If you're planning for a hip replacement, a walking stick should be high on your list of items to prepare!
You will probably leave hospital with a frame or stick provided by the physiotherapist. The physio will hand you a pair of crutches, walk you to the corridor, and watch you take your first few steps. A week or two later, if things are going well, you will transition from two points of support to one. That single point is usually a walking stick or cane.
This transition is one of the most important moments in your hip replacement recovery. Getting it right makes the next few months considerably more comfortable. Getting it wrong, or skipping it, puts unnecessary strain on a joint that is still healing.
Why a walking stick matters after hip replacement
Hip replacement surgery is one of the most common elective procedures in New Zealand, with around 6,000 operations performed each year, many funded through ACC or the public health system. Recovery timelines vary, but most people are back walking independently within six to twelve weeks. The walking stick is the bridge between early post-surgical movement and full independence. Research from the New Zealand Orthopaedic Association confirms that appropriate use of a walking aid in the weeks following surgery reduces the risk of falls and supports correct gait mechanics while the surrounding muscles rebuild strength.
The hip joint does not operate in isolation. When it is compromised, the body compensates by shifting weight through the lower back, the knee, and the ankle. A walking stick interrupts that compensation. It takes some of the load and distributes it through the arm, giving the new joint room to do its job without the whole body torquing around it.
Which hand does the walking stick go in?
This surprises most people. The stick goes in the hand opposite to your operated hip, not the same side.
The reason is mechanical. When you step with your operated leg, the opposite arm swings forward. If the stick is in that opposite hand, it plants at the same moment the leg lands, creating a diagonal support that mimics the natural pattern of walking. A stick on the same side as the operation does not replicate that pattern and offers less effective load transfer.
If someone told you the other way around, it is worth checking with your physiotherapist. The rule is almost universal for hip replacement: operated leg steps forward, stick on the opposite side plants.
How long will you need a walking stick after hip replacement?
Most people use a walking stick for two to six weeks after transitioning from crutches. The timeline depends on several things: your fitness before surgery, how quickly the surrounding muscles respond, and how much walking you are doing in that early period.
A good sign that you no longer need the stick is being able to walk with a smooth, even gait without it. If you notice yourself lurching, limping, or leaning when the stick is away, bring it back. The goal is a natural walking pattern, not the appearance of not needing support.
Some people prefer to keep a stick on hand for longer distances, uneven ground, or high-traffic situations like markets or airports, even after they have stopped using it at home. There is nothing wrong with this. The stick is a tool.
What to look for in a walking stick for post-surgery recovery
The key qualities are the same as for any good walking stick: correct height, a comfortable and grippy handle, and a rubber tip that holds on tile, concrete, and wet surfaces. We cover all of this in detail in our complete walking stick guide.
For post-hip replacement recovery specifically, consider getting a stick you actually want to use. That sounds trivial but it is not. People who like their stick use it consistently. People who hate theirs leave it in the car and try to manage without, which slows recovery and increases fall risk.
The ooak Uno is a walking stick made from responsibly sourced hardwood with an ergonomic handle designed for extended use. It comes in three sizes to suit different heights and in a range of colour combinations. It is the kind of stick that people ask about, not the kind that signals you have just come from a medical appointment.
Can I get my walking stick through ACC?
In New Zealand, ACC covers the cost of treatment and equipment required as a direct result of an injury. Joint replacement surgery funded through ACC may include provision of a walking aid through your physiotherapist or occupational therapist.
However, ACC-supplied equipment is functional rather than considered. If you want a stick that suits your life and your taste beyond the recovery period, purchasing your own is usually the better option. Many people keep a designed walking stick long after the rehab phase because it has become part of how they move through the world.
Ready to find yours? Take a look at the ooak range or read more about how to use a walking stick correctly.
