hip replacement surgery

[Hiphop52]

Hi has anyone had a hip replacement? I had my left hip just over a week ago. I was just wondering how you got on with recovery and getting back into exercising again.

Helen

[Hiplucy]

Congratulations, Helen. I haven't had mine yet. I am in the United States and was told that it will be outpatient surgery, which scares me. I'm looking forward to reading responses to your post. In the meantime, how are you doing after one week?

Lucy

[Kjok in reply to Hiplucy]

Hi Helen and Lucy, I had a total hip replacement 4 years ago-best thing that could of happened. I was miserable for years. Recovery took about 6 weeks, but I was up and about in a week. I did my exercises and actually still do them. I have had no issues since. My other hip is going, so will have that replaced within the next year, it's not really bothering me as of yet. I too am in the US, and I've never heard of out patient surgery for hip replacement. I had a bursa removed from my hip, which is opened up as much as hip replacement, but worked on but hip replacement is a lot bigger. Are you having a total hip replacement? I would like to know more about it and how it goes for you. I wish you well.

[Hiplucy in reply to Kjok]

Thanks for the quick response! I am with Kaiser in the Washington, DC, area and my surgeon will be doing total hip replacement. Outpatient! I'm going to hip class in May and will let you know what I find out. I'm almost 66 and have Kaiser as my Medicare Advantage provider.

[Kjok in reply to Hiplucy]

Hi Lucy, I was 68 when I had my hip done. I live in Maine.and as I said, I havent heard of out patient hip replacement before. I really would like to know how it goes and will be thinking of you.

[Hiphop52 in reply to Hiplucy]

Hi im in the UK. I had a spinal and sedation. So I was aware that something was happening but awake enough to know not what. I could hear people talking and noises. I couldn't move from the chest down or feel a thing. The operation really was ok - it took an hour. I was in hospital 3 days. The first week is tough. I had a lot of swelling and bruising - from the wound right down to my toes were bruised and swollen. Sleeping on my back is uncomfortable - but on the plus side I can nap in the day. But walking is getting better every day. Im using 2 walking sticks. I tire quickly so cant walk as far as I want and the wound and hip area get sore if I do too much. Im feeling stronger every day.

Don't worry about the operation. I had a panic attack when they took me into theatre because I was so scared. But its ok!! Its natural to be nervous but I would recommend having it done.

Helen

[angel_a38]

Hi Helen,

I'm in the UK and had my surgery done on the 5th of September.

It's hard at first particularly getting out of bed first thing in the morning when you've been lying flat on your back all night.

For the first few weeks I was walking like a penguin.

I had 6 weeks off work and after that time I felt able to drive the 16 miles from home.

I did a 5k walk (twice round my local dock basin) without any problems whatsover in the new year, (not been one for exercise in recent years, for obvious reasons).

I have recently broken my foot so unfortunately had to stop the walking for the moment.

I've got to say it was one of the best things I've ever done.

The joint did feel a bit like a lump of lead at first but that feeling is gone now and the joint feels completely normal, minus the pain of course.

I was in hospital overnight and was awake for the operation, listening to music and talking to my daughter's on whatsapp.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.

Angela

[Hiphop52 in reply to angel_a38]

Hi I had a spinal and sedation. The operation was the easy part! I find its hard sleeping on my back. I can manage 3 hrs before I wake up and have to walk around due to being stiff! My leg was bruised from the wound right to my toes and the swelling was the same. It was really painful and uncomfortable. The swelling has gone now and the bruising is going too. They don't give you an warnings or tell you about the recovery part. Im doing my exercises and trying to walk. I get tired really easily which I struggle with but am starting to feel like im getting back to being me again!

Helen

[Teaweasel]

Hi. I'm in my 30s and in the UK, had left hip done 30th Aug 2018 and right hip 11 weeks later on 15th Nov 2018, after being permanently on crutches for nearly 2 years prior.

My recovery is going well, bit slower than I had hoped but then my muscles have a lot of recovery to do. I'm off both crutches, doing 2 +mile walks daily, was having hydrotherapy and now onto assisted circuits at the hospital in addition to my "normal" physio appointments.

Every day I notice new things I can do. I'm not going to pretend it's easy and sometimes I think I should be further along but we're all different and as long as you notice improvements you're going in the right direction.

[Hiphop52 in reply to Teaweasel]

Hi sounds like your doing really well. Im walking around the house everyday. I had a 10 minute walk to the corner shop and it was too far! Made me sore and I couldn't walk anywhere the next day. I was disappointed with myself. I am noticing improvements everyday so I guess that's ok. Yes your right it isn't easy!

[Ratty55]

I had my left hip replaced 16 months ago did all the exercise every day without fail now I am pretty well back to normal walking cycling and best of all pain free it does take some take hard work don't sit around and do nothing was up walking day two then walked every day from then on

[PippiRuns]

I was offered a hip replacement by a surgeon in September (I think) but turned it down. For now. I'm 47 and I am in pain but not unbearable pain so I thought I would give intensive weight training a go before I chose to go under the knife.

But as I'm sitting here on my couch now, I do feel the pain constantly. And yesterday I turned down an offer to go to Norway to hike with my parents (in their 70'ies) because I know I won't be able to do it.

So now I'm wondering - when is the pain so bad and the consequences of the pain so bad that I should not postpone it anymore?

[Hiphop52 in reply to PippiRuns]

I had really bad pain in my knee and right in my groin. I was going to the hospital for knee pain and didn't even know I had arthritis. I was weight training 3-4 times a week with quite heavy weights. I was finding it harder and harder to do any type of leg exercises as they hurt they so, (squats, deadlifts, leg extensions kettlebell swings, lunges, clean and presses) and the pain afterwards was horrendous - painkillers and hot water bottle every night when I got back from work. Also the pain kept me up at night and I was hobbling quite noticeably when walking. My mobility was also limited - any type of outward leg rotation was impossible.

I went to see the consultant in Oct 2018 and he said we would do an x-ray of my hip. The results were severe arthritis in my left hip and he advised a hip replacement as I wouldn't be able to walk in 5 years. I was totally unprepared for the diagnosis and in denial for 3 months. He wanted me to have the op before xmas but I had exams just after (Im doing a course through work) so we decided to wait until after xmas. It was hard to get used to the idea that at 53 years old I needed a total hip replacement! I continued to try and do things that I knew made me hurt because I thought I could still do them. I was fighting against my body and not listening to it.

Then I started swimming lessons because I wasn't a strong swimmer and not confident. And also I couldn't do breast stroke legs as my left leg just wouldn't do it! The swimming lessons were the best idea ever. My swim teacher also showed me aqua jogging. This is done with a float with a belt on round my middle and basically jog in the deep end of the pool. It loosened my hip and felt so good. I did feel abit self conscious at first but it felt good. I do breast stroke arms with normal kicking legs. I began to feel better about my body and stopped fighting it.

I am now just over a week out of surgery and I only have the pain of surgery - no pain from arthritis at all.

If you are struggling to walk and in constant pain then I wold seriously think about surgery. It is a big thing but Im glad I had it done. I never thought I would say that! Im doing all the exercises they gave me and eating a healthy diet and getting stronger every day. I feel like im getting back to being the person I was before the arthritis.

If you want to personal message me I will give you my number.

Helen

[PippiRuns in reply to Hiphop52]

Thank you 🙏 so much for your detailed reply, Helen. In comparison to where you were when you decided to have the surgery, I’m still not there.

-I’m not having trouble when I lie down meaning I sleep without problems

-I’m only rarely experience problems walking 🚶‍♀️. Last time it was really bad was in December after a whole day of walking around London to see the Christmas lights.

-I can’t run🏃‍♀️ (my username tells you that being a runner is/was an integral part of my identity), but I can weigh train

-it hurts most of the time but it’s not bad yet.

Perhaps I should find some aqua-aerobics 🏊🏻‍♀️🤽‍♀️

[Hiphop52 in reply to PippiRuns]

Hi I got a bit carried away! Aqua aerobics is really good, any sort of water exercise is good. I struggled to weight train. I started doing only upper body and then swimming. It was hard to get used to it because I always hated swimming! If your ok weight training then that's fine. Just listen to your body pain wise and don't over do it. Good luck on your journey.

If you have any more questions just message.

Helen

[jaylows]

Hi I had a hip replacement in 2009 I was back to work in 6 weeks it has been really good I have had no problem with it so far!

[Coffee_cake]

I had a hip replacement at the age of 21 in the uk. My recovery took longer than i hoped i was off work for 12 weeks, but you get up from day 1. I think because of previous surgeries I was a lot wearker than thougj