I am 59 and used to be quite active in sports until the slow, painful deterioration of my hips to OA. I need to have both hips replaced and am wondering if any of you have done both hips at once and wether you would suggest that if doing it again or would you opt for doing one at a time with a few months between surgeries. Thanks in advance for your help.
Im still waitimg for mine but if i had the option id get both done together, 1 op, one recovery, one time off, and more time to do what you want without having one hip making you lag behind.
But thats just my very own personal opinion because im now in double figures with ops and would much rather just get them done together, but i suspect the recovery time will be longer and harder
Hi Jamie
I never got the choice to have them both done. I went through bupa at my work and the doctor said l needed both done asap but he would do 1 first and the next 6 to 8 weeks after depending on recovery. I am 42 and in good health apart from finding out last year l had OA in both hips and they were needing replaced asap. I think if l had been given the choice l would have had both done and got it over with sooner and l know people have although l think you are longer in hospital and the recovery time is slightly longer. But its all done in the one go. I have had 1 done and was ready for next one 4 weeks after. I am hoping to get appointment in this week for other and hope its february. I would go in tom if l could . It makes such a diffrence now my other leg is holding me back and l am still getting the OA pain in it and it gets worse everyday.
Good Luck whatever you decide ☺
I don't think any surgeon would do that procedure. You need one good wheel to recover while the other is being repaired. I can't imagine having them done at the same time. I don't know how you could possible PT or function with two hips done at the same time.
Omg I couldn't imagine both at once.... Never!!
Hi Jamie
i think you will find it very difficult to find many surgeons that would attempt both hips at the same time. As some one who has had both hip replaced within 9 months I would not advise it ether. Things can be very different between both ops which I found out the hard way. And you wil not recover as quickly as doing them one at a time. If all goes well with the first op and unlike me you have no complications with your other hip you. Can have the other one done in as little as 3 months. So please don't get your hoes up that your surgeon will give you what you want because it does not work like that.
Yes it is possible. If you kick & scream. However not advisable. My friend did and his marriage was tested to within an inch of its life. I can understand the desire to get both done at once. One operation etc. The recovery and aftercare so stressful and long. It needs careful consideration.
Im only getting one hip getting done and im so nervous it will test my fiances limit. Hes only 23 (im 19) and its deffo going to be a huge weight on his shoulders. A lot harder than what he had to put up with at the moment
Yes. I understand. My wife has been a tower of strength with my complex situation. I will be non weight bearing until 15 weeks after my op. I don't know how she would have coped with a double hip replacement!
Can i ask what your complex situation was? Because of my condition i have been repeatably told by various doctors that my op with be very complex but iv been given no details yet
I had both of my Hips replaced at the same time. I had osteonecrosis in both hips and knew I was going to ultimately have to have them both done, so... I live in the United States (South FL) and there are several ortho surgeons who will do them. Mine was done in July 2014, I was age 50. They use the anterior approach (front part of the hip - not the side or back). They use a special table called the Hana table. It is a very narrow table so the patient can't be overly large). They got me out of bed 2 days after the surgery. It wasnt as hard as you would think. I used a walker in the early weeks. I was in the hospital for five days.
i have Lupus and Fibromyalgia and I felt if I did one first, I might put off having the other done. The first 10-12 days were the hardest. I already have constipation from my medications but after being on Morphine and other pain med's, going to the bathroom was excruciating. I had to go with suppositories- thank goodness for them!!! Please free to ask questions!! Good luck.
I don't know how anyone could cope with both hips done at same time. I'm in next Friday 29th for lthr hip only 4 months after rthr. It's been a painful 3 months managing with hip to be done next week but couldn't imagine how I'd cope if managing rehabilitation of 2 hips st the same time. But it depends on the support u have. My grown up children live away & my husband works away mon-fri. So mainly manage on my own. I'd look into it seriously before I'd make the decision to go for bilateral op. Maybe 2 /3 months spart
I agree, I had plenty of support; my husband, and my teenage daughters (13 & 16). I did the surgery at the beginning of summer so my daughters did all the cooking and cleaning for 10 weeks. In the U.S., physical therapy comes to your house so that made it easier as well.
it is amazing how the body heals itself. Less than 5 weeks after the surgery I was able to fly to a family reunion.
The surgeon I used (Sarah Muirhead Allwood) carries out both replacements at once although it must depend on a number of things including fitness. But she still aims to get patients mobilised (on their feet) the next day if this is done. She only does private work but if you have insurance It might be worth consulting her. I would trust what she tells you absolutely.
I had both hips done 15 months ago and have made a good recovery. The option of bilateral surrry was suggested by the clinical team - I did not have to kick and scream! - and was seen as the most appropriate in my case.
Definitely one hip replaced get better and then the other. Having both at the same time if your surgeon offers it (mine doesn't) would be a huge undertaking. It is a big enough operation getting over one. Most patients on here have each hip done separately....good luck whatever you decide - and welcome to our lovely forum!
Well, I am new to the post op side of the conversation (only 4 days). But I would say you would be wiser doing them seperately. The simplist things are incredibly diificult when you have to consider the 90 degree rule. As a starter getting up from the loo - let alone the actual process of, um, passing a stool. So, even with a rotating set of qualified nursing staff, I would shy away.
I had both hips replaced at the same time.
I would do it again in a heartbeat.
They used the Anterior Method - I think this is the only way they would do it.
About me - I am 52. Reasonably good shape - a few extra pounds - very good upper body strength that helped a lot.
Surgery went great. One leg worse than the other. I walked 300 feet about 8 hours out of surgery.
I am now 7 plus weeks post surgery. I walk without any assistance from cane/Walker etc... I do PT now once a week. I did twice per week for the first month post surgery. I stretch daily and hit the gym every other day. Currently I bike 15 minutes, walk tread mill 20 minutes @ 3 mph, do leg presses and other strengthening.
I am out walking my two yellow labs. Overall doing well.
I still have the aches / pains some reference. Swelling if I over do it - managed with ibuprofen or ice. Back hurts and knees hurt sometimes.... They are getting used to new posture and gait. Sharp zingers every once in a while. Limp when I first get up and if I am tired.
I could not imagine doing one hip - still having pain in the other hip... Then the new pains in new joint with facing surgery again. I am a big believer in getting it done. Get going on rehab - take time listen to your body.
Key things - Anterior method, be in as good of shape as you can going in. Decent upper body strength as you will use your arms to supplement for a while.
Good luck. Let us all know how it goes. Happy to help where I can.
Note : 90 degree rule some reference generally does not apply with the anterior method of surgery. I came out of the hospital with very few restrictions other than what my body restricted me. Talk to your surgeon
Good Lord you are truly superhuman!!!!
I'm now more depressed with myself than EVER as to where I am to where you are OMG😱😱😱😱😱🔫🔫🔫🔫😩😩😩😩😩