I have had bad experiences medically including uncontrollable nausea during cancer treatment, and I have severe scoliosis and a periodically painful knee that I had arthroscopy for fifteen years ago. I am worried I am going to have more problems than solutions after my lateral hip surgery cheduled for April 12 and hear the anterior procedure is superior for healing. The operating surgeon is not warm or fuzzy or guaranteeing anything and talked abut all the down sides inclulding the possibility of disparate leg lengths. I am terrified of having my leg sawn in half but literally canno walk anywhere at this point. I am 61 and also concerned thta this procedure will not be long lasting enough to take me to the end of my life...
Hi Libby,
It sounds as though you've been quite a lot with your health. Just the thought of going through with a FHR can be very daunting. Having been over that hurdle, I can tell you that it is well worth it in the end. The anterior approach is supposed to have a quicker recovery. I had the posterior approach and did very well too. The main thing is to find a specialist that has years of experience and high success rates. You said that your operating surgeon discussed the possible downsides or risks of the surgery. Hopefully he/she also told you about the positive aspects, such as how the surgery should increase your mobility and relieve the joint pain. Being nervous about the surgery is very normal. After all, it's a major operation. Success rates are extremely high though.
I was 49 when I had a FRHR. I too was concerned about needing a replacement of the metal hip before my end of life. My doctor asked me if I wanted quality of life? Prior to the surgery, I no longer had that anymore. I realized that I didn't have anything to lose. That was 8 months ago. The surgery was nothing like I'd imagined..... thankfully! I'm no longer in pain and back to my regular lifestyle. I no longer worry about when this new hip will fail. In fact most of the time I forget that I'd ever had the replacement. I'm now living life to the fullest and enjoying every moment. Do some research on the internet. There is so much information available that can help you make a decision going forward.
Wishing you the best!
Wow that is very kind and encouraging. Thanks for that. It seems like it is s such a ghastly event and intrusive. I need to think there is some point to it and you are right with my current life style and pain level there is nothing to lose.. I am grounded..The event sounds Like some carpentry event with body parts missing. A bad horror show. Saw 4. But as you say it is soon behind you and you are back to moving and doing.. Thanks.
Just remember that you won't feel a thing while they are operating, and they will monitor and control your pain level afterwards. There will be several weeks of physical therapy (physio) involved afterwards to tighten and strengthen your muscles back up. I went 3 times a week for about 8 weeks. I also practiced what they showed me in between times. Applying ice packs and elevating your legs for the first few weeks was necessary also. I was pleasantly surprised that the surgery and recovery was nothing like I'd anticipated. Good luck
Hi, I can understand your concerns. I'm 7 days post op and I too was terrified but for different reasons being I have never had a stitch, been in hospital or broken a bone in my life. I had the spinal block and sedation and they literally had to hold me still as I was shaking so much. But I can honestly say it was the best choice as I came around from my op and remember going to my room where my husband was waiting. An hour later I was eating sandwiches and drinking coffee. I was allowed up to use the toilet 6 hours later. My recovery is going well, make sure you stick to the excercises that are recommended and don't overdo things, I've suffered from a very swollen knee but thanks to the great people's advice on this forum elevation and ice are working wonders. Good luck with your op so far it's worth it for me. Keep reading and commenting here I've found this site fantastic when sometimes you think you are alone. Best wishes
It's a great alternative . Once thru the surgery you'll be walking with no pain and a better quality of life.
i have had both hip done . Be sure you have a d surgeon that has done many of THR and a experienced team. PT will help you move up and around the next day. Pain meds will keep you comfortable until you no longer need them usually the first couple of weeks. It is so worth it and look foreward too!
You will do it when you are ready! We all face the same fears with any type of surgery!
Many successful stories and more info on the UK patient health section. I believe we all face the fear and sooner or later as all of us hippies become educated in the proceedure and understand the significance for a better quality of life.
Keep eps posting there are many other hippies that are very encouraging.😊
I was in a lot of pain before surgery, and I tried to hang on for ages, because like you I was trying to avoid having a revision later. But I had my op last July, when I was 57, and it all went really well. Immediately afterwards the horrible bone on bone pain has gone.
My quality of life now is so much better. I walk without limping, cycle to work. Everything is so much more comfortable.Try not to worry, I wish you all the best, Judith
Hi I am one week post op and posted on here hip op terror and I am pleased to get rid of the pain I have had the spare approach and after 1 day was up walking home after two days and each day getting better.the best thing is to just do it and take one thing at a time.the choice is that you are not able to walk again and in pain so do not worry everyone here will send you support that really helped me so please stop worrying and you will be fine! X
Yeah ! So glad your doing so well. It is a positive and rewarding experience. We all deserve a badge of courage. 🙌
I too was terrified before my total hip replacement twenty years ago and gave up a month so I now am waiting for a revision.
I had my hip replacement because the alternative was sit in a wheelchair for the rest of my life but I got my life back and was able to go on as if I had not had my hip replaced. It has been truly fantastic.
I've posted to several threads here about what I've been able to do and how quick my recovery was so I will not repeat it all again as it may sound like boasting.
Good luck with your decision.
Cheers Richard
Thanks for you kind and encouraging words. I would have loved to have 'freinds' like this when I had cancer treatment. It is so comforting to discuss these kinds of details with others that are similarly anxious
thanks for your kind words.
that is so encouraging to hear. thanks for that. I went to the day long hospital prep op and it was unnerving and exhausting. It is so nice to talk to someone through it and feeling well and happy.
thanks for that.. very kind and encouraging
Please boast away. I would love to hear a success story. Good for you
Hi Libby,
Warm welcome to this wonderful forum of hippies where we share our personal stories and experiences, give support and understandoing like nowhere else - we have all been ther, done that - the good and not so good ..
So you had your pre-op session - I found that extremely overwhelming but I had not found this forum yet .. I was naive as well and believed the stories of people who knew people's neighbors who were able to ride their bikes (I live in Holland) 2 weeks post-op .... yeah right!!
No, my surgeon was not warm or fuzzy either - I found him quite intimidating, but he had excellent bedside manners - very attentive and making sure that my legs were the same length - so I did not want any one else but him when my 2nd THR was due ...
Just come back here with any questions or concerns - you are not alone anymore ...
big warm hug
renee
Hi Libby,
I'm another one who was really scared about the procedure pre-surgery. 51 and worried about doing it "so young". This forum was a godsend for me. Made me feel much more comfortable and informed and able to ask informed questions with my surgeon. The hips now last a lot longer than they used to do I would not spend time worrying about the future. The main thing is to have a quality of life now. My pain was bone on bone which deteriorated very quickly in the last few months. The operation itself was fine and the bone on bone pain and referred pain was gone immediately. They have good meds to help with the surgical pain and now 5 weeks out I am very independent, building up my muscles slowly but surely, walking with no crutches and feel so happy I was able to have this done. It is not nearly as bad as you think it will be. Keep coming on here with any worries as you will always get support.
Good luck. The wait is the worst. Soon you will be recovering and on the path to a pain free life again.
Take care,
Sam
Dear Libby
I will try to keep it succinct!
At the time prior to the hip surgery I was self employed and was in so much pain I had to give up work whilst waiting for surgery. Also taking so many pain killers I felt my brain was somewhat numbed!
Was in hospital for 4-5 days which would have been one day less had I not needed a blood transfusion due to more loss of blood than was realized which made me feel pretty rotten for the first three days.
Left hospital on two walking sticks at their insistance and used only one for a day or two before I was walking stick and crutch free.
I lived in a remote rural spot so my walks were on rough rocky tracks and I was walking these tracks with care within a few days as mine was an uncemented prosthesis.
As I had two working sheep dogs they had to be looked after so they came with me on my walks. I also had to look after and feed my small flock of sheep as it was winter time.
At six weeks I was driving a low access manual car and basically living a normal rural life with shopping etc. This included climbing ladders to do DIY jobs. I returned to my self employment as a natural progression at the same time.
It was really not long before I had forgotten that I had a replacement hip. I was carrying sheep, turning them over to trim their toe nails and dealing with lambing, unloading hay bales from lorries by hand, carrying out major building work on my own all with total disregard for my body! The only thing I would not do was to run unless it was an emergency due to impact wear..oh yes I took cod liver oil neat each evening on the advice of my doctor.
My hip failed one month ago after twenty years due to the poly having worn right through. I'm now waiting to have the poly fitting and it's metal enclosure replaced so that I can carry on as before.
I was fortunate in being in excellent health, not over weight, not a smoker and only had the occasional drink. I was 55yrs old at the time and had a positive attitude even though i had very limited support of any kind from my wife...now my ex wife.
In conclusion I want to emphasise that we are all so different and there really is no set time scale for recovery. What is right for one may very well not be right for another so please guys do not fall into the trap of telling others however well meaning what or what not to do following surgery.
I urge everyone to LISTEN to your body. Rest if you feel that you may have pushed too hard. Elevate and use iced bandages to give relief especially in the case of swelling and if pain persists or gets worse see your doctor or surgeon.
I’m more than happy to respond to anyone on or off forum and sincerely hope that anything I've said does not offend or upset anyone here.
Hope something of what I've written is of help to someone here.
Cheers Richard
You were so brave and did so well looking after your animals. The thing we look back at and survive thru so many challenges in life is what makes us stronger.
I too had many animals 5 horses and 8 goats to feet clip and two horses had bad feet and 5 herding dogs Shellie's border collies and one collie. All well trained.
Two horses had their frog section of their hoves rotting I had to soak daily in betadine then wrap in duct tape.
I used leverage to feed them when it came to the bales of hay. And other feed I made a auto feed to fill bowls in my motor wagon to bring from the barn. As far a scoopin out stalls I left them open because the head mare in charge would not let the gildings mess in their stalls , she would literally kick them out.
It was a struggle with no help but my hip was doing well and made a complete recovery. That was in my 40's when I healed much faster and in better shape . Amazing how our animals help pull us thru so much. Finding ways to take care of them with hip replacement was a challenge . At least it was summer.
After healing and my surgeon gave me the OK , my huge tennessee walker became my lead horse and my legs got stronger and stronger from riding him. He has a smooth gate side to side gate not the bouncy up and down gate. Time just flew by really fast when we are so busy. Until finally I never thought about my hip at all.
And thats my first hip implant story!
what a great story Richard ...
Just one thing though and I mentioned it before ...
your hip did not fail after 20 years - it just needed to be replaced after 20 years of being of great service to you and your body ....
that is a lot of physical work you are doing - lifting, bending, twisting - great strength ....
Love to hear more !!!
big warm hug
renee