11 weeks post op back to full fitness

Anne

How do you know . There are 91000 hip replacements in the uk per year . most people dont report good news and only the bad . yes people heal differently. my post is not about bragging and I am sure people wont jump to conclusions that they should all heal over night. my mother was 73 when she she had hers done and healed well.

Keith, I'm not trying to get into an argument over this. The surgeons who do the hip replacements advise patients that it can take six months to a year for a full recovery. I wasn't given the all clear to even drive until after my six-week check up. As I said, I'm happy for you that your recovery is going so well.

Hi Anne 68156, I totally agree with you, 91000 is a large amount of operations over the UK, but, and it's a big but, my assumption is that most of these are 60 plus, overweight and also have low mobility and other health issues. My experience at 52, 8 stone wet through, I found that because of my problem hip, I could not do much muscle building pre op as the pain was so bad, I used to run in my 30's and 40's but hip pain stopped all that. I find hiking more to my ability. My experience of this site over the last year is that folk want reassurance and advice and everybody has been great. I think if people want a slap on the back for doing what most consultants have advised against, they probably need to just post their first milestone and join a running club website where everybody will fawn over their fantastic achievements

Well, I'm sure that Keith's doctor has given him the OK to start running again and hopefully it won't lead to premature breakdown of the new hip. I'm in my 70s, not overweight, but it has taken me a year or more to feel back to normal after two hip replacements. On our walk this morning, my dog alerted me to two young deer grazing in a wooded area. That made the walk all the more enjoyable. It's wonderful to finally find pleasure in the small things after beginning to think the healing process would never end!

Hi Anne, I think in Keith's case he was relatively young when he had his op, also he was able to run up until the day before his op. I know in my case I could hardly walk by the time I got to the day of my op as I had had such a long wait, although I had always been very fit earlier. Also I don't think that most people are very overweight as recently they have reduced the BMI level to 30 I understand if you want a hip or knee op on the NHS. There are probably a few people over that level if there are particular reason for the op.

I am not after platitudes at all . and it is more of a blog . my surgeon has given me his full blessing to run and I have said numerous times all we hear is bad news on here never good because no one can say how well they are doing without being shot down . From reading the 2018 uk national joint registry report the findings are just all over the place and they just is not conclusive evidence for or against running . Age weight and prosthesis variations and the surgeon seem to be the biggest issues .

Until there are long-term studies done, no one really knows if running increases the chances that a hip replacement will need revision in later years. I notice that many runners have decided not to risk it and have chosen other ways to exercise. Only time will tell if that is the wiser choice.

I'm in the US so I don't know if most surgeons take BMI levels into account. I know I was told that my surgeon will not do hip replacement surgery on obese patients. I'm just glad that my two hip surgeries are done, I've healed, and I can move on from there.

I understand that surgeons don't like operating on obese patients as the possibility of infection and problems is higher, it is also more difficult. Also in UK it does seem they are trying to cut down on everything in the NHS because of cost.

Keirh this is exactly what I wanted to hear. a positive and quick recovery by someone as I am see if alot of long recovery processes.

I'm hoping to be back at work with 2-3 weeks as I just work in an office so can sit there rather than at home. I'm 43 and already limp because my left leg shorter than right and no socket formed but never stopped me, however over the years its put extra pressure on left side causing left side to give hence why now having op. but it does worry me recovery and how I'm going to get on with already having limp 😣

Vickie,

I hope that you make a very quick recovery and can go back to work after two weeks. I also hope that you are not setting yourself up for disappointment.

Vickie

its great that you have positive attitude and forget about the naysayers they only want negatives . If you are fit and healthy going into op then the recovery should be quicker. Make sure you do your exercises religously . A lot of people stop as it is uncomfortable or sore. it will be sore for a time but you need to push through. If you have any questions send me a PM

Keith, I am not a naysayer only wanting negatives! I am a realist. I was fit and healthy going into the operation, but it certainly took me a lot longer than two weeks to feel back to normal. And I did my exercises every day, pushing through the discomfort. Hopefully Vickie will have a great recovery and I hope that she gets back to us with her experience. Most of the people who post here are looking for encouragement because their recovery has not been ideal. The people who have done really well usually go on their way without fanfair.

thanks keith 👍

Keith I think that is very unfair. The majority of people who are fine after their op will not bother to come on forums like this, but just go off on their own sweet way. You will find here most people who find that things may not have gone as well as they had hoped and are wanting to know if that is normal or not. If you are in a lot of pain you want know if others are in the same boat or you should seek medical help.

Hi Vickie, you might find that the surgeon can lengthen your leg a bit. My surgeon told me that my right leg was shorter, and he would try and even them up, and he did. Hope you have a good recovery, Judith

PT

everyone is entitled to their opinion and I have never advised people not to seek medical attention . perhaps you should not read any of my posts so I wont offend you .

You seem to have totally misunderstood what I was trying to say. I am totally unaware that I inferred that you said people should not seek medical attention. I was just trying to explain to you why people you think are "naysayers" are acting the way they do. They are probably in pain and things may not be working out as well as they hoped and are confused. Most people where everything went OK tend to not come on these forums as they have no questions to ask apart from the odd people who seem to want to show off about how well they have done. eg Had the op, caught a taxi home, went to the gym, then cooked supper (tongue in cheek)!! There are of course other people were things went well who are wanting to help others if they are worried.

PT

So what you are saying is that people with no issues and doing well in their progress should just not come on here at all to drum up some positivity or else fear of castagation . I was unaware of that but will take it under advisement.

No I am NOT saying that, so stop twisting what I say. Everyone who comes on this board should be treated with respect. If people have problems they should not be called "naysayers" for example. It just makes them feel uncomfortable and they will probably avoid asking questions on a board that could help them

PT

So let's conclude this . Where have i made light of anyone's pain or suffering . This was my thread not yours . There are a lot of differing outcomes so why should the people who are doing well not have a voice ? We are not bragging just making comment about our progress to date . Surely people need to see some light at the end of the tunnel .

Did your surgeon measure your legs or at least look at the pair of them before operating, perhaps at a consultation? Mine did not, he just said your hip has gone in an unusual place, do you want a new one. No more discussion. I'm curious because I told him on a couple of occasions that the leg he was operating on was the naturally longer one. Physios have pointed this fact out over many years. Anyway, I ended up with the operated leg even longer and 3 years on, this is causing problems, even with built up left shoes forthe shorter leg.

I asked him why this had happened when I saw him at 6 weeks and he said he put in the shortest pin possible without fear of it popping out. Don't really understand that explanation and his notes after my operation state that my leg length was good! For a female I'm of perfectly average height at 5ft 6in - why the shortest pin. I keep wondering.

I feel he saw me as someone easy to operate on and help his statistics, without looking at me as a person.

I believe we need to hear all ends of the spectrum, good and bad results, but I am encouraged by your good results even though I have never been a runner and do not intend to be. I say I am very happy to hear of results such as yours!

sylvie

No the surgeon did not measure or look at my legs however if you look at the literature and the how to for said prosthetics they do measure the joint before cutting but is not an exact science . I didn't have any issues at all on this front.