CMT & Hip Replacement

Eleven days to go to get a new hip, I have Type 1A CMT, 64 years old, overweight, My balance is poor and was wondering if anyone on here has gone through this ? How did you cope, how easy could you manage stairs after, how long did it take to be able to drive again. I know we are all different but some general replies may be helpful.

[john1966]

Hi Iam 48 and also have cmt type 1a and i had to have a hip replacement 18 months ago after 2 years of sheer agony and having doctors telling me it was 'nerve pain'.

After i had my hip replaced it was sheer bliss 100% of pain gone. You are not allowed to drive for six weeks but when i did start driving it was fine no problems. as with stairs i now live in a bungalow but when i do stairs outside i find as long as i go slow i mean one step at a time leading with new hip leg down first (going down, non operated leg first going up)i ok but i avoid doing lots of stairs but that might be down to my cmt like you i have very bad balance. I know i had my hip a lot younger than normal but 18 mths on its like having a new life no pain crunching etc. i have to be careful with what i do , iam paranoid i will 'pop' the new joint. but life is better now than 2 years ago....hope this helps

[Tandarts]

I am 65 and had a knee replaced 6 months ago. Go down stairs new hip first ?

I have CMT 1(a) and find that I need to use my cane to tell my brain where my feet

should go. Stay positive and all the best

[Hidden in reply to Tandarts]

Thanks for your replies, I'm still secretly dreading it but its sure to be an improvement. I attended a physiotherapy seminar yesterday and all the post op do's and do not's were explained. Thanks again.

[Forester]

I can't help you much with a direct answer to your questions...I am 70, with CMT, not needing a hip replacement...but I can tell you a couple of things that might help.

One, my wife worked, for many years, as a care-warden for a housing association, and came across many people who were very pleasantly surprised at how a new hip enhanced their day-to-day living...and how easily (relatively speaking) it was achieved.

I am sure the result will be more than worth the worry.

I can also tell you - from recent experience - that, on this site at least, you are not alone...there are some very nice folk, who know exactly what you're going through, who are ready and willing to help you along the way.

I can also tell you - as if you didn't know - that, if you are a CMT sufferer, you have almost certainly been blessed with a little extra strength of character...just to help you over the bad times.

Good luck in 11 days time...let us know how you get on (not too much dancing in the first few weeks though)

[Hidden in reply to Forester]

Hi Forester, Just to say it all went well, I had a good hospital and staff looked after me well. 16 days on, I'm getting around well, no more pain. I have to wait four more weeks to drive again

My wife Lori has been fantastic too in aiding my recovery, I really had nothing to fear.

[Paulina]

Hi, I am a 50 year old woman with type 1A CMT, I had a total hip replacement 9 months ago, before the op the pain was unbearable as the hip had totally collapsed,,,, The recovery differs from person to person. I used 2 crutches for the week, then one for around 8 weeks, I was able to use an exercise bike (on zero resistance) about 5 weeks after the op, I started on 3 minutes then slowly built up the time and resistance which I believe help me both physically and mentally. I didn't drive until after week 12 as you cant bend the hips past 90 degrees for at least 12 weeks, I had a limp for around 20 weeks and even now, I soon tire when walking and begin to limp after around 10 mins... Stairs are manageable at a slow pace but I do avoid them if I can. I have been told that the other hip will need replacing in the next few months. As I live on my own, I would say the most frustrating part of the recovery was that fact that for 12 wks, you are unable to bend past 90 degrees!! not being able to put on ones socks/dry feet etc...

I go to the gym every day to try and manage my CMT and also cycle to and from work (on the flat prom), I strongly advise exercise (get advice from physio/personal trainer) for both the HIP op recovery and CMT.

Good luck with your recovery, stay positive and get plenty of fresh air.

[Hidden]

Thanks again for taking the time to reply. I had my pre-assessment this morning and looking forward to getting it over with and getting over it.

[gunner]

hi i also have a bad hip amongst many other things i am also over weight but unable to do any meaningful exercise to change this, i do what i can, i have stopped smoking cut my drinking down considerably and do my best with my diet oh and i drink a lot more water than i used to,all recommended by my gp. so i think i am doing quite well. but i get bloating still. and the surgeon i saw about my hip said he could not guarantee a operation would help me so would not operate on me. so i hear you going to have a op and would like to wish you good luck and hope it works out for you. i answered your post as it was if i was reading about myself hehe. anyway gooooooooood luck