HEALTH Hip replacement

[Countrybumpkin]

I just turned 56, exellent health, and due to arthritis, need a hip replacement. What was it like for those of you that have had it? They told me I should be well along towards normal in 3-4 weeks...PT for a few weeks, then done. Is it really that easy? I'm worried about the dislocation threat more than anything...they said I will need a walker for 2 weeks, then maybe a cane, and a raised toilet seat. Got them. Have it June 29, so have time to learn, and make plans for the best-and fastest outcome!

 

[Dennis Olson]

As long as you dont live alone.

 

[dvo]

Had mine done about 10 months ago. I wasn’t back to full normal until about eight weeks, but was attempting to walk around the block at four weeks. You will need help around the house for several weeks. Do your PT, but don’t overdo your PT. I set myself back a bit by pushing too hard during the first month. I don’t really even think about my hip now. Just takes time to heal. You’ll be amazed at some point not to be in pain.

 

[nomifyle]

There are adverse affects on people over 70 that get this done and since you are much younger, you should be okay from the memory problems that older folks suffer when they get a hip replacement. My mother and her husband both had them after they turned 70 and both ended up with severe dementia.

Best of luck to you.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[Walrus Whisperer]

Make sure whoever is your helper, that their heart is with you. I found out who my ex really was when I had to have a hip replacement at 55.
Yes, I divorced his sorry behind after a while.

 

[summerthyme]

Are they doing anterior or traditional method? The newer anterior is the only way to go, especially at your age (assuming, of course, there is no medical reason it won't work for you). You have zero limits after an anterior replacement. Hubby is 7+ years out from his... he was full weight bearing 10 days after the surgery, and working on the farm in a month.

Summerthyme

 

[magilla]

At 72 between Oct 15 2019 too Oct 14 2020 had a knee and both hips replaced. No problems with recovery, feel 50 again, but I am the last of the lost boys and have lived in Never-Never land for the last 48 years when I bugged out. Unfortunately pirates have started coming in droves, fear Never-Never Land may be doomed.

 

[bbbuddy]

I have had two, both easy.
The first one, after surgery when I was allowed to walk, they had to "stop me/slow me down" because it was such a joy to walk without pain again! I knew to expect that with the second surgery.
The raised toilet seat was a good thing. The walker was discarded in a few days, less than a week. Same for cane.

The surgical pain wasn't that bad, I never used all the pain pills provided, but was told ahead of time "if you hurt, on a scale of one to 10, don't downplay to 3 or under, always say at least 4 or up to get pain relief" because it's easier to keep pain at bay/stay on top of it than to bring it down.
I flew home on the third day after the first surgery. I took a taxi to an empty house after the second surgery. Stayed there alone for days, interviewing realtors to sell the house etc. Alone is doable, make sure you have easy to prepare meals ready to go. I was driving in about 10 days post surgery.

For a week after both surgeries I rested a lot, and the easiest thing to use was a zero gravity recliner, I'd recommend getting one. The outdoor kind are around $100 now. That's what I used. Your energy level will be low. Sleep alot.

BUT both times there were other people having a much harder time after surgery, first time guy next room never got out of bed while I was there, second time guy next door moaned and groaned loudly and complained nonstop the whole time I was there... so a lot depends on your pain tolerance etc.
Oh, and be real nice to the nurses/orderlies, please and thank you and gratefulness gets you much better "service", they aren't your slaves. The moaner groaner guy was bad, I could hear him ordering them around like slaves, I'm quite sure he got less good care than I did because of his attitude.

I also had a broken(not torn) ACL repaired in my knee and THAT was much worse for pain after....

The first hip was traditional side incision, second one anterior. Not much difference for me. No limits, BUT that's because I had large ball replacements. The old style small ball replacements have permanent limits, DON'T DO THAT, large ball only.
Run away from any place still doing small ball!

 

[Kris Gandillon]

I had mine 8 years ago when I was 57. Surgery was mid-day and I was up and walking with a walker that evening. Went up and down three stair steps on day 2. Went home day 3. Worked from home the next two weeks then went back to the office the third week. Had a cane and walker at the office but rarely needed them.

 

[Loretta Van Riet]

I have had both hips done, and I live alone. I did self PT at home. (was very motivated and had the hand outs prior to surgery).

Keep moving. The first 10 days is the worst. I had food and supplies already in the house. My dog is mature and follows commands. However, I could not bend over and lift a half filled water bowl to clean it. I could only put clean water into the bowl from a smaller container.

Be adaptable. Routines will be altered. Hygiene will take some thought. If you are male...your raised toilet seat must be the one with contours so your "jewels" don't get squished. Pay bills ahead of time such as your utilities.

Make certain your supplies include sterile dressings and tape that you are not allergic to. Wash your hands well before touching your hip area. I transitioned from walker to trekking poles very quickly.

I did my PT standing in front of my kitchen sink for support. Get a reacher "grab stick" BEFORE surgery. Practice with your sock "Butler" BEFORE surgery. Amazon shopping has these adaptive devices.

Loading…

www.amazon.com

Loading…

www.amazon.com

Keep your cell phone charged and CLOSE to you.

Keep some cash at hand. If I had a meal delivered, and they saw me answer the door with my walker they were agreeable to bring my meal INSIDE to my kitchen. I tipped well.

I slept in a "lazy-boy" type of chair with a small side table on either side. I kept my "limb-lifter" in my chair!

Loading…

www.amazon.com

I wish you the best!

 

[bev]

I think you’re a man, and if so, unfortunately my nursing experience tells me you’re likely to have a worse time of it than if you were a woman. I never figured out why that was.

The men I took care of were always complaining of horrible pain, issuing orders - get me this or get me that, complaining about the food and yelling when they wanted attention rather than using the call bell. I could always tell when PT was trying to get the men up, even if I was all the way down the hall.

The women were sweet and cooperative, compliant with therapy and generally needed less pain medication than the men.

Prove me wrong, Country Bumpkin.

 

[tno5]

my mother is 88 and had her hip replaced in January. The same day they had her walking up and down the steps in the building and she went home. Had my niece be with her for the rest of the week. She is doing great. She had some swelling in her leg, but that was because she just wouldn't sit - she loves to work in the yard, shop, etc. Could not drive for i think a month, and cannot do heavy yardwork this year. Otherwise now she walks the dog every day, drives, is back to mainly normal. Yes, she had to use a walker for a bit and then a cane, but it was amazing how it was a one day thing and they get you back home. I think you will be very happy with the results, especially being out of horrible pain just trying to walk or sleep.

 

[SavedByHisGrace]

I had a double hip replacement 5.5 years ago (51 yrs old), and it has been amazing! I was up and able to scoot around with a walker the very next day...crazy. After about a week of being home, I was trying out my wheels up the block. It felt so good to walk with less pain than before surgery!

The raised seat is a must. Being super diligent about your PT will bless you mightily.

I asked about having both done at same time since I was younger and in excellent health. It was a great decision! I am so thankful to be able to walk pain free, and enjoy the things that I wasn't able to do for so many years.

May the Lord guide the hands of the doctors during your surgery, and provide you with a super speedy recovery!

 

[TxGal]

One of my sisters-in-law had a hip done last year, and she's about 68, I believe. It was much, much better than she feared, and the recovery was faster than she expected. It made a huge difference in her life. Due to bone lose she had to start using a cane, and was darn close to needing a walker. It amazed us she got to that point because she'd always been active, very healthy, and lean. Her surgery went faster than she expected. She followed her instructions to the letter, and you'd never even know she had it done except that her mobility was like it was decades ago.

She lives in a two-story house and despite that, was able to get off the pain meds sooner than expected. I don't recall her saying that she stayed downstairs in the family room during recovery. She did have a close friend stay with her for about a week (she's widowed), and then some grandkids, but honestly she just bounced back remarkably fast. She even went back to work faster than anticipated.

Prayers for you going up!

 

[CathyC]

Can’t speak about the hips but I had both knees replaced one year apart. Osteoarthritis. I’ve heard that knees are picnics compared to knees. All I know is the knees were and are still beasts. I had a good surgeon and have had no infections but over two years out the pain, although a different kind, is still awful and I don’t have any idea why.

 

[Tennessee gal]

Praying for you and your surgical team.

 

[Firebird]

Several friends who have done it, excellent recovery times, and all are shocked at how fabulous they feel!

 

[teedee]

One thing that you do NOT want to do is fall after a hip replacement. I did that about 2 years ago and I am still not right. I did see one of the x rays and there was a piece of bone about 5" long floating around out in the muscle. They wrapped a cable around the femur to contain the pieces. It was a 5 hour operation. I was not home for 3 months and still use a cane. Up until that fall I was doing great with the original replacement. I did have a great anesthesiologists because I did not lose any brain function.

 

[Zahowey]

I’m having hip replacement on May 24th (anterior) had 1 knee ‘09 and other hip done’13. Never looking forward to any surgery but hip IS easier than knee. Do your PT.

 

[Meemur]

Make sure that you research the doctor and the facility where you are going. Check carefully on outcomes and try to talk with some former patients. This is a very important step! Don't believe any ads. Hip and knee replacement is a huge business. Not all are skilled. I don't want to scare you with horror stories, but if you dig a bit, you'll find some very bad outcomes. Steer clear of those places!

 

[zookeeper9]

I have had both hips replaced because of arthritis. The surgery was relatively easy and I was up and walking the same day in the hospital and home the next day. If you do not have a high pain tolerance make sure you stay on top of the pain. It is hell to get it back under control. I decided on day 2 at home I didn't need the pain meds and the next day was rough for about 12 hours until I got on top of it. After 3 days I was down to pain meds only at night and then in 3 more days, no more meds at all.

I was done with the walker with the 1st surgery after a week because I was listening to the at home PT person. I could have been done much sooner. With the 2nd I used the walker in the hospital to make PT happy. Once I was home I didn't use it or the cane. I was driving after 2 weeks with my 1st replacement (left hip) and 3 weeks after my 2nd.

I agree the raised toilet seat and the grabber things were the medical items I used the most.

 

[Troke]

My experience is strictly observational going back to 1963. That guy complained that he was forbid to cross his knees, something he had done all his life. So he was having a tough time. Other that that, no problem.

Two recent incidents, both relatives. Success beyond what they had imagined. So if you get the right surgeon. . . . . .

Had a case here where the knee replacement was put in upside down. Did not work too well and the repair hasn't either. Some people don't have luck.

 

[Sicario]

I think you’re a man, and if so, unfortunately my nursing experience tells me you’re likely to have a worse time of it than if you were a woman. I never figured out why that was.

The men I took care of were always complaining of horrible pain, issuing orders - get me this or get me that, complaining about the food and yelling when they wanted attention rather than using the call bell. I could always tell when PT was trying to get the men up, even if I was all the way down the hall.

Men love to be coddled and are pretty much p*ssies anymore as your experiences indicate.

 

[TerryK]

Best advice seems to be Loretta Van Riet's post.
Best advice I have, is if you need to lose weight, try to lose it and keep it off. Less strain on the artificial joint that way.
Good luck. You have my prayers for a quick and full recovery.

 

[Countrybumpkin]

Men love to be coddled and are pretty much p*ssies anymore as your experiences indicate.

I hate being coddled! I am very competitive, and if someone tells me it will take a week, I'll bust my ass to get it done in 3 days! Thanks to all of you for answering-I learned a lot! PT told me it would be a while before I'm playing basketball again, but I'm gonna prove her wrong-I hope!

 

[Loretta Van Riet]

I hate being coddled! I am very competitive, and if someone tells me it will take a week, I'll bust my ass to get it done in 3 days! Thanks to all of you for answering-I learned a lot! PT told me it would be a while before I'm playing basketball again, but I'm gonna prove her wrong-I hope!

I think you will do just fine. Just don't be stupid. If you really will be alone, give serious thought ahead of time of how you will accomplish personal hygiene and practice ahead of time!!!!! Peri-wash bottles are your friend!

Loading…

www.amazon.com

Also practice taking off and putting on your trousers with only using your "good" leg.

 

[dvo]

Men love to be coddled and are pretty much p*ssies anymore as your experiences indicate.

Not all of us...but I’m not sure I’m typical any more. Been through two orthopedic procedures where men were crying post surgery. I tried to reassure them. Otherwise,I’m pretty quiet.

 

[ohiohippie]

Prayers