1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

1 year post bilatiral THR

Posted , 7 users are following.

Guest
Guest

Hi guys, just want to share my experience of getting both my hips replaced at the same time, hopefully it will help someone)) 

I am 30 yers old, have RA that damaged my hip joints so badly that a few months before my surgery I literally couldn't walk for more than 10 min per day. Horribl pain, and after sitting down it would usually take about 5 min to get up and straighten my body. 

I had my bilatiral THR done on 21/09/2016. The result is amazing, I can walk without any pain! Wahoooo!!! 

It was a difficult desicion for me to get both my hips replaced at the same time as most surgeons don't want to take such risk. If something goes wrong with bilateral replacement the recovery can be a nighmare. However, for me it was important to get my life back as soon as possible and I didn't want to go through two seperate operations and two seperate stays in the hospital etc. Plus everytime you have an operation it is a risk of infection etc. Anywhere there are obviouosly pros and cons. So after stressing out for a while I made the decision to do both hips at the same time. 

The surgery went really well, done by Sarah Muirhead Allwood, she is a very experienced surgeon. She is not the soft kind that would wipe your tears and answer all your questions, sometimes she comes across a little bit rudish but she is damn good at what she does.

Before coming to her I went to see 3 different surgeons, talked to each of them about what type of prostetic hip they want to use, what type of surgery they would go for, type of fixation etc. It is important to do extensive research of everything involved in THR in the Internet, and know really well are the options you have and pros and cons of each option. Don't let surgeons make desicions for you. It is your hip after all. Doctors obviously know more than you might read in forums and some articles, but still ask questions and let them explain why they think something is the best option for you. I found the article about best THR surgeons in the UK in the daily mail [b]http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1303615/Britains-surgeons-hip-replacement-surgery--voted-specialists-themselves[b].html

I spoke to a few surgeons from that list and some of them offered really outdated options for me that I knew where not the best for my specific case. So when it comes to surgeons my tip is deffinately "shop around". 

A few words about my recovery - thank God it went better than I thought. I lost a lot of blood during the surgery so couldn't get up from bed for 3 days as would just start fainting. On day 4 after the surgery they gave me blood and I managed to get up straight after. First week was diffinutely tough. I stopped taking strong pain killers after 10 days and went on iboprafen/paracetomol combo as it was enough for me. It took me about 3 months to recover to the point I could walk outside without aid, obviously would get tired easily and if walked too far would end up having pretty bad pain. A few times I had strange night time pains so horrible that we went to A&E but aparently it was my muscle tissue causing pain. My abduction and addaction muscles were not used for literally 10 years before the surgery! So my muscle tissues were a bit shocked when I started moving thembiggrin 6 months after the surgery no pain after longish walks but after the gym I would have sometimes horrible pains that could last for a 2 days. Now 12 months post operation I feel I have no noticable restrictions. 

Anyway all this recovery was less painful than my condition before the surgery so I am glad I did it! I hope everyone a successful THR surgeries and speedy recoveries. Please do ask questions if you have any and I will try to response. 

P.S. I still have my crutches, walking frame, special supporting pillows, raised toilet seat etc. I would like to pass all these stuff to someone who needs it nowsmile If you live in London, you can collect it. 

2 likes, 22 replies

22 Replies

Next
  • veronica61194
    veronica61194 Guest

    Posted

    I live in Sussex but am driving up to London on Sunday 4th Sept so would love to have crutches, walking frame
    • Guest
      Guest veronica61194

      Posted

      Hi Veronica, I live in central London, not far from Marylebone station. I might be working on that Sunday but let me know what time of the day you can be in the area for colletion, so that if I am not available I can ask my fiance to give it to you. 

      I have walking frame, crutches, v shaped pillow for between the legs for post operation (prevents you from turning or crossing your legs in your sleep), pressure realise pillow for under your bum when you are sitting for a long time, raised toilet sit and that thingy that grabs stuff from the floorbiggrin Let me know what you would like to take and time of the day you can be around on that day.

    • veronica61194
      veronica61194 Guest

      Posted

      Hi Tam1425,  I am hoping to get up there between 12 & 1pm & hoping there will be parking available. I have permanently raised my toilets as had problems getting up from a low toilet so don't need the raised seats. I'll willingly take all the other items from you but didn't want to be gready in case anyone else needed them as well.   Can you email me your contact details  Thanks

      Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the email address as we do not publish these in the forums. If users wish to exchange contact details please use the Private Message service.

    • veronica61194
      veronica61194

      Posted

      Can't seem to be able to PM you so can you message me your contact details. Thanks

    • Guest
      Guest veronica61194

      Posted

      Hey I have just sent you a private message. Please check if you can see it. If you can't write private messages, you might need to enable private messaging in your profile settings. 

  • michelb
    michelb Guest

    Posted

    Thanks for sharing.  I was always wondering what the recovery was like with the bilateral.  

    I had a posterior approach hip left resurfacing in 09/2015 and a lateral approach right THR in 04/2016.  With the posterior approach, I think after about 3 weeks, I could walk outside without aid but there was still a fair amount of recovery to be had but after about 8 weeks I could walk pretty good distances.  With the lateral, I think after about 1 week, I could walk outside short distances without aids.

    I considered the bilateral (although I'm not even sure if my surgeon (I'm in Canada) does them) but we have two younger kids (now 6 and 11) and I can't really be completely incapacitated for a long period.  We also have stairs in our house so I couldn't live just on one level for more than a few days (a week would probably be the limit) so have to be able to go up / down those.

  • M1954
    M1954 Guest

    Posted

    Thank you for sharing.  I also have r/a bu very severe to/a in my hip.  My 27yr old daughter has r/a also she just started a new med  I pray it works   All the best to you
    • Guest
      Guest M1954

      Posted

      Hey thanks for sharing too! I know how hard it is to live with RA, hang in there, I am sure at some point there should be a new drug that really works. I have been on tocilizumab infusions for 4 years now and I have to say it is pretty effective. Unfortunately by the time I started this treatment my RA already caused a lot of damage in my joints so I couldn't avoid THR. I am worried that my knees might require replacements as well at some point as X-Rays show that they are in a poor condition too. All the best to you and your daughter, keep me posted on your daughter's new treatment. I hope it workssmile  

  • linda38528
    linda38528 Guest

    Posted

    Super post. Excellent update on the bilateral which will help many.

    Congratulations on a very successful recovery - I know it took a lot of hard work on your part.

    It would be good to hear a little from you about the range of physical activities you now are involved in.

    And - kudos again for this update and for sharing your equipment!

    Go forth and have a most excellent life!!!!!!!!!🎢?📷📹🎵🎷🛀🎿🏀🏂🏃🏄🏇🏊🚀

    • Guest
      Guest linda38528

      Posted

      Thanks Linda! 

      My range is quite impressive for myselfbiggrin I can walk long distances (up to 15 km I tried) without any pain in my hip. I work out in the gym 3-4 times a week doing some cycling, treadmil walking (not running), and some other machines without any problem. I tried playing bandminton and it is ok too. I am sure I can do more but since I have my surgery at relatevely young age (29 yrs old) and I will require a revision surgery in maybe 15-20 years, I am trying to preserve my new joints so I don't do any running or jumping motions. 

      All the best to you Linda! I hope my exprience helps! xx

  • renee01952
    renee01952 Guest

    Posted

    hi tam, 

    what a great share - very encouraging for all our forum members who are considering bilateral THR surgery --

    you have come a long way, darling .... good for you and congratulations ..

    big warm hug

    renee

    p.s. and very generous of you to offer the equipment

    • Guest
      Guest renee01952

      Posted

      Hi Renee! Thanks for your kind messagesmile Big hug to you too! xx

  • gloriajoy
    gloriajoy Guest

    Posted

    Hi Tam

    Many thanks for your informative post!!

    I am especially interested,you are one of very few to name your surgeon.

    Like you I researched carefully having been refused my choice of hospital by nhs.

    I have since seen two surgeons at UCLH and cannot complain,I believe it is one of the best hospitals.

    However I wanted another opinion and went to see Sarah Muirhead privately.

    Some how I was so impressed (call it a gut feeling) I decided to use my hard earned savings and book my surgery with her.

    My op date is 29th September,pre-op 13th Sept.

    I am now experiencing some anxiety,did I ask the right questions?

    Have I made the right decision?

    How will I manage on the train for my check-up?

    Really keen to learn anything you can tell me.

    So pleased you have done so welllol

    Best regards

    Joy

    I am in Dunstable,Beds so a bus and train journey is needed

    • renee01952
      renee01952 gloriajoy

      Posted

      Hi Joy, 

      I am so happy for you that you found the surgeon you were looking for and a surgery dat is scheduled !!!   that was a big decision and you spend a lot of time researching - 

      Unfortunately not all of us are  priviliged to do so - I was in so much pain and honestly, was not too informed either -

      would you consider staying at a rehab facility for 2 weeks ? you will feel so much stronger and confident when you go home - and your tranportation to follow up visit is taken care of ... 

      good job darling

      big warm hug

      renee

    • gloriajoy
      gloriajoy renee01952

      Posted

      Thank you Renee

      Yes have finally made the decision,but am exceedingly anxious about everything.

      The thing about the private option is that if problems arise,costs coula escalate out of proportion.

      At least with the NHS everything is covered.

      Any decision is fraught with worries but we can only make what seems the best choice.

      I am going to a rehab clinic for two weeks.I was going to do that anyway even with the nhs option.

      Transport to London for follow up will not be provided.

      Even if I chose NHS in London,that was the case.

      Just hope I have done the right thing!

      Best wishes

      Joyx 

    • renee01952
      renee01952 gloriajoy

      Posted

      perfect ... of course you are anxious and fraught with worries - 

      and you will be until date of surgery ... you don't have to, but you are anyway -

      it is totally okay to accept that you are - just don't make yourself sich because of it - it will all work out ...

      angel blessings

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.