After reading many of the posts here about post op hip replacement I am getting quite depressed, I am waiting for admission but thinking of canceling as no one seems to be saying that they have gained anything from surgery and are still in a lot of pain. Recovery seems to take months . At least I can still get about and take medication for the pain so why would I want to put myself through surgery for more pain and possibly more side effects than I have already?
Chris. Get it done. Just research the surgeon and make sure you ha be the best one. Seems more problem posts here but the vast majority have no problems and don’t post. I had posterior approach 2 years ago. Some initial restrictions but the hip pain was gone and after 6 weeks restrictions lifted. I forget I had it done. The key......get the best surgeon. Just my opinion
I felt exactly the same way last couple weeks! All I heard was the negative results, wasn't seeing any positives. I am 5 days post -op, and other than a very swollen leg, I feel great. I have come to the conclusion that the reason we are only seeing the negative results, is, like myself, I only write a post when I'm dealing with something that doesn't feel normal or hurts. The majority of these surgeries end up with fantastic results, most people don't post that though. So, hang in there, it will be worth it in the end!! I have several friends that have gone thru it, and all had very positive results. Most of us are equestrians, so we are dealing with a lot of pain while horseback riding. Keep us posted!! You will do great!
So glad you posted this question! My husband had his hip replaced 6 months ago and is super glad he did it. I am having my surgery this coming Monday and feel confident that I am doing the right thing. I am ready to be past this and start living again!! Good luck to you! I hope all goes well and you are back up and on your feet real soon!
I am way better then before surgery.
I took sleeping pills to get more then 2 hours sleep a night and morphine
T3 every 3-4 hours daily to get through my work day. Used a cane and had to life right leg into car and to drive.
THR has improved that already 75% and I am 8 weeks post op and back to work. Still healing but so much better. I would get it done again tomorrow if I was in that condition again.
Good luck. It’s a personnal decision but one I won’t regret.
Dear Chris from your comments it would appear that you have not been reading the posts for very long because if you had you would have seen plenty of posts saying what a good outcome they had had and how it had massively improved their lives. I had mine twenty one years ago at age 55 and carried on a very physical job and lifestyle and last year due to all the work I can done needed the poly spacer to be replaced. I have continued an active life.
If you are still unsure then I challenge you to talk to me on the phone......just message me to arrange.
Cheers Richard
Hey Chris, I delayed and was very depressed before surgery. Of course, I also couldn’t get a decent nights sleep and was limping all the time. I was dropping my activities one by one as the pain got so bad I could no longer do them. I’m 2+ years out fr surgery now, and wish that I had not waited. I feel 10-15 years younger hip-wise. One thing my surgeon did was give me contact infor for some former patients and I was able to talk to them ( I didn’t know about this site then) and they really convinced me. Ulitlmately it’s your decision. You have to evaluate your quality of life at present. If you’re miserable and in pain, get it done. I agree with other posters that people with positive outcomes don’t really come on and post much here. It’s all behind them, why would they? That’s kind of where I am now. Anyway, good luck.
P.S. I’ve always been very active and now I’m back at it. I played ice hockey 11 weeks post op and have been loving life again.
I think what you are seeing are a group of people still in a recovery sharing and trying to gain insight from others experiences... I have a friend that has been thru this 3 times ... it will be worth the recovery!
Chris,
I am four weeks post op. Before the op I was in pain, walked like a penguin as my legs were unlevel due to deterioration over the years. I have not had any pain since the operation, I only took paracetamol as a precaution which I stopped very quickly and the best thing is my legs are level. I am walking with my crutches 30 minutes plus a day, increasing as I feel my leg can take it, I use one crutch in the house. Yes, I have to follow three months precautions but, as everyone tells me, what is three months after the years of suffering. I exercised most days before op and ate well which I believe has helped recovery and the reason I have not suffered pain. Not everyone has problems, do go ahead and have the op, it is lovely walking without pain.
Chris
The problem with forums like this is that people come on when they have a problem. If you have a hip replacement and are playing golf after 10 weeks why visit a forum!
I had an infection in my replaced hip. I hadn't looked for a forum the first time round and everything had gone well. But I wanted to find out more about two stage revision. This forum was very useful for that.
My first THR and the two stage revision both went well. I cycled London to Brighton, the Hebrides and vinyards in Bordeau on my first THR. I'm hoping to do Newbury to Bristol on Monday on my revision.
My wife had hers done last Autumn and is also very active and pain free.
There is a risk that things may go wrong. Nowadays the consent form makes that all too clear. But the vast majority of THRs hugely improve the patient's quality of life.
Success rates are improved if you don't have other health issues. And I believe getting a THR sooner is also beneficial. If you wait until you are walking very little your recovery will be much harder.
Hope it goes well
Mike
Hi Chris,
We don't know your age as this comes into the equation as well as your quality of life.
I had mine 5 months ago at age 68 and am back riding my bike for 3 hours and walking up to 12 miles
so am well pleased with my replacement.
Over the years consultants have got better and better at replacements and better materials, such as longer wearing plastic liners, long wearing ceramics and larger hip ball size are almost guaranteeing much longer lasting replacements. I've read quite a few stories of hips lasting over 20 years on here and technology and techniques have improved much in those 20 years. So anyone having a replacement now should look forward to some 20 yrs and more. 20 years ago a longevity of 10 years was the given norm. Also, nowadays the replacements allow one to be more active than before,
I've had no regrets and should have had it done earlier but like you had concerns, but developing a limp, hunching forwards and sleepless nights made my decision simple in the end.
ps. Just make sure your consultant is doing replacements regularly and has a good reviews.
For the record mine was done posterior the twenty-one years ago. Very quick and easy pain free recovery and back to a very tough physical job. The poly cup failed at twenty years and was replaced and I've done fine since.
There has been much talk about how much the prosthesis have improved since my surgery but to be honest I don't buy into it.
My revision used the same materials as I understand it though the poly cup could have had an improved formulation. I will inquire when I see my surgeon at my next check up.
We have had the following options brought forward and used in the last twenty years. Metal on metal that resulted in the withdrawal of the prosthesis and thousands of revisions and expensive litigation for the manufactures due I understand to particles of metal reacting with patient's bodies.
Then there was the introduction of the ceramic balls and cups with two issues that from memory was cracking and squeaking. So I have to ask, what are these new wonderful hip prosthesis?
I think we have seen an improvement in the fitting of these hip replacements where improvements were needed by some surgeons. We have seen the anterior approach being used with not always good reliable outcomes along with other methods all claiming to being superior
We'll as a patient and interested observer that's how I see it.
Cheers, Richard
I cannot imagine thinking of cancelling my surgery I was in so much pain. I was worried silly my op would be postponed. The hip operation is the most successful operation in the world and the chances of any problems are a tiny, tiny percentage. If you feel that you can get about OK and do not want surgery that is up to you. I am extremely happy I had my hip op.
Absolutely! Cheers Richard
Hi Richard, I believe they are using an upgraded polyethylene product now too. My surgeon did not like ceramic hips as he felt that they could cause debris like the metal on metal. I suppose it is to be seen. They seem to have got over the cracking problem though.
I was thinking about you today as I met a friend who had had her hip done recently but privately with the same surgeon and I was thinking I am sure she would have had anterior approach. She had not got a clue which approach she has but she showed me her scar in the swimming pool cafeteria (as one does) and it was a posterior approach too!
Hi I am just 4 hours out of my second (left) THR via SuperPath had the right done end of Jan 18 same procedure same excellent surgeon . Recovery from first was brilliant I was driving after a week back at work after 2and half . Obviously very early but if left is as good as right I will have my life back. Things won't get better on their own you can keep convincing yourself that you can cope but your quality of life will decline get it done while you can find a good surgeon you are comfortable and confident with do your research but don't focus on the negatives this is a life changing procedure for the better for the vast majority of patients .
I remember reading some of the messages on here and feeling like cancelling my op. So glad I didn’t. 7 months on I don’t even notice I’ve got a new hip, apart from being pain free and able to do everything I could before my hip collapsed. I think the op works best if you pick a really great surgeon and do as much as you can to prepare for the op and then commit to the exercise afterwards. It’s life transforming. Good luck
Ann
Hey Martin, congratulations !
Hope you feel ok, wishing you a great recovery, Judith
Inevitably people who are unfortunate enough to have complications and pain after the usual recovery time post and chat in the forum more than those who recover well.
it is major surgery and hard work physio wise to recover from. The early stages are frustrating.
I have no regrets, neither does my husband
one other thing to consider is that matters can deteriorate quickly and pain increase exponentially. As the bone on bone grinding occurs bone can be eroded and the subsequent op more difficult with bone grafts a possible requirement.