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Second time around

Posted , 5 users are following.

catrin46108
catrin46108

i had my right hip replaced in February 2015 and after an initial hard fortnight I recovered well and went back to my old life. Now I need the left one doing. It’s not as bad as the right one was at the moment but given the NHS stance on hip replacement currently I’m thinking I may be better to stat the process sooner rather than later. 

I’ve been reading about minimally invasive procedures does anyone have any experience of these? Mainly though I’m after second time around stories - as in second hips not revisions. Needless to say I’m anxious! 

TIA,

Catrin

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • angel2017
    angel2017 catrin46108

    Posted

    Hi Catrin I had minimum invasive procedure march last year, and went amazingly - no muscles were cut so didn't feel unsafe. I seemed to recover well but at the time felt it was going too slowly for me, but I did start driving just after 2 weeks. Now , of course I've forgotten I had it replaced haha. I,be just had my second hip replaced last week, again minimum invasive with the same consultant as I had complete faith in him and the procedure. It is 10 days now and feel good, had my glue dressing removed this morning and only a 4 inch scar (hidden under knicker line) I've been lazy with exercises but am doing well I feel, again was told no muscle was cut so am actually going to have a bath tonight smile. I am only 58 years old and live in Uk, where are you based ?  My opinion is it's a no brainer if you can find a consultant who does this procedure I'd go for it ! How is your right side, was that a normal procedure ? I really wish you well Catrin and would love to hear your reply x

    • catrin46108
      catrin46108 angel2017

      Posted

      Hi thanks for the reply. Yes I’m in the UK in north west London. Where are you? I was going to go to the surgeon who did my right side but I’m not sure he does this minimally invasive procedure on the Nhs. He was at the Royal National Orthopaedic hospital in Stanmore. I’m 57 and the right one was done the normal way - quite a large scar but I’m not bothered about that to be honest. I’ve not had any problems with the hip at all but the recovery was longish. How did you find the surgeon? 
    • catrin46108
      catrin46108 angel2017

      Posted

      Also forgot to ask is the minimally invasive an anterior or posterior approach?
    • angel2017
      angel2017 catrin46108

      Posted

      Hi Catrin, I,m based in Anglesey, wales. TBH I only found this one surgeon who does this procedure in the UK. America, its a normal procedure but my surgeon is trying to train others to do it. He's been doing it for about 6 years now. I had it done in nuffield Warwick hospital as a private patient. I have been told that he has moved his work to cardiff General and works for NHS so might be an opion for you. I had to travel 4 and a half hours to warwick hospital but in my opinion 100% worth it!! His name is Micheal Cronin if you want to google him. He's a lovely man who knows his stuff smile I,m not sure whether its anterior or posterior  for minimal invasive surgery... he calls it 'superpath' but its scarring is minimal on the side of my hip about 4 inches. They do say this procedure is quick recovery and I believe it is mainly because muscle isnt cut. x

       

    • catrin46108
      catrin46108 angel2017

      Posted

      I seem to remember someone on here 3 years ago had superpath in the Coventry area. Possibly the same man. I will google him. I’m originally from Pwllheli on the Llŷn Penisula. Been in London a long time though 
    • angel2017
      angel2017 catrin46108

      Posted

      Aah really, not too far away from Anglesey ! I,m originally from Surrey but I do love it up here, so different to the hussle and bustle of city life smile yes for me, he's done a great job and  worth a look! Whatever you decide I,ll be sure nterested to hear on your decision! Good luck Catrin 

  • ptolemy
    ptolemy catrin46108

    Posted

    The important thing is to get the best orthopaedic surgeon you can who has done lots of hips and has a good track record. I had lateral posterior approach and went out to lunch the day after I got home. Possibly not a good idea as you are pretty tired after the op, my sister’s stupid idea. I also stopped using crutches once I got in the house and furniture surfed instead, I am rubbish with crutches. 
  • jimbone
    jimbone catrin46108

    Posted

    Hello Catrin-

    I would suggest you consider and investigate hip resurfacing as an alternative to hip replacement.  Do the research for yourself and let the answers you discover guide your decision.  In the UK there is a Dr. McMinn, I believe is his name, but you will learn who I refer to quickly.  He is internationally recognized.  You may or may not be a candidate, I fortunately was and had my surgery this past Mon. 7/16 so too early to give you much feedback, but if you find the hip resurfacing forum [similar to this replacement forum-surface hippies .com?] you will be exposed to a lot of good information including bilateral hip surgeries, for which I am also an eventual candidate.  At day 4 counting surgery date, I look forward to just a fortnight [that's 2 weeks in the states] rough going.  Still, tough a it is not as bad as anticipated, touch wood.  Now I'm going to find ice and not for G&Ts.  Best of luck.

    • catrin46108
      catrin46108 jimbone

      Posted

      Hi Jim. I thought that resurfacing was no longer available on the nhs. Are you in the UK? I looked into it before I had my first hip done - I was about 4 years needing it before I took the plunge and I saw a few surgeons and no one was doing resurfacing. Maybe that has changed though. I will have a look thanks. 
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy catrin46108

      Posted

      I believe that the NHS still does resurfacing on younger people although there was a scare a while back that it did not work well on women. I am not sure if that has been discounted or is still thought to be true. 
    • catrin46108
      catrin46108 ptolemy

      Posted

      Yes I remember reading something like that. I need to get my research cap on. Thanks 
  • jimbone
    jimbone catrin46108

    Posted

    Cronin is well known and mentioned here in this forum regularly with excellent anecdotal reviews.  If he is using the Superpath approach it is a very tissue sparing and body sparring surgery that has produced some very good results here in the states.  Only a few surgeons are trained in it.  Google The Headly Institute in Arizona USA if you want to learn more about the surgical procedure.
  • judith12644
    judith12644 catrin46108

    Posted

    Hi,

     I had minimally invasive surgery, posterior, a short scar and a very smooth recovery. I’m based in North London. 

    • catrin46108
      catrin46108 judith12644

      Posted

      Whereabouts in north London? And where did you have surgery? Was it Nhs as I can’t afford private unfortunately. 
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