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Recovery of 1st Op hindered by needing 2nd hip done.

Posted , 8 users are following.

ann73107
ann73107

Hi all, is anybody else struggling with this problem, I had my left hip operated on in July and I'm happy to say that all the pain from my groin has gone and the strength is building up nicely But my right hip is bone on bone and because of this I am still finding it difficult to walk without crutches, I'm back with the surgeons in Dec to decide when this will be done in the meantime I feel so restricted mobility wise as even walking around the house is painful.

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • jean95000
    jean95000 ann73107

    Posted

    I suffered the same the left hip progressively got worse as it was doing the brunt of the work while I was recovering from first op .although I managed with difficulty without a stick or crutches I eventually had the left hip done 12 months later and I’ve not looked back good luck just keep building the muscle if you can as I found recovery the second time round quicker... good luck 

     

    • ann73107
      ann73107 jean95000

      Posted

      Thank you Jean, I'm with the surgeon in Dec I'll let you know what the decision is. Did you find it easy to walk correctly again I'm waddling like a penguin at present x

    • jean95000
      jean95000 ann73107

      Posted

      Yes the waddle went the surgeon gave good advice ....think that your walking down the cat walk ... lol walk normal now ...

       

  • Chloeparrot
    Chloeparrot ann73107

    Posted

    Hi Ann

    I had my right hip replaced in June 2016 due to severe OA. My left hip (which also had severe OA) suffered from having to support the recovery of my right hip.  I knew that I would have to have a second THR fairly quickly but as I had quite a rough recovery from my first THR, I just couldn't face having the left hip done when the surgeon wanted (in early 2017).  I postponed the second THR until September 2017.  I am now 6 weeks post op from my second THR and am delighted with the results.  The recovery from this 2nd THR has been so much better than the first one - I was discharged on the 2nd day PO and was driving at 4 weeks (it is an automatic) and walking without any aid at 5 weeks.

    I am now looking forward to starting exercising and getting on with my life.

    The decision to delay my 2nd THR was mentally the correct choice, but not necessarily the right physical one.  If you can cope with having a 2nd THR close to the first one, then I would thoroughly recommend that you do so.

    • ann73107
      ann73107 Chloeparrot

      Posted

      Thank you, I think I'll stage a sit in untill they give me a firm date 😀x

  • dlrfoto
    dlrfoto ann73107

    Posted

    Hi Ann,

    I had a RTHR this past June and I too am really having trouble with the opposite (left) side. The left side was the one that initially hurt 3 years ago and I had some pretty painful episodes but they would come and go. In the meantime, my right hip got bad and according to the X-rays that was worse so that's the one they operated on first. It's been a slow recovery. Yes the groin pain is much better but my strength is not good and am still sore with some swelling. Still need to assist raising my leg by pulling it up by the bottom of my pants to get into bed and do those sorts of things. My left hip was hurting so badly a week ago that I wished I had crutches. I am seeing surgeon, or more likely the PA on Tuesday. I have back issues also and I really don't know where the pain is coming from. It would be great if they could do a cat scan or MRI from my waist to my thighs to get a comprehensive view of what's going on but I know that's not going to happen. Specialists aren't very holistic. I am reluctant as Chloe said to have the 2nd hip replacement do to the rough recovery of the first.

    Please keep us informed as to what you and your surgeon decide.

    Best,

    Donna

    • ann73107
      ann73107 dlrfoto

      Posted

      Hi dlrfoto , I also have spinal stenosis which is inoperable for various health reasons so like you it's a double whammy, I'm most upset as I'm still waddling round like a penguin but hopefully once the other one is done I should be fine. I'm putting any recovery problems behind me and will be asking for a 2nd Op asap when I see the surgeon in Dec. Take care. X

  • Ginnys
    Ginnys ann73107

    Posted

    Hi Ann

    i had my left hip replaced May 30 and was healing nicely—-walking, driving, etc, then early August the right hip got more and more painful. I was told then that the wait time was 8 to 10 months for surgery. I live in Ontario Canada and it’s true wait times are ridiculous. I insisted on seeing surgeon again and told him X-ray showed bone on bone on right hip. By end of September I again saw the surgeon told him my life was on hold as I was unable to do much of anything could not drive, had to use walker and was in constant pain. He gave me a surgery date of December 18 so I am now waiting for that. I am 78 years old and can hardly wait until I get relief from this grinding horrible pain and get my life back. I wish I could have had both done at the same time but my surgeon wouldn’t do it. I think the right hip is worse than the left as I depended on it for so long prior to my first surgery and while the left was healing. Good luck with your next surgery. 

    Let us know how you get on.

    Ginny

    • ann73107
      ann73107 Ginnys

      Posted

      Thank you for your response Ginny, I'm at the stage where I'm still totally dependant on crutches ,I'm back with the surgeon in early Dec to hopefully get a date for my 2nd Op I'll update you when I get it. Good luck to you for Dec x

  • renee01952
    renee01952 ann73107

    Posted

    Hi Ann, 

    I am so sorry to hear this -- I have the same experience - 

    At follow up appointment 6 weeks post-op 1st RTHR X-ray showed rapid decline of cartilage of left Hip, bone on bone - this came as a total shock to me since Xray 6 months before only showed mild decline -

    This really hampered my recovery - My new hip was too weak to support the bad hip - Summer of Hell, to be honest ... 2nd THR surgery was done 6 months after 1st one ... 

    Walking without aids was impossible, mobility restricted, even though I did drive - and of course that pain ...

    I hope the surgeon will make the decision to get the other hip replaced -- 

    Please let us know the outcome of your visit, okay

    big warm hug

    renee

    • ann73107
      ann73107 renee01952

      Posted

      Hi Renee, I was great for the first 6 weeks but have gone rapidly downhill, like you I'm driving but can only manage short walks as the pain in my unoperated leg is unbearable. Once you had your 2nd op how long. Was it before you could walk properly again I'm worried that I'll always waddle. X

    • renee01952
      renee01952 ann73107

      Posted

      Hi Ann, 

      I can only tell you about my experience, of course - Walking properly is a whole new game - 

      Warning:  you might feel euphoric !!! 

      2 new hips and pain is gone - you think you can just do it, get on with it and be done ..

      Well, it turned out a bit different for me - 

      I did not count on the weakness of other parts in my body - You had 2 major invasive surgeries within 6 months and that takes it toll on the body --- I was in a physically bad shape - no stamina ..

      I needed and still need to learn to walk all over again - and properly this time after years of limping and compensating for bad hip related pain -

      It is an individual process as you know - no time frame, really - Do you have physical therapy? 

      I live alone and to be honest, was not all that disciplined to do my exercises ... that was a mistake !

      Use walking aids (mine was a rollator, 4 wheeled walker) to prevent limping ...do your exercises - you can challenge your self a little bit, but don't overdo it ... plenty of rest to recuperate ...

      Please stay in touch okay .. You are right on par and doing great

      big warm hug

      renee

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