I am nearly 17 and am going to have a hip replacement- Info on recovery and limitations.

Hi Isabella

At 49, I'm more than twice your age, but still relatively young for THR. The pre-op advice I received was that the more than 90 degree bend was only banned during recovery period. I think I was told that leg crossing was a definite no-no for the same period & not much recommended thereafter, but probably safe enough if muscles were properly healed & strength built up.

In my opium, THR is absolutely with it just to be able to walk more than 50 metres without being in pain. My op was just over 3 weeks ago & I can now walk over a mile, 3-4 times a day. Awesome!

Just ask loads of questions & you'll know exactly what's being sone & what to expect. Good luck!

Thank you so very much, this is so useful! I can't believe you have recovered so quickly! Have you been doing physiotherapy or any type of muscle building exercises?

Wow, Just spotted the auto correct "In my opium" OMG!! It WAS supposed to read, "In my opinion, THR is worth it..."

The surgeons say I also have congenital hip dysplasia & couldn't really believe I hadn't had any problems up till now. I reckon leisure pursuits of horse riding (& some competitive eventing), dog walking & swimming have gone a long way to help in keeping me fit this long.

As well as gradually increasing walking to get back muscle tone, I am doing loads of muscle extension exercises to get back my flexibility.My physiotherapist friend says the muscles will take up to two years to be back to full strength, but being in pretty good condition before pain started getting extreme is probably helping with quick recovery. Hardest part for me now is remembering that it is pretty major surgery & that I can't just go back to "life as normal" coz I don't hurt any more!

Keep us posted on how it goes for you

Okay that's great! Thank you so much for all the info, I will definitely let you know what happens! Thanks :D

You may be interested to know that I had my first hip replacement when I was close to your age, about 20, I too had CDH in both hips. I am in my 60's and that first hip is still there! I was told it would last maybe 10 years or so as it was done when these ops were very new so it has outlasted expectations. It does give me problems but they are not too bad. The second hip had to eventually be removed and it was replaced with what is called a Girdlestone, its fine. The two ops changed my life in the 60's and I have never regretted what at the time I was told was 'experimental'. I had them done in NZ but I have lived in UK for last 35 odd years. Long term I have also had to have a knee replacement because of the long term effects on the way I walked and that too has been very successful. The one thing to do is get yourself a good physio and insist on seeing him/her a couple of times a week to start with it can make all the difference and then some regular swimming.

Wow! That's an old hip, can believe it has lasted so long! Thanks for the advice about the physio, I think that will be something I defiantly do. Thanks

Hi,

I know I'm a little late in replying to this but I am very very similar to yourself!

I am 20 years old and had my first total hip replacement 6 months ago. I too was diagnosed with CDH at 13 months old and have undergone lots of different ops to try and create some sort of hip. I was unable to bend to tie my shoes and couldn't sit cross-legged. I was given the choice to have a total hip replacement when I was 16 but advised to wait it out as long as I could, I went on the waiting list at 19 after being on strong morphine painkillers.

My first 5 months with my new hip were amazing. The "12 week" recovery was much longer for me because of the weakness in my left side. However, I was starting to, with the help of physio, make the most of my new hip. I was able to sit cross-legged and managed to zip up my boot for the first time ever.

However, things took a turn for the worst last month - my replacement hip has dislocated twice (first time while i was with my physiotherapist) and I am now having to undergo revision surgery next week. My surgeon is unsure what he is going to have to do as my xrays look fine but the hip itself feels unstable.

Don't want to put you off getting the op but just wanted you to know the risks and let you know that sometimes it's not all plain sailing. My biggest advice is don't expect too much - don't think of yourself as a "normal" hip replacement patient - you may be young and that really is an advantage, but if you're anything like me, your muscles haven't moved certain ways ever, and you may take longer to get back on your feet!

Hope I've not sounded like a depressing, off-putting person - I'm usually so positive. I really wish you well and hope your story is more successful than mine!!

Emma xx

Isabella, first off I want to say hello and I know what you are going through! I am 17 and I to was born with hip dysplasia...I have had many surgeries in my lifetime....knowing that the replacement was the answer in the end! I had a total right hip replacement July 1, 2013. Less than two weeks ago and I am GREAT!

I have not been in any pain since I left the hospital, which was late the very next day. I was back in class on Monday this week. I am using a walker for stability, and my doctor said that I could move to a cane when I felt that I was ready, to just do what I felt comfortable with. He didnt feel I need physical therepy, just do my exercises and walk at home....He was strict about the 90 degree rule, because of dislocation...

When first standing it felt so weird, I am now even, I am not hurting,have not taken any pain meds since leaving the hospital! It is very excting.

Now the only bad thing I have had is my emotions...I have been very nervous about messing it up and actually caused my self to have an anxiety attack last sunday after church. But that is normal for me, I always struggle with my emotions after any of my surgeries.

Now I do not know how active you are or anything of that nature but prior to surgery I was as active as I could be, and dealt with pain afterwards. I was an Aggressive Inline Skater, Street Skated, Swam, hiked, danced...I didnt play on teams in school for fear of someone else hurting me and messing myself up even more. but other than that I was as active as the next. In 09 I did a 30 some mile walk with my church. I paid for it after/during but I loved it. My doctors have said that has helped me alot.

My advice to you is to listen carefully to what the doctor says and do not rush it. Another big thing I advise is PRAY. God has a plan and knows what He is doing. He never gives us more then He thinks we can handle.

Keep me updated on how it all goes, and I will update you on the healing process. If you have any questions or just want to talk about it feel free to message me.

Much Respect

~Megan

I am 27, I had THR in last week (14 Feb), I have fear of length gaps in between both legs,

Currently it seems that there is difference of 1 inch (after 1 week of surgery) in my case

Dose that 1 inch difference match by regular physical therapy (exercises, walking)

Because Dr says that initially in first week that difference is normal as patient recover that difference will gone