My problem is my hip is not sore every step I take. I had my left hip replaced in February this year it also wasn’t particularily sore but it was very stiff, my surgeon said it was in the process of seizing up. He couldn’t even move it when I was under anaesthetic and had a little up-and-down movement and that was it. It was sore years ago but that pain went away , the reason I had it fixed was the impact it was having on my ability to function. That replacement was a great success I was able to do at least 10,000 steps a day until my right hip got irritated by all the extra activity. On xray it is also arthritic with spurs and cysts, so do I get it replaced soon so I can exercise or do I wait till it gives me more pain?
It is sore lifting it into the car, walking up steps and if I sit on a low seat it will lock up which is very painful. I don’t know when it will lock up which is very painful and embarassing. but it doesnt lock up everyday .
I am worried that moments of pain and unpredictable locking up isnt enough to warrant another big operation. I am booked in for the 5th of November, I am surprised it is no easier to choose to get it done second time around.
I am 60 years old, 45 pounds lighter than when I first saw my surgeon and still working and healthy. My head says get it fixed and be active but then I worry in case it goes badly. I see posts here of people being so disabled by hip pain they are on canes or walkers and it makes me feel I am not that badly off so why am I having a big operation?
Don’t wait! IT won’ t get any easier the older you get. it was successful the first time so I wouldn’t stress about it now. You are in good shape and clearly follow his instructions so why would it be different this time?
I pray you do not hesitate my hip was so bad after left hip replace. The right hip had cysts and would lock until I was scooting in my office within my apartment. When they went in the bone had pushed so far that now I still can not put full weight down because he had to add length to leg and make femoral head larger. I feel 95% better and I have so much energy at 62. He said it would take 3 months and I would be walking normal. Please do not wait it will get worse and it is not so much as being embarrassed but falling down when it gives completely out.
Hi Bridget,
Is it the same surgeon, do you have confidence in him. If it is the same one and your previous replacement is good then far better to have it done.
Dear Bridget
Be thankful that you can have the surgery soon and take advantage of the opportunity as it can very quickly become. worse. You know that it cannot get better.
Nothing in life is guaranteed but if you are in good health and are positive then you are likely to have a good outcome. Cheers Richard
Get it done sooner rather than later. The better shape you’re in before the operation, the easier and better the recovery.
Graham
Having had one successful THR should give you confidence about another. You will always find more posts on a site like this from people who have problems but I’ll bet there are thousands more who don’t have problems so they don’t post. I have put quite a few posts on as my experience was all good and I want to give support and encouragement to other people.
I had my right hip done 9 weeks ago and have made an incredibly quick and painless recovery. Before the I had pain for a number of years that would be there for a few weeks and then settle down. I also had the hip collapsing when I was walking sometimes which was very embarrassing. It would make me yelp and people around have thought I had Turretts syndrome! Anyway, the pain always came back after another few weeks and each time it was worse. Eventually it didn’t settle down and just got worse and worse. It’s not going to go away so I would have the op before it gets completely unbearable. I wish you luck.
HI Bridget,
I had a right THR in July and am on the waiting list for my left one doing too. My op was a complete success and I am now much more active and pain free. I had similar thoughts as you, my left hip is nowhere near as painful as my right one was, should I wait? But I have decided to go ahead and have the op as soon as they offer me a date. I had such a positive outcome first time round, why would I wait until my other hip deteriorates, then be added to the waiting list and maybe suffer for several more months.
Wishing you all the best for your op next month, let us know how it all goes
I had my right hip replace in September of 2006 and all went well. Great doctor with lots of experience. I am 75 and once in a while feel a sight pinch on the side of my hip. I realize that life expectancy of a prosthetic implant is 16 years. I can live with the pinch. My left hip is in need of replacement due to arthritis and bone spurs. I had a complete knee replacement on this this leg in May of 2015. This surgery did turn out too well. I still have pain on the outside of my knee even after physical Therapy. This only happens when I turn it inward. I am able to get around okay and only have a slight pain in the hip. To date I have put off THR until it affects my quality of life. My may worry is having a THR due to the knee replacement.
In reading the blogs everyone seems to recommend having the THR. I put off my right THR until I had to use my left leg to lift the right leg getting out of bed, in a car and lots of pain walking up and down stairs. Of course I was 62 at the time of the THR. I been told and I believe I have a high pain tolerance. If your hip interferes with your quality of life. I would have the THR.
If anyone has had a knee replacement and now needs a THR. I would appreciate hearing how the surgery, therapy went and how you are doing now.
Hip replacement is one of the most successful operations on earth with a very small failure rate. As the others say go ahead with it. If your surgeon is first class go with him.
I agree that hip replacement with an experienced surgeon is successful. l was just curious if anyone had a prior knée replacement and now needed a hip replacement on the same leg. Thanks for your response.
yes same surgeon and first one went well, i am just overthinking it
Hi again Bridget,
well after my reply yesterday, I only got a call from the waiting list co-ordinator this afternoon, and was given the date for my op as 6 November!!!
Guess we will be recovering at the same time!
Consider the pros and cons of surgery. For me, with the pain I had it was an easy choice.
I have a friend who is 85 years old and has had both knees and both hips replaced. Got to be some kind of record. He is absolutely fine. At his age he is slow and a bit of the stiff side but can live a perfectly normal day to day life with no pain and no problems.