Hi fellow hippies. 2 weeks from today I go under the knife or saw for my second hip replacement. I am 7.5 months from the first surgery. I had a reasonably good result with the right side and have only minor discomfort when I have overdone. Stopped the heavy painkillers at about the 3 week point and just needed tylenol occassionally. I have noticed that some of you have had the second hip done with not as good a recovery that the first. Is that to be expected or have there been some good recovery stories for the second hip. I am very anxious and although I know it needs doing I have been freaking out hopefully unnecessarily.
isabelle - you have probably been reading my story as one of the ones who hasn't done so well. I have done alot of research on how my situation came about. Apparently my natural leg length discrepancy that I never knew about, I had grown with it my entire life, and nobody had ever picked it up is 3/8 inch or 10mm, apparently we all have natural leg length differences, but mine is out there on the high end of natural and not be aware of it, apparently most of us have 1-5mm. Regards my surgery, the hospital assures my that my hip replacement is perfect. I have come to accept that yes it is perfect, and the 3/8 inch or 10mm discrepancy they have given me would be acceptable but for the fact that I am riddled with arthritis, and they were very aware of that, similar to Rheumo Arthritis, but I come back negative rheumo in tests, plus the natural leg length added to it is just a little too much for me. But even so here I am nearly 9 months later, and I seem to be adjusting, just as they told me I would do. Physio has been a huge help in guiding me in the right direction, and making sure that I am going in the right direction, along with my GP's advice. Also swimming 3 days a week has been a huge help. Would I do this THR again YES YES YES, even if they told me the left hip would be alot more problems. My hip joint had become very worn out, bone on bone, slipping without within the socket, although never completly dislocated, very disconcerting, and very scary, and very painful. I like to think, and the hospital has told me that if I live to 106 like my great aunt, I will be doing this THR a few more times, not looking foward to possibiltily , but yes I can cope and I will cope, my uncle was 80+ when he had double replacment 6 weeks apart, and went on to live another 17years without any real problems. You also can and will cope, we are all hippies together here, and we can help each other with our fears, and especially be a support to one another. Chin up dear lady, and big smile.
Hi isabelle
i like you am waiting for my second hip ( right side ) to be done. Within the next two weeks. I go for my pre op tomorrow ( Wednesday ) I am Really not looking forward to it either. I am dreading having to start all over again and I am scared to. But I am in so much pain I have no choice. The pain from the op won't be per infant like the pain I am in now and I can't wait to get off all the nasty dangerous drugs my GP has put me on. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the way you are feeling. You may even feel worse than the first time like me because you know what is coming. I have problems with hospitals. I have had loads of operations done in the last 5 years I still hate them but it is just something I have to deal with because if I didn't I would be in an even worse state than I am in now. My main worry is because my hip has collapsed what is is going to be my surgeons approach. What will he do different? These things are going through my head so till I see my surgeon and talk to him the day before surgery I just sit here thinking about it. It will change both of our lives it will be so nice to be out of this pain but the road to recovery may be even longer than the first time because it is only a short time between both surgerys. ( if my surgery is on the 2 nd it will be 12 days short of 7 months if the surgery is on the 9 th it will be 5 days short of 7 months ) since the last surgery. I feel exactly the same as you do Isabelle. It is like stepping into the unknown again but knowing 1/2 the info. I hope your surgery and healing goes well. We can swap notes when we are done.
Thanks for your post. Looks like we are really in the same boat date wise. I am in Canada, where are you? I hope to be able to post from the hospital after the surgery. Are you having general or epidural? It will be good to compare notes after the fact. Best of luck, see you on the other side of surgery.
Hi isabelle
I have just had my second hip done (day 13). My first op (right hip like you) was in January and I was lucky I didnt have any real problems and managed to give up the stronger pain killers by about 4 weeks. However I did have to cary on with some pain meds every day until I had my second op because of the pain in my left hip.
Im doing ok still on 2 crutches but have just started to try one crutch every now and then for short distances (usually when I want to carry a cup of tea!). I dont know why but this time the pain seems to have eased a lot quicker and I have already started to cut down on my pain meds, perhaps its because I dont have any more pain in the other hip? Its early days but hopefully my recovery will continue without any problems.
Believe me I know how lucky I am especially when I read the posts from other hippies like lynn and haillea.
Linnet x
I am in South Wales in the UK Isabelle
i have relatives in Canada and even though they are not doing very well have been a leafs fan since being very young. I have the shirt too.
I will be able to post when in hospital they have free wifi and I have my iPad.
i can't have epidural. I have to be knocked out totally I have a really bad needle phobia and I defiantly do not want to hear my surgeon at work that really would freak me out.
Yes it will be great to see how we both cope with this although I really am scared because I know what is going to happen this time.
dear isabelle,
I will be 7 weeks post op of 2nd THR (left) - 1st THR was March 16, 2015 -
First I want to tell you that, eventhough I knew what to expect, 2 weeks before 2nd THR, I totally freaked out - so much so that I needed anti anxiety medication - and I don't know why - there were no complications or anything after 1st THR ..
weird ---
okay, right after surgery I mentioned to surgeon that I was in so much more pain compared to previous THR - his response was : You just have forgotten and please do not compare these surgeries -
maybe ...
as for the recovery it actually is a lot better - not faster, as both hips are sort of recovering with old new hip not having had a chance to heal fully -
I felt/feel so much more confident, trust my new hips and less afraid of dislocation - which made me cocky in the beginning ,so I was doing too much too soon -
physical therapist called me out on this and told me that I am a sloppy walker - back to basics - I am more mindful of the fact that my gait is so off and it will take time and patience ... yaaaaawnnnnn ...
surgeon was right, you cannot compare them ... it feels so much better !!!!
I know how you feel right now, and it is okay - no matter what anybpdy tells you, just accept this for now .... and come back here - that is what I did until right before surgery ---
big warm hug
renee
Hiya isabelle, three weeks this friday is my first and last, really scared i have displacia of my hips and right leg alot shorter so i am a wonky donky. Got my assessment thiscweek all i want is to eventually walk properly and not be inpain. Good luck hun, a week before me. Xx