Your Walking Speed Predicts Your Recovery After Hip Surgery

Osteoarthritis (OA), the leading cause of hip pain, affects an estimated 240 million people worldwide. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones gradually breaks down, causing pain and stiffness

A study published in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that patients with a gait speed of at least 1 meter per second (m/s) before hip replacement recovered significantly better than those with slower gait

In another study published in BMC Geriatrics, researchers found that older adults who walked regularly before a hip fracture, at least 30 minutes or most days weekly, regained better walking speed one year after surgery

Hip osteoarthritis mainly affects adults in their 50s and older and is more common in women

Many people can manage hip osteoarthritis with safe, drug‑free strategies like walking, strength training, and reducing inflammation through lifestyle changes — often delaying or avoiding injections and surgery