topic Re: Hip Replacement Recovery? in Wellness

Hip Replacement Recovery?

Sweetbay magnolia — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 04:22:37 GMT

I'm having my right hip replaced in a few weeks. How horrible are the the first few days? Are you happy you did it? Thanks.

Re: Hip Replacement Recovery?

nomless — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 04:28:20 GMT

I've had both hips replaced, one at a time. Recovery was very easy. I was up walking the next day with the assistance of a walker. I was back at work three weeks later. Pain from surgery was minimal. It was such a relief that hip pain was gone. It was done 8 years ago, no problems since. Best wishes to you.

Re: Hip Replacement Recovery?

stampingpaperdoll — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 04:43:40 GMT

My husband had hip replacement surgery last year-the first one in September and the second one in December. His recovery time was unbelievable. He did use a walker for a while and then transferred to a cane. Now he is back riding his motorcycle-it is so unbelievable. His quality of life before surgery was awful. I cannot believe the change in him, both physically and mentally. He says it was the best thing he ever did. He had the procedure called Super Path, which has just a small incision and a very fast recovery time. The surgeon he had here in Minnesota also teaches all over the country. Good luck with your surgery. Hugs.

Re: Hip Replacement Recovery?

Daysdee — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 04:51:16 GMT

Well worth doing. Recovery is fast now days. Using ice packs on the area helps a lot.

Re: Hip Replacement Recovery?

Kachina624 — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 07:30:23 GMT

My mom had hers done well into her 80's and she breezed through it. Much easier than a knee replacement.

Re: Hip Replacement Recovery?

NYwoman — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 07:47:17 GMT

I had my hip replaced at the Hospital for Special Surgery. I then went to a rehab center for exercise training because I live alone and I had a lot of bone damage in the joint before hand. I did everything I was supposed to do and now do Pilates and other activities.

As long as you obey the restrictions that are given to you as you heal, you will get used to the added weight of the prothesis and become better then you were before the operation.

Best wishes with your surgery.

Re: Hip Replacement Recovery?

resort gal — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 08:36:28 GMT

I had both hips done at the same time in 2002. They had me up and walking the next morning and that was the worst pain I had. After that it was not too bad and used a walker. It probably took me a little longer having both done because with one, you could still put weight on the other leg and of course I didn't have that option. I was driving after 3 weeks and back to work by the 6th week. It was the best thing I ever did because I waited too long and I could hardly walk with the pain, should have done it years before. Good luck! I'm sure you'll be glad you did it.

Re: Hip Replacement Recovery?

Sweetbay magnolia — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 13:30:33 GMT

Wow! Thanks for the info and kind words. To say I am scared would be an understatement, but I am tired of pain, and planning my life around it. Thankfully, DH can take time off work to help me, and thankfully we have health insurance to cover it.

Re: Hip Replacement Recovery?

hick — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 14:08:26 GMT

I had my right hip replaced on July 22, 2014. I was 66 years old at the time and never had any kind of surgery in my life. I was terrified.

I had what's called the "anterior approach" which results in a much reduced pain and rehab time. I was walking around my hospital bed 7 hours after surgery and I was home the next day.

My pain was very manageable. A physical therapist came in twice a week to monitor my blood pressure and, because I was on coumadin, (typical) the physical therapist would monitor my blood.

I had no problems at all. By October I was walking 3 miles a day. I am now anticipating that I will need the left hip replaced and will plan that for May. Although surgery is never a day at the beach, having gone thru it before, I am less terrified now that I know what to expect.

Good luck to you!!!!

Re: Hip Replacement Recovery?

hick — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 14:12:46 GMT

One more thing - there is a web site called Bone Smart. It was very helpful to me to read the experiences others had with hip replacements. It reassured me that what I was feeling was normal.

Good Luck.

Re: Hip Replacement Recovery?

AuntG — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 14:15:06 GMT

Not the answers I expected. I thought you would be told it is horrific pain. Sounds like hip recovery is much easier than when knees are replaced.

Re: Hip Replacement Recovery?

greamy — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 17:02:34 GMT

In 2013, my husband had both knees and his hip replacement surgery in 9 months! He did so well, followed his docs instructions, did his P T and is pain free and doing great.

Re: Hip Replacement Recovery?

Danielle46 — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 17:16:22 GMT

My husband had anterior medthod of hip replacement 2 years ago. He is in early 50 and very fit ( bikes 50 miles, runs, strength trains etc). He did have some pain the first two weeks and was in the hospital for 3-4 days. When he returned home he was walking around outside with just a cane. He returned to work in 12 weeks. He is back to biking 50 mikes and all his usual exercise except running. Our doctor advised against running but walking several miles a day is fine.

Re: Hip Replacement Recovery?

donor — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 20:53:45 GMT

I just had mine done 6 weeks ago. For me, it's been a journey. My two critical pieces of information are pain management and take everything to avoid constipation. I am a bone smart member too. Those folks saved my sanity.

Re: Hip Replacement Recovery?

mysterylady — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 19:24:34 GMT

@nomless wrote:
I've had both hips replaced, one at a time. Recovery was very easy. I was up walking the next day with the assistance of a walker. I was back at work three weeks later. Pain from surgery was minimal. It was such a relief that hip pain was gone. It was done 8 years ago, no problems since. Best wishes to you.

I agree with nomless. My experience was similar, except I had only one hip done with the anterior approach. I even went hame after 4 days with my DD helping for 3 more days. After that I was there alone. Before the surgery I did prepare some meals I could microwave and I was able to be on one floor for about 10 days. Pain releaver was prescribed, as needed, for one week. When I had my 2 week follow-up appointment I drove myself. You'll be so glad you did it.

Re: Hip Replacement Recovery?

June222 — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:27:24 GMT

@Sweetbay magnolia.....Everyone's experience is different. I am just three days out( july 6th) from am Anterior right hip replacement. I was only in hospital for 24 hours.. just overnight... and went home the next day. I am stiff, but getting about in the house with just one crutch. Anterior is less evasive and you will be up and about much faster than with Posterior hip replacement.Posterior has a larger/longer wound and it is on the behind rather than on the front of the thigh with Anterior.. My wound area is only 2 inches long.

Most important thing is to rest the first couple of weeks, and just focus on healing. Do not do too much... eat well, and take your pain meds as prescribed. You must keep ahead of the pain. Are you having Anterior hip replacement?

This is my second hip replacement. I had my left done about a year ago anterior and it has healed beautifully! The first few days are at most just difficult. This is MAJOR SURGERY and your poor body sees it as a bad injury. Once the healing kicks in in a week or two... you will start to feel much better everyday. Best wishes to you sweetbay! It is all so worth it when you are walking without pain and discomfort and you can go back to your life again and do those things you love to do... just putting on a sock again is such a blessing! Take best of care!