Hip replacement

[Mystik]

Anyone had hip replaced? I had a class and and pre op for hip surgery

M too scared and worried

[Loves2walk]

I haven’t but am on the surgical waiting list in Ontario, could be a year’s wait. I’m nervous, but the thought of living without this pain outweighs my concerns.

When is your surgery?

[Mystik in reply to Loves2walk]

29 sept m worried

[piglette]

I have had two hips replaced.

[Mystik in reply to piglette]

Wow how do u feel ?

[piglette in reply to Mystik]

In both cases after the op I felt it was my own hip. I often lie in bed thinking that I have artificial prostheses in my legs and cannot believe it. After one op I said to the surgeon that it felt like my own hip and he gave a happy smile! It is so nice to be able to walk round as if I am normal again. I think back about the pain of doing things and cannot believe how I was able to put up with it. If you want any suggestions things to prepare for before and after your op just let me know. I never had a class just a pre op. In fact the latest one I had was last year and the pre op was over the phone!

[Mystik in reply to piglette]

Wow thanks ☺️ Piglette for the reply

[piglette in reply to Mystik]

I had my op in the evening and was able to walk around the following morning. When I got home I just used to furniture surf. I never used crutches as I am absolutely hopeless with them. I did have sticks though.

[Audrey_1]

Please don't worry! Had my hip replaced 3 years ago, in Epsom Hospital, Surrey. Prior to that, it was getting extremely difficult for example to cut my toenails! My main fear about the op was having to sleep on my back afterwards, as I'd never been able to do that before. However after the first night which was very uncomfortable, I somehow just got used to it, recovered very rapidly and left hospital within 3 days, as did everyone else in my ward including the 80 plus year olds. I had very little pain and cannot speak too highly of the experience. One very important thing: do your physio exercises religiously, ideally for 12 weeks plus.

[Mystik in reply to Audrey_1]

Thank u for making me feel a little less worried

[Deejojo]

Hi I’ve had a partial knee replacement 2

Years ago hardly

any pain just stiffness keep up with the physio though and good luck 🤞

[LesBev]

Hi. I have RA and have had both hips replaced 18 months apart. Don’t be scared, yes it’s major surgery but honestly, I walked the first day both times and the new hips have been life enhancing. Do what the physio tells you and rest on an afternoon until the swelling goes down. The relief of ending the constant hip pain is wonderful. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[Mystik in reply to LesBev]

Thank u so much for the encouragement love this forum

[DorsetLady]

I had one done 2 years ago, absolutely fine….do your exercises post op and as much as you can beforehand to get ready for it…and the relief is worth having it done. I’ve also had knee and shoulder replaced and living without being in constant pain is fantastic. Okay

I penned this advice re replacements, have a look -

Replacement - hip/shoulder/knee

General advice for any replacement surgery - especially useful if you live alone.

Before you go in - just get yourself organised at home (patient leaflet will go over certain aspects) - so get all plates, utensils, cooking pans out of lower or higher kitchen cupboards - and place where they are easy to reach, you don’t want to be bending or stretching unnecessarily.

Hanging washing outside is difficult!

Hip operation - you cannot bend more than 90degrees so beware if you have a floor standing oven - washer, dryer, fridge etc.

Stock up freezer with either ready meals or home cooked so you don't have to cook from scratch all the time- frozen veg is very good nowadays - and sometimes you just don't feel like cooking.

Likewise clothes in bedroom dressers, shoes etc.

Make sure you can access clothes easily - and initially loose trousers, skirts, tops - so you don’t have to struggle around your replacement.

Just plan ahead as much as you can...if you sort of make a note of what you do on a daily basis and think "I shan't be able to do that" you can get ahead of the game...and then hopefully when you get home you don’t suddenly realise you can’t do something, and there’s nobody to help.

If you are using crutches for knee replacement remember you won’t have a free hand to carry things initially..

If you have trouble getting compression sock off/on - who doesn’t - might be worth buying an extra pair - plenty on line at reasonable price. Hospital may give you extra pair to bring home.

I found that if they were too difficult to get off - I left them on when I had a shower - and dried them with a hair drier!

Probably cause the H&S people to have a fit - but you need to do what you need to do. And don’t be shy, if partner can’t help, or if on your own and you have a visitor ask them to help you get one pair off and new ones on!

Do as much pre op exercises as you can - plenty on line if you haven’t already got some - they really do help recovery.

You will find getting around a bit difficult - certainly if you aren’t used to crutches! So make sure you have enough room to manoeuvre yourself around bedroom, bathroom, living room.

Invest in a hot water bottle or similar - you will be sitting more than usual initially and the worst thing is feeling cold.

If you’re a side sleeper that’s not possible, and you may need extra pillows to get in a comfortable position.

[Mystik in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank u so much 🙏🏼

[katieoxo60]

Hello Mystik, sure your worried about this operation, its a big one as they say and impairs your mobility a fair bit in the early days. My freind who is over 90 now has had both hips replaced and still manages she says its just things like getting up take longer. Do take any pain releive you are offered as you need to try to be as mobile as possible or the muscles cease up . Try little and often. Your body will tell you if your overdoing it. Take care and every best wish for a speedy return to your normal self . Oh forgot I had a knee done last year and a broken foot two months ago , but am a little more mobile now. Recovery does come if you take it slowly.

[Mystik in reply to katieoxo60]

Thank u so much I feel better now and relaxed

[katieoxo60 in reply to Mystik]

Your Welcome stay safe &well. Enjoy your weekend.

[AMW72]

I had one just over 16 years ago. Best thing I ever did. I’m 48 now. Never had any issues till now. Starting to hurt a little but not sure if hip or more nerve pain but forget I’ve had it done most of the time

[Cat33]

Hello Mystik Yes I have had both my hips replaced and I'm the biggest coward ever !!

Easy for me to say don't worry of course we all worry before surgery but you will be so looked after and given pain relief I recovered well both times and felt like I was 20+ years younger with no pain I'm so glad I had them done

I'm wishing you loads of luck

and a speedy recovery

Take care and if you would like to chat please message anytime xx

[Mystik in reply to Cat33]

Thank u for the encouragement m doing for do it yeah

[Cat33 in reply to Mystik]

You will feel wonderful and have a new lease of life for having it done x

[DorsetLady]

Hi, Found this when I was looking for one thing else - it’s about a knee replacement, might give you a bit of confidence…. Surgeon says hips are easier to recover from than knees!

youtu.be/i56y6BE3vxw(Not working as expected?)

[Cat33 in reply to DorsetLady]

I have had both my hips replaced and walked miles last year when we had lockdowns and getting my daily exercise as I felt so great then last September my knees decided to give up 😩I've been on the waiting list for knee replacements since last December I found this video at the same time and it keeps me going and really gives me a boost when I feel a bit low or frightened about more surgery Isn't she amazing she really gives me strength

Great that you recommended it as it's definitely helped me x

[Mystik in reply to Cat33]

Thank u will get the hips one and I too have to have my knees replaced but that will have to think about as I have heard stories regarding the knees

[Cat33 in reply to Mystik]

I am waiting for a knee replacement I have stopped telling people who haven't been through it as they always tell me horror stories but those who have had it done tell me positive things and are thrilled to bits with the outcome There are always those people who love to spread doom and gloom

All the very best x

[FattieBabs]

I had my left hip replaced three years ago. I’ll be honest and say that the first 5 days of recovery were tough as the pain management at the hospital wasn’t good but once they upped the pain relief I was able to do the physio and recovered really well. It took about 6 months for me which was slow compared to others.

I’m back Scuba diving and driving an mx5! However my right knee now playing up so guess surgery on that in my future!

Get flexible icepacks for the recovery. And ice the hip a lot. That really helped me. Scar now very faint as I massaged it regularly and used Aveena moisturiser once the wound healed. Also once off crutches I used Leki hiking sticks to help keep my back straight and concentrate on goid form when walking. I hope this helps.

You will be fine!

[Mystik in reply to FattieBabs]

Thank u for the input m glad u r ok and I feel confident now about the surgery !

[DorsetLady in reply to FattieBabs]

Thanks for reminder of ice packs, yes they are invaluable, will add that to my spiel for future reference.

[FattieBabs]

Happy to help. The past three years have been great from the hip recovery. Sadly now my right knee is bad and I am considering forming out my savings to get the op. That video with Judi Dench was very illuminating. A friend of mine has literally just had her knee done by the same surgeon so I am following her recovery. I suspect I will be having the op by feb if next year but want and need to lose some weight first and try to swim and keep the knee exercised. Good luck with your decision. Babs

[Bostonterrierlover]

I just had my left hip replaced 5 weeks ago. I just wished I hadn't waited so long to have it done, but Covid delayed everything. I had the right one done 5 years ago with no problems. The only thing I would add is that the right hip recovery was done anterior and the recovery was much faster. This one was posterior, but although recovery is slower I am still SO happy I did it. How great to walk normally again! I hope all goes very well with your surgery. Try not to worry

[Happy5]

I had my right hip replaced Oct 2020 and my left hip replaced June 2021.The orthopedic surgeon and his team were excellent.

I had done some research on NHS site so I could ask questions at my pre assessments.

I was given lots of booklets about pre & post op medication, exercises, type of anaesthetic etc.

I followed everything I was told which ensured my recovery going without a hitch.

I didn't take MTX week of my operation and following week so missed 2 doses.

Have you been offered carb drinks pre operation, also the use of Hibiscrub 3 days before admission?

I found it helpful to practise the exercises before the operations, gets the brain used to doing them.

What are you scared, worried about? The more you communicate with the orthopedic team the more you'll feel in control.