Waiting time between first and second hips for NHS bilateral hip replacement
Posted , 3 users are following.
For those who have had or are waiting to have total hip replacement surgery of both hips (done on separate occasions), I would be grateful if you could please share how long between the surgeries on each side you have experienced or were advised to expect?
Short story, I have fortunately now had my long awaited first hip replacement surgery (right side) done mid-May 2021. All ok with no complications. My consultant previously advised the other side would be done after 6 weeks. I had my 8 week post-op check up for right hip in mid-july all ok. Was told then it would be a 3 month wait (from date of first surgery) to have the other side done. Now I'm told that was wrong and is 3 months from the mid-july date.
So now expecting 5 months wait in between surgeries. I am wondering how common this length of wait may be.
1 like, 3 replies
sarah48188 sarah23974
Edited
hello Sarah
I had my 2nd hip replacement ( right hip) done on July 22nd, 9 weeks after my 1st hip ( left hip) which was on May 20th. Initially I was told the 2nd would be approx 6 weeks after the
1st assuming all was well at 6 week check-up. I am in Ireland though so not on NHS.
Hope you are recovering well after your 1st hip surgery and that you wont be waiting
long more for the 2nd one. Disappointing for you having to wait longer when you are ready
to go ahead with next surgery.
barbara66703 sarah23974
Edited
Really your better off the longer you wait after the current surgery . Your current surgical hip will be stronger to help get you thru the second hip surgery. less risk all way around. each hip is different. after having 3 hip joint replacements i was very appreciative the opposite non surgical hip was healed and strong in much better shape cope .
sarah48188 sarah23974
Edited
Sarah
Barbara is right, don't rush it, Make sure you are physically(and mentally) ready to have 2nd hip done and it is another major surgery and you will be very tired esp initially. Your 1st hip needs to be strong enough before you get 2nd one done as you will be depending on that leg to be your good leg for physio, getting in and out of bed etc Take the time you have now to recover as best you can from 1st. I know you are probably anxious to have both surgeries over and to move forward but a few months extra will give you time to be even more ready and rested which will help your next recovery. try to think of it as a positive.
Initially I was very surprised when my consultant said he'd do 2nd after approx 6 weeks, and wondered what the ideal spacing should be( still no idea) ....I debated waiting longer but my consultant said the other hip was strong enough & I got a date so took his advise and went ahead and am delighted I did now as both needed to be done and my 2nd hip was getting more painful and my daily walking was getting more uncomfortable due to 2nd hip causing me pain.
For me, getting both done close together has worked out great and my recovery for both has been very straight forward so far. However, every recovery is different so it could have gone differently.
Overall I I have been very lucky & also have help so I can concentrate on just recovering for 6 weeks ( very lucky as I have 4 children here). I am 47 but have needed hips replaced for years.
if you have any questions feel free to ask.
look after yourself for now.