Right Hip Replacement

Thank you am goin doctors today as am unable to sleep .

Hello All,

So glad I found this forum. I had a THR in Sept 2010 at the age of 39. It's a ceramic cup and titanium pin. I think due to my age and level of fitness I was up and walking unaided within four weeks and driving at six.

The following may I cycled 100 miles just make sure it worked!

I have had no problems up until Oct 2013 when I stared getting sore after I completed medium level leg exercise. Then two days after that whilst I was standing doing nothing my leg farted and vibrated! At first I thought I imagined it, but my partner heard it too.It happened again two day later. Rather worried I went to the doctors and told him and he sent me for x-rays. They came back with nothing wrong with my hip but I am still having the occasional "incident".

I am due for Physio at the end of Jan,but I was wondering if anyone else has experienced anything like this?

All replies grateful!

Jules

Really glad I found this, just been added to the list today for right hip replacement, 48 in a few weeks. Very active, hoping to back to most activities afterward

Jules, I had an incident 2 weeks in, when after trying to walk unaided, I felt a bit of pressure. Later when I say down, I wiggled in my chair and there was a loud click and I felt something move. I was lucky to see a nurse joint specialist next day. X-Ray was good, and she said it was a ligament at the front of the hip which had been moved aside during the op snapping back into place and was quite common. The pain settled in a couple of days.

So grateful to find all this...I'm 55 and 8 wks post op....managing to walk a mile each day FInd anything more !eaves me feeling a click hip...but all OK. T died swim pool but then got spine ache all over again but had only done as physio advised. Am in a manual job as a carer and now worried as told will be fit for work in 4 weeks....doing more at home but muscles all sore again.....imagined would be walking further by now.....

I had metal on plastic and no probs bending etc either...so am pleased with that

PS did anyone else imagine a buzzy shaking bed experience while in Hosp....felt weird Inighttime but dare not tell nurses iin case they thought I Was mad !!!!

My age is sixty. Last Thursday I had a hip replace. So far it's been a great, no pain. I was very worried as I had never been to hospital and I am a reasonably fit guy. I had a epidural which was a success. The worst bit was the wait for op as I had to be there at 7.00 and had to wait until 16.00 I had plenty of time to worry.After the op had a slight problem having a pee. It's a week today all good better movement in leg each day. I can walk reasonable distance. Keeping up my exercise programme. Hope this info has been useful. Good Luck. Kind Regards. REX

It's three weeks now since my THR at the Royal Alexandria in Paisley. I'm 65 and wasn't in too much pain before the surgery if I didn't walk for more than 10 minutes, but I decided not to wait until it was really bad.

I came out of theatre in considerable pain with muscle spasms, but they sorted me out and put a catheter in which allowed me to forget about visits to the loo for a few days! On the third day after surgery I noticed a patient in the bed opposite sleeping on his side, so I asked the nurse about it and she told me it was OK as long as I kept a pillow between my legs. It wasn't comfortable though, so I stayed on my back for a while.

Everything has gone well since I came home on the fourth day after surgery, though I suffered from very achy legs for some time and the affected leg was considerably swollen for more than a week. It does go down though! I wasn't very happy about injecting the anti-clotting drugs into my stomach every day, but I soon got used to that - no problem. After about 18 days I stopped the painkillers and have had only one night on them again when the leg was very achy. I have been carefully sleeping on both sides with a cushion between my legs and have found it a lot more comfortable that being on my back. The only thing I can't do is to do up my shoelaces, but my wife is very good and has helped me a lot. Sitting is my greatest problem, as the upright chair I was supplied with was an absolute back-killer - I have a prolapsed disc - so I experimented with various chairs and cushions until I found a good combination.

I can walk about the house without sticks, though I always have one handy. I've been walking outside but always take two sticks to be on the safe side. I've looked on a number of websites and some of them have been very much more firm about recovery procedures than others, but I think that if you follow instructions and use common sense not to put the new joint under any strain things should be OK.

Hi everyone i just turned 36 iam a new dad and i need a full replacement on the right side.its hard to play with my son,It sucks!i don't know what to,i cant afford the surgery-can i get disability?are their programs to help broken people not be poor till they can get their surgery?Any one know? iam trying for disability but who knows how long that will take lol ! any help would be appreciated - suggestion would be helpfully to lol

Thanks Arod

Hi Arod

I'm not sure I understand you when you say that you can't afford the surgery. Are you in the UK? I've had mine done on the NHS and had to wait about nine weeks.

Maurice.

well i just noticed this is not a us chat room lolol but to answer your ?? iam in the us iam a hip replacement is expensive i dont have health care yet but soon i will .thanks every one .aaron

Aged 49 I just had a ceramic/ceramic THR using the traditional approach (not direct anterior) and due to other complications (existing metal plate on femur) my op took 4.5 hours as there were difficulties removing the plate and screws. Also due to the existing plate I had no choice but to have a GA with Epidural.

I would like to thank all who have contributed to this thread as I have found it to be the most accurate, upbeat and positive discussion of the whole hip replacement process that exists, anywhere!! It has helped me understand my condition and measure my progress (thus far) against others in a similar position.

A brief synopsis of my progress:-

Day 1 - Awoke after surgery with a saline drip, a catheter and ankle pumps, in no pain but with totally numb lower body due to epidural. The numbness lasted about 6 hours and the worst thing was the terrible itching which no scratching could alleviate!! The itching lasted a couple if days and was, I'm told, due to the anaesthetic. Took Arnica for bruising from day after surgery and can honestly say I have had no bruising at all. Saw a lady 7 days post op recently and she was bruised from top to bottom of leg....I'm not a quack, but there might be something in this Arnica thing...consultant was happy for me to use this.

Day 2 - Drip, cannula and catheter removed. Out of bed for first time to wee, couldn't persuade my bladder to relieve itself whilst lying down so used bottle standing up. Pain controlled for first few days by variety of drugs, one morphine based, paracetamol and Ibuprofen. Also needed PPIs to alleviate gastric reflux caused by ibuprofen, but symptoms very mild!

Days 3/4 - Walked out of room for first time and had hydrotherapy session, unbelievable sensation as all my hip pain is gone and only muscle stiffness really bothering me. Asked for painkillers to be reduced, but then had a 'heavyweight' as stretching from hydrotherapy resulted in some discomfort. Thoroughly recommend hydro if you have the chance. Could have gone home on day 4 as consultant is delighted with x-rays, I can now fully weight bear if I like, on two crutches and quite mobile. Decided to go home in day 5 as clinic in London is difficult to get to and parking on weekdays for pick up is impossible.

Day 5 - Discharged at 1000 and home by midday. Getting in the car for homeward journey was tough as muscles above my knee and hamstring are tight and crampy, getting out and up a few steps to the house was easy and soon into my 'high chair', with kids screaming around me and wife spoiling me rotten. Have long lasting pain killer (one a day) ' heavyweights' for intermittent and immediate pain relief and paracetamol/ibuprofen. Also have blood thinning tablets for 4 weeks and the dreaded DVT stockings. I am lucky to have a bed downstairs and a toilet with high seat but in a similar vein to many others sleeping is a nightmare! I have slept on my stomach all my life and laying on my back leaves me with terrible back ache (but this does subside after a couple of weeks). My bed is propped up with cushions and pillows and by putting pillows under my knees I can get a few hours sleep at a time. Heels also sore early on but got around this by having a cushion at my feet and occasionally lifting my feet away from the bed and letting my heels breathe!! My advice at this stage is to keep active, no more than 30 minutes sitting/standing/lying at a time...keep up the very minimal exercises you have been given as they will pay dividends in getting your muscles in tone more quickly.

Day 6 - Same as yesterday, am taking the 'heavyweight' painkillers at night as they make you drowsy and help with movement through the night. Can honestly say that pain is really not an issue, just extreme muscle tightness and weakness which you think will never pass....but if course, it does!! Managed my first walk outside today and managed about a quarter mile before cramps got the better of me. It felt great to be out and about and thoroughly recommend this if you can as it fees liberating and gives you a well deserved 'high'. On a minor downside, I found that the pain killers have rendered me rather constipated, not nice when you struggle to get onto the high platform for delivery....I want to be honest here....bad piles and blood thinning tablets are not a good combination, but don't get freaked...the bleeding will stop!! On this toilet based note, I heartily recommend some additional cool toilet wipes as they keep you more clean and are a blessing at these times.

Day 7 - My consultant reminded me that at one week the swelling would be at its worst and he was right, my muscles are so tight today that I feel like i will never move again. Maxed on the pills today but kept up the exercise and still managed a small (100-200 meter) walk. Push through the pain, it's really not too bad and mine was certainly less persistent than the original hip pain. Sleep still the killer, but having several pillows dotted under the covers to intermittently support ankles and knees makes things much easier. My advice, sleep,in the day if you feel tired....the night time is for catching up on rubbish TV until you just pass out with tiredness :-). First full shower standing up with crutches at the ready, can't say how great it is to feel really clean and fresh.

Day 8 - Swelling is going down, have stopped taking 'heavyweights' and am now just on paracetamol and ibuprofen a couple of times a day. First 'land based' physio and am now alternating crutches to put more weight on operated leg. This is tough as muscles are still tight, but seriously noticing that things are getting easier. Leg lifts are a killer as is anything related to using the muscle just above the knee, but I know that the more flexing I do...the quicker things will improve. Managed an incremental distance walk without cramps today!!

Day 9-13 - Much the same as day 8, keep up the exercises and just use a few paracetamol/ibuprofen when required. I still hate the night time and these wretched stockings...but mobility is increasing really quickly now. Attended a birthday party and can't say how just much of a lift it is to mix with lots of people again, I would say get out and mix as much as possible, it's great for your emotional well being.

Day 14 - Dispensed with painkillers completely today and have only given in to them twice since. Not saying that everyone should do thus, I just hate any medication as it can't really be good for you.

Aged 49 I just had a ceramic/ceramic THR using the traditional approach (not direct anterior) and due to other complications (existing metal plate on femur) my op took 4.5 hours as there were difficulties removing the plate and screws. Also due to the existing plate I had no choice but to have a GA with Epidural.

I would like to thank all who have contributed to this thread as I have found it to be the most accurate, upbeat and positive discussion of the whole hip replacement process that exists, anywhere!! It has helped me understand my condition and measure my progress (thus far) against others in a similar position.

A brief synopsis of my progress:-

Day 1 - Awoke after surgery with a saline drip, a catheter and ankle pumps, in no pain but with totally numb lower body due to epidural. The numbness lasted about 6 hours and the worst thing was the terrible itching which no scratching could alleviate!! The itching lasted a couple if days and was, I'm told, due to the anaesthetic. Took Arnica for bruising from day after surgery and can honestly say I have had no bruising at all. Saw a lady 7 days post op recently and she was bruised from top to bottom of leg....I'm not a quack, but there might be something in this Arnica thing...consultant was happy for me to use this.

Day 2 - Drip, cannula and catheter removed. Out of bed for first time to wee, couldn't persuade my bladder to relieve itself whilst lying down so used bottle standing up. Pain controlled for first few days by variety of drugs, one morphine based, paracetamol and Ibuprofen. Also needed PPIs to alleviate gastric reflux caused by ibuprofen, but symptoms very mild!

Days 3/4 - Walked out of room for first time and had hydrotherapy session, unbelievable sensation as all my hip pain is gone and only muscle stiffness really bothering me. Asked for painkillers to be reduced, but then had a 'heavyweight' as stretching from hydrotherapy resulted in some discomfort. Thoroughly recommend hydro if you have the chance. Could have gone home on day 4 as consultant is delighted with x-rays, I can now fully weight bear if I like, on two crutches and quite mobile. Decided to go home in day 5 as clinic in London is difficult to get to and parking on weekdays for pick up is impossible.

Day 5 - Discharged at 1000 and home by midday. Getting in the car for homeward journey was tough as muscles above my knee and hamstring are tight and crampy, getting out and up a few steps to the house was easy and soon into my 'high chair', with kids screaming around me and wife spoiling me rotten. Have long lasting pain killer (one a day) ' heavyweights' for intermittent and immediate pain relief and paracetamol/ibuprofen. Also have blood thinning tablets for 4 weeks and the dreaded DVT stockings. I am lucky to have a bed downstairs and a toilet with high seat but in a similar vein to many others sleeping is a nightmare! I have slept on my stomach all my life and laying on my back leaves me with terrible back ache (but this does subside after a couple of weeks). My bed is propped up with cushions and pillows and by putting pillows under my knees I can get a few hours sleep at a time. Heels also sore early on but got around this by having a cushion at my feet and occasionally lifting my feet away from the bed and letting my heels breathe!! My advice at this stage is to keep active, no more than 30 minutes sitting/standing/lying at a time...keep up the very minimal exercises you have been given as they will pay dividends in getting your muscles in tone more quickly.

Day 6 - Same as yesterday, am taking the 'heavyweight' painkillers at night as they make you drowsy and help with movement through the night. Can honestly say that pain is really not an issue, just extreme muscle tightness and weakness which you think will never pass....but if course, it does!! Managed my first walk outside today and managed about a quarter mile before cramps got the better of me. It felt great to be out and about and thoroughly recommend this if you can as it fees liberating and gives you a well deserved 'high'. On a minor downside, I found that the pain killers have rendered me rather constipated, not nice when you struggle to get onto the high platform for delivery....I want to be honest here....bad piles and blood thinning tablets are not a good combination, but don't get freaked...the bleeding will stop!! On this toilet based note, I heartily recommend some additional cool toilet wipes as they keep you more clean and are a blessing at these times.

Day 7 - My consultant reminded me that at one week the swelling would be at its worst and he was right, my muscles are so tight today that I feel like i will never move again. Maxed on the pills today but kept up the exercise and still managed a small (100-200 meter) walk. Push through the pain, it's really not too bad and mine was certainly less persistent than the original hip pain. Sleep still the killer, but having several pillows dotted under the covers to intermittently support ankles and knees makes things much easier. My advice, sleep,in the day if you feel tired....the night time is for catching up on rubbish TV until you just pass out with tiredness :-). First full shower standing up with crutches at the ready, can't say how great it is to feel really clean and fresh.

Day 8 - Swelling is going down, have stopped taking 'heavyweights' and am now just on paracetamol and ibuprofen a couple of times a day. First 'land based' physio and am now alternating crutches to put more weight on operated leg. This is tough as muscles are still tight, but seriously noticing that things are getting easier. Leg lifts are a killer as is anything related to using the muscle just above the knee, but I know that the more flexing I do...the quicker things will improve. Managed an incremental distance walk without cramps today!!

Day 9-13 - Much the same as day 8, keep up the exercises and just use a few paracetamol/ibuprofen when required. I still hate the night time and these wretched stockings...but mobility is increasing really quickly now.

Day 14 - Dispensed with painkillers completely and have only succumbed twice since. Everyone will differ here but I hate any medication and am glad to be rid of them and happy to put up with minor discomfort occasionally. Had a hydro session today and this is the start of my dislike of some parts if the medical profession. In the London clinic I was told to get as mobile as possible, to keep to two crutches for 6 weeks, but that I could sleep on either side as ling as my legs don't cross (when I feel up to it) and that after 2weeks I can start to ver extend behind the usual 90 degrees. This physio is a real dragon, cannot sleep on my sides for at least 6 weeks and MUST NOT over extend for the same period...I can however drop to one crutch or just a stick one I feel stable. I hate conflicting advice from supposed professionals, in my line of work this would result in disciplinary action!! So...I'm going with the info I like most from both clinics and it seems to be working well as I'm down to one crutch indoors, and sleeping on my side with a pillow between my legs and under my ankles ( the ankle pillow seems to stop the hip muscles from aching).

Week 3 - Improvement day on day, increasing my exercises from 12 to 30 reps each (knee lifts, leg sideways, leg backwards, up on toes, small dips). Walking a couple of hundred meters more each day and am up to about half a mile a day. Just bought a pillow from the Futon company listed on these forums and have just got the best nights sleep since the op. Still have 'stiff days' for no apparent reason, and some pains in what seems to be my femur, but I'm sure this us just the healing process. Nothing at all from my scar, I had dissolvable stitches and still have this covered...but should probably have no dressing by now (have been changing every 5 days).

Week 4 - Just started week 4 today, physio was cancelled so went for my usual walk and plenty of reps of my exercises. Ordered an exercise bike today as this seems to be a recommended way to get strength and mobility back after 3-4 weeks. Will see how this goes. Can walk with no pain at all and am quite agile, can lift operated leg in and out of bed but cannot get to socks yet. Getting real itchiness from stockings now, so might dispense with these as I'm up and about a lot now. I find that sitting makes my hip area ache, but it's a muscle ache and not the awful deep pain I had prior to surgery....all part if the healing princess.

Other stuff - I am lucky to be able to do my job from home but weeks 1-3 were hard as I got tired really quickly and my concentration was really bad, not to mention that siting at my desk was really uncomfortable.

Before surgery, get your pick,up from hospital sorted, get a 'grabber', a raised toilet seat and a shower stoolif one will fit in your shower (if you have one) measure first as our stool did not fit and it's not returnable. Get a non slip mat for the shower, get some baby wipes for aforementioned bathroom activities. Make sure you have a comfy high chair to sit in and a soft cushion to use if your bum gets numb. Clear all paths between you and kitchen, bathroom, bedroom. Put anything you need to get to at waist height...you'll not want to bend too low for the first few days at least. Prepare your bed so you can sit up a little....I found it easier to sleep this way. Plenty if accessible pillows to support knees, hip, back ankles during the night.

When researching your op take no notice of 'I was up and about in 5 days water skiing and mountain climbing' this may be possible if they are uber fit or more likely they have had 'Direct anterior approach' hip op which has documented faster recovery times. Research your options for anaesthetic as I found out rather late that there were any (but I couldn't choose them!).

Check with your consultant what you can and can't do physically....every physio seems to have a different idea of what is right and wrong and certainly don't seem up to date with recovery recommendations for the newer type of hip ops ( ceramic/ceramic) which are not as constrained by the old dislocation 'laws'.

If you are having a THR go through this thread end to end, it's inspiring...especially the stuff from Wilky, thanks for helping me through my pre-op, op and recuperation, and giving me strength when I needed a progress comparison to keep me sane :-)

All the best to any who follow in these footsteps.

Apologies for duplication in my previous thread, can't get the hang of cut/paste on this Android thing.

Hi Wilky, unfortunately I'm one of the few that dont use Facebook, happy for you to reuse my story though.