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

Time between THRs

Posted , 8 users are following.

gail2910-US-MI
gail2910-US-MI

I had my RTHR on Nov 30 so am almost 6 wks. Doing grand-- rarely think about that hip. My left hip is a mess however and is currently scheduled to be done April 20.  I'm wondering, other than the obvious scheduling issues, what the preferred length of time is between operations. I am in a lot of pain and am tempted to see about taking the next opening that comes along. What is the closest that anyone has had this done? Thank you.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • rose0000
    rose0000 gail2910-US-MI

    Posted

    On a personal note I would want to be able to walk on my just operated hip before having another one, just in terms of supporting the newer hip joint. I can definitely see the appeal of getting the other one done though, and the whole thing finished completely. Your life is on hold until you do, not to mention the pain. Maybe in a few weeks...if it were me. I am sure others can add some value, as they have experience of the small time scale between surgeries. Good luck!
    • gail2910-US-MI
      gail2910-US-MI rose0000

      Posted

      Thanks, Rose. I believe I am walking fine on my new and improved hip but the other one is holding me back. It does feel like my life is on hold and the pain makes it hard to stay hopeful. I thought I'd have some relief between surgeries. Not sure why other one went downhill so fast!
  • maggiefabrianne
    maggiefabrianne gail2910-US-MI

    Posted

    hi

    I had left hip done 3 June and right hip 5 October last year. 4 months apart. 13 weeks on feel great and was glad to get both done as definitely feel the effect better after both completed.

    maggie

    • gail2910-US-MI
      gail2910-US-MI maggiefabrianne

      Posted

      Hi Maggie, That seems pretty standard time frame and sort of what I had planned but I now wish I could speed it up. I like what you said about feeling the effect better !!
  • lyn1951
    lyn1951 gail2910-US-MI

    Posted

    My darling Uncle Bill, a great example of just how good hip replacements can be, and he gave me sooo much support, teasing and encouraging me to have mine done.

    His surgery was 6 weeks apart and he was in his 80's.

    Amazing man, very fit and healthy, even though his hips were gone, too look at him you would have thought he was in his late 50's, hair still black, and not dyed, not overweight, and said himself the silliest thing he ever did was put off his surgery for years due to the fear factor.

    He passed last year aged 97, of a silent lung cancer, that had taken over his body before he even got sick.

    • gail2910-US-MI
      gail2910-US-MI lyn1951

      Posted

      Wow. Six weeks apart! If I were your Uncle Bill, I could have it done next week!! I feel like I truly could. We will see what the surgeon says. And then there is the issue of scheduling.....Your uncle sounds like a trooper!
    • lyn1951
      lyn1951 gail2910-US-MI

      Posted

      Gail - I have such fond memories of Uncle Bill, he had a fun & naughty sense of humour in which he could always get me to rise to the bait, I just couldn't help myself.

      One of my fondest memories is him making fun of me eating whitebait, saying how could you eat it with all those eyes watching you.

      I must have been all of five years old, when he told me that story, still cannot eat whitebait with my eyes open to this day. 60 years later.

      What are whitebait you ask, they are tiny about an inch long white/clear little fish with the blackest eyes, when they are in a bowl, all you can see are thousands of little black dots, make the most magnificent fishey omelet YUM YUM YUM.  if you are interested type in whitebait & new zealand

    • gail2910-US-MI
      gail2910-US-MI lyn1951

      Posted

      So glad you told me what whitebait is!! I had no idea. What a grand story!
  • renee01952
    renee01952 gail2910-US-MI

    Posted

    Hi Gail, 

    There are hipsters here who had bilateral surgery - eek 

    I know how you feel - You might want to  ask your surgeon and if he is OK with it, I'd go for a cancellation -

    Big warm hug

    renee

    • gail2910-US-MI
      gail2910-US-MI renee01952

      Posted

      Thanks, Renee!  Yes, bilaterals are quite uncommon here, which I understand, but I am feeling quite strong on the operated side. I am definitely going to ask the question. No harm there.

      I am not sure why the other hip decided to go downhill so quickly but that raises fear as the other one worsened mightily in the final weeks before the surgery. Spring time is very distant......

  • renee01952
    renee01952 gail2910-US-MI

    Posted

    I understand your concern Gail .... I had the same when I found out that I needed THR on the other hip 

    It went from mild to bone on bone in 6 months time - then another 6 months when I got the 2nd one - the in-between-time was extremely challenging and painful ..

    At that time I didn't ask for an earlier surgery appointment - I barely recovered from the 1st one ...

    If possible get it as soon as possible - we had a fellow hippie here on the forum who was scheduled for 2nd surgery 4 weeks post-op from 1st - He decided to go on vacation first .... not sure if this helps you -

     

Back to top

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.