My mother is going to have a total hip replacement next month. My sisters and brothers are trying to figure out how much time each one of us can go and help her out after surgery. Can you give me any kind of time frame to plan on? How long should we plan on staying?

You'll probably want to ask the orthopedic surgeon this question. He or she may have a general idea given the condition of your mother before surgery, the type of surgery being done, and the philosophy behind their rehab program.

Studies show that if things go smoothly, there are no complications or problems to delay recovery. The wound heals nicely, there are no infections, no blood clots, and no need for readmission to the hospital. When readmissions do occur, they tend to take place within the first month after the operation.

Some surgeons follow a standard rehab protocol but others have now adopted a more accelerated (faster) approach. Patients move through rehab with an aggressive program of mobility and exercises. They tend to do things with a group of patients having the same surgery rather than following a single or solitary path. By doing so, they regain motion, strength, and function much faster.

If your mother is in good health and moves through rehab quickly, she could be discharged early. She can go home and continue her exercises and navigate her daily self-care and household activities with less and less help. Expect at least a one to two week period of time providing assistance at home. With any complications or set backs, this time period could be extended up to a month or more.