Physical therapy after hip replacement in South 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. No matter where you are in the process — just out of surgery or preparing in advance — physical therapy in South St. Louis, MO plays a key role in your recovery timeline.
At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in guiding South St. Louis, 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:
- How physical therapy supports your recovery after hip replacement surgery
- How hip rehab progresses over time — from hospital to full recovery
- How long recovery takes and what it typically involves
- Which exercises and treatments speed healing and reduce pain
- How Axes Physical Therapy helps patients in South St. Louis, MO recover stronger
- Helpful advice for staying mobile and safe post-surgery
Why Does Hip Replacement Physical Therapy Matter in South St. Louis, MO?
Hip replacement physical therapy is a structured rehabilitation program designed to help you recover safely after surgery. It includes a combination of stretching, strengthening, balance training, and functional exercises that improve how you walk, move, and live day to day. They’ll also show you how to reduce discomfort, manage swelling, and protect your new joint from setbacks.
Most South St. Louis, 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.
Skipping or delaying therapy can lead to stiffness, muscle weakness, poor mobility, or a longer recovery overall. It’s one of the most important steps toward healing well and avoiding long-term complications.
Key Takeaway: The right therapy plan helps you recover strength and motion — and reduces your chances of post-op setbacks. Patients who skip PT often struggle with stiffness, pain, or poor mobility long after surgery.
What Happens Immediately After Hip Replacement Surgery in South St. Louis, MO
Within the first 24 hours post-surgery, most South St. Louis, MO patients begin moving under hospital supervision. Therapists typically help you start walking with a walker or crutches before you’re even discharged. But the real progress begins once you start working with an outpatient South St. Louis, MO physical therapy provider.
Our South St. Louis, 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
Before you leave the hospital, your surgeon may give you a basic home exercise plan. While those movements help keep you active, they don’t replace structured physical therapy. As soon as you’re cleared to begin outpatient rehab, our team steps in to:
- Evaluate how you walk, stand, and move day to day
- Provide pain-relief techniques like manual therapy or dry needling
- Progress your exercises safely and effectively
- Monitor healing and prevent complications
- Support your return to daily life with confidence
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. Early outpatient therapy in South St. Louis, MO gives you a head start on reaching your recovery goals — safely and effectively.
What’s the Typical Length of Physical Therapy After a Hip Replacement in South St. Louis, MO?
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 South 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: Begin building strength, improving balance, and increasing movement independence
- 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: Most patients attend outpatient physical therapy for 1–3 months. Your progress depends on consistency, effort, and working with South St. Louis, MO physical therapists who adjust your plan as you heal, not just sticking to a timeline.
Step-by-Step Guide to Hip Replacement Recovery in South St. Louis, MO
Axes Physical Therapy helps South 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.
Building Strength After Hip Replacement
After surgery, the muscles that support your new hip — including the glutes, quads, and hamstrings — need to be retrained. 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. Targeted mobility exercises improve range of motion and help you move through daily tasks more comfortably.
Increasing Weight Safely After Surgery
We start with walkers or crutches, then steadily increase your weight-bearing as your hip strengthens. We’ll guide you through this carefully to protect your healing hip and avoid setbacks.
Improving the Way You Walk
After joint surgery, it’s common to favor one side or develop compensatory movement patterns. Our therapists help retrain your body to walk evenly and safely, with attention to posture and balance.
Rehab That Supports Your Everyday Goals
If your goal is walking the dog or swinging a club, we’ll include exercises that help you do it safely. Our South St. Louis, MO physical therapists tailor every phase of your recovery to what matters most to you.
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.
Which Treatments Help Most with Hip Surgery Rehab?
We use science-backed techniques at Axes Physical Therapy to promote safe, efficient healing following a hip replacement. Each plan is personalized to your body, goals, and how far along you are in recovery.
These are just a few of the services that might be included in your post-op therapy program:
- 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
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)
IASTM breaks down scar tissue and eases tension in stiff muscles, promoting better movement - Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Training
This technique boosts muscle strength with light resistance, reducing strain on your recovering hip - DorsaVi Video Motion Analysis
Wearable sensor technology gives real-time feedback on your movement patterns to fine-tune your rehab and prevent future issues - Kinesio Taping®
Supportive tape applications can minimize swelling, stabilize joints, and guide motion patterns as you heal
Key Takeaway: Axes offers a full spectrum of modern, science-backed treatments to support every stage of your hip replacement recovery, from pain relief and mobility to strength and long-term stability
Why Choose Axes for Hip Replacement Physical Therapy in South St. Louis, MO?
Your recovery isn’t just about healing — it’s about getting back to living. Axes is proud to provide South St. Louis, MO-area patients with tailored, one-on-one support that truly makes a difference.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Locally Owned, Community-Focused
With more than 20 convenient locations across Greater St. Louis, Jefferson County, and St. Charles County, we’re rooted in your community, and we treat you like family - Experienced Physical Therapists
Every therapist at Axes brings deep knowledge and hands-on experience to support hip replacement recovery - 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: You can count on Axes for individualized, expert-led therapy delivered by people who care deeply about your recovery.
Start Your Hip Replacement Recovery with Axes in South St. Louis, MO
Whether you’re days away from surgery or weeks into healing, physical therapy is crucial for your progress. 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.
We coordinate with your surgeon and design a schedule that supports your lifestyle and goals
Ready to take the next step?
Now that your hip is replaced, let’s help it work the way it’s meant to.
