Hip replacement recovery time

That old phrase - 'It all depends....'
I had mine done 12 years ago, and the operation etc has changed since then, so can't really comment.
Do you need to drive?

No Fennel I'm quite prepared not to drive until I'm fit enough. I know it is not an exact science that's why I'm hoping for a feel from people who have experienced it.

I had my second one done a year ago I think 3 wks is pushing it a bit but it depends on your work really. I recovered well but I wouldn’t of been able to sit in one place for longer than half an hour without moving or laying on the bed for a bit. Don’t forget you won’t be able to drive for 6 weeks and you’ll need to be doing your excercises 3 times a day. You may still need to use a stick or crutch, everyone’s recovery is different but until your surgery is done you won’t know how you are going to recover. Good luck with your surgery.

Thanks tanith that's really useful. I won't need to drive and my job is only on a pc and quite flexible. I will take what you say into consideration as I am inclined to concentrate on spreadsheets and forget the time.

Your best bet would likely be to ask your provider. There are actually different methods of approach for hip replacements and some of them require less recovery time than others. Then, too, everyone's body is different.

3 weeks is very early- you will have had major surgery and it takes 3 months to recover from that irrespective of what is done. Tiredness is the main problem and attempting to eg change your bedding at times appears to be a step too far.

I cannot see you feeling comfortable to be able to sit in front of a computer for any length iof time. I think that 3 weeks is pushing it.

Thanks Charleygirl and agnurse. It is the tiredness side of things that I'm trying to get a handle on. Really the job just needs a lap top on the coffee table and some brain power but I don't want to commit to it if I won't be able to manage it.

I actually did do some work from home 3 weeks after a hip replacement BUT it wasn't full time. I had help with all major stuff at home, I did my exercises religiously, and went out for a short walk (gradually increasing) every day.
I sat in my 'old person's chair', used one of those lap trays, and put a lap top on it (leaning over a coffee table doesn't sound quite right to me!)
I think that I did 3-4 hours a day. I think the main issue is the commitment, as everyone reacts differently. It isn't helpful to find your recovery delayed because you committed to work, but I think you could say that you will undertake a small amount and see how you get on.

I had one done 5 years ago when I was 62 and retired. I certainly couldn’t have worked after 3 weeks. My sleep was very spasmodic because of having to sleep on my back + some unpleasant post op nerve pain so I was really tired during the day for a good few weeks. I had a spinal block, I’d imagine surgery under a GA would make for a slower recovery.
To get the best chance of recovery you do need to commit to both the exercises several times daily and walking outdoors as much as possible again several times day doing a bit more every day. That’s time consuming as well as tiring. Everyone is different so it will be difficult for you to anticipate how you’ll feel or what you can commit to. Flexibility if you can get it from your employer would be best way to go I think. Good luck!

Thanks Nannarose and grannyqueenie that is exactly the information I need. I have been coming to the conclusion that it will be best to build up from a couple of hours a day and see how i get on. Nannarose I was really thinking about one of those wheeled adjustable side tables like they use in hospital rather than a low coffee table. I didn't explain it very well.

Everything everyone has said has been extremely useful and I will bear it all in mind when I speak to my boss tomorrow.

When I had my hip replacement I was told that it was important to sit on a chair of a particular height (not too low) and one that had arms. Likewise, the toilets at home were raised with add on seats and had bars put round them. You also mustn’t bend or twist. All very difficult if you go out to work. I did do some work from home but was told not to sit for more than 45minutes without getting up and walking round. The occupational therapist only agreed to my working because at all because I was marking for the OU.

My DH had hip replacement last year. He was quite fit beforehand and although having a lot of pain could walk 6 or 7 miles with ramblers. I waited on him hand foot and finger for at least 6 weeks, and he is not a lazy person! As someone has mentioned, sleeping at night was difficult because he had to sleep on back for the first few weeks, and getting in and out of bed in night a bit of a trial. He had a rest in the afternoons too as he got quite tired. He didn't do exercises, just walking each day. No bending lifting etc. Whichever type of op you have they are still removing the top of your leg so it is a major op and there can be bruising and swelling afterwards. I would say 6 weeks is a more realistic recovery time to aim for doing very much work from home otherwise you are putting yourself under a lot of pressure.

I would agree with replies above, had a hip replacement 2 years ago and although I walked well it was the tiredness and you must be very careful not to turn on your heel or twist. The recovery time until you see your consultant is 6 weeks for a good reason.

I had a bad leg break a couple of years ago and was only able to walk with a frame; I worked from home for a while when recovering, and used one of those tables that swing around over the arm of the chair to support the laptop; it was paid for by work and I believe quite expensive, but ideal as it sloped and there was a ridge to stop the laptop slipping.

I had my hip op in Oct last year and was up and about looking after Jim a fortight later , but boy was i tired ! I did get stronger but the six week check up was just a marker on the road . I was told not to bend my hip past 90 before the six weeks , so that ruled out hunching over a computer , my sleep was well and truly shattered , cat naps were all I managed , concentration was not up to par , and everyone kept telling me how well I was doing ! excercises ? I did try to do them and I think they are very important , but it was hard to fit them in , physically I was good but really exausted .
The hip is a miracle , I can get in and out of the car , sit on an ordinary chair (and loo) It has changed my life , so glad I had it done

Hi Lyndylou... I am currently entering week 3 of a THR from 29 August 18... My experience to date is...
1. Left Hospital next day
2. Mobile using 2 sticks from day 1 at home....with difficulty.
3. Day 3 onwards...working from home via PC, mostly from bed
4. Stopped all pain killers day 8
5. Stitches out day 12
Daily mobility about the bungalow and garden with 2 sticks and relative ease.
6. Day 16. Can use 1 stick with ease but use 2 to keep body square.
7. 2 issues day16 ...Hip are still a little sore cause me to limp when trying with no sticks. Re issue with urinating a lot at night...every hour or so, and plenty of it!

Hope that gives an idea.

Tony

Hi Lyndylou...bit more on tiredness....Whilst on the pain killers, this was quite an issue. Once I cleared them from my system, stopped day 8 but probably day 11 before getting clear of them.
I am now day 16 and tiredness is still an issue but due to a number of factors i feel.
1. The overall trauma affect of the major op.
2. Exercises....an important part of recovering but can be tiring.
3. Hourly nightly visits to loo every hour or so...making for lots of interrupted sleep attempts...not helped by sleeping on the back.
As mentioned, we are all different, but i did a 1/2 mile at day 13 with 2 sticks...felt ok for doing it, but could not of done more at that point.

I’ve only had knee replacements but would like to make a point on the anesthetic side. I was told that to fully recover from the anesthetic it takes one week for ever hour you’re under. I definitely found this to be the case and felt decidedly jet lagged for the first few weeks and found logical concentration difficult. I don’t know how long you’re ‘under’ for a hip replacement.

Many hip ops are done under spinal anaesthetic Nfk and recovery time is much quicker than for general anaesthesia.

This was with an epidural and a “bit of anaesthetic” Lazigirl.

My DM had her hip with just an epidural -plus music in her headset - and it was much better and quicker. I don’t know how much depends on the surgeon.

Yes if you can bear it an epidural is much better to recover from. My DH had his third hip replacement in May last year and had an epidural plus a sedative. It involved taking the old hip replacement out and putting the new one in so was more involved and longer than his other two but he phoned me as soon as he got back on the ward and sounded as fresh as a daisy. He was only in hospital for one night and after the first few days of making his meals and carrying things for him the only thing I had to do for him was put on his socks. He only had the painkillers for a few days and was able to climb the stairs with no problem as soon as he got home. I believe you have to go up and down some stairs in hospital before they will discharge you. He is 75 by the way. It is correct about being careful how you sit as the angle between your legs and torso mustn’t be less than 90 degrees. We bought a chair from a charity shop and the hospital loaned us a raised toilet seat. We have a shower cubicle with grab rails so he was able to use that. He also did the exercises he was given, with an occasional bit of prodding from me! If you are in good health otherwise I think you will be fine with the timescale you have given.

Some hip ops are done with a spinal block and some with epidural and some are combined spinal/epidural (or general anaesthetic). Advantage of spinal anaesthesia is recovery and use of limbs quicker. Epidural is used generally for gynae ops and C Sections, but pain relief is longer lasting and catheter can be left in and "topped up". DH had spinal for hip replacement and was home in one day. I had spinal for hysterectomy and home in two. Am sure it's better not to have general anaesthetic if possible if you can cope with it, especially when you are older.

Has anyone had a double hip replacement? If so, please could you let me know about it? I am due to have my op in about 3 months.

Thanks

I would not advise you having both hips replaced at the same time. Much better to have at least 6 weeks between and preferably 3 months.