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

Interestingly I've just seen today that Eamonn Holmes (TV presenter I think) is having both his hips replaced at the same time. Surgeon considers this is a good option and thinks the overall recovery time is halved compared to doing 2 hips separately.

i went for two, anesthesia was giving me problem's on the anterior approach, so the doctor did one. im glad he did, It was alot easier to walk with one good leg. I drove my ttruck the day i was out of the hospital

My vote is one at a time. You will have shorter recovery that way. I've had three and one revision. Also,have cup in older 18 yr hip needs to be replaced later. Had revision in Jan. My doc said he would never do them both at the same time. Even just to replace  poly cup in old worn implant component. So once healed from one I will,do the other. Then I'm good for another 20'years hopefully.👍

in my experience it takes all my energy and everthing I have known from the past three THR that i learned I can only recover from one at a time.

there are some hippies that have had both hips done at the same time. Can do a search and read about their experiences.

 

Hi Jamie,

I'm 3 weeks post op and didnt have the choice of both at once. But, If I was given the choice I would have probably gone for it.

I think a lot depends on how healthy you are before the op and what support you have at home. For example I have been able to get myself dressed and undressed apart from the operated leg sock because I can stand on my good leg and get trousers and pants on and off by balancing on the good leg. You with a double op will depend on someone to look after you a lot more. So if you've good support at home and your fit I would go for it.

You will only have one set of 6 weeks recuperation and one not so nice first week to contend with.

Hi Jamie I'm the same boat. I schedule to have both done on December 4 and I'm very nervous. People keep saying I'm crazy to do it. Not sure what to now.

I had bilateral THR on 8/29. After my OS told me my other hip would need replacing as well, I asked him to do both. He said recovery would be longer (it wasn't) and would only do it since I was not overweight and had no other health issues. He also asked me which hip I wanted done if, during surgery, he could only do one. Surgery went well and both were replaced, 45 minute procedure for each. Anterior method. Hip pain was gone immediately! One week using walker, second week with cane. I was walking unassisted and driving myself to PT after week 2. Week 4, I was walking 2 miles and riding my bike 5 miles. PT, for me, is key! My dr. didn't want any PT first two weeks so I made sure to walk assisted around the house every hour. I went to PT, 2 x's a week before surgery and 3x's a week for 8 weeks after. I definitely needed help the first week. (My daughter came and stayed that week.) It is now 11 weeks post op and my life is very active. So much depends on your surgeon and PT. I am an advocate of the anterior method as no muscles need to be cut. I have a 3" incision on the top, side of each thigh. One hospital stay, one anesthesia, one recovery!! Do it sooner than later. I am 71 and very active (again).

Jamie

I am 67 years old and had a bilateral hip replacement on the 24th September. Like you I was quite active in sports, cycling and running , until the pain kicked in. ( I ran the London Marathon when I was 60).

I am now 7 weeks post op and am back to walking 5 miles+. It may be some time before I think about running again!

For me it was the right decision to have both hips done at the same time. One operation and one period of recovery. You just need a positive outlook and get up and about as soon as possible after the operation.

I would be happy to help with any other queries you may have, I did quite a bit of research before finally making up my mind to go ahead with operation. Overall , both my surgeon and I, are extremely pleased with the outcome.

Regards

Charles