Advice Needed for Total Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty) in Parkinson's

[PD-Golfer]

I need your advice, recommendations, and comments in general for anyone with Parkinson's who has had hip replacement (or arthroscopic) surgery. I have some advancing osteoarthritis in my right hip that is causing a lot of pain in the groin region and some growing impairment of movement and flexibility. All of my golf buddies (all non-Parkinson's folks) keep telling me I'll add 20 yards to my golf drive. However, I am more interested in the quality of life issues, difficulties due to Parkinson's, recovery, rehabilitation, etc. The published literature reviewing the field has been split about 50:50 regarding the negative effect of Parkinson's linked to this orthopedic surgery. So, if you have time, please answer the following questions:

1. Was the surgery successful (in terms of relieving pain, regaining function, recovery, rehabilitation, and return to normalcy)?

2. Were there any complications caused by Parkinson's during or after the surgery?

3. What was your age and approximate stage of PD at the timeof surgery?

4. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[Rose54]

Hi

I had total hip replacement in June very next day pain free. I was waiting for a Neurology appointment at the time so was not aware I had Parkinson's although did suspect something was wrong.

Thay think it was the stress from Surgery and recovery that brought it on my balance was bad before the surgery and I have been using one crutch when out and about and If I do too much the hip feels sore.

Am trying to get back to using walking stick I try to get out each day and walk for 30min

just make sure you follow exercises daily and dont try to recover too fast.

Good Luck

[DEAT]

1. I had two hip replacements. One before dx and one after dx. I recovered fully and have full movement in both hips.

2. The complication due to PD i had was low blood pressure.

At times my blood pressure was 75/45. I had no symptoms

3. Not due to Parkinsons was i bled during surgery and had a trsnsfusion of 2 units of blood.

My age at time of surgery was 70. My PD would have been stage 2 i think.

4. Advice would be if there are no medical reasons preventing the surgery - do it. It changed my life. I could not walk without pain and my mobility was very limited.

Recommendations. In hospital you will very rarely get your medication on time. I had a stash of meds in my locked drawer in my bedside cabinet. I know that is not allowed but they left me alone.

My first replacement was 3 years before dx.

The second was 8 years after.

And funnily enough the second experience was so much better than the first. PD was not an issue.

Im happy to answer any further questions

[davissw]

I was 75 when I had my hip replacement.The surgery was successful and I am now pain free. My advice is to bring your own medication. I had problems after surgery and then again when I went to rehab waiting to get my meds. The lack of medication caused me to develop swallowing problems which went away once my medication was regularly supplied.

[Crollo1]

I had a hip replacement a year and a half ago. It was not a problem. I felt much better and the rehab was fairly easy. I was 65 and had been diagnosed 13 years ago however I’m sure I had PD long before that. I felt that the surgery went very well and wasn’t as bad as I expected. Best of luck to you.

[Jezbo]

Hi PD_Golfer,

I was dx PD 10 years ago, am 65 now and was supposed to have hip replaced in March 2024 this year. Bone on bone. Orthopedic surgeon said my bones are fine but absolutely no cartilage and the only way out is to have full replacement surgery. Come back and we will do the other hip! I was extremely worried because the pain was interfering with my walking that was helping with the PD symptoms. I had a heart valve replaced and bypass surgery in 2022 and my recovery took twice as long as was expected ( I was in ICU for 2.5 weeks not the expected 5 days) eventually left hospital afterv5 weeks. The Drs put this slow recovery down to PD .

3 weeks before I was due for the hip replacement I found a nutritionist, and ultra marathon runner in Spain who had avoided the exact same hip replacement procedure. I contacted him, followed his guidelines and cancelled the hip replacement. 9 months later and I am walking 4km per day, doing recommended muscle balancing exercises. I haven't been for an Xray to see if the cartilage has grown back but it feels like most of it has returned. It took a while , about 7 months but I have avoided the hip op and have other benefits such as reducing my blood sugar levels and completely off PPI medication for stomach ulcers.

Go to Youtube and look for Shapefixer and the guys name is Andrew Tunstall. He said on his members video last Monday he is bringing out a course just on arthritis and hip replacement, but he has enough videos on the subject that you can do it free of charge.

Good luck.

Cheers Jez