness, particularly in the hips and nearby muscle groups - Trigger Point Dry Needling
Used to relieve deep muscle tension and promote healing by targeting specific “knots” that can cause pain and limit movement - Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
Specialized tools help treat scar tissue and tight muscles, improving range of motion and speeding recovery - Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Training
BFR allows you to gain strength with minimal load — perfect for early stages of healing - DorsaVi Video Motion Analysis
This system uses motion sensors to analyze walking, balance, and body mechanics so we can tailor your rehab precisely - Kinesio Taping®
Supportive tape applications can minimize swelling, stabilize joints, and guide motion patterns as you heal
Key Takeaway: From easing pain to building strength, Axes provides a full range of evidence-based treatments to support every step of your recovery
Why Choose Axes for Hip Replacement Physical Therapy in Downtown West St. Louis, MO?
Recovery means more than healing a joint — it means restoring your quality of life. We’re proud to support Downtown West St. Louis, MO-area patients with personalized, hands-on care that goes beyond the basics.
What makes Axes different:
- Locally Owned, Community-Focused
Serving St. Louis, Jefferson County, and St. Charles County, our many locations make top-tier rehab accessible and community-centered - Experienced Physical Therapists
Our licensed PTs have an average of over 15 years of clinical experience, with specialized knowledge in orthopedic and post-surgical rehab - Evidence-Based Treatment Plans
Our therapy methods are grounded in proven research, ensuring your recovery is personalized, safe, and efficient - Compassionate, One-on-One Care
We take time to understand your goals, whether that’s returning to work, walking without pain, or enjoying your favorite hobbies again - Flexible Scheduling and Support
We offer appointment times that work with your life — including evenings and weekends
Key Takeaway: Axes Physical Therapy combines local roots, experienced clinicians, and personalized care to help you recover better and faster, with a team that’s truly invested in your outcome.
Schedule Hip Replacement Physical Therapy in Downtown West St. Louis, MO with Axes Today
Whether you’re preparing for surgery or already on the road to recovery, the right physical therapy can make all the difference. At Axes, we’re here to guide you through every stage — from your first step out of bed to walking confidently, climbing stairs, and returning to the activities you love.
Our team will work with you, your physician, and your schedule to create a plan that fits your life and speeds your recovery
Ready to take the next step?
Your new hip is just the beginning. Let’s make sure it moves the way it should.
