Hi all - looking for some reassurance re my THR next week! I am a 44 year old dad of 6 who fractured my neck of femur 10 years ago and having had two previous operations (one to pin and one to remove pins) I have some understanding on the recovery side of things as they make the same cuts through muscle etc to access the joint.
Whether it's because of my previous experience or not but I am feeling really nervous about the THR - I think it's the restrictions post op that are worrying me the most. Like everyone on here (or almost everyone) I am not a back sleeper and the thought of no sleep is not one I am looking forward to.
In terms of the other restrictions there does seem to be a lot of contradictory information about what can and cannot be done - especially when it comes to the longer term outlook. Are there any restrictions that remain forever or can you overcome them eventually?
Lastly - do you get a choice on the anaesthetic? First hip op was a spinal (and yes I heard them hammering and drilling!) and the pin removal was done under general.
Everyone is nervous befor any op. As for anaesthetic you must tell your surgeon what you would rather have. I have a really bad needle phobia so they have to give me sleeping gas before they can even put a canular in my hand and everything I requested they did so as long as you are clear what you want to happen they should listen to you.
I wish you luck and hopwe you come out the other side much better.
I have my op on Thursday. I'm not a back sleeper either but have found it's quite comfortable if you put a pillow under your knees, now's the time to practise . Can't comment on the restrictions only that I was told at my hospital that horse riding and motorbike riding were taboo for life, nothing else after the 90o restriction is lifted. This is only what I've been told and other hospitals vary so you have to listen to your own consultant. Good luck x
Thanks for the reply - are the restrictions around the horse riding and motorbikes around the possibility of high impact falls etc? Good luck with the op - you are probably right about the back sleeping and I will start this week to get ready.
Many thanks for the response - I think I would prefer a spinal with sedative so I will discuss this with them. Just as long as the music in my headphones doesn't finish like the last time!
I'm not a back sleeper either - but pillows under knees and feet and loads of pillows behind my back so it's not flat has made it bearable.
I think you have a choice over anaesthetic - I had spinal and was awake but the person before me had general as she was panicking about the spinal. Having had a general 15 years ago I would have the spinal again now I know what it's like.
Hello Mark I had spinal with sedative woke up in recovery room asking when they were doing my op. Restrictions can be different depending on the issues with the bones which is why there is different advice. I have had my restrictions lifted at 8 weeks except for bath and squatting. Not allied to go to a gym or swim or hire a private trainer or Physio until my next assessment in four months. The only exercise I am to do is the ones given during my 6 Physio sessions while in hospital plus the one surgeon gave me last week. Walking is the best for me and I now manage 5 miles without support. I do not need further Physio sessions as I know how to do the original exercises and am most diligent. I was relieved to be able to drive again. I do not think the info is contradictory it is individual to each case. Sleeping on back is not good but I survived for eight weeks and now able to sleep however.
Like most of us you will find sleep is fitful as you have to pee a lot due to the drugs and fluid retention.
Hi Mark...from my experience 15 months on I don't think theres anything I can't do...if I really wanted to! It has made me wary of falling or slipping but just a bit more cautious....I wasn't the sort for extreme sports but know my limits!!! You'll be fine and after sbout 6 weeks you can sleep in any position!
Thanks - 5 miles wow that is impressive and without support too. You are probably right re restrictions - I have heard that my joint will probably be uncemented due to my age and these can take longer to heal?
Another concern that was mentioned in the meet with the consultant was around the strength of my femur due to the pinning I had done as a result of the fracture 10 years ago. I guess the surgeon will make his ultimate decisions once he can see the joint fully.
Hello again Mark. Guess you are a young thing. Mine cemented as I am 66 and no revision will be needed in my lifetime. Also my bones are fragile and would not grow into an uncemented one. Also I agree they surgeon did not know exactly what the plan would be till he got in there. Think what he found was edam cheese, full of holes. So you can already see how your medical advice may be different to others based on the findings. One lady who was in with me was not allowed weight bearing for the first 2 weeks and had to be kept in hospital for this length of time
Long time since I was called a young thing! I'm 44 so I guess relatively young for a THR but mine needs replacing due to a previous injury. Certainly don't look like a 44 year old with my restricted movements and pronounced limp.
Goodness me I could be your mother but then again I do not look 66 more like 50 or so I am told. Lucky for me my hip was done before I got to the limping stage. Medics too worried about a fracture if I fell. He says the other one could do with an update. Told him it did not hurt one little bit. Well he will X-ray it at my four months assessment of new hip. As you know getting a fracture is bad news so best to do it before
I am 32 and just had my right hip replacement done on Wednesday, I have to have the left done too , I had it done under epidural and was aware of everything, sawing, drilling, hammering! But it really didn't bother me, the op was a doddle, recovery is not easy and it is a sow process, I am tired and very achey n stiff , I am doing my exercises and waking with regulary but it is major surgery and it is quite brutal! But I haven't got the chronic pain I had before the op I am just left with post op pain which will go so I am pleased I have done it , good luck it will be worth it x
Hi Mark I am 43 and also had both hips pinned and plated and a bone graft on one at the age of 12 and then pins removed so 4 ops in all in 18 months it's the memories of theses that are really making me anxious and having op this Friday but hopefully the chronic pain I've had will prepare me for the post op pain! Just going to enjoy being home every evening with the kids sunbathing in the garden and gentle walks and the summer off work I've been told about 12 weeks off due to my job as a midwife although I think I'd prefer to give birth again than to have this done! Good luck I'm going to try meditation as well to help and maybe accupuncture
Heck that is a lot of pain you have already suffered - let's hope this is the final one for you and you have a better quality of life afterwards. In a way having had previous operations we already believe we have expectations of what to expect but time does a remarkable job of making it seem easier then it was at the time! Good luck - hope eveything goes well for you.