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I am trying to decide wether to do both hips at the same time?

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jamie0456
jamie0456

I am 59 and used to be quite active in sports until the slow, painful deterioration of my hips to OA.  I need to have both hips replaced and am wondering if any of you have done both hips at once and wether you would suggest that if doing it again or would you opt for doing one at a time with a few months between surgeries.  Thanks in advance for your help.

1 like, 46 replies

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  • sarah1996
    sarah1996 jamie0456

    Posted

    Im still waitimg for mine but if i had the option id get both done together, 1 op, one recovery, one time off, and more time to do what you want without having one hip making you lag behind.

    But thats just my very own personal opinion because im now in double figures with ops and would much rather just get them done together, but i suspect the recovery time will be longer and harder

  • lors23
    lors23 jamie0456

    Posted

    Hi Jamie

    I never got the choice to have them both done. I went through bupa at my work and the doctor said l needed both done asap but he would do 1 first and the next 6 to 8 weeks after depending on recovery. I am 42 and in good health apart from finding out last year l had OA in both hips and they were needing replaced asap. I think if l had been given the choice l would have had both done and got it over with sooner and l know people have although l think you are longer in hospital and the recovery time is slightly longer. But its all done in the one go. I have had 1 done and was ready for next one 4 weeks after. I am hoping to get appointment in this week for other and hope its february. I would go in tom if l could . It makes such a diffrence now my other leg is holding me back and l am still getting the OA pain in it and it gets worse everyday.

    Good Luck whatever you decide ☺

    • jamie0456
      jamie0456 lors23

      Posted

      Thanks for your response!  Wondering when you say you are ready after four weeks for the next hip operation, are you able to walk without cane or walker at this time?
  • tony628
    tony628 jamie0456

    Posted

    I don't think any surgeon would do that procedure.  You need one good wheel to recover while the other is being repaired.  I can't imagine having them done at the same time.  I don't know how you could possible PT or function with two hips done at the same time.  
  • Gaby21
    Gaby21 jamie0456

    Posted

    Omg I couldn't imagine both at once.... Never!!
  • Hailea
    Hailea jamie0456

    Posted

    Hi Jamie

    i think you will find it very difficult to find many surgeons that would attempt both hips at the same time. As some one who has had both hip replaced within 9 months I would not advise it ether. Things can be very different between both ops which I found out the hard way. And you wil not recover as quickly as doing them one at a time. If all goes well with the first op and unlike me you have no complications with your other hip you. Can have the other one done in as little as 3 months. So please don't get your hoes up that your surgeon will give you what you want because it does not work like that. 

  • kevin19230
    kevin19230 jamie0456

    Posted

    Yes it is possible.  If you kick & scream.  However not advisable.  My friend did and his marriage was tested to within an inch of its life.  I can understand the desire to get both done at once. One operation etc. The recovery and aftercare so stressful and long.  It needs careful consideration.  
    • sarah1996
      sarah1996 kevin19230

      Posted

      Im only getting one hip getting done and im so nervous it will test my fiances limit. Hes only 23 (im 19) and its deffo going to be a huge weight on his shoulders. A lot harder than what he had to put up with at the moment
    • kevin19230
      kevin19230 sarah1996

      Posted

      Yes. I understand.  My wife has been a tower of strength with my complex situation. I will be non weight bearing until 15 weeks after my op.    I don't know how she would have coped with a double hip replacement! 
    • sarah1996
      sarah1996 kevin19230

      Posted

      Can i ask what your complex situation was? Because of my condition i have been repeatably told by various doctors that my op with be very complex but iv been given no details yet
    • jamie0456
      jamie0456 kevin19230

      Posted

      Thanks for your response!  What made it so difficult?  Was it because he needed help to get up and move around constantly?  Any sense of how long it was before your friend was able to get up and move about on his own?
    • isaac37810
      isaac37810 sarah1996

      Posted

      May I ask how you are doing with your hips? I’m 23 and will most likely be  having surgery. 
  • christinafoust
    christinafoust jamie0456

    Posted

    I had both of my Hips replaced at the same time.  I had osteonecrosis in both hips and knew I was going to ultimately have to have them both done, so... I live in the United States (South FL) and there are several ortho surgeons who will do them.  Mine was done in July 2014, I was age 50.  They use the anterior approach (front part of the hip - not the side or back). They use a special table called the Hana table.  It is a very narrow table so the patient can't be overly large).  They got me out of bed 2 days after the surgery.  It wasnt as hard as you would think.  I used a walker in the early weeks.   I was in the hospital for five days.

    i have Lupus and Fibromyalgia and I felt if I did one first, I might put off having the other done.  The first 10-12 days were the hardest. I already have constipation from my medications but after being on Morphine and other pain med's, going to the bathroom was excruciating.  I had to go with suppositories- thank goodness for them!!! Please free to ask questions!! Good luck.

    • jamie0456
      jamie0456 christinafoust

      Posted

      Thanks for your response.  How long would you say it took before you were walking without a walker and cane, even if the distances were short (ie: around the block)?
    • WIRob
      WIRob jamie0456

      Posted

      Sorry - I know you directed this to someone else.  Wanted to add.

      I was on the Walker about 10 days.  Then used a cane about 2 weeks.  By the end of week 4 - I only took a cane along if I was stiff or had some swelling due to excercises 

      I was walking in indoor malls to get distance within 3 weeks.

    • breeze61
      breeze61 christinafoust

      Posted

      Hi Christina, The constipation for me was a big problem too and the thought of being on the raised throne with a sore butt was off putting. Happy memories.
    • Greenize
      Greenize christinafoust

      Posted

      Hi christina. I'm so happy I came across your post. I have fibromyalgia also. I was told I need back surgery and both hips done. I'm concerned because I'm alone. I'm on disability now and need to call my insurance company to see if a nurse coming to my home is covered. I live in Deerfield Beach and was wondering if you would tell me the surgeons you're referring to. If you don't want to post openly, I'll be happy to give you my info so you can reply privately. Thank you

    • Donna320
      Donna320 jamie0456

      Posted

      I also had both done (anterior procedure)  this past january.  My doctor invented the table for the procedure and teaches other doctors this procedure.  My hips were pretty bad, so trying to do PT with a damaged hip supporting a replacement just didn't make sense.  I was in the hopital overnite and then went home.  up and walking about 6 hours after surgery.  I was walking without a walker after 4 weeks and back to work in 5.  ( I have a desk job) I climb stairs which helps build up strength.

    • Greenize
      Greenize Donna320

      Posted

      Hi Donna! Did u need a lot of help in your recovery process?? I'm considering both, but have no one to help at home. Thanks

    • Donna320
      Donna320 Greenize

      Posted

      My husband was with me for the first 10 days since I was upstairs in our bedroom and he had to let the PT and nurse in when they came a calling.  He also was bringing me food and letting the dog out.

      After practicing doing the stairs, I was on my own after that and did pretty well.  I had a raised toilet seat in the bathroom, a walker in my room and at the bottom of the stairs.  Initially he would put my socks on and help me get dressed for Physical therapy, but I was able to do alot more on my own after the 10 days.  Mind you, I was not exactly racing around!  I had to get back to work quickly, so I worked hard and was back in 5 weeks.  I drove after 4, but I have an SUV (a lot easier to get in and out of), Having both hips done at the same time, you will need someone to help you initially.  Stay ahead of the pain and take your meds!  I hate taking medicine and thought I could take it when needed.  BIG mistake.  I could not take the heavy duty opiods (allergies).  I was on Tramadol.  The nurses at the doctors office were amazed that I was only on that for bilateral hip replacement.

       

    • Donna320
      Donna320

      Posted

      Oh, And I am 57 years old.
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