Have to have a Hip Replacement.

Back in the 1960s my brother ( a qualified doctor) spent a year doing research into hip replacement operations and after care at a hospital in Toronto. The main conclusion was to get all patients up and out of bed as soon as possible after the operation. I am pleased to hear so many successful experiences.

Glad that all the experiences helped you come to a decision *Kupari45 I hope all goes well I'm sure you won't regret it.

Many thanks to all who took the time to respond to my post.
I enjoyed reading the accounts of your experience's of having a hip replacement. You gave me a lot to consider, and I've decided to go ahead with the op as planned. I'm 72 so hopefully the new hip will "see me out" .
Thank you.

Just a technicality but spinal block and epidural are slightly different, and different anaesthetists will have their own preference, sometimes they are combined. They have similar effects but in an epidural a cannula is left in and anaesthesia can be topped up. In spinal block it is a single anaesthetic injection into spine and line not left in.

I fell and broke my hip four weeks ago. I've been lucky enough at my age to be given a complete hip replacement. Four weeks on, so far so good, I'm walking on one stick even venturing outsider today. I have to be very careful about not dislocating the new hip, and its still early days, but I am hopeful that I will be as good as new time come.

DH suffers from asthma, Alima so they were keen to avoid a GA. His first hip was done with epidural and sedative and was so successful he didn't even bother with the sedative the second time. As an engineer he was not bothered with the noises - in fact he described it all to me in great detail afterwards.

His recovery was so quick he was sitting up in bed watching the Test Match when I visited.

I was relatively young (51) when I had my hip replaced and despite my fears, all went well. I had an epidural but don't remember a thing. I shudder to think of all that I would have missed out on doing if I hadn't had the operation. Being able to play with my first grandchild is a joy and I love yoga,pilates, swimming and walking. Don't be afraid to ask your consultant lots of questions and tell him of your concerns.

Lazigirl and merlot, it is heartening to know that your DHs had an epidural. My DH has a respiratory condition so a general anaesthetic would not be possible. We are just waiting to hear when he will start at hip clinic. The pain from his hip on top of his chest condition seems nothing less than cruel.

I had a TLHR 7 years ago at 57. I had put off the procedure for nearly 8 years. So glad I had it done. My right hip was beginning to hurt from the way I walked before the op. Now I have no pain in either hip. To be honest I can't remember much about the recovery period. I know I was signed off work for 13 weeks but could easily have returned before then. So far the R hip is behaving itself( I was told it would need replacing at some point) but would not hesitate to have it done if things change.

I had a hip replacement 3 weeks ago. Today I walked into town twice - previously I only drove in, and was worrying about how painfully difficult driving was becoming. I used crutches for a week, realised I was getting around the house without, and stopped using them. Not using a stick. I've been gardening, and now doing all the usual household stuff. There was some painful discomfort the afternoon after the operation, but otherwise it was well controlled, and after 3 days I didn't need pain relief. The dressing was only 6"x4". (Direct anterior approach) The swelling has nearly gone, and I can sleep on my side again. On the 12th day I walked to the bus stop and caught the bus into the next town to shop at M&S.

I should have added that my recovery went smoothly and after six weeks I was driving and able to go on holiday with DS1 and family to Normandy.

kupari45, I had my hip replaced almost 12 years ago and it's still going strong. I had an epidural, much to my relief as general anaesthetics make me sick. The left hip is still strong which is odd because it's exactly the same age as the right one!

My DH had hip op yesterday afternoon with spinal block anaesthetic, and was eating full supper last night. Today he was up, dressed walking on crutches and managed stairs. He has some pain from the operation site and is on painkillers but will probably come home tomorrow or Sunday. The consultant said that he will be on crutches for 6wks, and may have some residual swelling in his leg for up to a year, which is normal. He walked with local ramblers up until op and could manage 8 miles on painkillers. I would agree that it's better to have the op whilst still reasonably fit, and before muscles have wasted, and if overweight to try and lose some before op. Don't leave it til you are desperate (there may not be an NHS before too long!)

I reluctantly had mine done just over 4 years ago when I was 62. I'd had very little pain before the op but was losing mobility in the joint which was causing other problems . I had it done by spinal block which I'd recommend wholeheartedly. I was home walking with 2 sticks 48 hours after the op, I must admit the first weeks were very hard going but I was very diligent with the exercises and walking a bit further outdoors every day, was able to drive after 6 weeks. I did have some unpleasant nerve pain in my thigh which took a while to settle but otherwise no problems. Although was able to function well quite quickly I do think the real recovery period was much longer than I was led to believe ie more like 9 months than 9 weeks before I fully felt the benefit of the op. But I don't regret having it done at all, but am glad my other one seems ok!

Mine did not go so well unfortunately. Still having problems over 2 years later. Sorry I can't be more helpful; except to say that I have lots of friends who have had this op and done brilliantly.

Have just visited a friend who put it off and put it off and is now totally housebound and unable to have an operation because of ill health. I guess the consultant knows what he's talking about. Perhaps the friends are a bit like those people who love gruesome tales of childbirth!

kupari MrA had a hip replacement 18 months ago and hasn't looked back. He needed lots of tlc in the immediate post-operative period, and the first weeks were harder than he had expected.
But he was forced to comply very good about doing his exercises and could drive 8 weeks post op, went for a 5 mile walk 4 months on, and is now playing tennis and is better than he was before.
I think his good recovery I think is due to 2 things (apart from me nagging him to exercise that is). One is that he is not overweight and until his hip stopped him walking very far, was quite fit, and the other was that he didn't delay it until the opposite hip had been damaged by him limping badly and putting stress on the opposite hip. (This was what the physiotherapist told us).
Go for it & good luck ?

Kupari45 I'm having my second Hip Replacement in the next few months after waiting 9 mths.
I had the first one 12yrs ago and I can't tell you what a relief it was to find the pain disappeared instantly. My life was miserable with so many things becoming difficult to accomplish it affected my working life substantially so it was a great relief when I realised I could take up my life again and do most of the things I'd struggled with and no pain. I was about a stone and half overweight when I had the surgery.
I also had epidural with sedative and recovered really well and was back driving in 6 wks and back to work in 12. I was in hospital for 5 days but I believe now its only 3 days.
I would only cancel if you genuinely aren't struggling to do things and not in pain a lot of the time.

I've had both my hips replaced and its the best thing I ever did. I was in so much pain before. My first hip was done under sedation and an epidural and my second under anaesthetic but both recovery times were very similar. Out of hospital after a week or 10 days can't quite remember but not very long. I was a bit naughty about keeping up with the exercises so i was on crutches for a bit longer than most people. My first surgeon kept repeating i should lose weight, the second one didnt mention my weight at all and in fact i had put a bit of weight on when I had my second hip done. My SIL grandmother has just had her hip replaced at the age of 89 and she recovered much more quickly than I did.

DH has had both his done and recovered very quickly because he had the epidural with sedative for both so no general anaesthetic required.

He was so happy to regain full mobility with no more pain and hasn't looked back.

Go for it. I'm sure you won't regret it.