Should I have a hip replacement? Advice please.

To BradfordLass72
A good friend of mine has just had her hip done at Truro and said her OS was wonderful. She was very scared pre op re the surgery but is recovering well

Bad luck with the complications but glad you are getting over them and mobilising and still positive about the surgery. As you say it will only get worse if you don't have it done.

For those thinking of this op, blood clots are a small risk for any surgery, but at the hospital my OH had his hip done they give anticoagulants prior to surgery, and post op for some weeks, which does help to cut down the risk. This is probably usual protocol now, but of course still remains slight risk.

Fennel and Greeneyedgirl Sorry I did not make myself clear. I was referring to the extra risk when lovemaking, not generally.

Thanks for that Tweedle

I was diagnosed with severe osteo-arthritis in August after X-ray but haven’t even had an initial consultation yet but now got an appointment for mid January. I have bad days and other days which are better. Fed up with painkillers. My general fitness level is rapidly declining as I’m able to do less and less. The worst thing is sex is becoming extremely difficult and painful as I’m unable to move one leg which is very upsetting for me.

When you go for your app make it clear how much it is affecting your life it seems disturbed sleep is a tick box for surgery, well it seemed so in my case. Good luck.

I’ve had both hips replaced...the first in Sept 2018 the second in May and I’ve been perfectly happy with both. I had a spinal injection with each, which seems to be the preferred method nowadays, but didn’t want to know anything about the op so was offered sedation as well and didn’t wake until it was all over. The first week after is a bit of a struggle with trying to sleep on your back, go to the toilet using a raised seat, (take laxatives!!) and just trying to get comfortable generally The exercises are very important and should be practised beforehand too to build up strength for the recovery. I was walking with just one stick after two weeks and took just slightly longer than that with the second replacement. Everyone’s recovery rate is different but I was amazed how much quicker it is than I was fearing.
My surgeon uses the minimally invasive method and my scars are at the side, under 4 inches long and if I was to wear a swimming costume, probably wouldn’t be seen. I was asked if I wanted to donate the removed bone (my DH asked if it was for Dogs’ Trust !) and I agreed to that.
I would definitely recommend going for the replacement.

Definitely go for it. I had it done 5 years ago and I've never looked back. You do have to be careful for a few weeks afterwards, no leg crossing, sit on a supportive chair with angle of 90 degs between lap and tummy, sleep on your back for two weeks, but all of that is as nothing compared to the benefits. Just make sure you do the exercises exactly as told (they are not onerous) and you'll be fine. I had virtually no pain afterwards, by the way, so don't worry about that. I was back playing badminton after six months and I was 71.