Hello friends, I'm now 13 weeks post LTHR and I'm due to see my GP tomorrow to discuss timing of my second hip replacement. I am feeling really torn between getting it done ASAP because it's giving me real pain and almost holding me back from progressing as well as I could with my new left hip, and putting up with it for a few more months giving myself time to fully recover from the recent ordeal. Common sense tells me to get in with it as soon as is reasonable - my surgeon said minimum of 4 months between ops, and I know there is a 4 month waiting list anyway which would take me up to March or April depending on when I'm listed.
What would you all feel is best? Have any of you waited until you're more or less fully recovered from first hip and felt this was best?
Thank you for your advice.
Jo X
Hi jo
I had my second one 3 months exactly after the first. In hindsight 4 months might have been better but i couldn't wait to stop waddling like a penguin.
Go for it and get your life back on track is my advice
Take care
Kate x
Pooh my! Being only 2 weeks post op I'd say wait till you're stronger! But on the other hand that "pain" does drag you down!!
The only way personally I'd contemplate it would be if I had really good help looking after me and I didn't have to cope with " daily life" and only had to concentrate on ME!! Lol But that's never gonna happen, or realistic!!
Good luck whichever you choose! Be well. Xxxx
Thank you Kate and Gaby, I do feel quite strong now, compared to in the earlier stages which I must admit I struggled with at times. However, second time around you do realise what's involved and it can't be underestimated what a huge thing it is to put your body through.
Im so looking forward to the day when both hips are fully recovered and as we all say, we get our life back and be able to do all the things we haven't been able to for a while.
Incidentally, my partner doesn't want me to have this done for at least a year as he found it difficult going through this with me - again, I must admit it couldn't have been easy for him to live with a grump bag for a lot of the early stages.
Ill let let you know what I decide.
Thank you.
Jo X
Your second hip is going to hold back your recovery from your first hip, and as you said, discuss with surgeon, even if you are put on list you are going to have to wait for some time. I was put on list for 2nd replacement 3 months after first THR. 1st - Oct 2013, 2nd - Feb 2015. Far too much time, as I wasn't walking about correctly, and as I said to my Dr I felt that my inability to walk because of 2nd hip was delaying and or damaging my new good first hip. Swimming was the only way I kept myself reasonably fit and healthy.
Hi Joycy:
Can't help you with your question, really, but would think, it best to get it all over ASAP, so that you can get on with your life. I think the final decision shoujld be made between you , your GP and the surgeon, as I should think that much would depend upon you general state of health and ability to recuperate.
Rather shocked that you have a four month waiting list, as I was told by Bath Circle that it was 6 = 8 weeks for NHS patients. Wonder if this a post code lottery situation?!
All the best, whichevere way you go on the second op,
Susie
Thanks Lyn, good advice. This is how I feel too. It is already getting to the point where swimming is all I can do which is a shame because the new hip itself feels great. Got nagging aches and pains in rest of leg but guess that's the repairing of muscles, nerves and tendons.
Think im going to ask to be out on the list which will give a gap of about the same as yours.
How are you now?
Jo xx
Thanks Susie, yeah postcode lottery indeed! It's not the fault of the NHS but rather that resources are so variable from area to area.
Youre right, in order to get on with things and get life back, second op needs to be done.
Jo xxx
Joycy - getting there, but very slowly I'm afraid. My darling Uncle Bill had a hip replacment 6 weeks apart, I really don't know how he did it, because he was past 80, but was in amazing shape for his age. He told me when he saw me walking at a family party, "you have inherited the family curse as well", get those hips done as soon as possible. He told me the most stupid mistake he had ever made was to put it off because he was frightned about the surgery. I think what finally tipped the balance, was his inability to play his beloved outdoor bowls. He passed last year at 97 I'm afraid, like to think he is upstairs with the rest of the family chasing those elusive fish for dinner, maybe they have better success there.
Hello joycy
i am waiting for my second hip to be done. I had my left hip done in April. Only a few days after having it done my right hip collapsed. The pain was unbelievable and I was off my feet for 3 weeks.
To to be honest with. You I would not wait At least get your name on the list. Your consultant will make the decision on how quick after the first one he can do it. If you are already in bad pain it really is best to get it over with.
I had my second one 4 months and 1 week after the first and now nearly 3 years on I would say get it done asap as long as you can walk well with the first leg.
AgW
Thank you AgW, it's great to hear from someone three years on from all the upheaval. My first leg is good really, especially the hip itself - just aches n pains on occasions but it's early days and to be expected but I can walk on it fine.
Are you you now able to do pretty much what you want?
Jo X
Yes Jo it's pretty good. I'm 73 so don't do anything particularly taxing or sporty but I walk most places visiting friends, shopping etc. I drive normally, I can do stairs fine (75 to my flat which I try to do every few days though there is a lift which was crucial after the ops.) I can kneel down though I'm careful getting up. Occasionally I get an ache in one or other hip particularly if I've sat in an uncomfortable chair at a meeting or concert but it usually wears off after I've walked a bit. I haven't taken a single painkiller since about 3 weeks after my last op. Altogether am very happy with the outcome. Hope yours is as successful.
AgW
Hi AgW, that's good to hear, well done.
Keep eps well and happy.
Jo X
hey jo,
tomorrow will be 10 weeks post op left 2nd THR, September 10, 6 months after 1st right one, March 16, 2015 - this was my decision at that time because I freaked out and thought I wouldn't be able to handle a 2nd surgery so soon -
well, it was a hellish summer - my then new hip had to compensate for the fast declining left hip - pain was almost unbearable at some point - needless to so that the right hip had no time to heal -
I now feel that finally I am getting somewhere - both of them are being trained at the same time, the old new hip a bit stronger than the new new hip.
I think that you should get your self on the list ... but also keep your surgeon's advice in mind - if, for some reason, he feels that you are not ready for the surgery yet, no harm done -
take care and be gentle with Jo right now ...
big warm hug
renee
I had my 2nd op 18 months after my first, I would have
liked 6 - 12 months between, because I got very anxious
towards The end that I might do damage by putting pressure
on my back.
my surgeon doesn't like to do the 2nd before 3 months.
the criteria for me would be that the first hip is weightbearing,
and you have ditched both crutches, especially if your 1st hip
is uncemented.
Cathie
Hi Joycy I'm almost 8 weeks post Ruhr & am scheduled for other on 29th January. 4 months after 1 op. The pain in my left hip is slowing down my recovery. Ive been told by physio & surgeon to do strengthening exercises on my new hip in preparation for 2nd hip op. I didn't hesitate when he suggested 2nd op so soon. If my recovery next time goes as well as this time I will be able to get my life & mojo back by Easter. Fingers crossed. I would rather recovery in short space of time instead of putting it off & suffering with my now bad left hip.
I'm now one week post op from second hip replacement. The first one was done in March. I'm glad that it took 7 months. It gave the first one time to heal as well as to allow blood supply to build up. Surgeon wanted to wait for 9 months but second hip was in too much distress to wait any longer. Hope this helps.
Hi joycy good day to you okay I have both of my hips done now and I did the first one 14 February 2015 and I was in so mush pain with the right one I could not heal from the first one I did my second one on the 20 June l2015 so it was in pain I did it on top of each other I am in a better place now I am now trying to heal and it is pain full has trying to walk is painful but with any op it is I hope this help I say do it get it over with
Hi Joycy,
I too needed both hips replaced. In my situation, I couldn't 'book' my second one until 6 weeks after my first. This booking put me on an 11 month waiting list. My second happens tommorrow, a little over a year after my first.
In my situation, this was as fast as I could do them. I would have much preferred to have taken care of the second on much, much sooner than this. Having one bum hip does slow you down even if your other one is bionic.
All the best to you.
Jordan