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

Two for joy

Posted , 8 users are following.

MichaelTN1UK
MichaelTN1UK

What do you think is the best period of time between having a first and second THR?

I accept this can have many factors (such as urgency and other health issues), but I was looking at it from a recovery stance.

2 likes, 31 replies

31 Replies

Prev
  • Hailea
    Hailea MichaelTN1UK

    Posted

    Hi hogtog

    i am 9 months between the first and second hip. If you are young and fit enough surgeons can do them 3 months apart. I was I agony when I came in for my second one. I was in bad enough pain before having the first one done. 

    • MichaelTN1UK
      MichaelTN1UK Hailea

      Posted

      Ouch - you poor thing. I do wonder why they elect to leave "us" waiting so long before giving their concent to operate. I guess they have good reasons - hey, thats why I am not a surgeon :-)

      Glad you are nearly (or at) home now. Hope it (the mess) is not as bad as you fear!!

    • Hailea
      Hailea MichaelTN1UK

      Posted

      Not home till tomorrow. I don't think there will be a mess other 1/2 & son will probably spend today and tomorrow sorting everything out so I won't know what they have been up to lol
  • luvinlex
    luvinlex MichaelTN1UK

    Posted

    Just look at how long it took you to fully recover from hip #1. Then think of hip #2, unless you're in horrible pain. Also, your doctor should be able to tell you. I'm 9 weeks and still in pain, fear of slipping, so you want hip#1 to be strong enough to hold your body weight. I went alone to the grocery yesterday, in pain, got clammy, felt faint and had to leave. The check out clerk asked if I was ok because my face was white. I made it home and 2 neighbors helped me carry my groceries in. I ripped off all my clothes and put on a light cotton gown and laid down, due to a mix up I start pt today.
    • MichaelTN1UK
      MichaelTN1UK luvinlex

      Posted

      Oh, My, Goodness. I hope you have recovered. Please do check in again and let us know. 

      I am (I think) lucky, in that the surgeon has seen signs of OA in my left hip but estimates it will need replacing in about 10 years. So, it is not a call I have to make just yet.

      I am stressing my natural hip by putting pressure on it - particularly when I am getting off a chair. 

      Do let us know how you are.

      Sending positive vibes across the Internet.

      Michael

  • gail2910-US-MI
    gail2910-US-MI MichaelTN1UK

    Posted

    I've had two hips done about 7 weeks apart.  The first 30 Nov. 15 and the second 20 January 16.

    Both hips needed doing but I'd planned to have 3-4 months in between. The problem was the unoperated hip was limiting full rehab of the fixed hip because of pain and rather rapid deterioration of the femoral head. So when Dr. offered to "do it next week" at my 6 wk check, I leaped at it.

    I regret it not at all. In my case, it made good sense to get it behind me and focus on full recovery. My husband and I had our "systems" in place so we felt more confident avoiding some of the pitfalls of the first. What I didn't foresee was a 2nd surgery that was more painful, with more swelling and bruising. I also became mildly anemic which has made me super tired.  It's odd--one tries to rally and the body says, nope, not today.

    So, i affirm my decision and I am gaining (two weeks from 2nd op on WEd!) but ideally, a bit longer in between might make for a livelier convalescence. Who knows?

    • MichaelTN1UK
      MichaelTN1UK gail2910-US-MI

      Posted

      I am sorry the second was not as well behaved as the first! Is it not strange how the body reacts so differently? It really is a wonder. 

      I had my first (and so far, only) THR on the 21st... small world :-)

    • gail2910-US-MI
      gail2910-US-MI MichaelTN1UK

      Posted

      Had 2 wk check on 2nd THR today and all the big things are as they want them to be, prosthesis in place, legs pretty even, healing commencing. No explanation why the two surgeries felt so diff--except that this is commoner than not. Generally, relieved though. eek
  • Kate53CornUK
    Kate53CornUK MichaelTN1UK

    Posted

    Hi Hogs, I also think it depends on your surgeon. Mine will be six months apart and he wouldn't consider doing it sooner because he feels that the first needs to get the right one strong enough to support the second.

    The last six months have been hard, the left deteriorated rapidly and is so painful now. Like Lors I would have jumped (hah) at the chance to have it done earlier.

    But only 10 days to go!!!!

    • MichaelTN1UK
      MichaelTN1UK Kate53CornUK

      Posted

      10 days - go you!!! 

      I would tend to agree that 6 months would appear to be a fair gap. It is all a bit of a worry, but to have a new lease of life and able to do simple things like walk along the sea painfree - let alone more ambitious things. 

      Count down will be in single digits tomorrow :-)

      Michael

    • Kate53CornUK
      Kate53CornUK MichaelTN1UK

      Posted

      Agreed, Michael, I live in Cornwall, a mile from the sea and I miss it. Walking on sand is impossible at the moment (me sticks disappear) - I am looking forward to getting some fitness back and quality of life. 

      I was surprised how quickly my left deteriorated after the right was done but suppose it has to do all the work. At least I know what to expect this time and it was never as bad as I thought it was going to be. 

    • mic71403
      mic71403 Kate53CornUK

      Posted

      Hey Kate,

      sounds like you'll be frollicking on the sand soon...and swimming too?

      our experiences are soooo different. My left hip was done in 2002, and since then I ran several 10K races and the right hip only began to cause problems in 2013....quirky. Now I'm jogging again, and have a 5K race in sight for late May.

      Take care - actually sunny today!

      Mic

      xx

    • Kate53CornUK
      Kate53CornUK mic71403

      Posted

      Hi Mic,

      I am so looking forward to having number two done, I am hobbling around like I'm 80 at the moment! I have OA in my back as well but am positive it will be relieved by the second hip op (fingers crossed when they're not too painful!!)

      I cannot imagine being able to run anywhere now and did have some restrictions for life but am just looking forward to being able to get up without industrial strength equipment - heh.

      Had a couple of sunny days and could see the sea, today it looks like God has lit a bonfire and can barely see the houses across the fields.

       

  • dennisb
    dennisb MichaelTN1UK

    Posted

    I had my right done at the end of November and I am seeing the consultant again in a couple of weeks to book the left. He said he normally likes to leave at least 6 months but in my case he will try to get it done sooner.as the pain in my left hip is stopping the full recovery of the right,

    I am nearly as bad now as I was before having the first one done, the way it is going I will probably be vitually immobile when it gets done.

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK dennisb

      Posted

      Dennis,

      Where is the pain? Front of thigh?

      I had the dreaded "front of thigh" pain after my first operation, but not after the revision.

      Now trying to get used to walking without any aids for the first time in over three months, and it is exhausting.

      Graham

Back to top
Prev

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.