Post-surgical physical therapy for hip replacement in Farmington, 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. Whether you’re days out from surgery or planning ahead, personalized physical therapy in Farmington, MO can make all the difference in how quickly and safely you heal.
At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in guiding Farmington, MO-area patients through every stage of post-op recovery with science-backed treatments, compassionate care, and clear goals. Whether your goal is to walk with ease or get back to your favorite activities, we’re here to support every milestone.
Here’s What You’ll Discover Below:
- The reasons physical therapy matters after hip replacement surgery
- What to expect in the early and later stages of rehab
- How many weeks of rehab to expect and what’s included
- The most effective rehab methods for pain relief and mobility
- Why patients in Farmington, MO choose Axes for their hip replacement recovery
- Ways to move confidently after your hip replacement
What Makes Hip Replacement Rehab So Essential in Farmington, MO?
Hip replacement physical therapy is a step-by-step recovery program that guides you safely through healing after surgery. It includes a combination of flexibility work, muscle strengthening, and gait training to help you regain everyday function. They’ll also show you how to reduce discomfort, manage swelling, and protect your new joint from setbacks.
Most Farmington, MO patients start physical therapy within a day or two of surgery and continue for several weeks, ultimately helping you return to climbing stairs, driving, gardening, or just walking without pain.
If you delay or skip therapy, you risk slower healing, reduced mobility, and long-term muscle weakness. That’s why physical therapy is considered essential, not optional, for a successful outcome after hip replacement.
Key Takeaway: Physical therapy after a hip replacement helps restore strength, flexibility, and mobility while lowering the risk of complications. Patients who skip PT often struggle with stiffness, pain, or poor mobility long after surgery.
Your First Steps After Hip Replacement in Farmington, MO
It’s common for Farmington, 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. True recovery starts when you begin outpatient physical therapy in Farmington, MO.
Our Farmington, MO physical therapists see patients shortly after they’re discharged, often within a few days of surgery. From that point forward, our rehab team follows a proven system to help you heal, move, and regain strength.
Transitioning from Hospital to Outpatient Rehab
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 Farmington, MO team steps in to take your recovery to the next level:
- Evaluate how you walk, stand, and move day to day
- Provide pain-relief techniques like manual therapy or dry needling to ease tension and promote healing
- Progress your exercises safely and effectively
- Monitor healing and prevent delays in healing
- Help you feel comfortable returning to your normal routine
Outpatient therapy is where the bulk of your recovery happens, and the sooner you begin, the better your results tend to be
Key Takeaway: You begin healing in the hospital, but you build function and strength in outpatient care. Starting PT shortly after discharge, with a physical therapy team in Farmington, MO that understands your goals, leads to faster, safer, and more complete healing.
How Long Do You Go to Physical Therapy in Farmington, MO After a Hip Replacement?
Most people attend physical therapy for 6 to 12 weeks after a hip replacement, though the exact timeline depends on your age, overall health, activity goals, and how smoothly your surgery and early recovery go. At Axes, your physical therapy plan in Farmington, MO is based on your individual recovery — not a rigid timeline.
What Your Rehab Timeline Might Look Like
- Weeks 1–3: Focus on pain management, gentle range of motion, and safe walking with assistive devices
- Weeks 4–6: Begin building strength, improving balance, and increasing movement independence
- Weeks 7 to 12: Focus on endurance and functional activities like climbing stairs or resuming hobbies
The typical plan starts with multiple sessions weekly, gradually scaling back as progress is made. We’ll also adapt your home exercises to align with your in-clinic progress.
What If You Need More Time in Therapy?
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.
The key is consistent effort. Skipping sessions or ending too soon can lead to stiffness, weakness, and slower return to normal life.
Key Takeaway: Typical outpatient PT for hip replacement runs about 1 to 3 months. Your progress depends on consistency, effort, and working with Farmington, MO physical therapists who adjust your plan as you heal, not just sticking to a timeline.
Farmington, MO Hip Replacement Physical Therapy, Step-by-Step
Axes Physical Therapy helps Farmington, MO patients move through each stage of hip replacement rehab — from day one to full independence. Each part of the program helps you steadily rebuild function, mobility, and confidence.
Reactivating the Muscles That Support Your New Hip
After surgery, the muscles that support your new hip — including the glutes, quads, and hamstrings — often need help reactivating and rebuilding strength. Our therapists lead you through strengthening routines that support stability, posture, and safe mobility.
Improving Joint Flexibility Post-Replacement
Most patients feel tightness in the joint following surgery. We use guided stretching and motion techniques to help you restore joint flexibility and ease of movement.
Increasing Weight Safely After Surgery
During recovery, we’ll slowly increase weight on your surgical leg — beginning with assistive devices and moving toward unassisted walking. You’ll always be guided at a pace that’s safe and supported.
Gait and Balance Training
After joint surgery, it’s common to favor one side or develop compensatory movement patterns. We focus on improving how you walk so every step is aligned, steady, and pain-free.
Getting Back to What You Love
From climbing stairs to golfing or running errands, we design your rehab to get you back to your lifestyle. Every part of your program is personalized to your goals by our Farmington, MO team.
Key Takeaway: Step-by-step recovery leads to lasting results — starting with motion and ending with full functional return. With proper care, you’ll go from slow, steady steps to fully confident activity — on your schedule.
What Treatments Work Best After a Hip Replacement?
Axes Physical Therapy provides a variety of proven rehab methods to support safe, effective recovery after hip surgery. 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
Hands-on techniques to reduce joint stiffness, improve flexibility, and ease tension in surrounding muscles — especially in your hip, back, and thighs - Trigger Point Dry Needling
Dry needling can release deep tension points, helping reduce discomfort and improve flexibility - Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
We use tools to release tissue restrictions and support faster, more comfortable healing - Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Training
This technique boosts muscle strength with light resistance, reducing strain on your recovering hip - 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®
Kinesio taping offers joint support and pain relief while promoting better posture and control
Key Takeaway: Axes delivers comprehensive, research-backed care that guides you through pain management, improved mobility, and lasting strength after hip replacement
Why Patients Trust Axes for Hip Replacement Recovery in Farmington, MO
Recovery means more than healing a joint — it means restoring your quality of life. Axes is proud to provide Farmington, MO-area patients with tailored, one-on-one support that truly makes a difference.
Here’s why patients choose Axes:
- 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
We follow the most current clinical best practices to keep your rehab both effective and individualized - 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
It’s easy to stay on track with our flexible scheduling options that fit around your busy day
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.
Start Your Hip Replacement Recovery with Axes in Farmington, MO
Whether you’re preparing for surgery or already on the road to recovery, the right physical therapy can make all the difference. Our team will walk with you through each stage — from those first assisted steps to fully regaining your daily routine.
Your care plan is built around you — with support from our team and input from your physician
Let’s get started.
Your new hip is just the beginning. Let’s make sure it moves the way it should.
