After sustained walking there may be severe aching which goes away on resting. Initially two sticks are used, then one, and eventually none. It takes about a year to recover fully. Obviously, speed of recovery varies from patient to patient. Older patients may benefit from a transitional phase of convalescence until they are able to fend for themselves.
All major operations involve an element of risk.
It would be wrong to over-emphasise these risks, but patients should be aware of them, particularly older patients who are proportionally more at risk than younger ones. If this does not respond to antibiotics, a further operation may be necessary to remove the new joint and the patient may be treated with antibiotics. After an interval another artificial joint can be inserted. This may occur with any operation and the surgeon takes steps to prevent it - and, if one occurs, to disperse it. The major problem occurs at the point at which bone meets metal or cement.