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THR at 33, anxious with a list of post-op questions. Help!

Posted , 13 users are following.

singram284
singram284

Hi everyone! I'm new to the group and am reaching out for help and answers. I'm a 33 year old female who has had hip pain since my teen's. I've started asking doctors in my early 20's why I have these issues. Every response was that I was too overweight and need to loose weight. I eventually gave up and continued on with life dealing with the pain and limitations. When I turned 30 I noticed that the pain and discomfort was getting worse a lot more progressive and the limitations became a lot more extensive. I changed my diet and lost 100lbs in two years which did not change the way I felt at all. Then, at 33, I finally found a physician that actually cared and referred me to specialists to help me find the answers that I was looking for. Well, the answer was that I had severe Osteoarthritis in both hip joints and that I need a THR of both joints. I did not want to believe it at first but after going to another specialist to get a second opinion and getting the same answers while actually seeing my images and having them explained to me by the doctor it finally sank in that at 33 I am going to have to have both of my hips replaced. Of course I made the mistake of watching a youtube video of the procedure and working in the medical field it did not bother me as much as I thought it would.

Now my concerns and questions are as follows:

 1.) What kind of post-op recovery can I expect? This is what scares me the most. I am a very independent person and I hate being immobile and needing care for an extended period of time.

 2.) What kind of post-op complications (and with what type of implant) have you encountered since surgery? Is there really a big difference in the type of implant used?

 3.) Having gone through the surgery and recovery, knowing and experiencing what you have, would you have done it in the first place? Is there really an improvement in life activities?

Thanks for any and all advice that you may have for me. My anxiety about this whole ordeal is keeping me from making any kind of decision what so ever. All I know is that I don't want to live like this anymore.

1 like, 22 replies

22 Replies

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  • chuck24117
    chuck24117 singram284

    Posted

    I am 40 and pretty physical guy. My job is outside landscaping and running heavy equipment and being in the dirt digging. I started having terrible knee pain around 30 years old, leg buckling with knee pain and groin pain. It was only 2 years ago I found it to be my hip. I am starting my 6 week post op. After surgery, I was shocked how all that pain went away, and I just had very mild incision pain and weakness of leg from surgery. I definitely would do it again even though I am still not totally recovered.  A lot of people on here are recovering home alone and have some local family and friend to help. If you can try to make your living conditions a single floor (no steps) if possible, Anything you need in life, try to get it up high, waist high or above. You will have the dr's (hip precautions) for 6 weeks, no matter how good you feel, you still should not bend past 90 at the waist, twist at the hips, or let your leg cross the center line of your body inward. My biggest post op complication was that I came home and overdid it on about day 8, that caused some internal bleeding and major swelling of my leg. That set me back about 2-3 weeks in recovery time. When you come home, that first week just plan on laying low in bed watching movies on your back with leg elevated. This was my mistake, coming home and gong for car rides and walking a bunch that first week. I didn't watch the y tube video, or even knew what kind of implant I got. I think its the new striker one??? mine has the dome that is screwed into place and the post in your leg bone. My pain before surgery , was a constant torn groin feeling, knee pain that caused leg to buckle while working in the field, throbbing in my calf muscle, and low back pain. When I woke up from surgery that was all gone!

    Good Luck in your decisions!

    Chuck

    • singram284
      singram284 chuck24117

      Posted

      Thank you so much for your insight on your post op journey. I've had a lot of discussions with my aunt about this and she's ready to move in with me until I don't need her anymore, lol. I'm glad you're feeling a lot better since having the surgery and I wish you nothing but continued success along the way. Thanks for the advice and I'll definitely keep it in mind! =)

  • Moose0914
    Moose0914 singram284

    Posted

    By far one of the best things I’ve ever done. I had both hips replaced at once in 2014 and wouldn’t have changed a thing. The biggest thing for me was that I chose the anterior angle. This did wonders for me. Recovery was 3 weeks. I had my hips replaced Jan 2014 and was playing softball in May. (Not recommended) 

    My advice is to make sure you do your PT each and every day, even on your own without a therapist. I was up at 3am and made a little walking path that I would follow, kinda like a course. It did wonders !!!

    Hope it helps!!

    • singram284
      singram284 Moose0914

      Posted

      Thanks Moose for your story!! Glad to hear everything went well for you! Not sure which approach my doctor wants to take or what type of implant but I know he won't do both at the same time, lol. I wish he could because I'd rather get it all done at once, but hearing about your positive outcome definitely helps ease some of the anxieties! =)

  • chuck24117
    chuck24117 singram284

    Posted

    I was posterior, should have mentioned that.
    • singram284
      singram284 chuck24117

      Posted

      Lol, it's ok. I don't even know which approach my doctor wants to take so that's another thing to put on my list of questions for him!

  • chuck24117
    chuck24117 singram284

    Posted

    moose correct me if I am wrong. But I was lead to believe the posterior is the older method with bug incision through side of butt cheek. It has more muscle cutting which equals a little longer recovery. The newer method is anterior?? going throw the front of leg, its riskier, with major nerves in the path of surgery, its more difficult due to less visibility for surgeon to see. but people are walking in aided much faster. But they still have same hip precautions for 6 weeks????

    My surgeon was an older one, that basically said, this is the oldest most proven safest surgery (posterior) and I would have to find a younger out of school surgeon to do anterior.

    • singram284
      singram284 chuck24117

      Posted

      My surgeon told me that they would have me walking before I even left the hospital and that if I got it done early enough in the morning that I would be home that same evening...... Is that normal not to have an overnight stay for something like that?
    • Moose0914
      Moose0914 chuck24117

      Posted

      Yes posterior is the “older” method. My first consult was all about posterior. However, I wanted a second opinion and the anterior approach has ZERO restrictions! Can’t beat that. 
    • Moose0914
      Moose0914 singram284

      Posted

      That sounds good on paper. And believe me they try to get you out ASAP. The recovery is all in your hands. It sucked don’t get me wrong but if you have your aunt, you can’t lose !
    • singram284
      singram284 Moose0914

      Posted

      He told me that I had the choice of staying the night if I wanted to, but also if I got in early in the morning and wanted to go home that evening (depending on how everything goes) then I could. Just knowing how invasive the procedure is I thought it was kind of odd to send patients home that same day. I really like him and his honesty about everything, he was the one that I went and seen for my second opinion and sat there with my images and explained it all to me, but we all still have our doubts and worries. Thanks for your input Moose I really appreciate it!
    • staceymaz
      staceymaz singram284

      Posted

      Yes, if you are fit and a good candidate for the anterior method.  I had surgery at 7:30am and was Home in my own bed at 6pm.  I did have lots of help at home from my husband.  Take it easy the first week, follow the simple isometric exercises, and your recovery should go well.  I would advise accepting any and all help.  My friends had a Meal Train that arrived at my house every evening for the first week.  It was much appreciated by both my husband and myself.
    • Dsilk05
      Dsilk05 Moose0914

      Posted

      I was told with my anterior surgery the only restriction was not to put  the lower part of my leg that had the replacement over my other knee wen sitting. 
  • Dsilk05
    Dsilk05 singram284

    Posted

    Hi,

    I had my first THR last Nov. I too was scared because I knew this kind of surgery is very traumatic to the body. But I had to do it as I was I too much pain. 

    I spent 1 nite in the hospital. I'm pretty pain tolerant so I really had no pain afterwards. I was surprised on how I easily I recovered. I was off my walker in 2 weeks and putting weight on my leg as much I could tolerate and it was pretty good. The only problem I have had is the startup pain or discomfort. After sitting for a while I have a tight feeling where my leg meets my torso and I feel tightness in my thigh. But then I don't do the stretching I should be doing. You will be ok. From what I've heard how your leg is moved around during surgery and the muscles are moved so they can do the replacement I cannot believe I have no complaints. I had the anterior surgery. Do you know which you are having? It's quicker recovery with anterior. 

    Best of luck....you will do good. I'm ready for my next one in Nov if things in life alllow it. 

  • auntiebeanie
    auntiebeanie singram284

    Posted

    Hi I had right THR two years ago at 56 due to osteoarthritis. Mine was posterior and the surgeon cut an upside down L shaped incision so only a small part shows on leg. At your age you need uncemented ceramic ball and socket with titanium stem. Its for younger and active people. If you have posterior there will be restrictiobs. I had infection in hosp but cause could not be found. 3 days of iv antibs and it was gobe. I think my body didnt like it lol. My pain was gone but incision pain was bad for me. I had help with washing parts I couldnt get to and dressing. I never regret having it done. I can now rin around with grandchildren and danced for over 3 hours at a party recently. Follow any precautions. Do the exercises and you will be fine. Xx
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