Home vs. Rehab after hip surgery: what patients need to know, by Donny Tuchman, CEO, Cobble Hill Health Center

Recently, my neighbor Jack called me for advice. He knew that I am the CEO of a skilled nursing facility, and for the past year his wife, Gloria—an avid runner in her early 60s—had been struggling with worsening hip pain. After consulting with an orthopedist, she was advised to undergo a hip replacement.

Jack’s question was a common one: after surgery, would Gloria be better off going straight home with home care, or spending time in a rehabilitation facility? “She wants to go home,” he told me, “but I’m not sure she’ll recuperate as quickly.”

There are several reasons why patients recovering from orthopedic surgery may benefit from transitioning to a skilled nursing facility following their hospital stay. Chief among them is access to intensive physical therapy, which can accelerate healing and help patients regain optimal function more quickly.

I’m often struck by how many rehab patients are relatively young and have endured degenerative hip disease for years. For those diagnosed with conditions such as osteoarthritis, hip replacement can offer a true new lease on life—relieving pain and restoring mobility.

But the real question arises once it’s time to leave the hospital. Many patients understandably prefer to recover at home. Certified home healthcare agencies, such as Cobble Hill Health Center’s Your Choice at Home, provide nursing care and physical therapy in the comfort of a patient’s residence. For highly motivated individuals with adequate support, home care can be very effective, especially when exercises are tailored to the home environment.

However, many patients either need—or ultimately prefer—the structure of a skilled nursing facility. Common challenges include stairs at home, limited mobility, or the absence of someone who can assist with daily activities. Above all, inpatient rehab programs are more intensive and personalized to meet each patient’s specific needs.

At a facility like Cobble Hill Health Center, the rehab team focuses on preparing patients to care for themselves safely once they return home. Patients walk daily along our long corridors under close therapist supervision. Our fully equipped rehab gym includes specialized equipment, as well as a short wooden staircase with sturdy railings to help patients practice climbing stairs. Therapists also build confidence by guiding patients through everyday tasks, such as getting in and out of the shower and dressing independently.

Patients typically receive physical therapy two to three times a week, supporting rapid and meaningful progress as they adjust to their new hip. In addition, skilled nursing facilities provide round-the-clock nursing care, physician oversight, wound care, and pain management, offering a level of support that cannot be replicated at home.

Certain situations strongly favor a stay in a rehab facility, including simultaneous replacement of both hips, hip replacement following a fracture caused by a fall, or patients with a high body mass index.

Before making a decision, I always recommend touring the rehab facility. Visit the gym, meet the therapists, and assess your overall comfort level—it can make all the difference.

As for Gloria, she ultimately took my advice and spent a week in a rehab facility close to home, allowing Jack to visit her daily. Recently, she texted me to say she’s back to walking a couple of miles a day and is steadily building up toward running again.

Cobble Hill LifeCare is a health care system that comprises Cobble Hill Health Center,a not-for-profit short- and long-term care facility offering comprehensive medical, nursing, and rehabilitation services for 50 years, and Your Choice at Home, a certified home health care agency.