Hip Replacement

I'm just back from my appointment with the orthopedic surgeon. He said he could do my THR next week or I could wait until he returns from holiday in 7 weeks. I've opted for the later date for a couple of reasons.

Next week is just a little soon to get everything I need to have done sorted and also we are in the process of selling our house and this just gives a bit of time for that to happen.

I had a GA for my first knee replacement and really had to be talked into having a spinal with sedation for my second knee last year.

I did not hear a thing- I am not sure where I woke up but it was definitely not in the operating theatre! Go for it!

PS I had a spinal for knee replacement - I did hear the odd bang - a bit like the noise at the farriers - but nothing really. But it does mean a catheter until you regain control - the surgeon apologised for the choice of music but his son had wiped his ipod and replaced the tracks with Garage music - hmmm.

My mother in law had both hips replaced, returning to waterskiing with no problem - she was known as SuperGran. She only ever mono skiied and pulled up on one - safer than two skiis - she was a legend.

Mine was done three years ago - no regrets! Swallowed a couple of pills an hour before the op and was so out of it, I had to be held up for the spinal. I knew nothing until I woke up back in bed. Did have a reaction to a painkiller but was fine when it was stopped. Also had to have two units of blood. The worst part for me was injecting myself in the stomach daily for four weeks afterwards. No district nurse visits for dressing changes etc. I had to do everything myself. But it was a fast recovery and I wouldn't hesitate to have it done again. Best gadgets were the step to get into the shower (mine's over the bath) and the grabber. It's amazing how often you drop things when you can't bend down! Good luck.

I had mine done aged 66. NHS and they were amazing. Every member of staff - brilliant. No painkillers after a couple of days. Down to one crutch after 3 weeks. Driving after 6 weeks.

I'd done pilates for years years and consultant said this helped my recovery.

In got a huge amount of physio help whilst in hospital (3 days) and did all the exercises when I came out. You need to exercise A LOT. Very important.

I do a lot of gardening and have been told off by the consultant for doing too much bending. My hip does ache a bit after a hard day!

I was back to pilates as soon as I got over the "Do not bend more than 90 degrees" period. Zumba after about 6 months.

Thanks Jane10 and AnnS1. I was not particularly worried about having the spinal with sedation just interested in knowing if I would be aware of things. It would actually fascinate me to be able to watch the whole procedure.

Please don't worry about the spinal with sedation. You are absolutely out of it. You hear nothing and it's a surprise to wake up and find it's all over.

Had hip replacement with spinal 3 weeks ago. Heard nothing, told the anaesthetist I just wanted to wake up when it was all over. Would say the first 2 weeks weren’t great. Had reaction to painkillers and difficulty sleeping. However every day there was a slight improvement. Best things were reacher/grabber things in every room. Little wrist straps attached to your sticks. Have to remember it is major surgery and it isn’t an instant recovery.

I found out 3 weeks ago that I need a THR, sooner rather than later according to the Orthopedic Surgeon. I see him tomorrow and hopefully will sort out a date for this to be done.

I'm interested in the comments regarding spinal sedation and would like to hear more about it from those who had it for their operation. Do you actually hear the sawing/reaming and medico's comments etc. or are you sedated to the extent of oblivion? Presumably the spinal sedation is safer and quicker to recover from than a full GA.

After a lot of thought I figure there is no point in putting surgery off as it is still going to need replacing, may as well get it over and done with. I don't have a lot of pain now but the lack of mobility is extremely restrictive and I am only able to walk with a stick. Hopefully I can have this done quickly and get back to being able to walk properly.......or not because my knee it also a problem! All this while trying to sell our property and buy another. Timing is everything so they say!

I had mine fine a year ago with a spinal anaesthetic and an old fashioned posterior approach. . The first week of recovery was very painful and you need to make sure the hospital gives your meds in time. But now I am so glad I got it done. Painfree and getting back to enjoying life.

I had mine done nearly two years ago , my only regret is that i hadn't had it done sooner

I agree with everyone here - it's a brilliant bit of surgery and the relief to be free of pain afterwards is amazing.
As dragonfly says - it's really important to do all the exercises religiously as that's the only way that you will get full movement back again. It's no good thinking that the surgeon has done his/her job and that's the end of it, the main work starts immediately after surgery with exercises. I've got far more flexibility and range of movement now than I had before surgery

Spinal with sedation for me to. Woke up after lovely sleep and new hip in. It’s quite amazing I think. All the pain you endure with bad hip is gone!

I had a spinal for both my TKRs. They give you a sedative called Midazolam. The Anaesthetist said it was liquid G&T. Worked perfectly. I drifted off into a lovely sleep and woke up refreshed and ready to recover.
That Dr was pushing an old wives tale. Forget it!

Full anaesthetic for me. Dr said I'd hear the bone being cut so decided to opt for oblivion. So glad you are going ahead, good decision.

Good for you Jilly I’m sure you won’t regret it and if they offer it go for the spinal with sedation, I had that and I didn’t feel a thing and was out of it mostly.

Thanks everyone for your very encouraging comments...I am going ahead with it ...x

I'm sure you'll be every bit as 'subtle' as you were before Jilly43!
Seriously by Christmas you'll be so glad you went ahead with it and probably long before that.

bonesmart.org/forum/

patient.info/forums

You should definitely go ahead! I had a hip replaced (it was bone on bone) 3 years ago - no problems now at all. I too was lucky enough to have the op in a private hospital funded by the NHS. For about 4 or 5 weeks afterwards I found it hard to sleep (you are supposed to sleep on your back), but after that it was fine. I found the forums on Patient Info (https://patient.info/forums) and Bone Smart (https://bonesmart.org/forum/) very helpful. Someone on a forum recommended sleeping / sitting on a sheepskin for a few weeks - I did this / helped. Good luck!

All these posts must be so reasuring for the OP. Good luck with your operation.

Had my right hip done in 2016. I had been in such pain and had read that after the op the pain goes. I thought no way will that be possible. Well dear readers it is true. The pain goes immediately. I still find it amazing that you can have a joint replaced and then no Pain! I was up and about in no time and for anyone worried about having this op I say do it as you will be so glad you did. I can now do all the things I hadn’t been able to with my painful hip. Amazing how the body can recover isn’t it.

It is a magic operation after agony suddenly no pain, even the day after. Have it done if they are offering.

Don't worry - it's a wonderful operation.
I had my right hip replaced in 2006 after a few years of pain.
The first few weeks might be difficult but it's worth it.
Post-op physio is very important imo. To rebuild the supporting muscles of the new joint.