I am 66 years old and am having THR on my right hip on September 12th. Have been reading about the experiences that have been posted here about THR and none of them sound very positive. I am so scared of having the surgery and wish there was another alternative but the doctors says no. Hoping he wasn't rushing me to have surgery. I am going to call the office with my concerns. As maybe I should just cancel the surgery and live how I am now walking with a cane and not having a lot of mobility to get around.
I have been waiting since the beginning of July for the surgery and I am terrified of having complications and once recovered not being able to live a normal life again.I understand that recovery takes about 6-12 weeks.
Went to a joint replacement class last Thursday and am even more fearful and worried as there are so many limitations as how to move once the surgery is over and I am home from the hospital. Understand will be home 2-3 days after the surgery and have home PT for three weeks then OP PT after that.
Have no one to discuss how depressed I already am other than my husband and he tries to but just doesn't understand how I am feeling, even though he had undergone bypass surgery this past February and had recovered very well.
The depression is overwhelming me and most days I can hardly function and get out of bed and I haven't even had the surgery yet. I have been prone to depression mist of my life.
I am going to discuss with one of our priests as he underwent THR a few years ago.
Just don't have any close friends that I can discuss with and right now due to the cost therapy is not possible.I am just so conflicted.
Will speak with the doctors office as I have so many questions from the class that I attended.
Feel like the doctors office isn't giving me the support that I need.
Just in such a dark and desolate place with all of this right now.
Sue
Hello, I am a 62 year old male and had my second total hip replacement four days ago. The first one was done when I was 48. This second THR I had spinal anesthesia,and felt no pain after the surgery,was still numb from the waist down in recovery room. I was not awake during surgery,don't think I'd want to hear what's going on down there. I spent one night in the hospital,and was given pain meds when needed. They had me up and moving five hours after the surgery,with a walker,nice and slow. The first THR I spent five days in the hospital,and when I came home,was no longer on pain meds. So, I'm hoping within the next day or two to be off them for this one. One thing you have to remember is,don't rush the recovery,everything has to heal,and that takes time. It is common to feel a little depressed during recovery, you just have to tell yourself..I can do this. Having had my left hip done 14 years ago,and how I felt afterward, was the reason I didn't hesitate to get my right hip done. I was told to sleep in my bed,which was hard to do.getting in and out. So,don't be afraid to spend a few days or weeks in a recliner, like I did for the first one,and am doing for this one. I was taking four pain pills a day when I got home,and only took one yesterday. If you have any other questions,feel free to ask, it does help to talk about it. Take Care.
Hi Sue, sorry you are feeling so low but look on the bright side - once the op is over you have lots to look forward to - no more pain so that's a plus.
Have you opted for an epidural rather than a general anaesthetic? Much better AND quicker to get back to normal as there are no after effects of a general. - I have had epidurals not only for my hip replacement but other surgery that I've had. I give it 10 out of 10 every time.
Love
JX
I broke my hip in a fall. Had RTHR on 10/19. I’m doing fine. No rehab required for me. Had no osteoarthritis prior to replacement.
Hello susan,
No one was more scared than I. At 61 never been ill, hubby was pushing me to have the thr as after a fall back in december 2009 I had over the years got worse and I walked like a penguin due to legs becoming uneven.
I had op last april and I promise you the op was nothing to fear. Had op wednesday lunch home friday, I have had no pain since op and legs are level for the first time in years.
I am 19 weeks on wednesday and cannot yet put my sock on operated side or cut toe nail but I was weeding the garden at 10 weeks with a kneeling stool and am doing floor exercises along with using my elliptical walker which, I began using at 8 weeks.
Recovery is really down to you and how much exercise you put in but, please do not cancel and do not worry it is not as bad as you imagine.
As I said no pain since operation therefore no strong painkillers, walking without support since week 8. It is lovely being out of pain. Good luck and do not worry.
I have an appointment tomorrow to talk about surgery and yes I’m terrified- BUT I WANT THIS SURGERY!! I am in extreme pain and I can’t do anything more and I’m not dealing with that change good at all. What I’ve been told is that the difference in the pain you’re feeling now will be much better after the surgery, and I can’t wait! Hang in there, think positive, and I believe you’ll be very very happy that you did.
Yes I am extremely terrified, but being almost limited to doing nothing but sitting- I have to overlook that, or better than that- look past it, and I can’t wait.
Hi there ,
I'm 51 and had a hip replacement 12 weeks ago and am now walking absolutely fine. No limp and speedier than it was before. I'm about to return to my cross trainer too.
I had the epidural which I recommend and was home after 2 days. The swelling and spasms were a surprise but they went eventually and I couldn't be happier. I'm off to Paris tomorrow with a doting in my step.
Have the op you will feel so much better but it takes time to recover as its a big op.
Good luck
Lucy
Sue,
Don't forget that most posts are because of problems, those without problems rarely post because they don't need help or information.
Aged 66, I am having one of those wonderful recoveries this time, and at less than 4 weeks post-op I am walking about without sticks and going up/down stairs normally too.
Even with the problems I had, I'd do it again if I had that awful OA pain in the other hip. The joy of being free
of that OA pain immediately after surgery was wonderful.
Graham
Hi Sue
I have had 2 hip replacements, the operation is the easy bit all you need to do is lay on the op bed,i had so much support it was amazing.
The one thing was i had to wait 2yrs,now i am 11 wks post op like you i only have my husband to talk to, i do have depressed times and i do get anxious.what i have done is turn my walks and exercises into an outing,i take pictures of bees and butterflies.
When you go to the PH classes you meet some wonderful people. This has helped me so much with my confidence i am now walking 8-9000 steps a day.
Yes i have had a few issues along the way but you push on and say to yourself i CAN do this and you can,i have not walked like this for 7yrs,you will be fine there is lots of help all the way.
Take care chin up and push on.
Of course with any surgery there are recovery issues.As far as "none being very positive" comment that you made, it could be that people tend to tell about issues they've had. Doesn't mean it's not a positive outcome after surgery. For me, it definitely was positive with a couple of healing issues which are much better now. I had left THR in January and was very happy afterwards. The hip pain for 5+ years was gone.
Most important is to allow yourself to heal and follow guidelines from your surgeon.
My surgeon, after looking at my x-ray of bone on bone, gave me alternatives. One was meds which I wasn't willing to take since they would only mask the pain and not cure the condition. Another was to just wait which I didn't want to and continue to be in pain. The other choice was surgery as soon as he could schedule me after I had medical release from my doctor.
Of course, the decision is yours. The doctor will answer questions but that's about it.
I know there will be more people sharing their positive experiences with you here.
i understand susan. like you i am in pain. been fighting soreness and pain for about 1 year and i did not know what it was until was until late june of this year when i was diagnosed with moderate oa. now i live with soreness and the shooting pains every now and then. i cant do the things i used to do and when i do do things it is a major pain to plan, skip this our that, etc. i am contemplating surgery myself and when to do it. i get the depression, not knowing, am i making the right decision, etc. all in all most of what i have read here and other places has been positive. i am also going back to see the doctor for more xrays and get an opinion. i know they all say it is my decision, i get that, but i like to know where i stand so i can make that decision. i am not bone on bone right now to my knowledge, but the thought of just get it done and over with now vs. having to do it x years from now drives me nuts. Anyway, we understand, and good luck.
The worst bit is waiting for the op. In a couple of days after it you should be home and on the mend. It is supposed to be one of the most successful ops in the world and a lot of improvements have been made over the last few decades to make it even better. I think I was lucky in that I really did not need pain killers after I left hospital and also I did not have any of the swelling others seem to have. I was amazed how well I could get round as before the op I was worried silly. In fact I work from home and was able to sit in front of my computer pretty well immediately. My sister stayed with me for a week and decided to spring clean the house which drove me mad as now I can’t find anything. She also did the shopping. I used my own bed from day one. I was given a really useful bit of material given by the hospital to help lift my op leg up onto the bed, you can use a dressing gown chord too. The most useful thing I had was my grabber which meant I did not have to bend down.
Hi Sue, I’m 61 and my hip collapsed when I was looking after my late husband. He was tall and helping him to stand and pushing his wheelchair put so much pressure on the cysts in my hip they gave way so I was bone on bone and in terrible pain. It was a very difficult time. After he died I was able to sort out my hip, I thought I had wrenched it and torn the cartilage so I was shocked and dismayed to find out I needed a hip replacement. The surgeon didn’t think I was fit enough for the op at the time with the bereavement and when I asked what I could do to get fit, she advised me to swim and use a stationary bike so I wouldn’t put too much pressure on the joint. I joined a gym and took strong painkillers to help me do modified exercise and this really helped after the op. I waited almost a year from when my hip collapsed to having the op. I was really scared and had no one to talk to. I too felt like refusing the op (even on the day I was having surgery) But I knew I couldn’t go on as I was. I’m almost 11 months post op now and have just come back from the first holiday I have had for several years. I went to Paris and the South of France and walked miles, carried my suitcase up and down stairs where the escalators were out of order and even climbed a mountain in haute Provence! I still go to the gym four days a week to do aqua fit, Pilates and yoga. I have much more flexibility than I ever imagined I would have and my life has been transformed. Yes it’s scary but do your exercises little and often to strengthen the muscles round the new joint and you will be surprised at how strong you can become. Go at your own pace, we are all different. Another lady at my gym who is in her 70’s has just had her second hip replaced and she is back in Pilates class making great progress. All the best for your operation and a smooth recovery.
Ann
Hi Susan ,
Sorry to hear how low you are feeling right now. Im 47 and had 2nd THR done just after Christmas last year. My 1st one 11 years ago was totally different to the 2nd one. This time recovery was quicker, less pain, up and about quicker. Home after 2 and a half days as opposed to a week with 1st hip op. As others have said, recovery is down to you, hiw you prepare yourself before and after the op. Exercises are important to keep up the muscle tone. Give yourself time to heal. Listen to your body and your surgeon! Look at the fact that by having the op you will hopefully be pain free (just be the post op pain initially) and you will be able to enjoy life once again without feeling trapped by constant pain. If i had listened to my G.P.s rrgistrar and a physio, I would still be in constant pain nearly 2 years from seeing them. Having recognised the pain from 1st time round I wasn't going to let it continue. Getting yourself prepared is also key with any aids such as grabber sticks. Your O.T. dept will provide things like toilet raisers, perching stools etc.
Its a huge step BUT you will feel better afterwards. I was discharged by my consultant after 6 weeks.
Good luck and keep in touch with us. We will offer all the support we can here for you. Also to others feeling like this. Xx
Hi Susan, I understand your fears. I bet most people facing this surgery have some. I’m 70 years old and was limping for over a year with osteoarthritis. I’m 7 weeks post op now, and the surgery was really quite bearable. I had some pain meds after but really I only needed them at night so I could sleep. That’s really the hardest part, getting comfortable in bed. I got a walker, a cane, a special toilet seat, a grabber to pick up things that fall and a doohickey from Amazon that helps put on your socks. Also I got a reallly long shoehorn so I could put on shoes when going outdoors. The hip felt good by week 3 and now I’m not using the walker, cane, special toilet seat. I still need help with socks, cutting my toenails and picking things up. You do have to observe “precautions” about how far you are allowed to move in certain positions. That can be annoying but it’s really important. All in all I’m glad I did it and my other hip is not looking good. There may be another surgery in my future. Incidentally I live alone and my kids came over frequently, but often I was alone when I needed to do something so I carefully did what I could. Had home PT for 2 weeks and have since been going to facility for my PT. If your hubby is not a cook, stock your freezer with meals so you just have to heat up food. Speak to whom ever you need to so you can have some peace about the surgery. You will do a FINE. I wish you a happy outcome with NO regrets. God bless.
I had trhp end Feb this year. Very little pain and stopped pain meds within a week of being home. Great healing and I am so agile now compared to pre op and pain free. I walk like a normal person and feel years younger . The best thing I ever did. Don't worry and go for it! All the best.
Dave
"...Just in such a dark and desolate place with all of this right now...."
Sue-
You are beyond the "pre-surgery jitters" point, well into full dread mode. It's too much. The surgery is tough physically, but the anesthesia folks are experts--you will not feel pain anywhere near the proportion to the carpentry the surgeons will do to your bones. Don't cancel.
The scary sounding post-op limitations are pretty reasonable really. You will welcome the rest that is mandated.
The PT folks have worked with thousands of patients exactly like you. You will be paced and coached appropriately.
You will be given pain medications for your home recuperation period, but you might not even need them.
The whole experience will be far easier than you imagine.
By year's end, you will be up and around, good as new. Plan a nice walking vacation to a warm place. Or just celebrate with a fancy French dinner; splurge on the wine, toast your medical team and your supporting family and friends.
Hope this helps.
So sorry you’re feeling like this. Just wanted to reinforce what Graham said. The only reason I found this site was because I had so many problems after the op. I’m disabled so obviously I’ve had problems but the VAST majority of people have their operation, go home and 6 weeks later they’re doing great. No reason you won’t be one of them.
Hi Susan
I can totally relate to what you are saying. I am 44 and booked in for a complex hip replacement due to dysplasia in November. I was talking to a colleague tonight and saying I have considered not having the op and using crutches for the rest of my life as I am that petrified about the operation. My husband would kill me if I did that. Just saying I understand where you are at. Xx