Susan
A patient guide to simultaneous bilateral hip replacement
For patients living with severe arthritis in both hips, undergoing two separate hip replacement surgeries can mean months of prolonged pain, repeated hospital stays, and extended rehabilitation.
Bilateral hip replacement offers an alternative: replacing both hip joints in a single operation. At Orthopaedic Innovation, Dr Kristian Kley’s minimally invasive Kley Rapid Hip technique makes this possible in under an hour; helping 90% of patients walk within 24 hours, and 96% go home the next day.
This guide explains:
- What bilateral hip replacement is
- How the Kley Rapid Hip technique works
- Who is an ideal candidate
- Expected recovery timelines
- Benefits and potential risks
What Is Bilateral Hip Replacement?
Bilateral hip replacement, also called one-stage or simultaneous bilateral hip arthroplasty is when both hips are replaced during a single surgical session.
This approach is often suitable for patients who:
- Have advanced arthritis in both hips
- Are otherwise healthy and medically fit for a longer procedure
- Prefer one recovery period rather than two separate operations
At Orthopaedic Innovation, up to 60% of our patients present with pain in both hips. For around 30%, both joints require replacement from the outset.
Historically, hip replacements were staged (performed months apart) but in 1971, Charnley et al. first introduced simultaneous bilateral hip replacement in the UK. Dive deeper in this Understand Ortho article1.
The Kley Rapid Hip Approach
An evolution of the Rottinger Approach, the Kley Rapid Hip technique is a muscle-sparing, minimally invasive approach designed for speed, safety, and mobility.
Key benefits of Kley Rapid Hip bilateral surgery include:
- Single Anaesthetic – Both hips replaced in one procedure, reducing anaesthetic exposure and avoiding a second hospital admission
- Efficient Surgery – Typically completed in around 50 minutes (thanks to advanced digital surgical planning), compared to up to 90 minutes per hip with traditional techniques*
- Rapid Recovery –
- 90% of patients walk within 24 hours (often without crutches)
- More than 90% are discharged the day after surgery
- Many patients are off crutches within two to three weeks
- Muscle-Sparing Technique – Small incisions minimise tissue trauma, reducing post-op pain, blood loss, and complications
- Proven Outcomes – The same successful approach used for single hip replacement is applied to both hips with consistent results
*Why the Speed of the Procedure Matters
In bilateral hip replacement, a faster operation isn’t just about efficiency: it directly benefits patient safety and recovery.
Shorter surgical time means less anaesthetic exposure, reduced blood loss, and a lower risk of complications such as infection or deep vein thrombosis. With 30% of patients needing both hips done, only 0.5% of patients are undergoing this procedure because of surgery time.
However, with the Kley Rapid Hip approach, both hips are replaced in under an hour (instead of ~3 hours), allowing patients to begin moving sooner; the key to accelerating the hip replacement recovery timeline.
Learn more about Kley Rapid Hip replacement
Is Bilateral Hip Replacement Right for You?
The decision to undergo one-session hip replacement depends on your overall health, lifestyle goals, and surgical risk profile.
Ideal candidates usually have:
- Severe arthritis in both hips
- Good cardiovascular and respiratory health
- Strong motivation to engage in physiotherapy
- A desire to complete recovery in one phase
According to Yale Medicine2, simultaneous bilateral hip replacement is recommended for patients who can tolerate a slightly longer procedure and want to avoid a second hospitalisation and recovery period.
Your consultant will review:
- X-rays and imaging
- Bone quality
- Medical history
- Mobility and function levels.
Recovery Timeline After Bilateral Hip Replacement
With the Kley Rapid Hip approach, recovery following a simultaneous bilateral hip replacement is often quicker than many patients expect:
- First 24 hours – Most patients are up and walking, sometimes without the need for walking aids
- Days 1–2 – The majority are safely discharged home
- Weeks 1–6 – Steady return to everyday activities, with improving mobility and independence
- Around 3 months – Marked gains in strength, movement, and comfort, with many patients resuming active lifestyles
Your rehabilitation plan will be personalised to your health, fitness level, and goals, with continuous support and progress tracking from our specialist physiotherapy team.
To gain a better understanding of the recovery timeline, see our blog: How Long Does it take to Recover from a Hip Replacement?
What Our Patients Say
The success of any surgical program lies in patient outcomes. Here’s what one of our recent patients had to say:
"To wake up and the instant relief was just phenomenal. And then to be able to get out of bed and walk around hours after surgery was something I hadn’t even dreamt of doing".
— Susan, Bilateral Hip ReplacementThis kind of transformation is not uncommon. Our patients frequently tell us they wish they had had the surgery sooner, having suffered years of pain, stiffness, and restricted movement.
You can read more real-life stories on our Testimonials page.
Why Choose Orthopaedic Innovation?
Orthopaedic Innovation is a world leader in one-stage bilateral hip replacement, offering:
- Dr Kristian Kley’s Rapid Hip technique with a proven track record (performing 500+ hips a year)
- Advanced digital surgical planning for precision implant placement
- Consultant-led care in London’s Harley Street
- Dedicated recovery pathways with structured milestones and early mobilisation
- Transparent discussion of potential outcomes and risks
With our approach, you can expect minimal hospital time, a single recovery period, and a quicker return to the life you love.
Find out More or Book a Consultation.
1 https://www.understandortho.com/article/pros-and-cons-of-bilateral-simultaneous-hip-replacement/
2 https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/simultaneous-bilateral-total-hip-replacement
