Hi. I am 41 with severe osteoarthritis and protrusio acetabuli. Saw consultant yesterday and he agreed to do both at the same time. Has anyone on here been through this? What can I expect - I need a warts and all update from someone who has been through it and got the t-shirt. Feeling more than a little scared right now. Jen
I had both done 10 months apart. Doctor wanted to do them at the same time but after i thought about it decided to do the right first, the left later, after i recovered from the first, so that i would have at least one good leg to stand on. Now, if you live with someone who will be there to help, perhaps bilateral is good, i live alone so it would have been very difficult to navigate. Surgery itself was no big deal, i got spinal instead of general anesthesia, only spent one night in hospital for each of the surgery. Recovery however is another story, it takes a good 2-3 months to get over the initial pain and aches, and then the rest of the year to fully recover, with lots of ups and downs along the way. This is the stage i am in now. Good luck to you...
Hi Jen. I've been through something similair, happy to share my experiences. I had bilateral BHR in 2004, when I was 29 - I had them 10 days apart as my consultant wouldn't do both in the same operation and after the first, I had to wait until I was strong enough for the 2nd. Stayed in hospital around 3 weeks in total. I've also had a THR last September on my left side, due another one in 3 weeks on the right (metallosis, but that's another story!). Home after 5 days.
So I'm pretty well-placed to discuss both options - single or double. In my honest opinion, and you did ask for honest, I wouldn't do both again. It's tough, really physically demanding. You really suffer from not having a good leg so everything is much more than twice as hard. I ended up on crutches for over 4 months with the bilateral, as opposed to 4 weeks with the single. I had to learn to walk from scratch - totally different from walking after having one done. However, to be fair, one of my bilaterals wasn't done properly so that probably contributed to additional recovery time.
Are you having yours done in the same surgery? This would help, as I think my body didn't like going through the anaesthetic twice in a fortnight, as again it's quite tough for your body.
I don't mean to scare you, but nobody told me any of this before I went in. The consultant agreed to do it and then when I came round from the 2nd one, the physio and nurses were clueless as they told me they'd never dealt with it before so didn't know what I could do, how to get in and out of bed etc. I'm sure that's better now.
I think if I'd been better prepared and knew what it was going to be like, it would have been easier. Please ask anything you want, really happy to help
Hi there. Thanks for replying. Yes they are going to do mine at the same time. The surgeon has said that after the first, provided the aneasthetist is happy they will continue. Both hips are so weak that if I have one done, the other will not be strong enough to cope with the pressure. One consolation is that my surgeon is one of the top 20 hip specialists in the country and he has promised that he will do the op himself. Just wondering how long I will be in hospital and what help there is afterwards......Its all a bit scary. I knew it was going to happen, but just not that he's said those words and my name is on the list, reality is setting in ;(
Hi Jen
I am 11 weeks post op after bi-lateral hip replacement. Like you, my hip joints were destroyed by arthritis & mobility at zero & pain constant. Like you I was petrified & yes, it's incredibly hard after during rehabilitation but I don't regret having both done at same time, plus you only have to go through it once. You have to concentrate on having strong core body strength & focus on finding your balance point as well. If you need any more advice just ask.
Two in the same op definitely sounds preferable to a week or so apart as you only have to recover once from the actual surgery.
It sounds like your surgeon is pretty well-versed at doing them together, so I'm sure they will have all sorts of help in place. I had lots of physio help after my two and I'm sure you'll get the same. You'll probably be in hospital for less than a week but that's a guess and they'll keep you in until they're happy you can cope at home - it's a little longer than one hip for that reason, but I found that a comfort as they won't send you home unless they're sure.
The best piece of advice I can give you is to not judge yourself against how others are doing. If your hips are so weak now, which mine were before the op too, and as you're having both done, you will take longer to recover. Also your muscles and other joints will be weaker than others as you've had to compensate for so long. But that's fine - just take it slowly, at your own pace and you'll be fine. I used to beat myself up that i couldn't do what others could do, but if you go into it with the right expectations and positive attitude it's a lot easier. Be kind to yourself and realise it's a major op, and just give yourself the time and space to heal.
I know it's scary - I'm about to do it for the 4th time at the age of 38 and I'm still petrified, but I know I'll be fine. Take it slowly, try not to worry, you'll find your own routines and ways of doing stuff.
Hi Helen. Thank you so much for replying. How long were you in hospital for? How long before you took first steps? Also how long before you could cope alone at home? Sorry - I have a million questions buzzing around my head at the mo
Hi Jen
Forgot to say I was in for 8 nights. Consultant was brilliant. As op is longer I had an epidural & anesethic. Been having physio & hydrotherapy since which has really helped & if offered to you advise to take it.
Hi Jen
Physio started next day. It was around day 5/6 I took first step with use if zimmerframe. My husband helped when first came home but when he was at work I had a relative stay for first few weeks as carrying drinks etc problem. You may need to get some equipment for coming home like a frame to go over toilet it is higher & has arms to support you, also a chair that is higher to enable you to get up & down easier as our sofa was too low, a long handle grab hand & shoe horn also useful.
I couldn't do stairs for some time so had a bed in front room. Also because you have to sleep in your back you will need an array if cushions/pillows to alleviate pressure/soreness. Remember it will take longer before you can try sleeping on your side as you won't have a good side like the 1-hippers to sleep on (around week 6ish). Apologies for all posts I keep remembering things that might be useful.
Hi Jen I am 8wks post op after bilateral hip replacement,I am 66 and had severe osteoarthritis in both hips so my consultant said as I was young and fit (which was very kind of him at my age )he would do them both of them at once. I had op late Saturday afternoon was out of bed and walking with frame on Sunday morning,walked round hospital on crutches on Monday, did rhe stairs on Tuesday and went home Wed morning. This makes it sound easy but it was not but taking the painkillers they gave me,the help of great staff and the fact I wanted to get home made it possible. You need lots of help at home and my husband looked after very well as well as friends and family the time seemed to fly past. Now I can walk unaided the only pain I have is in my muscles if I do to much.I am very glad I had them both done together.You will be fine,if you want more info just let me know but I feel as if I am going on and on .
Hi Jen.
i have had arthritis for around 20yrs now and am nearly 14 wks post left THR...My right hip is now giving me problems and will need replacing sometime,but after a tough time with this one I really don't fancy going through it again,and now wish I'd had them both done together,the thought of going through it all again is scary..although I might sail through the next time,who knows?
The recovery from bilateral is obviously much tougher,but it would have all been done and dusted now..if your offered bilateral I'd say go for it.
good luck.
Good point Olli..don't compare yourself to others..
A friend of mine had his THR 6 weeks before me and sailed through his recovery,with no pain and was walking without sticks at 12 wks..
I was expecting the same outcome,and was extremely disappointed and worried when things didn't go as well..I now realize that everybody's outcome is different,but it's taken me a long time to accept it.
Hi
wondered who did your BHR's. And at which hospital. Where did you have your revival? How are you now, I may need a revival to a THR and wonder if you can give me more information on your implant and your ROM. Can you squat or bend down and flex your hips.
My THR is great - ROM really good considering I had some soft tissue and bone necrosis. I can bend down really easily, can squat. Have been able to do yoga and cycle since revision.
I was really scared about going from a BHR to a THR but it's ended up not being that different