Right Hip Replacement

Hi All,

I've started a group on Facebook called "Total Hip Replacement Forum" please join the group and add your comments, views, photo's and experiences, hopefully we can help others who have gone through or about to go through what we've had. Please invite as many of your friends and family to join too, the more the merrier :-)

ps, i'll continue to post on here too for those who aren't on Facebook.

Hope to see you on the Forum

Wilky (Iain) :-)

Hi Wilky

I started hitting golf balls 8 weeks post op, but not really swinging with much vigour. The most noticeable issues I had prior to my op (ops..!) was that I'd get severe pains in my thighs/groin after 10-20 repetitive shots on the driving range and on the course I'd lost about 30-40 yards off my tee shots. My regular playing partners would say "You're not getting through the ball, rotate from your hips...". Now we know why.

I'm now 6 months post op for my right hip and 4 months left hip. Some of the yardage has come back and my swing looks much better. I'm still not loading up my left hip fully on my follow through but I feel like I could. I can still feel some restriction when getting the ball out the hole (actually getting the ball in the hole is harder, but let's not talk about that) and when crouching to read putts. Bending feels much more restrictive than twisting for me.

I'd stress again to everyone that listening to your consultant, physio and your body is essential. I tried a couple of things a bit too quickly and got a gentle reminder from my body.

BTW, I like the Facebook group. I was thinking of joining and posting a picture of my 'shark bite' but I'm not sure my friends and the world are quite ready to see pictures of my bottom on Facebook.

Jon

Hi Jon,

That's great your playing again, maybe its time for me to dust off the old wands and get back out there, its not the same on the Wii :-)

Please feel free to join the Facebook group and add your photos, you're right it does look like a shark bite lol, there's already 2 posted on there, it would be good to compare :-)

Cheers

Wilky

Good idea on the FB Forum Wilky. I'll follow & post, but EXTREMELY unlikely to post pics of my scar -would feel like just too much info!

I've asked my physio friend about restrictions/precautions on playing golf & will post her reply here asap

Morning Everyone

I was given a booklet at my pre op with general advice on hip replacement surgery - it has FAQ and exercises and do's and dont's in.One of the 'When can I?' questions is when can I play Golf? . Answer - You may resume this at 3 months after your surgery, but do not twist too much initially. So looks like you are ok to play Wilky.

I don't play golf, I play bowls and I have no idea when I can start playing again - forgot to ask!

No further problems after lifting my cat, thank goodness. We have a golden retriever and I am eager to take him for his walks BUT how do you pick-up his poo when we are not allowed to touch the ground? Any ideas welcome.

I'm afraid I won't be joining you on Facebook - beyond me but my 11 year old grand daughter is here at the weekend and I'm hoping she will guide me!

Morning Everyone

I was given a booklet at my pre op with general advice on hip replacement surgery - it has FAQ and exercises and do's and dont's in.One of the 'When can I?' questions is when can I play Golf? . Answer - You may resume this at 3 months after your surgery, but do not twist too much initially. So looks like you are ok to play Wilky.

I don't play golf, I play bowls and I have no idea when I can start playing again - forgot to ask!

No further problems after lifting my cat, thank goodness. We have a golden retriever and I am eager to take him for his walks BUT how do you pick-up his poo when we are not allowed to touch the ground? Any ideas welcome.

I'm afraid I won't be joining you on Facebook - beyond me but my 11 year old grand daughter is here at the weekend and I'm hoping she will guide me!

Hi Granny Granny,

You have to swing your operated leg out straight behind you as you bend down so as not to take it past the 90 degrees, I don't know your mobility but you can use your stick(s) for support too, hope this helps.

I'm at nearly 4 months now, time to get out and see if I can still hit a ball then 😄

Get your grand daughter to teach you what to do and how to post and we'll see you on Facebook, don't worry about technology I had to get my daughter to show me how to work my iPhone😄

Wilky

Hi everyone

Had a look at the Facebook page. As a woman, it was helpful to see the scars - we're such vain creatures lol. Am having an AMIS hip replacement so other than knowing that my surgeon will be operating from the front I have no idea what the scar will be like but will try and get my husband to post a photo if his hands will be able to stop shaking from laughing! My op is booked for 30 August. Still scared but this forum and the Facebook page definitely help.

Keep posting everyone.

Hello Brenda

Had my THR the AMIS procedure on 11th June at Spire Yale in Wrexham.

You have nothing to worry about!

Last time I was in pain was on the way to the operating theatre! I declined wheelchair in order to memorise pain and discomfort of daily life prior to the op.

I was up few hours after the surgery and never stopped walking since! I am also driving without problems. Sleeping without problems. Wound is healed and life is good!

The surgeon is perfect! Everyone is perfect! Really nice and friendly people, helpful and caring.

So - do not worry! All will be fine! You will be in good hands!

Hi Halina1

That's so comforting. That's where mine is booked. What sort did you have fitted. I am thinking of having a ceramic with a plastic cup.

Sounds great. Sleep is really disturbed at the moment. Can you sleep on your side or do you still have to sleep on your back. Also how big is the scar lol

Hello Brenda

I sleep on both my sides! And soundly! Could not sleep well before the op due to pain and could not sleep on my right side at all. Could not walk! It was a nightmare!

I have ceramic on ceramic. Most happy with it.

My scar is longer than you will have as I had a problem with the femur - a deformity that had to be accommodated/repaired at the time of the replacement and therefore I needed a much longer and thinner stem, hence the longer scar.

However, I prefer the scar to the life of misery I had before! It has healed amazingly well and will fade in time. Unless you have a similar problem to what I had, yours will be negligible by comparison!

The whole day of the op was amazing. People were nice and supportive and everyone told me not to worry as they will look after me. The surgeon and the anesthetist came to see me and really cheered me upl I had a look at the special table when I was prepared and after this - I do not remember anything, till I was back in the room.

After the op, the surgeon came to see me to tell me how things had gone and to encourage me to have confidence in my leg and all it can do! I was on a frame putting first steps soon after this. On crutches next day and soon after only on one crutch. The op was on Tuesday and by Sunday I did not need crutches at all and was moving round the house like I have not moved for a long time! My family and friends just cannot believe this! Even I find it hard to believe too!

There is no pain! I am back to most activities and working on rebuilding the muscles on my right leg. I have not used it for few years, but for dragging it behind, hence my muscles weakened and need to be rehabilitated a little more. I can now do everything, except to lift my body on the right leg, when going upstairs. My husband says that this is simply my personal lack of confidence in this leg - when it comes to going up the stairs I still treat it as I did for years prior to the op - I use the other leg to lift. I know it is just a matter of time as every day I do better than day before and I am now at the stage that I am not thinking prior to moving around - it just comes naturally as it used to.

I am also back to driving since last Wednesday and it does not cause me any problems. The leg is flexible and fully functional. I have no difficulties in getting in or out of the car nor when driving.

The hip joint feels as it is my own. It does not squeak or click or cause any other grief.

So - do not worry! It worked for me and it will work for you! Honestly - the time in the hospital will pass very fast and it soon will be all behind you. Try to eat healthy food and not to stress too much in order to get yourself in a top form before going in. The surgeon and his team will deal with everything else. Trust them! You will be fine!

Take care for now! Ask whatever worries you - I will help if I can!

Hi Halina1

Thanks for replying so quickly. Just a couple more questions. I have put myself down for the epidural as I am more scared of the anaesthetic than the op. What did you have? My surgeon is Mr Wooton. Who was yours.

Thanks for your reply. This forum has helped so much but I cannot tell you how much your reply has helped me.

Thanks again. Will let you know how I get on.

Brenda

Hello Brenda

My surgeon was Mr Wootton! He is the absolute best!

The anesthetist was Dr Jones - also the best one can wish for!

I got the option for epidural from Dr Jones, but I did not fancy being awake during the op. If you are OK with this - go for it! Lots of people apparently opt for epidural, but it is not for the fainthearted wimps like myself!

You should discuss this with your anesthetist prior to the op. Both the surgeon and the anesthetist will come to see you before and discuss anything you may feel that needs last minute addressing. They will also tell you briefly what will be happening. When Mr Wootton came to see me, I told him how nervous and frighten I was. He just smiled and said that this is perfectly normal reaction and reassured me that I will be fine and he will see me after the op back in my room. Dr Jones told me step by step how he will administer the anesthesia. He said that Mr Wootton is very good and I will be in good hands.

After that a nurse came in to see if I was OK and had a chat and said that they do so many of these operations there and people recover very quickly. Then the male nurse theatre assistant came in and I walked with him to the theatre. He was chatting all the way and was very reassuring and I forgot the worries.

After I was on the table, it took just couple of minutes chatting with Dr Jones to drift off to sleep. When I woke up, I was back in my room and the pain was gone! The leg had a dressing on and the calf pumps were on on both my legs (prevention of DVT). The leg felt a bit heavy and I could see that there was some swelling. But no pain! I did not even need my pain killers and one had a anti-inflammatory and couple of paracetamols in the afternoon and later for the night. I took them more for 'just in case' scenario than due to the real need.

I am amazed how problem free it all was and how very little (in reality - none) hardship I suffered! And how quickly my life got transformed!

Please do not worry! Especially not over the several weeks prior to the surgery. Get yourself rested and fit. All will be well!

I am here if you need me!

Take care, Brenda!

Halina