1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

THR 23rd March 2016

Posted , 11 users are following.

Olly_51
Olly_51

ive had a THR on my right hip nearly 4 weeks ago, I had a un-cemented joint put in and have been told I can only put 50% weight on my right leg for 6 weeks.

All seems ok, some movement does remind you of it 😡.

i won't see my consultant until the 7/8th week, ( NHS ) 

having read several discussions I'm a little concerned in reference to work.

im a 51 year old male , my job involves long haul flights and sometimes restraining individuals who do not wish to go .......

i can't say too much, about that . 

My question , can anybody advise me at this time would my new hip be able to cope with the exersions I will put in through ? Or is in time to change careers ? 

A friend of mine had hers done and she was back at work after 5 weeks , but sat behind a desk , I do not have that option . 

im still on two crutches and been told to do so for 6 weeks , although I have been trying to get around on one to strengthen the muscles in my leg,along with the exercises I carry out too. 

I would appreciate some feedback from fellow patients who are further down the line , thank you 

 

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

Next
  • angela1988
    angela1988 Olly_51

    Posted

    Hi Olly. Firstly speedy recovery to you.

    I had my LTHR on april 11th so one week.

    Advice is not to fly any distance for 3mths due to risks of vte/dvt.

    Hope this helps?

    Stay safe

    By the way i have uncemented and was told can weight bear asap

    • Olly_51
      Olly_51 angela1988

      Posted

      I have read on several websites , more American , that you can weight bear ..I've been told not too,

      although in the home I have resorted to using one crutch .

      i was told to lie on my back in bed for at least 6 weeks , no chance , again on the American websites it says lying on you non operated side with a pillow between your legs for support is ok, I found this to be the best option .

      best wishes in your recovery 

      Olly 

  • CelsB
    CelsB Olly_51

    Posted

    Hi Olly,

    I'm only 6 weeks in but having worked in a career that involved restraints (not on long-haul flights though) I don't think I'd ever want to trust my hip to the sort of abuse my job would have put it through.  I don't believe we are ever 100% risk free from dislocation or damage and for me I wouldn't want to take the risk.  I would discuss it with your surgeon when you have your check up where you can speak more openly about your career and the risks it might involve.

    Cels Xx

    • Olly_51
      Olly_51 CelsB

      Posted

      thank you , I too used to work inside ...........I still do but in tin cans .

      your advise to speak to my consultant is probably best and then my referral to occupational health might be beneficial too, as they are there to help us 😀😂😂

      cheers 

      olly 

  • renee01952
    renee01952 Olly_51

    Posted

    Hi Olly, 

    Warm welcome to our hippies forum - 

    Interesting that you can 50% weight on new hip for 6 weeks - I am sure there is good reason for that ...

    Long haul travel and the physical demand on your body after THR doesn't seem such a good plan to me -

    Do you have anything in mind regarding career change? Maybe now is the time to consider it ... 

    Sounds like you ae doing well otherwise ...

    big warm hug

    renee

  • cindy48619
    cindy48619 Olly_51

    Posted

    Hello and welcome to our hippie group. It is wonderful support. I live in America so I am not sure how it works elsewhere. However, whether or not you should be weight bearing could have been a misunderstanding. I haven't heard anyone have to "wait" 6 weeks until they can bare "weight". If I have any questions about anything I either ask my physical therapist  or I call my physicians office..only on the bigger things.. the rest I get answers here.

    I agree that your occupation might not do well with a new hip and that you should ask your physician and physical therapist.

    • Olly_51
      Olly_51 cindy48619

      Posted

      I went along for my one and only physio appointment , along with others who had had THR , they could start using one crutch ASAP, I was told not too for 6 weeks. We cannot telephone our physician like you can in the US, just one of the downfalls for free treatment ......I see my consultant on the 12 th May , hopefully questions can be answered then.

      no misunderstanding , even my exercise sheet has exercises that require only one crutch , crossed off. 

      We all heal differently ,

    • CelsB
      CelsB Olly_51

      Posted

      Mine was cemented so I was told I could weight bear straight away.  I think older patients are usually cemented, maybe because our bones don't heal as well round the implant (or because we're likely to snuff it before we need a revision). cheesygrin
    • Olly_51
      Olly_51 CelsB

      Posted

      Apparently if you have an uncenented joint you can be more active , and the fact it can be replaced easier in later life 😀😀
    • sportsw4
      sportsw4 Olly_51

      Posted

      Hey Olly. I'm four weeks out, cemented and instructed to be 75% weight bearing for the first 6 weeks - so you're not alone :-) Re going back to your work (I'm cabin crew, so understand what you're talking about... :-) I can't see why you wouldn't be able to do so in the fullness of time (even if that may be a year or so...) People surf, ski, do martial arts after THR (and I plan on going back to some serious cycling) - of course there's a risk attached, but there's a risk attached with your Gog-given hip too! It's all about personal choices... but my surgical team have reassured me that these replacements are pretty strong once settled and healed. good luck with it all, Mark.
  • suzie56
    suzie56 Olly_51

    Posted

    Hi Olly,

    You seem to be doing really well.  I have an uncemented hip the reasons Cels gave, I am in the UK.  I was very concerned if this gave me any extra restrictions and so I rang the physio at the hospital  where I had the op, they told me they treated it no differently than cemented hip, but said that I could have a little more localised pain.  I have nobody really to compare with but I am just over 2 weeks still on 2 crutches, still on pain killers and have a little pain.

     I went for my 1st round of physio last Thurs and this has moved me on considerably with my hip mobility, I was being too cautious, I am thinking that even if the NHS says I've had enough physio I will carry on with it for a few months. I am only walking very short distances 3 or 4 times a day.  

    I have to say that it's still a massive improvement on what I was before the op, I know it's still early days and steady does it.  

    As to the answer to your work situation I think it's only yourself who can decide if you are at risk, ask your surgeon but we all hear such conflicting advice eg not to horse ride or horse ride if you like and live your life.  

    I did a massive career change some years ago due to back problems I went from working on a farm and horse dealing to being a school business manager so anything is possible.

    I do hope that you find an answer to your dilema, it's still very early days and in another month or 2 you may have a clearer view on what you should do.  Good luck.

  • Snowgirl79
    Snowgirl79 Olly_51

    Posted

    I had a total right hip replacement uncemented just like you. I was never told I couldn't put my full weight on it...and I'm almost 3 weeks and have stopped using my crutch...

    I'm not sure if the difference in our age has anything to do with it..I'm 36..but I was told to put my full weight on it..even my physical therapist wanted me to start walking with out my crutch sin the house..but that's because she was saying I walk so well without them...

    • suzie56
      suzie56 Snowgirl79

      Posted

      Snowgirl, I have 20 years on you but also overweight which doesn't help matters so this will have a definate inpact on my recovery.  My husband has to keep reminding me to stop going full speed and slow down I sometimes find my crutches moving faster than my legs, disaster looming me thinks.  I will be 3 weeks post op on Friday after RTHR.

      I have been told just to use the crutch for support at this stage and try and put as much weight on my leg as comfortable.  I'm afraid I'm beginning to get impatient with my progress but do know it's early days yet and need to just take my time.

    • Snowgirl79
      Snowgirl79 suzie56

      Posted

      I am also over weight.. I will be 3 weeks Thursday ...
  • bini31328
    bini31328 Olly_51

    Posted

    Hi Olly 

    - as others have said 

    long haul flights not recommended ( and orobably not covered by insurance ) for 3 months 

    there,s always a risk of dislocation , though it gets less as time goes on - but your job does sound like it would increase the risks and I dont kniw if youd be covered by your employers liability insurance ?

    Best advice I can give is to discuss with Occ Health - you msy need transfer to lighter duties for  6-12 months or so 

    hopefully your employer will be supportive 

    dont know ehere you fly to but you dont want a dislocated hip / emergency care in some areas of the world ! 

    Best of luck x

     

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.