One of the problems with hip replacement is the nerves to the joint are cut so the body does not know where the hip joint is.  All it needs is some simple localisation – a floppy stick will do – for the gait to normalise.  Like crossing a log with only a string to hold onto, it’s easy with the string.  15 days post Left hip replacement I have graduated from 2 crutches to a walking stick.  But support is not really needed – see the difference in gait when the stick is so thin it provides no support at all but only position information to the brain.  (Historical note: the stick is an 18th century Malacca dandy cane with a staghorn whistle for calling the Peelers).

High quality version of same video