Hip replacement recovery?

[lrrifleman]

Sir, please allow me to toss in my 2 cents.

I have been fortunate that my accident in '07 didn't include either hip, but my quality of life was awful. From May of '07 until this past September, I never had a moment that was pain free. In September I had my 24th accident related surgery, which was my 2d knee reconstruction. I had the ACL, PCL, and LCL replaced ... it was an eleven hour procedure. I was on crutches and unable to drive for 8 weeks.

For the first month, I was mobility impaired. It was very difficult to attend to myself, and caring for my children was an impossibility. However, the inconvenience was worth it. This Thursday will mark 17 painless weeks. You do need to get this done ASAP.

Have you considered having a family member stay with you and your wife, or hiring a live in aide for the recuperation period? You can't push yourself excessively.

 

[imashooter2]

What took driving so long? Did you have your right hip done? Mine is my left so a clutch will be out for a while. I can't drive my truck as it is, and the clutch is not hard to press.

The doctor told my wife not to drive for 3 weeks. She didn't wait that long, but that was the advice. The reason given by the doc was, if you had an emergency stop, you might stomp the brake or floorboard hard enough to dislocate the socket before the hip bone had enough time to "grow into" it.

 

[BruceB]

I went to the doctor with severe hip pain about 8 months ago. He did an x-ray and told me I have a bad case of osteoarthritis. He said he didn't know how I was getting along as well as I am. He did a second x-ray about 4 months ago and it was quite a bit worse and gave me a prescription anti-inflammatory and said I need a hip replacement. The pills do help along with over the counter pain reliever but it really just takes the edge off.

I plan to retire in 6 months and will have it done some time after that so I can recover without thinking about getting back to work. I will be 55 years old. The pain is to the point that it's really messing with my life. I also care for a handicapped wife and don't know how that will work out. I won't be able to help her for a few months from what I understand. She needs help with most of what she does but does have a professional caregiver while I'm at work. I might be able to get her more help while I recover.

What is a realistic recovery from a hip replacement? Should I deal with the pain and put it off a couple of years? I understand they usually last 15 years and a second replacement is even more difficult.

Hi alde

My wife had a right side total hip replacement just a year ago this week. Surgery was about 9:30 AM, in her room by about 11:30, and walking with a walker and some assistance getting in and out of bed by 5 PM that afternoon. She walked the entire length of the wing and back in that first trip!

I think she spent about 2 weeks in a recliner before it was comfortable enough to sleep in bed, and then had to have the foam wedge between her knees for a while. She was walking without a walker or cane in about 2.5 weeks, she walked into the surgeon's office for her first checkup like that and he was amazed. She was fully cleared for any activity including driving in 6 weeks, just about the minimum for things to heal properly.

I concur with the other poster's comment about doing the exercises pre-surgery to strengthen the leg and hip muscles, it helped a lot.

I see you're in Western Washington - we can recommend an excellent surgeon if you're in the greater Seattle area. PM me for info.

Also, someone posted about the anterior (front entry) surgical option for the replacement; if you're not overweight, that is a very desirable option. My wife couldn't take advantage of it, but it's highly regarded.

 

[Houlton]

Had my knee replaced at the same time a friend had his hip done. He was up and around long before I was.

 

[alde]

I really appreciate everybody sharing their experiences and knowledge. I am feeling better about my prospects. My big goal for retirement was to take up hiking. Nothing major but was wanting to fish some more remote spots. I had given up on it but now I feel like it could still be possible.

I am overweight but will take the advice to start exercising to build the muscles. I have an inclined staionary bike that is gathering dust. I guess it's time to start using it.

 

[e3mrk]

It depends on how the new Hip is secured,I had both replaced with the kind that the Bone grows into so it took about eight weeks( each done a year apart) each to heal where I didn't need crutches.If the Doctor decides to cement the new Hip in place the recovery time is shorter.

 

[rwsmith]

I know 100 people....

I have to know 100 people who had quick recovery and a new lease on life. One poor dude, though, NEVER recovered, like it hardly did any good at all. He was much older when he had it done,though. Just on that I wouldn't put it off. In 15 years they may have something new and better.

 

[Bkreutz]

I see you're in Western Washington - we can recommend an excellent surgeon if you're in the greater Seattle area. PM me for info.

Does this Dr's last name start with a "P", , if so, I'll add my recommendation too. He has done all 3 of my hip procedures and my shoulder replacement.

 

[hangnoose]

ADVICE

Pretty good stuff here. I was often Po'd at pt's that would ignore Dr's & med staff but listen to the person behind them in line at a store. If you have had it done or are "in the field" it MAY be better advice, the best is getting it direct from the surgeon & his/her patients, that have had this particular method done. Congratulations on caring for your wife for so long, there is not much that is harder to do, even for pro's that only do it for 1 shift. There is no shame or need for guilt in admitting you can't do it anymore, it is the smart/safe thing to do for you both. The last thing you need is to further injure yourself & drop her. Sooner or later the care giver breaks down & you have 2 patients, get help. An adjustable bed for both of you will make life much easier & more comfortable & may be covered by insurance. The hospital bed types have the advantage of moving the entire bed in the flat position, up & down & saves the back of the caregiver. Consult your Doc before getting on that bike. Losing weight & fat (not muscle), increasing stamina/endurance/circulation/breathing prior to the surgery is an excellent idea, the Md should bring it up. Best wishes.

 

[kalei]

My wife had a total knee replacement in 2014 key to getting moving is REHAB!!!! She had home health tech come 3 days a week for 10 weeks and it was pure hell for her, but once he was done she was out and about with minimal use of a cane.

 

[Ron AZ]

I took early retirement at 58 and thought i would backpack hunt up a bunch. 1st fall season I started getting aggravated hip pain. X-Rays showed mild OA. Direct injections into the hip were great at first, no pain or symptoms, and would last 9 months or so. After a couple of years I was getting the shots in both hips.

4 years later, the shots weren't lasting, were giving only partial temporary benefit, and the x-rays looked bad. So I decided to get surgery. I strongly concur with the posters that recommended the direct anterior approach, if you are eligible. My understanding is that most people are eligible if not a bodybuilder, extremely overweight, or have brittle bones.

I got the right hip done first. Hospital for 2 days only. Use a walker for 1 week, after first couple of days, mainly as precaution against not being strong enough to avoid a fall if you get off balance. Cane for 2nd week, again as a back up support. Set of in-home exercises and walking as much as tolerated, gradually increasing. No driving for 6 weeks since it was right leg. After 6 weeks ... free to resume normal activities. It was not required, but I did 5 weeks PT after that. Everything I hear is that people who do that recover more fully.

Got the left one done 6 months later. Only differences were that I was hospitalized only 1 night and I could drive as soon as I was off the pain meds or 2 weeks, whichever was later. Same follow up with PT etc.

Asked the Dr. what I could and could not do. He said I could hunt, backpack, ski, rollerblade, swim and play tennis. He just said don't fall!! Only thing he excluded was regular running and sports with jumping (basketball, volleyball) which would prematurely wear out the joint and suggested doubles for tennis.

I went hunting after 4 months (final check up appt.) after each surgery including a trip with hiking 6-8 miles a day for 14 days in a row after the first one.

I agree with those that said 1 year for full recovery. I am just past 1 year after the 2nd and getting ready to take my first ski trip. My experience is that I can do anything I want at about the 90-95% of pre problem strength ... no pain but just get some soreness (bursa area, not the groin hip pain) carrying a pack with weight and a little more loss of balance. And I know I could get rid of even that if I worked out more on fine motor skill muscles.

 

[Ron AZ]

I understand they usually last 15 years and a second replacement is even more difficult.

My Dr. told me normally lasts longer. But he also told me that the brand/type of hip replacement I got has a ball and socket that can be replaced. (Sounds like the same type of material mbliss mentions 1 post down.) So if after 15-17 years I've got more wear than average due to my activities, and it is not functioning as smoothly, he can go in again and just "snap in?" a replacement ball head and socket. So a full revision and trimming back the bone and hammering in a new anvil is not necessary.

(Doctors are usually trained in using only 1 type of procedure and 1 manufacturer's product. There is some tendency to tell you why they prefer that one and why it is what you need, for example if you talk with a Dr. that only does the lateral approach. So talk with at least 1 Dr. that does the direct anterior approach. A good reason to get referrals and 2nd opinions.)

Another good question to ask is what are their results getting both leg lengths to match (whether you need both hips done or not) ... within how many millimeters difference?

Talk to enough people and you will hear all kinds of stories. It all went smoothly for me and I had 0 complications. That is where the skill and experience of the surgeon and the hospital team does make a big difference!

As to your question when to get it done, I was able to be mostly pain free with shots for several years. I am very happy I finally got it done and, like most people, I probably should have gotten it done about 1 year earlier.

Good luck and hope this helps!

 

[mbliss57]

I had mine replaced in May 2007. I am 59 in 2 weeks. I was in real bad pain and several Drs wanted me to wait until I 60+. I went to the Cleveland Clinic. The head of Orthopedics there is an acquaintance/friend. Top of the line "Bones Surgeon" He replaced my hip 10 days later. I was 50 years old then. He used a ceramic on titanium replacement. I was walking the next day.. everyone has to... However, the good new is my initial / functional recovery took only 4-5 weeks. We were living over seas then and I was on a plane 5 weeks to the day after surgery on a 14 hour flight. I was able to do more and felt much better after 4 weeks than I did before the surgery. It took about 4-6 months to be at full strength. But I was ambulatory and doing all kinds of stairs and walking before that. Cane was gone after 4 weeks. Lots of stairs and walking. I had a checkup just last month.. everything is fine.. Dr expects me to get another 15 years out of it. I really don't even think about it or know I had it replaced 99% of the time. Based on my experience I wouldn't wait another day to get it replaced. I will suggest strongly you use a very good surgeon who is at top of his field. My son in law is a surgeon and he tells me all the time that there are lots of surgeons and then there are some good surgeons...not so many. They tend to hang out at major University hospitals and clinics. Do some research and don't use 'Old bones" that has been a good Dr for you.. use the best you can find. It really does matter. Good luck.

 

[Ron AZ]

Alde, I just skied today for the first time since both hip replacements. Only 1 day but it went great!

For lateral replacement procedure, by talking with many people, I know the Doc's recommend no skiing due to the risk of dislocation.

For the anterior approach, they say ok to ski, but take it easy so you don't take any bad spills.

 

[alde]

Alde, I just skied today for the first time since both hip replacements. Only 1 day but it went great!

For lateral replacement procedure, by talking with many people, I know the Doc's recommend no skiing due to the risk of dislocation.

For the anterior approach, they say ok to ski, but take it easy so you don't take any bad spills.

Congratulations on getting back to the slopes. I don't ski but sure want to do some good hiking when I retire. I feel a real need to do some more remote fishing.

I left a message with my ortho doctor today to discuss a course of action. The pain seems to be getting worse all the time. I really don't get much time to rest it. Last time I talked with the doc he said we might try the cortisone shot but I'm not really sold on the idea. I hope to get an appointment in the next week or so.

 

[Ron AZ]

Al,
If you decide to try the direct injection, guided into the hip with fluoroscope, you'll likely know within 7-10 days whether it helps or not. The first day (maybe 2) it will be worse, then gradually improve, if it is going to work.

Back in 2010, I had come home from a scouting trip to WY with aggravated hip pain. I went and got my first shot and had trouble even getting in and out of the SUV that day. I told my wife I was going to have to cancel the hunting trip. A week later I went back to WY, back packed in a ways, and hiked several hours up mountain every day for 7 days at 9000'. Then backpacked out.

But at that stage they were describing my OA as mild. By the time that the Doc's described mine as severe, the shots weren't providing as much benefit nor lasting as long. That is a question I'd recommend you ask for your situation.

 

[don5]

Alde, if you don't mind I will share some advice for you. I have not had this procedure done nor do I have any family members that have had it done. Now having said that, here is what I bring to the table. I am a healthcare professional. I am in the rehab side of medicine. I am a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant aka COTA. I deal with hip injuries/replacements. Here are a few things you need to know.

- Do not put the surgery off. It does not get better on its own. The pain will not go away. Time is not your friend.
-After surgery follow all hip precautions. Do not cross legs. No internal or external rotation- turning legs inward or outward. Do not bend affected knee.
- This surgery is a game changer for most people. Do your therapy- all of it. Both Physical and Occupational.
- I tell everyone that they do not remember the first time they walked but they will never forget the second time. It will be one of the hardest things you will do in your life.

Now I deal mostly with the elderly in my line of work so I will share a few statistics about a hip injury that most people don't know. It is the single most deadly injury to the elderly. 1 in 5 people die within a year of suffering a hip injury. They get depressed because the hip doesn't heal correctly or the recovery is too hard. In any event they give up and don't make it for one reason or another. The average time to FULLY recover is 1 to 3 years not 6 to 9 weeks. You may be functional but you won't be fully recovered in 6 to 9 weeks. By fully recovered I mean being able to do some things you did several years before. Yes you will be functional but I still wouldn't recommend skydiving or something that really stresses the hip.

I am working with a pt right now that is 6 weeks out from surgery. She is in her 70's. I would not want to arm wrestle this woman. We have been working pretty hard and I have improved her endurance and strength. Anyways she went back to the hospital because she had an internal abcess that formed from inside the incision. It finally was diagnosed and she had to have another procedure to fix it. I will start her therapy again in the AM. She is in good spirits and told me that the fact that I had her in good shape was the reason she felt pretty good about starting therapy.

One thing I have learned is this- Those old farm girls are tough let me tell you.

In any event best wishes on the procedure and a speedy recovery.

 

[jhcii]

I went to the doctor with severe hip pain about 8 months ago. He did an x-ray and told me I have a bad case of osteoarthritis. He said he didn't know how I was getting along as well as I am. He did a second x-ray about 4 months ago and it was quite a bit worse and gave me a prescription anti-inflammatory and said I need a hip replacement. The pills do help along with over the counter pain reliever but it really just takes the edge off.

I plan to retire in 6 months and will have it done some time after that so I can recover without thinking about getting back to work. I will be 55 years old. The pain is to the point that it's really messing with my life. I also care for a handicapped wife and don't know how that will work out. I won't be able to help her for a few months from what I understand. She needs help with most of what she does but does have a professional caregiver while I'm at work. I might be able to get her more help while I recover.

What is a realistic recovery from a hip replacement? Should I deal with the pain and put it off a couple of years? I understand they usually last 15 years and a second replacement is even more difficult.

Both of my hips were replaced by the US Army.

You need to allow 6 weeks for each hip alone and if you need two then the surgeon will talk you into one at a time.

John H. Carr II United States Army (MAJ) RET.

 

[alde]

Alde, if you don't mind I will share some advice for you.

Not at all, I am open to all good advice. I understand that a full recovery will take quite a while. I am fine with that as long as I get some pain relief eventually. I don't plan to do anything crazy with my new hip. I just plan to do some hiking and fishing and the like. I will do any exercises that are recommended and plan to get a dog to be my walking companion. I love dogs and it will push me to get out and walk at least a couple of times a day. I will wait until I know I can do a bit of distance though.

Thanks to all for you good wishes and suggestions.

 

[G-Mac]

I had a hip replacement in January 2010. Was back to work in three weeks and three days, walking with a cane. I put off the replacement for six years. That was stupid. Git 'er done!