Hip Replacement, need advice

Hi. I am 12weeks post op from an anterior hip replacement and I'm 52years old. I was shocked when GP told the pain I was having was osteoarthritis and I needed a THR. I thought it was a groin strain!! I too needed time to mentally digest this and prepare myself and my husband (!) for both the surgery and the recovery. I had an anterior op which means the scar is at the front and it's supposed to be a quick recovery for us "young folk". I am a big baby with pain and dreaded the recovery but although the first day or two are very hard, it does get easier each day. I was given lots of pain relief in hospital and at home. My husband had to do everything after my op and was an absolute saint. He appreciates all my hard work now (house work, shopping, cooking and planning 3 meals a day etc and work and caring for our daughter and my elderly mother) so that's an added bonus to the op. The physio will get you out of bed the first day and get you walking. I used a Zimmer frame first and was devastated after it was taken from me after 1 day and then I used crutches. You will b nervous but it will be ok. Going up and down the stairs I found easy with the crutches. Now I'm driving, walking everywhere and fully mobile without too much pain ( I would call it muscular discomfort) but don't need painkillers more than once or twice a week. Learning to walk without limping, waddling from side to side etc I'm finding tricky. The scar takes a little getting used too. I would recommend the op because I've forgotten how hard it was to walk long distances, to go work and not feel absolutely exhausted and desperately rely on high doses of painkillers. All I would say is that don't expect to be 100% for a good few months after surgery. 

I'm 48, had resurfacing right hip 8 years ago, left 7 years ago. Right failed last year leaving me in pain again so I underwent THR revision surgery 3 months ago. I'm back at work but still recovering however the reduction in pain is massive.

As for the anaesthetic and being put to sleep, you're bound to be worried if you've not experienced it before but from my personal experience is nothing to worry about.

Recovery time is a personal and individual thing as everyone on here has slightly different experiences but you will feel so much better in the long run! As the old saying goes, don't put off til tomorrow what can be done today!!

Good luck with your decision making

Hi Janey I was 48 when my Xray revealed Arthritis as the cause of my hip pain. I wondered when I would know I as ready for a replacement hip. Constant pain lack of sleep plus unwanted side effects from the pain killers drove me to see the orthopaedic surgeon , but I was still wondering if I was truly ready for surgery. In the end my hip made the descision for me. My surgeon told me if I didn't have the surgery by the end of the year that bone loss would make it difficult to have a successful total hip replacement. I'm 51 and that information frightened me. My op is booked for the beginning of Dec. I feel positive about it  and have been working hard to maintain my muscles to help me get the most out of the immediate post op period..Only you can make the descision but  my advice would be to have the operation Annie 

If  you have been told by a surgeon that an op

is necessary he knows what he's talking about.

many of us are told we have back trouble at first,

when it really is hip trouble.  At first we can't believe

it, it takes a while to sink in.

What comments did he make about your xrays?

you could get a second opinion.

bone on bone? Did you ask him why, or were you

too stunned to ask.

welcome to the group Cathie

Hi, totally sympathise, it's a big decision.....I'm 47 and my first meeting with the consultant was in mid August, and at the meeting he pencilled me in for 11 sept, which I went ahead with, so not much time to consider but the line in the sand was- is it stopping me from daily activities, referred pain in leg at night and the consultant's reassurance that this was only fixable with surgery. I'm now recovering well, nearly seven weeks and getting slowly stronger.  Only you will know if you can go for for a couple of years or if this is the right time for you.  I am taking three months off work so I guess I'm lucky that I can. I wish you well with your decision making.

Hi Janeylady

As I've read through all these replies I've been struck by how many people are happy they had the surgery done. And the surgeons tell us it's one of the most successful operations ever.

I was like you - in pain with my activities restricted but unsure if I really needed it. My surgeon said he would do it for me when I came in begging him to do it. It didn't take long. I found I was having trouble sleeping, the pain was increasing and my life was becoming more restricted.

I'm 6 weeks post op and even though it's been a tough 6 weeks I'm so glad I did it! I have none of that grinding bone on bone pain. Yesterday I went for a walk in the park with my daughter and grandchildren and it was such a joy to do this pain free. I'm still on one crutch but already I can walk further than I could for ages before.

All the best with your decision,and let us know how you go.

Keena

I got told in April i needed an operation totally went into denial, had 3 months to think about it, went to physio who told me just go ahead and get it done, so told doctor in july, found this site who have helped so much, got my operation on right hip in 3 weeks time. Wish i had said yes in april it would be all over now.

I forgot to say you don't need to be put to sleep. Most surgeons prefer to do the surgery under spinal block. Then people have different levels of sedation but I know many have been awake through the whole thing. That scared me and I was totally out to it, but you usually have a choice of how deeply asleep you want to be.

I was 47 when I had my R hip replaced it took a while to be diagnosed as I was so young, I was given a ceramic hip as my sugeon said they will last forever, they dont like doing replacements on younger people as the old metal & plastic joints don't last long 10 years or so not much use to a 40 something.

I must say I would have done anthing to be free of the terrible pain I was in before the surgery. I definatley recovered quicker than an 80 yr old would and was home in 3 days back to work in less than 3 months, walking driving, and pain free. I have been told I'll need my left hip done at some point in the future and I will not wait as long as I did the last time, so if I was you I'd get it done sooner rather than later as the pain becomes unbearable if you leave it too long. Quality of life is so important, I'm 53 now & my left hip is starting to cause me some pain so will be off to the GP soon before it gets out of hand. Good luck you'll be fine..

 

I am a bit older than you but when my rheumatology consultant suggested I may need hip replacements nearly a year ago I had some pain but it was easily manageable,

I was then referred to an orthopaedic surgeon who put me on the list. Now months later I am still waiting, but I have got a date at last, I am virtually housebound now, the only time I get out is to visit the hospital or my GP and in severe pain all the time.

Dont think about it as once things start going downhill they can go surprisingly quickly and make life extremely difficult while you are still waiting to get it done.

Hello janey 

i was very stubborn when it came to having my hips done ( yes both of them ) 

i had my first one done 6 moths ago. ( left hip ) After a 4 year wait. I am now paying for it. Because I waited too long I am now suffering so much that I m in constant and unbearable pain in my right hip because only shortly after having the left one done the right one collapsed on me and I have become bed ridden. To get to my hospital appointment s now I have to go by ambulance in a streacher and be given nitrous oxide to help deal with any pot holes or roundabouts or dips in the road.

I promise putting it off is not a very good idea and I know you are scared I was scared the first time this time I am worse because I know what I am facing and my recovery wasn't that great the first time round. 

I do do wish you luck and hope you make the right decision not to wait too long.