2 THR's in 2018. Anyone in same boat?

Posted , 8 users are following.

I had my first THR in January. It went very well. I was up and doing things and walking, etc in no time. All was well until the Right hip - which we knew was in rough shape too going in - just crashed. I am now unable to even walk 2/3 blocks. Too much pain in unoperated one. Big issue of late is now the operated one, which was 'the good one', is acting up. Feels heavy and some discomfort - especially when I do any physical things such as some of the exercises and even an hours gardening. I cannot get a bead on how well it is doing because

the right one - unoperated one - is a constant bone on bone pain. Surgeon says the operated one is 'doing just fine'. It was. But now I am concerned that my lack of being able to do much physically will impact my recovery over there?

Or am I being too cautious? Consider that I was walking 2/3 km's a day, biking and even hitting golf balls at range. Now I have cut back to almost '0' of those activities until the 2nd operation which, I am told, will be in early August.

Anyone juggled a bad hip on other side while recovering on other? Is this normal? 

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Posted

    Have you asked about possibly injecting this bad hip until you can get a THR done on it in the near future?  Might give you some temporary relief until you can get a THP on it!!
    • Posted

      Normally surgeons will not operate if you have had an injection within six months before the op. The injections can slow healing and there is an added danger of infection. 
    • Posted

      I had my injection in November and surgery in April.
  • Posted

    I suggest you enquire if crutches can be used to take weight off of the right hip to give you some time to get it done
  • Posted

    I second Kathy's idea of a steroid injection. That is what I did to keep my right hip functioning until I could have replacement surgery.

  • Posted

    Hi Garman, I do have 2 new hips and similar scenario. 2016, my left hip replacement came loose after 21 years of good use. My right hip was in bad condition as well. They finally accepted it had come loose, beginning g of bone losd at the spike ,went in for resection on December 4 and was without weight bearing for 6+ weeks. During that time. My right hip had to work extra hard and by May it locked. Went in for surgery July 4, 2017 and 6 weeks later was able to bear weight. As soon as my Staples came off and wound was healed into the warm pool I went. I am now pain free but committed to a life of exercises , stretches, swimming and keeping fit. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and being able to move in the water really helps. The stronger your legs are before the surgery, the faster the recovery will be. I do not do any impact activity but bike on the exercise bike every day for as long as I could. I would also like in the deep end with a noodle.
  • Posted

    I had a steriod injection months before my 1st operation to see if it would 'settle down'. Did not work. Apparently does not work for everyone.Thanks to people for your input. Back in the pool and move around as much as I can. That's about all till I get that 2nd one I suppose.

    Garman

  • Posted

    Yes I am geting ready to have right hip repaired.  I had left hip repaired on January 22 of this year and I was doing very well until one day after PT I could barely move.  The right hip was feeling worse than the left and I am back to using my walker until I can schedule the surgery.  I am praying to have it done some time after September hopefully in October.  I am on tylenol 3 for pain but at least both of them are not hurting and I do feel more energetic.  I pray you will feel better soon but I declined the injections in my hip.  I do not want any thing to interfere with me not being able to havae the surgery.
  • Posted

    Garman - you could be describing what happened to me, at 13 weeks post RTHR, left side let me down, tore the cartledge when I was out walking, getting fit post hip replacement, I just felt so good that the pain I had suffered from was gone.

    Local GP, backed up by nursing sister/sibling, told me 12 weeks if it was cartledge, and 6 weeks if it was muscle, 13 weeks later pain eased, and on the 14 week finally after waiting got to see my surgeon for check up for right side THR, I mentioned to him what had happened when I was out walking, he said, we will do an x-ray and check if you have any difference from when we did the surgery, we will be able to see even the other side on some of the x-rays that were taken at the time of your surgery, amazed such a short time, he thought the other hip would last about 2 years, but it was gone as well, booked for surgery. 7 months later, non urgent THR.

    as the months went past, the hip got worse and worse, and knew from previous experience I had to stay fit, hot pool at the local football club, available to public, as well, shared funding with govt, saved my life, with a noodle under my arms I was able to tread water with very little pain for about an hour 3 times a week, that became enough to keep me reasonably fit for the following surgery, never enjoyed getting out of the pool, as weight bearing became a nightmare, very glad to get to surgery date.

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