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A study published online May 6, 2026, found that surgical patients who walked more after surgery than their own presurgery daily average had lower rates of complications and 30-day hospital readmission. The observational findings show an association, not proof that walking caused better outcomes.
A study of nearly 2,000 adults who had inpatient surgery found that patients who increased their daily walking after surgery had lower rates of complications and hospital readmission. Published online May 6, 2026, in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, the observational study links each additional 1,000 postoperative steps per day above a patient’s presurgery average with better reported outcomes, but it does not establish that walking caused the improvements.
The researchers analyzed data from a large National Institutes of Health research program. Participants had undergone various types of inpatient surgery and wore step-counting devices for at least seven days before surgery and for several weeks afterward on average. The study compared patients’ postoperative activity with their own average daily step count before surgery.
For every additional 1,000 steps per day above that presurgery average, researchers found a 17% lower chance of complications and a 15% lower likelihood of being readmitted to a hospital within 30 days. More postoperative walking was also associated with shorter hospital stays, though the source report does not give a specific estimate for that relationship.
The findings were summarized by Lynne Christensen of Harvard Health in a report distributed by Tribune Content Agency and published by Seniors Guide. The study was observational, so differences in patients’ health, operation types, complications, or ability to walk may help explain the results. The reported percentages describe associations, not guaranteed benefits for an individual patient.
Walking and Post-Surgery Outcomes
The results add to evidence that movement after surgery may be linked to recovery, and they focus on step counts tracked over time rather than a single assessment. For patients and care teams, that could make daily activity a practical measure to discuss during recovery, alongside symptoms, mobility, and other clinical information.
Hospitals already encourage patients to begin walking when it is safe. The source report says early mobility can help prevent problems including lung complications, blood clots, weakness, and longer hospital stays. The new study does not prove that increasing steps prevents those outcomes, but it offers further evidence supporting the value of monitoring postoperative activity.
The figures should not be treated as a universal step target. Patients’ procedures, baseline health, and recovery needs differ, and a person’s ability to walk may itself reflect how well recovery is progressing. The practical message is to ask the surgical team about safe activity rather than independently pursuing a particular number.
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How the Step Counts Were Compared
The report describes a study of adults who had different types of inpatient surgery, with activity recorded before and after their operations. Each patient’s postoperative step count was compared with their own presurgical average, rather than with a single daily target applied to everyone.
That distinction matters: the reported associations concern additional daily steps above a personal baseline. The participants wore devices for at least a week before surgery and for several weeks afterward on average. The source summary does not name the specific operations, provide a detailed breakdown of patients’ characteristics, or describe all adjustments the researchers made in their analysis.
Christensen’s Harvard Health report also notes that recovery depends on factors such as the type of surgery, overall health, and complications. Medical centers may use several strategies to support recovery, including helping patients get moving once it is medically safe.
“For every additional 1,000 steps patients made each day over their average presurgical step count, researchers found a 17% lower chance of complications and a 15% reduced likelihood of being readmitted to the hospital within 30 days.”
— Lynne Christensen, Harvard Health staff writer, in the report
What the Study Cannot Establish
Because the research was observational, it cannot show that taking more steps caused patients to have fewer complications or readmissions. People who were able to walk more may have differed in health, surgery, or recovery progress from those who walked less. The source summary does not specify how fully the researchers accounted for those factors.
The available report also does not identify a safe or effective step target for particular procedures or patients, nor does it provide the absolute complication and readmission rates behind the relative reductions. It does not give the size of the association with hospital length of stay. The findings do not determine when any particular patient should begin walking or how quickly to increase activity.
Patients Should Follow Surgical Guidance
The report does not announce a follow-up trial or a specific next research milestone. For now, the study adds an association to earlier research cited by Christensen, while leaving the question of cause and effect unresolved.
Patients recovering from surgery should ask their surgical team when walking is safe and whether activity needs to be adjusted for their procedure or health. The report says wearable step counters can help patients track progress and give care teams information about whether additional support may be needed. Such tracking is a monitoring tool, not a substitute for clinical advice or a prescribed recovery plan.
Key Questions
What did the study find about walking after surgery?
Among nearly 2,000 adults who had inpatient surgery, each additional 1,000 daily steps above the patient’s presurgery average was associated with a 17% lower chance of complications and a 15% lower likelihood of hospital readmission within 30 days. More walking was also linked to shorter stays.
Does the study prove that extra steps prevent complications?
No. The study was observational, so it found associations but cannot establish that walking more caused the lower rates. Other differences between patients may have contributed.
How many steps should a patient take after surgery?
The report does not set a step target for patients. Recovery needs vary, so patients should ask their surgical team when and how to increase activity.
How did researchers measure walking?
Participants wore step-counting devices for at least seven days before surgery and for several weeks afterward on average. Researchers compared postoperative activity with each participant’s presurgery daily average.
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