Double Hip Replacement

Posted , 7 users are following.

Hi Everyone,

Advice please!

I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia rheumatica back in January 2016, the

pains in my legs and mobility didn't improve after being put on Prednisone (steroids ). It wasn't until October 2016 my Rheumatologist advised I

would need a double hip replacements due to the arthritis in my hips.

Xrays were taken in June and we're not too bad, after having 2nd x rays of my hips in December 16 with the surgeon I was shocked to discover how

much my hips had deteriorated. One ball joint is trying to escape the

socket and the other is following but not quite as bad! I can only walk with

Crutches but not very far and I am in constant pain when I walk. I am sure

the Prednisone has spurred the arthritis to where I am now. I am

decreasing my steroids slowly as advised by my Rheumatologist

( now on 2.5mg down from 30mg).

I have my first THR on 27th Feb 17 and I would like to ask you all that have had double replacements .....

1.How did the first operation effect the pain in the non operated leg.

2.Was there any over compensation ?

3.We're you able to cope with the pain in the non-op leg?

4. Any things I need to be aware of?

Thank you in advance for your replies

Tricia

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Posted

    I too have pmr( and a spondolythesis)

    I have had both hips replaced ( late July and Dec) also rather quickly - the pain got worse in the unoperated leg until it was operated on.

    I think it's worth doing as much strength building exercise as possible before. The pain had been well managed and now is minimal . Sleeping however had been interesting! Pillows carefully positioned help.

    I guess your in the uk too- hope your surgeon is as excellent as mine- initially leg lengths different but now equal which is great

    Good luck I hope it goes well

    • Posted

      I agree very well said. Time and healing seems to go on forever. I have had three THR two primary and one revision. Each one is different. Follow docs instructions and lots and lots of pillows all,shapes and sizes.

      Hooexxx

  • Posted

    Being a double myself, get the 2nd one done as soon as possible, about 6 weeks apart is the minimum, my 80 yr old uncle had his hips done 6 weeks apart. Advocate to the surgeon yourself using the x-ray results of fast deteriotation, and how are you going to recover from the first surgery, when the 2nd hip is holding you back, don't be afraid to be straighfoward with the surgeons.

    Similar happened to me.

    But mine surgery ended up being about 15 months apart, when i eventually saw the surgeon, he said the deteriotation was faster than even he expected, must be once you go past a certain point that your hips give it away very quickly.

    I said to him the 2nd hip was holding me back from getting really well, unless I could do more walking, I wasn't walking at all after 12 weeks past my first right hip, pain in left hip joint just too intense, I managed to tear up the cartledge in the hip joint when out walking post 1st reaplcement.

    I admit to going swimming in the local heated pool, in the deep end supported by a water noodle, and gently treading water, built up slowly over a number of weeks to an hour 3 times a week.

    I really do believe that my treading water helped my recovery, and physio's agreed with me, very strong in tummy and back muscles, so went back swimming at one month post surgery with Dr's permission, he checked very carefully that my cut had all healed over, didn't need an infection, even a minor one.

    I still go swimming or closer to treading water with my noodle, for an hour twice a week, I really enjoy the non weight bearing exercise and now my knees have succombed to arthiritis as well, the swimming helps me stay strong and reasnobly fit.

  • Posted

    Not sure if my first post went through. InĀ  nutshell just had both hips replaced at sa time. Was walking without a walker after 2 days, walked 2 miles after 10 days post op. Had final vist to dr on day 15, played golf on day 18. I am now 4 weeks post op and ths past weekend walkd 4 miles non-stop. My recommendation is to do both together and find a dr who brags out his patients walking easily within 2 weeks. At week 1 I could walk but was prety stiff stll, biggest issue was the meds were keeping my blood pressure to low so i stopped taking them on Day 7 accept for anti-inflamatory and asprin. I could not imagine having to go back though the entire surgery process again. 1 and done, Maybe I was lucky, now i walk 30min at lunch every day and I find I am not getttig stiff. I went to not being able to walk around a grocery store to this level in 4 weeks.

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