Hip rehabilitation generally progresses from managing pain and restoring basic movement toward building the gluteal and hip strength needed for walking, stair climbing, and higher-demand activity.
Timelines vary considerably by condition, with tendon-related pain often following a somewhat faster course than osteoarthritis-related symptoms, which tend to be managed as an ongoing, chronic process.
Load across phases
Phases
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1
Pain and load management
0–2 weeksActivity modification and gentle range-of-motion work aim to reduce irritation while maintaining as much normal movement as tolerated.
Load 20%
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2
Mobility and activation
2–4 weeksGentle stretching and early gluteal activation exercises begin to restore comfortable movement and initial muscle control.
Load 40%
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3
Progressive strengthening
4–10 weeksResistance exercises targeting the gluteal and hip muscles progressively increase to rebuild strength for walking and stair climbing.
Load 65%
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4
Return to full or sport-specific activity
10–16+ weeksHigher-load, functional, and sport-specific movements are reintroduced before an unrestricted return to demanding activity.
Load 90%
Hip osteoarthritis is often managed as a longer-term condition with ongoing exercise rather than a fixed rehabilitation timeline, while acute tendon or muscle injuries typically follow a more defined progression.
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