hip replacement

[dansybelle]

hi folks,

I have FA (still ambulant with aids) and have been told I need a hip replacement. Does anyone have experience of a hip replacement as an FA sufferer and can share their experience of the op and recovery. Thank you

[Kauri1]

I have had a hip and 2 knee replacement's. If you are still moving you should be ok. That said you will have to keep moving to get better, Hips are easy, knees are not so much.

[AbbeysAtaxia]

Good encouragement from Kauri1!

Whilst I haven't had this problem myself, and have a different form of Ataxia with Parkinsons etc, I did recently had lung surgery for which quite a bit of rehab was needed. Getting moving again is important for recovery and to prevent other problems. A little and often, and slowly building it up helps.

As well as other info and tips, this NHS video describes exercises for people having hip replacements, and they should be practised before surgery - so if you haven't been taught them yet, you can try them now. Many exercises can be done laying down, but this lady is using two walking sticks or leaning on things to help her do some of them anyway - similar to Ataxians' daily life.

Can you do these exercises now, given the extra challenge of ataxic wobbles etc that go with FA, for when you need to exercise your hip muscles after surgery? If so, you'll know you can do it (pain in hip while it heals aside)!

youtube.com/watch?app=deskt...

Hope this helps. 🙂