I'm 70 years old, due for complete replacement next week and after reading a lot of the discussions am now doubting wether I should cancel.
It all sounds dreadful. All negative. Someone must have positive comments - please?
hi june
I am62 and have never been in hospital in my life. I was really worred about the hip replacement operation and was even prepared to put up with the pain but it just got too much. I had my hip replacement 1st june 2015 and the best thing I have ever done. I had epidural (as recovery is better) and it was absolutely no problem whatsoever. the only time I suffered was when the epidural wore off and for the first 24 hours you need the nurses to keep giving you strong drugs to keep the pain away but after that it is so much better. After 2 weeks you will notice the difference and then each week will get better and better.
dont worry about it as very straightforward. I cant remember how long but think the operation only took about 1 hour 20 mins and I was awake through it but know you can be put to sleep if you want. Cannot recommend it enough. maggie
No June don't cancel. It could give you your life back. I am already glad I have had it done and it was only 16 days ago and I have another 10 weeks on crutches. Yes you may have some bad days during recovery , you need plenty of rest and help but should be worth it in the long run and I have found all the problems post op are nothing to the agonising pain you are probably in now .
June, I am 77, had my left hip done 11 weeks ago.......one of the best things I have ever done. I limped badly and was in considerable pain before, now no pain, no limp, feel years younger. I won't lie and say it was a breeze, the first two weeks took a lot of gritted teeth and not a few tears mostly of frustration, but it is so worth it to be pain free. If you will have help for a few weeks, and have all the aids like a grabber and raised toilet seat, and a long handled shoe horn you will be fine. I slept on my recliner for the first three weeks as it made getting up and down easier. Read the positive posts on the list, there are more of those than negative ones. You could have twenty years in front of you why spend them in pain.
hi june,
i had my hip replacement done just 21 days ago,m and it is the best thing i have ever done. I was in so much pain, I didnt leave the house for 3 months. My doctor referred me to the hospital for an x ray, and then when he saw it he was shocked how bad it was, and so was I. thirteen weeks later, i had my appointment date, and after that it was all systems go. The operation was really quick and easy, i never heard or saw a thing, the first thing I remember is the anaesthetist saying, all done! it took only 90 mins. I was walking the same day, I personally can only find one negative about it all, and that is that I couldnt sleep on my back. but my surgeon said sleep however you want, it wont dislocate if you sleep on your side, I am now going to the physiotherapist once a week and the exercises have brought me on in leaps and bounds, things I never thought I could do after only three weeks. Dont cancel your operation, it really is a doddle. Just take care of yourself after the event, listen to your body and not the gossips. Take the best of care, and keep reading this forum, it helped me a lot.
sue x
At 67 I am very glad that I had it done. Post op the nurses made sure I had plenty of pain relief, and I could walk albeit slowly on crutches by the time I came out of hospital 4 days later. Yes the first 2 weeks of recovery seemed slow, everyone has things that they find difficult. I found sleeping on my back difficult initially but not now.
The main thing is, the continual pain from the hip is gone, someone said yesterday that I looked 10 years younger since the op.
I think ink the answer is for you to go ahead
I am 66 and it is the best thing I have had done...10years of pain -gone ok it's not a walk in the park having a hip replacement, but even on the day of the operation the pain has gone and you know what you feel now will get better and better. I am so glad I had it done because I know I will be able to do more than I did before.
I think this forum gives a very open view of everything, good and bad and helps and supports everyone who comes on here. I'm not sure what you've been reading on here but there are so many positives to take away from the comments they far out rate the negative ones.
Hi June
Someone recently wrote on this forum that the only comment she had NEVER seen was "I wish I had never had the op".
Take your courage in both hands AND GET IT DONE.
The minute you wake up you will have pain in your wound and pain in your muscles. This will get less and less every day. What you will NOT have is OA pain ever again.
This is a wonderful forum where you will get not only answers to your questions but also love and support from those who've been there.
So I say again - JUST GET IT DONE.
Love and goid luck
Rosie - 5 weeks post op today, 1 crutch, no pain, walking up to 4 miles a day aged 61.
Im 62 had my 2nd hip replaced 11 weeks ago - before the op I couldn't walk down the street without hurting - now I can walk over a mile pain free and most of the time limp free. Yes it does take a few weeks to recover and the first few weeks you can be in pain but the end result if fab u lus!
I'm still not perfect- the wound site is still a bit sore, and I'm still not sleeping as well as I would like - but didn't before either and my big toe nail bed is a bit inflamed from the weight of the quilt - but I would still have it done.
A lot of people post me included in the early weeks because they are concerned about their recovery - the golden rule seems to be to be patient and don't try to do too much to soon.
I remember though what it was like before and I assume you are suffering or you wouldn't be having it done.
There are always things that can go wrong in any operation which is why you have to sign the consent form. You have to weigh up your quality of life now against any risk. I am sure the vast majority of operations go perfectly welll. Remember there are likely to be more comments about worries on recovery in the forum as you don't always put down if you are doing well and may not even go to the site !
You'd be mad to cancel. Pain will get worse and you'll end up in a wheelchair. Not meant to frighten you but that's fact.
Get it done. First 3 weeks aren't easy but at 6 weeks you will be happy as a lark !
I think it depends on how much pain you have, and we all know it is dibitating, and dreadfuly painful, all the time, and your mobility, also once you get a little older you wont have the choice, they wont operate, as you will be too old and be stuck with it, my advice have it done and get your life back whilst you can....Stop being hesitant and get it done, you could be around for another 15 years easily and not to spend that time shuffling about or in a wheelchair, well....It is a no brainer for me...
My wife is 70 and there is still a lot of life in her yet...
Keep us posted Ian.
Dear June,
i totally agree with everyone else, you should get it done, I was like you and scared of the unknown, but I'm so glad I did it, only thing is in my case i needed both done, so now 8 months after the first I' getting the one done this month, i am 64
take care we are all in th same boat on here, welcome to hippy world,
Love,
Lynne x
Hi June,
I am 67 and had a THR 02/05/15. I would definitely say go for it. The operation went well, no nasty after effects from spinal anaesthetic and can honestly say that I hardly had any pain. I was in hospital for 3 nights and progressed well on my return home. Week 3 I got ahead of myself and overdid things a mistake I haven't repeated. This taught me that to go at a pace that your body is comfortable with. I am nearing week 10 and am still using a stick as I have a slight limp which I think is more to do with a back problem I have. My consultant was pleased with my progress at my 6 week check up, each day things are easier. I got really frustrated when reading some people were walking miles and miles very soon after their ops but I realise that everyone is different so well done to them. The pain I'd had before the op was gone when I came round. I have a problem with my other hip and will eventually need another replacement which I will not even think twice about having. To be pain free is heaven as is sleeping at night and not having to be taking loads of painkillers.
Whatever you descide I hope everything goes well for you.
Regards
Joyce
Thanks Maggie
I can't believe all the wonderful replies I have received.
I forgot to say, anyone had it done suffering from COPD?
June I was almost 69 when I had it done. It's a hard surgery to have. But when you recover from that life is better.
No but if you have a spinal anaesthetic it shouldn't make a difference
Dear Maggie,
I had my hip replacement on June 1st 2015, as well! I am 65 and it was my first operation. I was so worried about everything but I am glad I had it done. I can walk, sleep, sit and get up without pain.
How are you at the moment?
Best wishes
Ella
hi ella
I am fine thanks and just been given the go ahead to drive on monday.
I can walk unaided but have one crutch or stick at the moment to
keep if out for safety. I have no pain either and stopped the painkillers
about week 2 1/2. The pain before operation was unbearable.
Looking forward to doing more in the future too and getting my life back too. all the best maggie
Hi June,
I'm just going to add to what just about everyone has said int his thread already and say "Go for it!!"
I am 43, and was diagnosed with avascular necrosis in April. I could barely walk and looked like a penguin on hot coles. May 15th I had the first of what will be 2 operations (both sides need doing) and I can hardly wait until August 27 now. The improvement with just the one hip done is immense!!
Yes, the bad hip holds me back now, but still I'm so much more mibile than I was.
Before going in, I read up on here a lot as well. And yes, it's easy to only see the bad, since you're preparing for an operation and unknowingly want to see what the worst wilk be. But there are so many good and positive posts as well!
Try and see past pain and other misfortunes to find the small and large victories we all achieve as well and keep those in the back of your head as well. Really, the only way is up when it comes to it. I for one KNOW I will be going into the hospital with a smile on my face to get the other hip done. Bring it on!
Really, pain is no fun. It may be the devil you know, but that devil can be exorcised. Go for it!
Dear june,
Please don't cancel your operation! I am 65 and I had it done on June 1st. Now I can walk, go up and down stairs, sleep, sit down and get up without any pain!!!!
This op has 95% success; don't worry about all the things that can go wrong...they are not very common. It's like worring of going under a bus when you cross the road or being struck by a lightning while shopping...Put some trust in your doctors, they have done it hundreds of times. On this forum you will read lots of problems because if someone is completely happy usually doesn't write in a forum. There are many of us who had positive experiences and we have written to you; you will get a lot more answers, I am sure.
I wish you all the best
Ella