Just over 3 weeks ago I had my right hip replaced-arthritis due to years of sport. The last time I was in hospital was 32 years ago giving birth and yes I was petrified.The hospital was brilliant and can not praise them enough however, no one told me about lack of bladder control. Several times I did not quite make it. This apparently is quite common.Once home I had several accidents -but by week 2 had sorted and very few accidents. Hint -keep a bag of clean knickers in bathr
oom.Have more than one bath/toilet mat as the tell tale drbbles will show-so one on floor one Iin wash
Absolutely essential was helping hand -if possible have 2 one upstairs-one down
If you can acquire a device for putting on your socks do so -mine invaluable -is plastic with tapes that you put your sock on -throw towards bad leg and once foot in pull up tapes -magic
When in hospital have nightie -pajamas not practical -was not told this
On leaving hospital wear a skirt and unless having to walk a fair way to car keep your slippers on
Sleeping on back a nightmare -perservere it does get better but dont expect to sleep more than 2 hours at a time A couple of nights ago I managed 3 1/2hours -wow Pillow under knees helps but just nap in afternoon on sofa
Have freezer full of pre cooked food Dont foget uht milk in cupboard for when you run out.
Do as much as your body will let you Dont overdo it It takes a long time
I live on my own but think my positive attitude and determination has helped me
if I think of any other hints -besides doing all exercises continualy -I will add
good luck and dont forget everyone is different
Hi doofers.
Thank you so much for putting something positive on. Really glad to hear you are getting on well. I am contemplating a hip replacement at the moment, which makes me feel sick every time I think of it, and all I seem to hear are horror stories. I have seen my consultant today. He did an anaethsetic injection into my left hip 18 days ago and said if it took all the pain away a hip replacement would be a good idea. It did take all the pain away, albeit for 90 minutes. I have to admit that that wasn't really the answer I wanted, as I would then have a massive decision to make. I have to go back to him in 4 weeks and give him a yes or no answer to the hip replacement! I've just turned 50 and my hip problems stem from being born with bilateral hip displasia which was not discovered until I started to walk (late), and although the x-Rays don't show much OA, I have almost constant aches and discomfort in the hip, intermingled with sharp very painful twinges though the joint which almost anything can bring on. I limp all the time, rarely walk anywhere (and have always hated going for walks, even as a kid) and I can't remember the last time I had a good nights sleep. I think my consultant is a bit reluctant to do anything as everytime I see him he talks more about the risks and the dangers rather than the benefits - is this normal?
Sue (UK)
My doctor told me this operation was a last resort and only done when absolutely necessary, the surgeon showed me my hip exray and said yes it was necessary! I just turned 70 so thought get it done now before you're really old 
but my friend has a friend who's just had her's done and she's 92! Yikes.....so we're all different and all heal differently. I had no bladder problems for instance, never had to wear the stockings some people mention and just went at my own pace. Although it helps if you have someone at home, my OH was brilliant (out of character, I think he got more of a shock than I did when he saw me in hospital and brought me home lol) Given time and patience with the exercises (doing what you're told by the medical professionals) and it'll be worthwhile. My hip still feels 'odd' but thats a mental block that I have to overcome too I think. So hope your op goes well and your recovery time is good but remember patience (oh and pain killers when necessary!) . All the best.
I forgot to mention the sexy stockings you have to wear-they do keep you warm though although as previously stated I am on myown so have to wait for daughter to come to change them Can go several days -just have to put up with it.
Also meant to say get a long handed shoe horn -mine has a 'slight hook'on end -ideal for hookinv into yoe end of sock and pulling it over your toes when the elastic in wrong place.and cutting into you
I am nearly 64 and am very active-still work in a school-so I know I have to be patient with my recovery.Ihope I can return to work before easter if not half term.I also used to travel a lot in holidays and I am looking forward to the summer when I might be able to travel again..keep thinking positive
Hi Sue..
I think you have answered your own Qst...If you can't walk properly or get a good nights sleep,then you have no quality of life,and if a THR would improve it,then the choice must be to get it done..
Ask your surgeon exactly why he is reluctant to do the op..
IMO as the expert he should be advising you to go ahead..it is a scary prospect,but you have nothing to fear..admittedly some do have post op issue, but the vast majority are wholly successful.
Hope you don't mind me saying,but if you never walk or do exercise the muscles which support the joints will have totally wasted away,which makes things worse.
At the risk of getting boring I'm now a convert to the use of an exercise bike..I've been using one every other day for the past 6wks and have found a massive improvement in my hip joint which is pretty worn through arthritis..hopefully I can delay a replacement which is the last resort,for a bit longer..
Should add I had LTHR in Feb this year,which after a few months of discomfort has turned out well.
Its your decision,but I'd say go for it..good luck.
Paul UK.
The part about sleeping on my back is, strangely, one of the things I fear most. I've had knees replaced, shoulder replaced , back fused, but I rarely had to sleep on my back, which I hate. Also the hip is just so central to the body compared to other joint replacements. Guess it's normal to fear the unknown, which is my I come here, to know more. So I do appreciate your information about recovery and keeping your attitude positive. Thank yoi
HiSu51e Im 55 and I have the same hip condition as you. I had surgery on both hips when I was 10 to change the angle of the feamor which made the ball contact the socket evenly there was a plate and screws used to hold it together and left there. the surgery worked up until 4 years ago i had trouble walking and limp as well and in a lot of pain using pain meds daily to cope. Im 2 weeks post left thr and doing quite well can move my leg better already than i could over the last 10 yrs.and use hardly any pain meds. Im getting the right hip done in march. I will say I was not sure and scared to go thru with this because of the hardware they had to deal with but it all went fine and im glad i did it I want to walk and do things i like again and i am going to get t erbebbbboo
Another hint - get yourself one of those small mugs/flasks with screw on top-easy to carry tea and coffee without spilling. How to carry to start with ? I found one of my old handbags with shoulder strap which I wore across body with the mug encased inside -could make it up stairs and back into bed , no probs.Also dont try and carry things down stairs -if appropriate just throw down and collect with helping hand at bottom-silly I know but much safer and easier
I hope some of these hints will help others.
Hi Paul
Thanks for your reply and really glad to hear that yours has turned out well. You may be right about answering my own question, but the thought of having the op scares the living daylights out of me. Admiting to myself that I want it done to hopefully change my life for the better is one thing, but saying yes to the consultant is another - almost the point of no return. I still remember quite vividly what I went through when I had surgery at 8 years old to build me a working hip socket on the right side - which looks very strange on x-ray - which probably doesn't help. However, on the bright side, I've been through one recovery, although slightly different and a long time ago, so I should be able to get through another one.
My consultant is extremely experienced (has done over 1500 hip replacements) and has a very good record regarding outcomes. He hasn't said he's reluctant to do the op, but he isn't trying to talk me into it either. He's very straight down the line - has talked through all the risks and possible outcomes and said that yes the op will take the pain away, but in the end it is my decision as only I know how much pain I am in, how much I can cope with and how it affects me and my life.
I have seen a physio regulary since September and do all my exercises daily and I also have an exercise bike which I do 20 mins on at least 5 times a week - not a great deal but better then nothing, and if I need to go to the shop over the road I will go on my bike rather than walk - it's just easier and less painful. I have to say I don't think either are making a big difference but I shall carry on as the fitter and stronger I can get in the next few months will surely aid my recovery, if I decide to go ahead.
Good luck in keeping the second op at bay.
Sue (UK)
Hi shelby99
Good to hear from you.
I had surgery on my right hip when I was 8 - they took bone from the front of my hip and used it to build a working socket. When my consultant first saw my x-ray he siad the first thing he would do was get rid of this 'point' of bone that sitcks out the side of my pelvis and keeps the femoral head in place. It is my left hip that is much worse than my right these days, maybe because they couldn't correct it properly. I can't really remember a time when I didn't have some sort of pain in my hips (and lower back), but it just seems to have got so much worse in the last 18 months. I'm glad to hear that you can move your leg more than before, because range of movement is a big issue for me - I usually have to wedge my feet somewhere to get my socks over my toes and then change position to pull them up. I often sit and wonder what it would be like to have 'normal' hips!
Hope your recovery keeps going so well and best of luch with the right on in March.
Sue
Your surgeon sounds like the ones that I have had. They don't push you either way but let you decide. That's because pain and disability are often subjective experiences and x Ray does not tell the whole picture. I was 55 when I got to the stage you are at and I was utterly terrified of surgery. But in the end when my life became dominated by my hip, I had to go for it. Feel the fear and do it anyway, as the saying goes. Do ask the surgeon about what kind of replacement he considers is best for you and why. Don't feel pressured into making a decision before you are ready to have the op. It's not a walk in the park. I didn't have any serious issues like bladder problems after surgery. My only advice is to get yourself fit for surgery by eating a wholesome healthy diet. I also went on a cheap holiday in the sun before the op so that my immune system was in top gear. You hear lots about the blood clot stockings and the injections for the same reason. However, I declined the injections and the stockings. There is no history of thrombosis in my family and I am up and about very quickly after the ops. (I have had two). Other people will make different decisions for their own reasons. My life has been transformed by the operations but hip replacements are never going to be like having natural healthy hip joints.
Hi su51e, I was also having trouble putting socks on too, I picked up a sock aid to help pull socks on it works great! Im from Canada bought it from Shoppers Home Health Care.
Thanks. It's good to know I'm not the only one feeling the way I do about surgery. My main concern is how it will affect our 11 year old son. My hubby is a pilot and is away from home more than he is at home and although he will take a few weeks off if I go ahead it will be our son who will be other main person in the home for the majority of my recovery.
Sue.. your surgeon seems confident a THR will give you a pain free life so I would go ahead with the op.
It is a scary prospect,but the actual op isn't as bad as the fear of the op.
Yes there will be a few months of sleepless nights and discomfort,but once everything settles down the sheer relief from constant pain makes it all worthwhile and 9months on I can't remember much about those first 6wks post op.
After saying that I'm still trying to avoid a second thr,just in case it doesn't go as well as the first..
Ive got an appointment for a pre op Dec30th,so I will have to make my own decision very soon. Hmmmm.
Thank you for these helpful hints. My revision surgery is in Feb.
My best to you!
Dawn
I'm having my right hip replaced end of Jan. Like you the last time I was in hospital was 25 years ago, live alone and petrified to say the least.
Thank you for channeling positivity.
Hi Sue, I had a similar problem to you when I was born - bilateral congenital dislocation of the hips. I was never able to walk very far or run and hated games and PE at school. My hips lasted until I was 40 when I had to have them both repalced within 3 months of each other. The right one gave way last July and I had to have it done again in September. So far the left one is OK so not bad for 20 years. Before I had them done originally I had been in pain all my life but afterwards it was bliss to be able to walk without pain. Over the last 20 years I've walked miles, walked up mountains (not very big ones!) and danced on tables!! I'm hoping to be able to do the same again once I've fully recov ered from this op!
I hope the surgeon will consider doing your op and that you will soon be out of pain and have a new lease of life.
Take care and keep in touch.
Stella x
"A couple of nights ago I managed 3 1/2hours -wow"
ROTFLMAO!
TOTALLY! BTDT (Been there done that). Totally I know what you mean.
The big healing the big progress is going to happen at about 4 weeks or maybe 5 weeks.
As for putting on your socks or shoes. Lay on your back (which HA! I know that is basically a PIA and that which you wish you could change) lay flat on your back on your bed. Bend your knee and pull your foot up towards your chest. Now you have your foot up close enough that you can put on your socks or shoes with no aids. ;-)