LTHR planned for 5th of Nov and very apprehensive

Hi Jo,

I'm only 7 days post op so probably not the best to give out advice in here. Before my op my hip was getting worse and worse and I couldn't wait to get my surgery date. once I got the date anxiety set in about all the possible complications etc. The other day whilst walking to the kitchen with my crutches it suddenly hit me that I no longer had pain in my hip joint and it was moving freely, it was a fantastic sensation after all that time in pain and misery. Sure I'm in a bit of pain now I'm in recovery but it's good to know that it will soon be over (well not going to rush things). Like others have said the majority of people that post on sites are asking for advice due to problems, some quite serious. These are in the minority. Most people don't have to post about how fantastic it has been for them, I'm very glad they do though. I have a young daughter and she can't wait to be able to use me as a climbing frame again. Hopefully soon.

Take care and try not to worry too much xx

thank you very much! your stories help! x

Hiya Jo...

i know just where ya coming from 🙁 I was in the same feeling as ya self over the negative posts etc, I've just had my RTHR on 5th October 😁. I too was scared and apprehensive at what was to come, but keeping positive and having faith in the surgeon, all will be fine. I'm 54 and this was my first major op, believe me it's the best thing i have ever done, yes after the op you have a little pain and discomfort, but by the end of week one you'll feel fantastic, no more grinding pain, and recovery ahead of you, it's getting your life back that's the best feeling. 😀

Ask any questions on this fantastic forum, they will get answered...

Stay Positive & Stay Happy 😁

Keep The Faith..

Pete😊

Hello, I'm 6 days post op, 48 years old. I have the "different " after surgery, gotta work the muscles, kinda pain. eventually it will pass and I will feel better. I don't, however, feel the "before" surgery pain that I had and its wonderful !! You will be fine, just follow all the guidelines they will set for post op care. And stay active in these forums, they are very informative and some very nice people here too😁

Keep in mind that most people who would join this forum are very nervous if they're pre-op, and experiencing difficulties if they're post-op. So it's certainly not representative of the vast majority of patients. Not that all the hippies here aren't great people!

I joined because I was very nervous about my revision THR on Sept. 12. I'm 70, and was really freaked out about the possibility of a long and painful rehab. Before the operation, I couldn't walk more than 100 steps without extreme pain. Now, 40 days post-op, I'm doing 10,000 steps a day.

I understand your fear, but the odds are you will feel MUCH better after the operation.

Don't worry. I felt the same but remember this site has lots of people looking for help . There are thousands more who are fine so don't post things. I am 11 weeks post op and have made a very quick and painless recovery. I was walking without sticks after just 2 weeks and today I went to London by train, lots of travel on the underground, escalators, stars and loads of walking. Do your exercises and take regular walks as much as you can. Listen to your body and you will be surprised how quickly you get on. I wish you well with the op and hope you recover as well as I have. It's so good to be without pain.

Hi l have no regrets my op was in April this year, l was amazed how soon you are up and about, l had a lot of pain but its got better, still have a niggle by the scar physio says its normal, if i do too much i do pay for it, but you do learn to be careful, my pains l get are not as bad as they were before good luck for Nov 🙂

Don't forget that most people only post when they have problems, you rarely hear the success stories.

I posted a lot when I was having problems, but much less after my last revision which went splendidly just a few weeks ago at the end of July. Today I was playing golf in the morning, and up on the roof this afternoon clearing the ivy away.

See my website for tips, the address is in my personal info here ...

https://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025

and at the bottom of the moderator's "useful resources" page at

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147

Best wishes

Graham - ¯_(ツ)_/¯

I had my right hip joint replacement on the 6th of June and they got me out of bed on the first day just to sit in a bedside chair and I was out of hospital on the third day and home on our narrow boat going up and down a four step ladder into the boat with no pain. At seventy three years old I'm glad I had the operation .

i am booked on the 5th too , i had one done in february and it was fine. most people do very well but of course on a forum like this you will see people that have complications. 95% of people do well

I didn't find any of these online hip surgery websites until about 2 weeks after my hip surgery. I am 14 weeks post surgery. I talked with my sister on the phone yesterday and she commented on how it would have been helpful to find these websites prior to my surgery. I told her I might have been too scared to have surgery after reading some of the things that happen.

BUT... even though I have had a few ups and downs in recovery, having surgery is the best thing I did. I can now stand in the kitchen and fix dinner without feeling I have to sit down after 10 minutes because of the arthritic pain in my hip and a sore back as a result. I can walk without pain. I think I was unrealistic thinking the recovery would only take 6 weeks or so. It takes months, but every week I am doing better and I know someday the recovery process will be a distant memory.

Be confident in your surgeon's abilities. Follow your hip precautions and take recovery slowly. Don't expect too much too soon, but always keep in mind that you are making progress. We all recover at different rates- some quickly, some more slowly. But for almost all of us, the hip pain is gone when you wake up from surgery. And the surgical aches and pains will eventually go away. And there is medication and ice to help with that. Wishing you the best as you have surgery.

HI THERE,

I AM 5 MONTHS POST OP AND AM GREAT.

I had pain after the op, some swelling and lack of sleep but after 4 weeks i was walking unaided. im now back on the crosstrainer and am just waiting for 6 months to be up so i can bend at 90 degrees. Keep positive and take your meds and do the exercises and you will be fine.

GOOD LUCK

Hi Jo,

I was 52 when I had my hip done last year, and could not have gone on in the pain I was in for any longer! As a nurse, I was extremely apprehensive, particularly about the risks associated with surgery and complications. My quality of life had practically gone down to zero, I was entirely miserable and was only really getting by thanks to my lovely husband. However, I reasoned that I had a good chance of success being a little younger and relatively healthy (although as it turns out, not that young in comparison to some on the forum!) The surgery was the best thing I have ever done by far, and I am beyond thrilled. It's true, recovery is challenging, you do have pain, but it eventually gets better. I never once thought I shouldn't have gone ahead and always extol the virtues of the surgery. Whilst there are some posters on the forum who do not have as successful an outcome I think there is a larger proportion of people that have done very well and probably don't post. Look forward to resuming a better quality of life, trust your surgeon and do everything that you are told to maximise your recovery. Good luck. You will always find an answer on here if you are worried about things, and please post to let us know how you are getting on.

HI folks

thank you all very much. still very nervous but feel better, it need done i am in agony pretty much all the time and can do very little. l'll keep you posted how it goes x