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What questions should I ask the surgeon prior to THR?

Posted , 5 users are following.

Anne68156
Anne68156

I have found a highly recommended doctor who performs the anterior THR. After speaking with three physical therapists, including my own daughter, I hope that the anterior method will yield faster recovery, less pain, and fewer restrictions. What questions should I ask at my appointment to be sure that I am choosing the right doctor for my surgery?

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • peggy15811
    peggy15811 Anne68156

    Posted

    Ask how many of thee he has done, they are trickier than the posterior, I wanted to go that way but my trusted doctor had done far more mini-posterior and assured me other than the restrictions recovery was just as easy. I have heard of many successful anterior surgeries but the best method is what your doctor is best at. The anterior has the femoral nerve very near and if it is nicked you can have pain for a long while. I went mini-posterior and although the restrictions are maddening, recovery has been amazing. 5weeks post op and walking without cane. Had pain in hospital but almost none since getting home. My walk needs some perfection, but they tell me that is normal because inner swelling can make your gait off for 5 or 6 months. I still have exhausted days, after a major surgery that happens, but I totally forget about the hip. I had to have my husband point out the incision because I could not feel it. The final decision is yours. If my doctor had recommended anterior I would have happily gone that way. He did my knee replacement and I trusted him and he recommended the mini-posterior, although he would have done anterior if it is what I had really wanted.
    • Anne68156
      Anne68156 peggy15811

      Posted

      Thank you, Peggy. I will ask, but the PA with the other doctor said that this doctor has done "a ton" of them. He also said that if his mother wanted the anterior method he would send her to the doctor I will be seeing. I would not be able to stand six weeks of not bending over or of sleeping on my back! Of course, after talking to the doctor I could change my mind if I don't like what he tells me!

    • peggy15811
      peggy15811 Anne68156

      Posted

      If your doctor has done a lot of the anterior and is confident doing it on you, then I would go with it. The 6 to 8 weeks is very difficult, but I just figure I will get through it soon and it will be over. My doctor wants 8 weeks of it! I am 5 weeks in, so 3 to go. It took some getting used to but I bought grabbers for every room and I'm doing pretty well with that. Sleeping on my back is hardest, but I do have an adjustable sleep number bed, so am able to adjust it a bit when I get super uncomfortable. Still I will be very happy when I can sleep on my side again. I've been going through the sleep on the back thing a long time because it hurt to do so after the knee replacement. I think I got to sleep on my side about two weeks before my hip replacement surgery!  The bad part is my doctor said my x-rays showed my right hip almost as bad as the left was. It's not giving me any pain yet though so hope it's awhile. The left was so bad I could barely walk with a cane, it was past time to have it done. Now I wonder why I waited so long because compared to the knee it was a breeze. 

    • staceymaz
      staceymaz Anne68156

      Posted

      With the anterior surgery you do not have the 90 degree restriction, but you can only sleep on non-operative side or your back.  This is hard for me because I am a stomach sleeper.  Good news is my incision is only 3 1/2 inches long.  And yes I measured it!  It is about 1/2 way healed, 2 1/2 weeks after surgery
    • Anne68156
      Anne68156 staceymaz

      Posted

      I did not know that it needed to be the non-operated side, but that's OK. I think my left hip will be done first and I sleep on my right side usually. Did you have staples? That's another question I have for the doctor - staples or glue.

       

    • staceymaz
      staceymaz Anne68156

      Posted

      Actually I have internal stiches that will dissolve on their own.  Exterior skin is glued together.  I don't want to scare you about the incision.  I am really squeamish, so I try not to look at it.  Two suggestions- buy Hanes ladies boxer style underwear.  Your regular indies will cut across incision and hurt.  Yeah they are kinda ugly, but you won't have to wear them forever.  Also it is a good idea to have some compression pants/shorts to wear after surgery.  They help keep swelling  down.  Oh and have REALLY baggy pants or a nightgown to wear for the first week or so.  It really hurts to pull pants across incision area.

  • renee01952
    renee01952 Anne68156

    Posted

    dear anne, 

    I agree with previous responses - 

    For Anterior approach you need a surgeon who is specialized in this - "tons" is not really a definite number ... can you check him out on the internet? - 

    Not sure what kind of questions you can ask him - you might ask him to explain the procedure and if you are a good candidate - and yes, you need to like and trust him/her ...

    No offense but physical therapists and others will tell you what they know about the different approaches, but did not have a personal experience - 

    it is hear-say 

    Keep in mind that we all heal at our own rate and the journey is very personal -

    Please come back and let us know what you decide okay?

    go with your gut feeling ... 

    big warm hug

    renee

     

    • Anne68156
      Anne68156 renee01952

      Posted

      Thank you for your advice Renee. Physical therapists are only expressing their opinion on how they see the healing process playing out. I am not good with pain - lots of self pity and crying! So to be out of pain as soon as possible is a high priority for me. I will ask the doctor how many of these surgeries he does, but from my understanding he does more than anyone else in this area. I will certainly let you know what I decide. Right now the waiting is stressful as I have too much time to dwell on it. 
    • staceymaz
      staceymaz Anne68156

      Posted

      MKe sure they are using the Hana operating table.  It is specialized for anterior hip replacements.  Also ask him/her about which implant he is using and why it is his/her preferred implant.  Mine is by De Puy Synthes.  Not that I know any different but it is what my surgeon and his whole group uses.  Our hospital is specialized just for orthopedics and is very renowned.  People fly in from all over the country to have their surgery here.  Hoag Orthopedic Institute.
    • Anne68156
      Anne68156 staceymaz

      Posted

      Thank you Stacey. I will ask about the table and about the implant. That might be an interesting topic here on the different implants being used. I expect there are quite a few different types.
    • peggy15811
      peggy15811 Anne68156

      Posted

      It would be an interesting topic. My doctor swears by Stryker as the best but says there are about a top 5 he would use if patient requested.
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