Is it normal to need 2nd hip replaced after 1st one has been done

​I have read several posts on the forum where this probelm has arisen after surgery on one hip.  I think one of the problems is that the "good" hip has had to do extra work because of the bad hip, and this may be the reason why it shows wear and tear after surgery.

Apparently so ... I totally freaked out when I was told that other hip's cartilage was down to bone-on-bone within 6 months after 1st x-ray was taken - right hip was in desperate need of hip replacement while left one was fine, maybe mild OA showing -n this was October 2014

Had THR surgery March 2015 (was in denial and had not found this forum yet) - All went well, but then got pain in groin again - that is when I found this forum ...

Follow up visit was May and x-ray showed how bad left hip had become - I was devastating and tought I was a freak  ... came to this forum and low and behold, so many friends were also waiting for their 2nd THR - 

The months leading up to 2nd L THR (September 2015) were horrible - pain got worse and were definitely holding back healing of right hip ..

Of course, the thought of going through all of it again is off putting (mildly expressed)- but I knew what to expect and to be honest, it became less of an issue as time went on - It is not the surgery per se, but the post-op time - the whole blah thing again-

However, I (thought) was much more prepared, smarter and thus less afraid - I knew what to expect, how I was able to move - I bought a lot of stuff beforehand (Like sooooo many rolls of toiletpaper ...) - I live alone and a bit isolated - 

AFter surgery of 2nd hip I felt great ... 2 brand new hips !!!! no OA pain - I felt confident and trusted my new hardware so much more - I thought that FINALLY healing had begun - 

I probably overdid it from the beginning (euphoric state)- cocky and over-confident, so a bit disappointed right now that I have trocanteric bursitis - back to more rest and taking it easier - 

You will be fine !!! seriously - 

big warm hug

renee

At the beginning of this journey, when I had my first Xray done of both hips, I was told that my right hip showed wear and tear, but that my left hip looked okay.  I haven't had my left hip Xrayed since then.  It feels okay at the moment.  I'm hoping it won't need doing.

Cels xxx 

I did not have a clue l had bad hips l suffered what l thought was a pulled muscle or a tendon l went to go a number of times and they agreed and sent me away with painkillers and a card to phone nhs physio. Which l did call but it had a waiting list of months. The pain started in jan 2015 and by september l was in agony still just in left leg. I could hardly walk getting in and out my car brought tears to my eyes. The final strawcwas when husband saw me crying trying to get dressed. At this time l was still working full time but l was miserable l hardly spoke l spent all day wishing it was time. All my work team noticed l was quiet and withdrawen and was struggling with my workload. I made another appointment with doctor by this time it was late september. I begged thec doctor to do something more do he sent me for an xray thst day.

Well a week later l was called back to be told l needed 2 new hips. Yes 2 i was shocked burst out crying.....why 2 l only had pain in my left leg. He said its the worst looking hips l have seen they were both bone to bone all 7 he said l am suprised you are still walking it must be so painful. No sh*t it has took over my life for nearly a year.

Again l asked why 2 at the same tme when l only have pain in 1 leg. He said it was very common for both to go at same time.

Luckily l have bupa through my work and had an appointment arranged for a week or 2 later to see the surgeon . Again he took xrays and tests and said my they are angry hips they are done they need replaced asap. I had all these things going through my head like why me l am to young to need new hips at 42. I now realise thats not the case there are people much younger than me l learned this from this forum .

Had 1st hip replacement on december 9th and 2nd on 15th feb so l am 7 weeks post 2nd op.

Its the best thing l have ever done l have no more OA pain just in recovery and l feel a million times better. So to get 2 new hips around the same time is very common l have spoke to a lot of people on the forum who have had both done there is no answer as to why l needed them as l am just a normal person who liked to go walks and l am not to young either as there is a lot of younger people on this forum.

Hope my story helps you l got the all clear from hospital on wednesday so l am just spending the next month or 2 off my work getting used to living normal life with my new hips and l feel great. Obviously l am still recovering and still have some pain and get tired easy but everyday l get better.

What l will say Helen as the 2 ops were diffrent l had diffrent pains it took me slightly longer to recover but the doctor told me this would happen..

So good luck to you don't suffer with the other one if you have the chance to get it replaced take it before pain gets to bad.

Laura xx