Can I run after a hip replacement?

Last reviewed: September 29, 2026

Some people do, but most do not. Only a small share of people run after a hip replacement. Many who ran before surgery stop.

In one large survey, about half of the people who ran before surgery were no longer running five or more years later. The most common reasons were their surgeon’s advice, fear of damaging the new hip, and pain. In another study, people who jogged before surgery were more likely to jog after it.

The worry is that pounding may wear the joint surfaces and loosen the implant. So far, studies have not shown this. In one study, joggers’ X-rays showed no loosening or unusual wear after about five years. In another, runners did not need their hip redone significantly more often than non-runners. A Norwegian registry study looked at hips with a modern wear-resistant liner. More active people were not more likely to need their hip redone for loosening over about nine years. That study measured overall activity, not running.

The limits are real. The running studies are small and stop at about five years. People who chose to run were likely fitter to begin with. A hip replacement is expected to last far longer than five years. The younger you are, the more of your hip’s life the evidence does not cover.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, most surgeons advise against running. Little research has measured fractures or dislocations during running.

In general:

• Tell your surgeon before surgery if you want to run afterward.
• Ask when you could start and how much. Advice varies among surgeons.
• If you choose not to run, walking, cycling and swimming are lower-impact options.

Drafted with AI assistance from published sources, reviewed and edited by Babak Sheikh, MD.

Sources:

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. OrthoInfo: Total Hip Replacement. https://www.orthoinfo.org/treatment/total-hip-replacement/
• Mikula JD, et al. Return to Sport and Exercise After Direct Anterior Approach Total Hip Arthroplasty: Minimum Five-Year Outcomes. J Arthroplasty. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2026.05.053
• Abe H, et al. Jogging After Total Hip Arthroplasty. Am J Sports Med. 2014. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546513506866
• Nordbø JV, et al. Physical Activity and the Risk of Aseptic Loosening After Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Case-Control Study From the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08865-9
• Zaballa E, et al. Risk of Revision Arthroplasty Surgery After Exposure to Physically Demanding Occupational or Leisure Activities: A Systematic Review. PLoS One. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264487

This is general information about what published research shows. It is not medical advice and it is not about your situation. Reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship with me. I am a retired orthopedic surgeon and I do not see patients. Talk with your own doctor before changing anything about your care. If something feels suddenly or seriously wrong, get medical care promptly rather than waiting.

This page is provided as is. I make no guarantee that it is accurate, complete or current, and medical evidence changes. Use of it is at your own risk.

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