I’m scared

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hello,

I know hip replacements are great compared to a damaged hip but I can’t get the thought of something going wrong so I’m scared.

I’m 32 and getting my left done in 2 weeks and then right side 6-8 week later.

also…how do I support my new hip even thought my other is damaged? anyone else been in a postion where both hips cause disability and pain - surely recovery is longer if you can’t support the new hip.

thanks for the support,
Dan

2

Oh Daniel I felt how you do.My hip had to be replaced because I broke it and my femur.The first operation went wrong which is why I had to have more surgery.I was very frightened.
So, I shall tell you what helped me the most.A health care assistant on the ward told me that she had worked there for eight years and she had never known a thr operation go wrong.
It helped me a lot.Also tell the anaesthetist how scared you are.They are very good at dealing with it.
Good luck.xx

I

3

hey i remember being so scared …thinking about my kids and if something went wrong..tears streaming down my face telling myself i could just live with the pain …but i was fine and so bloody glad i done it…i heeled fine …i was driving at 6 weeks …just follow what they tell you and it will be fine…i had 4 kids at home helping me …(sometimes) lol …stay positive and go for it get your life back..i was 33 when i got mine done and now i dont have any pain …good luck

4

Hi Daniel
you dont need to worry, i am 66 and though I have not had both hips replaced my one was so simple that a follow on hip replacement would not have been a problem the fact you are so much younger I am sure will mean your recovery will be so much easier than my recovery if that could be so. we are all different but I am confident you wont need to worry in any way. Just a few days after you will realise what a remarkable op it is

5

Daniel,

Most of us are scared I felt exactly the same, terrified of the op. The op itself was the easiest thing to go through, spinal with sedation, knew nothing about it from being wheeled in for the anesthetic to being woken 1 hour 50 minutes later. As for coping with two hips there will be plenty of people on here who have had two together and can help with that. Good luck, you will be fine.

6

Hi Dan, you will be fine it is a bit daunting to think of but you will see and be glad you got all sorted. You will be on crutches and they will support you even with yr other bung hip. While I am a bit older than you (54) I have had both my hips done due to hip dysplasia. It has made life so much better. Just make sure you follow yr physios instructions and slowly build yr leg muscles back up. You will be off in no time.
Best of luck.
D

7

Hi Dan I am also scared i had my right hip done on 3rd December i am still recovering which is slower than some people because of my left hip, however i am having my left hip replaced on April 1st, like you I am scared but i just want it over! i have suffered with pain and discomfort for a long time and hoping and praying the operation is going to be successful!!! i am 73 years old and havent got time to waste so i am going for it and putting my trust into my surgeon, I wish you all the best think positive and you will be fine

8

i would be more worried about you if you didnt say you were scared thats normal you will be so happy down the road after recovery times hang in there most important pats are a skilled surgeon and positive attitude

9

hi and so sorry for your needed operations and your fears. i’m pretty sure they won’t do your other hip until you can get around. you have the control, of when you want to do the second hip. , its your body. i was 61 and living alone when i had to get my hip done. i remember my fear, still. i have arthritis in my back and scoliosis lots of walking problems. i was walking with walker the next day on that leg. I was walking on my operated leg, with cane and off walker after 6 weeks. i had extra trauma in my bones and the truth is it took me about 2 months before i got off the cane and longer to fully recover. the recovery was easier than with my knee operation but took longer to fully heal. you will feel so much better soon !

10

Hey Dan,
Try to stay upbeat. My auntie was 80 when she had her hip replaced and 82 for the second. Absolutely grand. Ok its painful for a while but you don’t want constant pain. I have rheumatoid in the hip. It is such a nuisance. The pain can be excruciating. You get a new hip and start a new life. Every time a frightening thought pops in try and imagine how wonderful it will be to walk without pain in every step. I really want to send you a hug.

11

i am 3 weeks into my 2nd THR and everything is going great just like the 1st one. No arthritic pain anymore.
Dont worry you will be fine why would something go wrong?
Recovery is not easy you just have to be patient the worst thing you can do is rush it tour body needs time to recover.
i dont envy you having them done so close together.
good luck

12

Morning,

thanks for the support and information. I’m glad things have gone well for your replacements. I’m sure mine will go fine just dreading it.
I’ve had to get both mine so close together due to the damage in both hips - mine is off arthritis. Its surprised me how much damage has been done.

13

Hi Daniel,

I was 59 when I had my right hip replaced.
Prior to that I’d never had an operation and was even really scared of having blood tests.
I lived with excruciating pain for 2 years before the op and then I took the plunge as I had no choice really.
All I can tell you is that it was the best thing I ever did. The pain went immediately after the op and 4 days later I was back at home and in less than 2 months I was driving.
Now, 3 years later, I have forgotten that it was even done. I remember filling out some insurance form or similar and it asked if I’d had any operations in my life and I wrote “no”, only to be reminded by my wife that I’d had the hip operation!
I seriously don’t know how people coped before the advent of hip replacements. They must have ended up wheelchair-bound or certainly crippled.
Honestly, you will not regret it.
Good luck Daniel.

Red

14

hi Dan
I HAD A THR on right hip october 2016 then left hip ThR MAY 2017 7 months apart i was 48
dont be worried about hip waiting to be done concentrate on your knew hip and use crutches as long as you need them also dont listen to people who tell you that you should be walking without them they dont know your painkeep in mind when you get 2nd hip done its two totally different operations so dont try and compare there recoveryhelp in any way i can mate keep in touch
best of luck
donny

15

Hi Daniel
I am 52 and 7 weeks post op and I am so pleased that I have had it done.
All that arthritic pain has gone. Walking is a pleasure once again. I am down to one crutch and can walk two miles round trip to local park now.
I did have wobbles before and talking to people on this site helped. Even made my up to have spinal block but had to have sedation as I didnt want to hear anything.
Its so much better now not to be in pain.
Ann

16

Hi, Daniel

I had both mine done last year within 6 months of each other. I used a quad cane in the interim. Much more stable. The key is following thru with physical therapy. Also, stem cell therapy is worth looking into and, although it’s expensive (because it works) it’s a good thing to try first if you can wait for the THR. But if not, anterior THR is the way to go. I am 54 and I went from barely being able to walk to now going to the gym and 3 mile hikes. I’ve got my life back. Hang in there, fella!!! Like the angels say, “Do not fear.” One more thing - reiki. Find a Reiki practitioner in your area. Energy healing got me up and about 2x faster than my cohort. Also, check out an Earthing sheet on Amazon. Evidenced-based research shows it reduces inflammation. Take care :slight_smile: -Martha

17

aloha daniel, I was 42 when I got my hip replacement, that was in 2000, just the one though, left like yours, it went like nothing happened, I went to sleep and woke up feeling zero pain, and you have the benefit of 19 years of people who know how to recover from such procedures. All I can tell you is as of today my now 19 yr old hip replacement has not given me any problems at all, when I feel motivated I can pretty much do anything I want, what ever hesitation I feel about doing some movement is all in my head, not in the hip joint, I’m no athlete or anything, I’ve avoided contact sports, but not contact human relations, that stuff can get pretty tricky, but even sex is a non-issue, any limitations were in my head. Don’t be hanging from any rafters doing back flips, unless you know how that is, I figure if your medical team is competent you’ll do fine, just don’t be concerned that the ball joint will pop out and you’ll be on the ground with the leg at your side, that will not happen, I promise you, I thought that was possible, like some hollywood movie, maybe it is, ask your doctor, nah forget it, you will be fine, you’re young, your grand kids need you, lol.

18

I was terrified. I so understand how you feel Daniel. I could not sleep for worry, couldn’t think about anything else.

BUT, I had the operation and now seven weeks on, I am completely pain free walking around and living my life. It is worth the stress, you will be so glad you did it. Trust me.

The surgeons will take upmost care of you, they will understand how you feel, and more to the point you will get your life back.

Distraction is a good option, and making yourself very busy until the day. Deep breathe and remind yourself of your goals and dreams at the end.

19

what a great incentive you are Dan, I had my op beginning of December last year and i am a lot better during the day but by no means free of pain! i still find it difficult getting comfortable at night. I am having second hip done on Monday and I am also scared and dreading the weeks after my surgery having to sleep on my back is one of the things i dread and getting in and out of bed but I am 72 , plus i hope having second one done will be a quicker recovery, i still have pain on operated side in groin area but i suppose we are all different and our recovery time varies, pleased to see you are doing so well it gives us all an incentive for sure

20

Hi Daniel,

we would like to hear how you are doing with your new hips?

hope all is well.