Hip replacement needed at 51 - minimal invasive procedure preferred

Hi kooks how long till you was going out walking after the op x

Sorry jools silly phone

Many thanks for your advice. Did they cut your muscle as the minimally invasive one doesn't cut the muscle. How is the rehabilitation going? 

Hi Debbie,

?I was weight bearing straight away on crutches. I can't remember exactly, but my hubby only had a week off to be with me. In the second week I took myself off up the road to the post box and back, It wasn't the hip that bothered me, more so the weak feeling as I was anaemic. Up and down kerbs was awkward! I went out nearly every day, increasing the distance each time, but crutches were hard on the shoulders. I went onto a stick around 6 weeks, and then started taking the dog by myself shortly afterwards. I went back to work at 9 weeks, although used a stick for the first 2 weeks, but I think more for reassurance. I'm now walking really well. It's still a shock every day realising I'm not limping. 

I totally agree and look at it this way. A longer incision means that the surgeon has a better view of the work he is doing. It also means less extreme pulling of muscles etc. Means that the right length stem can be used whereas with anterior and so called less invasive approaches due to restrictions this is not possible or with extreme difficulty.

As regards to restrictions recent advise is none with are needed with posterior but I would play safe, after all its really not that a big deal!

Cheers Richard

Oops apologies I was writing in support of your reply to Lucy!

Cheers Richard

I meant RTHR, LOL. The left one was done 10 years ago!! Sorry.

somehow my response posted twice! Sorry!

Many thanks!  did they cut through your muscle? How big is your scar??do you exercise and have you been able to exercise as before? 

To be honest, I don't know if muscle was cut although everything I have read says that 2 are cut. The scar is about 5", way up so not seen even with underwear on. I was not a big exerciser but hope it that now I will be. All my problems stem from being a pretty good gymnast many years and many pounds ago! LOL. I am going to a gym tomorrow to see if I like it so I can start my exercise journey once again.

Hi Lucy,

?Yes they cut through the muscles, and it takes a lot of work healing. My scar is quite long compared to others on here. It's about 10 inches, and goes horizontally across my buttock to the middle. It's like an L shape, and turns at the thigh to travel down the leg. The leg part looks really good. I have a very physical job, but don't exercise as such, just swimming and walking. I've been very good doing the physio exercises, and walk around 3 - 4 miles a day easily,. I couldn't really walk before and had deteriorated dramatically in the last 6 months or so. I understand you can have the type of surgery where they part the muscles though, so that might be a good option for you

Hi Lucy you seem to have same worries as me I go in on 17th so will let you know what have and I am worried how long till I can get back in gym too will keep you updated xx

Best of luck and keep me updated. What procedure are you having. Is it minimally invasive? 

 

hi Lucy will message you soon as it's done just want it over with came as bit of shock cos I 55 and up until June was going boot camp three times a week and weight training  thought I had just pulled something then had X-ray  and got told need new hip asap x

Hi Lucy, I am not sure what you mean by minimally invasive. At the end of the day the surgeon cuts into you, dislocates your hip, cuts off the top of the femur and replaces the hip parts with a prosthesis. They may use an anterior approach so you have a smaller scar and theoretically they do not cut any muscles however there is the possibility of nerve damage. The posterior approach is the old tried and tested approach, they do cut the muscle but I think they are now getting better at it over the years. They have a larger incision but it allows the surgeon easier access and it seems to have the least after op problems. There is also the new Superpath, which has had some not so good press recently. With this they do not dislocate the hip but just cut the top of the femur off in situ. The result is the same in the end.  The trouble it seems is that they have problems with measurement so you can have leg length discrepancies more easily.

There are also different prosthesis you can have. 

At at the end of the day the results of a hip operation does also depend on your weight, age and current level of fitness. I also believe that your general attitude to life helps too, are you a glass half full or a glass half empty person.

My guy is mr jay smith and he has very good reputation his based at Hillingdon and mount vernon  in Middlesex he is also private at bishopswood bupa in Northwood middlesex he also uses ceramic hip replacement not metal xx

Glass full to the brim with amber nectar generally lol. I am 51, fit and a normal weight. The operations I have read about talk about not cutting the muscle be it anterior or posterior. I am leaning towards the posterior but with the smaller cut if possible. I am also understanding more about how to look for the right consultant whilst still on the NHS.

THanks for taking the time to message me, much appreciated.

lucy

thanks Debbie, I will look him up.

best wishes,

lucy

Hi Lucy, I asked for Mr Singer when applying on the NHS even though friends who had had him privately told me I would be waiting forever. 

Sounds like you you are an ideal patient, full of the joys of spring! The other thing not mentioned yet is the anaesthetic. Nowadays you can have something called a spinal rather than the run of the mill general anaesthetic. You can have sedation if you want with it, some people listen to music, or if you prefer stay totally awake which I did. I wanted to know what was going on! The surgeon showed me my hip afterwards as well which was in a bowl. The nurse turned it over and over for me as if she were displaying some sort of valuable jewel. 

After the operation with a spinal you can start to eat as soon as they give you something. What I still cannot get over is that it is not my real hip in me still as it feels like it. Apparently hip replacement is the most successful operation in the world. 

Dear Ptolemy

I would agree. As some here may know my total hip replacement was carried out the traditional way with the posterior approach twenty years ago with a recent revision done the same way using the same type of prosthesis.

I made a very rapid recovery and going on actual reports of so called less invasive methods such as Superpath I really do not think they could have made my recovery any faster or more successful.

At the end of the day the ability of the surgeon really is key, followed by your health and fitness and being positive with a can do attitude. A bit of good luck thrown in or rather no bad luck is good too!

Cheers, Richard

Thanks Richard for your wise words! Hopefully with a bit of luck and a following wind......

Dear Lucy, thanks. Richard