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

My right hip was replaced 4 months ago, and all has been well, but the left hip is causing no end of problems. I have been quietly hoping it will settle as my right hip becomes stronger and I am bearing weight evenly. However just lately on three different occasions my left hip has collapsed nearly causing me to fall down the stairs...just the same as the right. 

I had moderate wear and tear last time it was checked...need to get it xrayed, but I was hoping to string it out until after the summer..just want to enjoy life and sunshine for a while before hitting the hospital again...do you feel the same?

My little daughter had her birthday party yesterday, we woke up at 4am and were still celebrating at 8.30pm I was limping badly, new hip perfect - left hip was a disaster and I had their familiar deep bone pain. Must admit my heart sank - it really did - so I know just how you feel. 

I am not afraid like last time though, at least this time we know what to expect, we know how to care for our new hips and can plan well. I am not overjoyed at the prospect though...

It's been a year ago yesterday that I had a total hip replacement on my right hip.  I've always been super active & hike heavily, as well as having been a dancer, bodybuilder, yoga participant & aerobics instructer back in the day.  When I first went for major pain, in April of 2015, I seriously thought I had a groin pull....nope, right hip was bone on bone with no recourse but the surgery. I was told however that since I'm more active than a normal 64yr old (at that time), I needed to wait as long as I could before scheduling the surgery....lasted until Jan, 2015 when I was at a point that I couldn't sleep from the pain & was having issues walking.  Surgery was hugely successful. I was back on the trails within 2 months & back at work in two weeks...I've had no issues with the new hip except not being able to do a very few yoga hip twisting positions....when my hips were initially xrayed, my left hip was beginning to show signs of wear, about 30% loss of cartilage & I was told that sooner or later I'd need it done as well....so ok, it's now been a year & I'm starting to begin to feel that old 'ache' in the left joint & am getting a clicking sound when I move into certain positions....I know what's coming. I just didn't think it would be this quick....it's good to know that this isn't uncommon & I have to say this.....with the excellent results from the first, I know what to expect now & won't hesitate to schedule a surgery much sooner.....geez!

I had my right hip done in September 2016,  the last 6 weeks my left hip had been giveing me gip , the same pain but worse than before . I'm gutted just getting back to normal due to return to work  Monday and struggling to walk today. But at least I know what to expect and have all the aids to assist me. 

Hi Helen. I had thr dine last March ,,was total success ,,no pain after suffering for 7 years ,,didn't even think about the recovery ,all I thought about was no pain ,,,recovery was good ,,but I really didn't feel myself for I'd say 6months ,,but was so immobile before the op back was in a terrible state ,,had to stop working was struggling to do anything t b h ,,then 5 months on ,pain in the right groin ,back to go ,,would you like a hip replacement ,,well no its too soon ,,I started a job I love ,,,,everything back to normal ish lost two stone of the three and a half I'd put on ,was feeling pretty good ,,well pain killers or hip replacements he did said so I asked for a referral to a surgeon ,,after initial appt pain wasn't too bad so he said come back in 6 weeks ,,I went back it had got a lot worse ,,so he offered me injections ,,one worked into the psoas muscle ,,but the hip I did dudnt ,,so I requested an appt with surgeon ,got me an x Ray ,,which looked ok ,but sent me for an m r I last week went back for the results ,,it's worse than we thought you have less carilasge and cysts on head of the bi e so well book you in for spend,,well I feel like I'm choosing to have it dine as I'm in pain sine of the time ,,I know itl get worse as he said either carry on as you are or get it do e I'm only 54 ,,,I'm so upset I have to go through all that again ,,glad I am not alone   Janet 

My problem is slightly different from most here. I am due to have my first hip replacement in 2 weeks (I was only informed a few days ago). X rays in January showed advanced rapid onset osteoarthritis in both hips, with some AVN in the left hip. The surgeon told me that I could choose whichever hip was giving me the most pain. This was 3 months ago. I get most of my pain in my knees (referred pain) and they both feel equally bad. I chose the right hip, as he also said that if I slept on my side it would have to be on the operated hip while in recovery. I am only used to sleeping on my right side, so I chose that one for that reason only.

However - and this is where the quandary arises - I am in the UK and at the mercy of the NHS, which is in crisis. I have already waited longer than I should have had to, as I was listed as urgent, and have been getting by with a rollator and painkillers for months. I wish they would do both hips at the same time, but they don't seem willing. I think they think it would be too incapacitating, especially since I am somewhat overweight (although have lost some weight) and 72. I am seriously wondering which hip I should have done first, because I fear they will not do the second one soon, because of waiting lists and lack of beds. The AVN in the left hip worries me. 

I am going to try to talk to the surgeon in the meantime. I would like a second x ray before the operation, or even better an MRI, but in this system, that is probably not very likely to happen. If I had a choice, I would opt to have the second operation as soon as possible, as I won't have a "good leg" to aid my recovery from the first one, and I feel I will not really see the benefits until both are done. What do you think would be a reasonable minimum time to wait between operations?

is normal. I have bilateral AVN. So, I need both done. Just had the right one done. When the left one becomes painful to the point to where it interferes in my life, I will have other one done. 

Most with AVN (Avascular Necrosis) usually has it in both hips. If it attacks one it is more likely than not going to effect the other one. But not always. I was steroid dependent 30 years ago and they tore my musculoskeletal system up big time. My knees may need it as well. Good luck.

DJRN