What type of approach did you have done?

I opted for the Anterior approach. At that time, 5 months ago, Kaiser Hospital had only one surgeon in Oakland Kaiser that did them. All others did only Posterior. My older brother had the anterior approach and my cousin, recovery is quicker and much less painful for the patient... My first consult was with a surgeon who only did only the posterior approach so he was not very happy I insisted on a referral for the Anterior...I'm doing very well and was up and walking immediately...on pain meds the first couple of weeks, then weaned myself off by 3rd week....I have stairs and did well with walker, then shortly after that crutches....I was in the O.R. for one hour and had a spinal...just a dent that bothers me now where my scar is.

Anterior...Posterior is now considered pretty old school. At least according to my retired fishing buddy who did these surgeries for 20 yeas in Anchorage Ak. I was off pain meds in 3 days walking without crutches in 4 or so. They take a final x-ray before surgery to help them line up the new device. The ceramic ball can be adjusted up and down to match what you had before. They x-ray again during surgery to compare. This was in Seattle. I am 69 and skiing again at 4 months.

Hi Snowgirl,

Similar age to you here at 37, hip dysplasia and OA in both hips but he's just done my left for now as right doesn't cause me problems yet. Had posterior approach. I had my op late in the day at 15:30 and had an epidural as well as GA so wasn't allowed up until next day when walked with a frame. Following day with sticks. Three days in hospital in total. Was discharged on Jan 29th. Have been walking around without sticks at home but quite limpy unless really concentrating, then I can walk more normally. Operated leg IS longer now which I am not happy about but he assures me when the other one is done they will match but this doesn't help me short term. It might settle down and not be so obvious in weeks to come I am told. prior to op I didn't limp constantly, only when hip was having a really bad day or i'd pushed it by walking miles.

I don't regret having it done, it needed doing and it's early days. I am plesantly surprised at how little pain I've had. Discomfort yes but in no way a real problem. We have age on our side. I'd recommend doing it sooner than later.

Hi. I'm not sure of terminology but my scar (about 3 to 4 inches long) is on my flank (side of hip). I think this is fairly standard? I was on my feet the day of the operation and walking the day after and climbing stairs the day after that. I used a single crutch for about 2 to 3 weeks but then my physio told me to get rid of it. But I did use it for my commute into London for a couple more weeks as a signal to others not to bump into me! I did a lot of physiotherapy which I started (in addition to the normal exercises) about  a week after the op. I think this made a huge difference.