I'm getting ready for hip replacement and am totally petrified. The surgeon is only 42 . I've got a book of exercises and have ordered a few pillows but it seems like some articles say you can never bend or twist again and other articles say you should be able to do most things after 6 months without dislocating your hip. I live alone and am worried. I love to garden.
Sandy, are u in pain now? Do you want to live pain free? If so then get the hip replacement. You will be so much happier. I don't know where u live, how old you are or how active you are but most all hip replacement patients end up with a better quality of life than before the surgery. I was in so much pain I could hardly do anything before my surgery. I was using crutches to get around. My hip was bone on bone and I,couldn't play tennis, run, bike ride or even walk at the end. I had the anterior hip surefery and was walking in the Hospital 6 hours after surgery and went home the same day. after one week I was walking with a cane, driving at two weeks. I was completely off of pain medication after 1 1\2 weeks. I have slowly gotten back to my regular day to day activities. I am 7 weeks out of surgery and was able to swim 40 laps this week. I am going to Physical Therapy 2x a week and doing my exercises religiously. The other day I was at Walmart and had an epiphany- I was able to shop with NO PAIN. It is nice to have my life back!!
Thanks for replying so fast Stacey and you are a godsend to bring me back to earth. I'm in intense pain and it has been the very worst over the last 2 years . I actually have some cysts and deformity on my bones. I'm interested in your physical therapy. The surgeon only mentioned 4 weeks of therapy for me but I want lots of therapy. I am 60 years old. Do you bend down to the floor now? If I wanted to pull weeds from my garden would the healthcare people tell me not to after about 3 months of recovery? Being pain free would be a dream
Sandy...I'm 23 days postop...my surgeon couldn't be much older than your surgeon...I stopped my pain meds on day 8...have been doing pt since the beginning and exercises at home...I use a cane just to get started walking...I had the anterior approach. ..I was worried about my surgeon at the beginning but so far it's been a success. ..good luck
I'm not sure what type of surgery you will be having. If you have the posterior method there is a 90 degree restriction. I'm not sure how long. My anterior surgery had no 90 degree retstriction, but I was not allowed to cross my leg. I had to sleep on my back or on non-operated side with pillow between my legs. For the first 6 weeks I had to take it pretty easy, only ride the stationary bike for 30 minutes, or walk about 1 to 2 miles. You will get tired.
Right now I can bend down to the ground, put my clothes and shoes on with no problem. Does that answer your question.
i am also 60 years old, but in pretty good shape. Try to keep your muscles strong before surgery, it will help with recovery. I could only swim when I got closer to surgery, everything else was really painful. So I swam 4 or 5 times a week. It must have helped because My recovery is progressing nicely.
Sandy
As Stacey says most of us have a very successful outcome. I have gardened, cycled and done all sorts of things with my hip. I've just had revision surgery due to an infection and am expecting to be back to normal activities in three months.
Mike
dear sandy,
warm welcome to the best hippies forum - here we share personal experiences and stories, you'll get unconditional support, tips etc. We come in all ages and stages, darling ...
when is your surgery scheduled for?
I personally think that 42 years is a perfect age for a surgeon - he is not too youg but yet young enough to know about the latest procedures - Not too old and set in his ways - I am kidding of course -
Do you like him, trust him?
One of our fellow forum members has created a website based on feedback from forum members... go to:
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources- scroll all the way down until you get to 487147, A layman;s Guide by Graham aka Rocketman -
And of course come here any time - you are not alone anymore
big warm hug
renee
Sandy my surgeon was in his early 40's absolutely fantastic. Caring and agreatsense of humour. Once you are healed you will be able to do most things. Mine said never cross leg fully cross knee. That's the only restriction. I still bend carefully out of habit. 21 months post op and was in my mid50's when I had op.
Dear Sandy,
Don't worry everything will be ok...
ı had this operation from both of my legs.
The first 6 weeks is the most risky period, after that you can return to your daily routine.
My surgeon Said no restrictions after week 8, if you feel well of course.
I Hope you will have a good operation and a pleasant recovery.
All the best
Desire
Dear Sandy
As others have said if it needs doing just get on with it and get back to life again. If you leave it life will only get worse for you and making a decent recovery less likely when you are forced to have the surgery.
Cheers Richard
Oh Sandy
I was petrified too and cried all the way to theatre! I am now 7 months post op and life is so much better. You are lucky to have a young surgeon he will know all the latest techniques. When are you going in? Make sure you have done everything that needs doing at home as it is tricky afterwards i.e. Washing ironing gardening etc. Buy a grabber (helping hand) as you won't be able to pick things off the floor. Buy food stocks soup dinners treats and make sure they are stored at grabbing level! A table next to where you are going to sit will be helpful to put all your meds on drinks remote and sweeties! Loose clothing is a must. I assume you have your toilet raiser ready which you need. The first two weeks are tough but as long as you keep up with regular meds and do your exercises no matter how rough you feel each week get better. There is light at the end of the tunnel and it's pain free so you have lots to look forward to.
We are all here to support you and I am sure others will give you some good tips there are so many
Best wishes julie
Hi Sandy here in Australia is restrictions only 6 weeks than you can slowly go back to normal. I had hydro therapy after hip replecement and i was told by physio only 6 weeks restrictions. I did not know this and I try follow 90 degrees rule for 9 weeks and i was told I dont have to just have to be careful and slowly go back to normal. Im nearly 10 months after left hip replecement but my rigth one need to be done as well just waiting
for a day when will be done. I live alone to . You will be fine.
Good luck ,hug Madla💗
Perfect! I'm having the anterior surgery. Thank you!
Thank you for your reply. So glad I found this forum!
Thanks for your reply. A young surgeon will see better and be stronger ha! Maybe that trumps older
Thank you renee!
Thanks for your reply. My main worry is hip displacement.
Thank you and so glad I found this forum. You guys are all wonderful!
Hi Sandy Let me add my "2 words" to all the others. I am 75 and 8 weeks post op posterior. I am nearly pain free, the pains I have are from the muscles which are trying very hard to heal. I too was scared very very scared before the surgery, but what helped me a lot was all the research I did. I got the house prepared for the surgery, not just me! I got the toilet raisers, the shower bench, the grabber etc, the best of all was the hospital bed my daughter insisted in renting. I had a young woman come in for 1-2 hours every day to do the things for me that I could not do (again at my daughters insistance) because I too live alone. I will not tell you not to worry, that would be stupid, but I will asure you that you will feel so so so much better after the surgery that you will look back at your worries and smile. So good luck Sandy you will be just fine.
PS: let the weeds grow, you will get to them in 6 months, then it will be winter, they will die and next year you will yank them all out.
Karin