So many negatives on here

Hi Sarah, I am having my THR done on 7th of next month, and it cannot come quick enough for me to be honest. Over the last 6 months, I have gone from having groin pain, to leg bone pain, to excruciating swelling in my knee cap, and what feels like bones rubbing together in my hip. I have slept on my back for nearly 4 months now, and it is not pleasant. I wake up and have to take liquid morphine halfway through the night, I am already on slow release morphine, amitriptyline, naproxen, and I top that up with paracetamol. I have to say I am more than ready to be done with this pain, I can maybe walk 15 minutes throughout the whole day before the knee swelling starts. Believe me, when I say it brings me to tears just living throughout a day. I wouldn't keep my hip for a solid gold pig, that's for sure. 

Hi Sarah

Stay as fit as possible til the op. Main thing is be positive and excited about it. As others have said it's only a very small % have problems.

Yes there is pain from operation but easily controlled with meds. Yes your leg swells and feels like a dead weight for a week or so.

However you will be far more mobile quicker than you imagine. You have to hold yourself back so you don't break the restrictions given as you start feeling good. Your current level of pain from hip will disappear immediately. Just take it easy after and be kind to yourself. If you're given exercises do them but remember to mostly rest for first few weeks at least.

Don't dwell in negatives just stay positive. It will make a difference

Good luck and keep us posted.

Sandra x

Hi Sarah 

I have had a total right hip replacement nearly six weeks ago, I had no pain pre op but had to have it done as my hip was about to collapse. Yes I was one of the people posting on here as help and advice just wasnt there from my hospital and wanted some comfort from other people as I had no experience or knowledge so to post any concerns on here and to have feed back was brilliant. My first two weeks were hard as yes it was slightly painful but was controlled by pain killers as I didn’t expect it to be anything different after a major op. Third and fourth week got better with cutting back on pain relief and doing slightly more, week five had a bit of a down week hence my post as just purely wanted to run before I could walk and got down about it all as before this I was very active so I had some great advice on here and slowed down a bit, going into week 6/7 and feel great I could not have lived my life without this and now love it I’m getting stronger and stronger so yes there are blips but it’s a massive op but there are positives and this sites has been brilliant for me, hope that helps x jane 

Dear Sarah,

I understand what you're going through right now. I too was a bit anxious (read: terrified) before my LTHR last week. I stopped reading posts just before, because many scared me even more. What you have to remember is that the vast majority of THRs go routinely well and are great success stories. It is the minority of patients, who experience a problem with their operation or recovery, who tend to seek information/help through forums like these. So try to think positive, focus on your best- case scenario. The statistics are on your side for a positive outcome. I'm doing better one week post- op than I expected. I'm 70 years old, diabetic, and 100lbs. overweight. Already nearly pain- free, using walker with good rhythm.

Hi Sarah, as the others have said, many people visit the forum because they want to ask advice or share problems they are having. I think most hip replacements are very successful, but you don’t always hear about them.

I had my hip replaced in July 2016 and had a very straightforward recovery. I had some exercises that I did up until my op, and I was healthy apart from the osteoarthritis in the hip.  

I was in hospital a couple of nights, and when I came home I was very mobile and happy on my crutches! I did my exercises, took my meds, and it was loads better than I was expecting. (Apart from the nights, like nearly everyone else, sleeping on your back for 6 weeks is hard.)

Now I hardly think about my hip. I can do most things that I used to do, except for running. (Walking, swimming, cycling, skiing..) I hope your op goes really well, just take it all steadily, everyone’s recovery is different. 

Hi Sarah! 

I totally understand how you are feeling! I had my LTHR last March and found this group shortly afterward. My recovery went exceptionally well and quickly. But every time I got on here and read people's posts, I would get discouraged by the posts describing some tough situations. But now that I am 7 months post op, I like being able to encourage newbies! Everyone's journey is different, some easier than others. But this is the place to come when people are worried, or unsure or having a tough time. Most people who have been living with the pain preop are very relieved and happy postop. I will tell you I am so happy with my new hip! Unfortunately I have to have my other hip done in 2 months, but I can't wait! Not looking forward to surgery or the recovery, but so ready to get back to living life to its fullest! I'm sure all will go well for you! Keep a positive attitude and recognize there will be some tough times during recovery. Just stay focused on the end game!

Good luck!

Tonya

Hi Everyone,

Well here's a positive. I am glad I had my hip done in May 2015, life was so unbearable (scuse the pun) before. In fact I had no life. I have walked up hill and down dale, up steps 120 at a time and back down again, stairs are no problem. I'm able now to wash dress bathe shower all by myself before the op I couldn't do any of this. In fact I will tell you what |I've done over the last few days. With my partner we have lopped 5 or 6 foot off 4 holly trees cut them up and filled 11 builders bags with the cuttings and taken them to the tip. I couldn't have done that before my op. I can also stand up straight, I gained 3 inches in height after the op and everyone told me I looked 10 years younger and not haggard and pained. 

Right you have to take things steady, listen very hard to your body, if it says to rest then rest. Have a little walk every day and lengthen it as you feel you can. Remember wherever you walk you have to get home again. I was told by my Consultant that it would take 12 months to fully recover and it did but hey I could climb mountains now if I had to. I have my life back with no pain unless I do too much like walking round LOndon for 4.5 hours without a break !! then I had some lol.  The one thing I can't do properly yet is kneel down for long periods but hey I can live without that too.

I would also like to say, I couldn't have got over my hip replacement without all the people on here, and don't forget they all tell you as it is what they are going through. Good and Bad, it all helps.

For all the people about to have their hip replacements I say good luck it ain't plain sailing but wow it is so worth having it done. 

For all the people who have just had it done or further down the line I say hang in there it DOES get better, it DOES get easier, it DOES give you your life back, but be prepared for a long ride, it's worth it.

Love to all old and new 

Gill xxx

If anyone wants any more information please ask, I will tell it as it is, and not fluff it over. 

As for worry of course you will worry I was downright scared to death on the day of the op but 3 hours later I was on the phone and for the first time in 10 years I had no pain at all. 

Really hope this helps everyone. But please all of you come on here and get it off your chest, there is always someone who will help/advise  if you need it.