Should I have a hip replacement? Advice please.

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.

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.

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 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.

Thanks for that Tweedle

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

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.

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

I'm 8 weeks post replacement. I was having trouble walking as my hip kept giving way and the pain from my groin down to my knee was intense and continual. It was particularly bad at night. I had a spinal block although I was sedated so out to it totally but the recovery was much quicker. From the moment I woke up I have been pain free in the joint. I had some pain from the surgical wound for a while.

My problem came when I developed clots in my lungs the day after surgery. Due to this I was in hospital for a week rather than just a few days however, I was up and weight bearing on my operated leg the day after surgery. Next negative was 3 weeks later when developed cellulitis at the wound site. I'm still fighting that and after 4 weeks of antibiotics it is clearing up albeit slowly.

As for crossing your legs, my physio said they don't like you to take the operated leg past centre point of your body and do not bend the leg beyond 90 degrees for 6 weeks. Also avoid sleeping on your side for 6 weeks. At the 3 weeks mark my surgeon said I could do all of those thing if I felt I was able. Your body will tell you when you can do things.
I'm now starting to walk unaided inside most of the time but I am also hampered by a knee that needs replacing and an ankle that does not work as it should.

I am used to doing hydrotherapy at least 2 or 3 times a week but due to the infection I've not been able to do that. I now have the go ahead from the surgeon to start again so I hope that will help my walking.

My advise would be to go ahead and have the replacement, there will be a couple, maybe 3 months before you are back to normal but it will improve. Not having it only leaves you in a situation that will get worse.

I was in such excruciating pain that I didn't need to ask, it was either 'replace the hip or kill me now please'.

I didn't have an anaesthetic but was numb from the waist down (instead of from the neck up as is usual with me) and awake the whole time and talking with the surgeon ( lovely guy from the UK now working in Truro).

I wanted him to save any bone he took out because I hoped to carve it, so we were talking about that.

In the event it was too crumbly but he did allow me to save my staples afterwards to put in my journal.

I know, macabre

I don't want to question your expertise Tweedle but my research shows that elderly women are most at risk of dislocation, but there not be a particular gender bias because women live longer and are more likely to be older when they have the op.

Tweedle .
I didn't know about that male/female risk.

Fennel We used to tell our patients to ‘make love like hedgehogs - carefully’. There is far less danger of dislocation for a woman than a man anyway.

As a retired orthopaedic ward sister, my advice would be to go for it. As with any surgery there is a risk but, you will be given all the relevant information. I have seen so many people return after their surgery delighted with the result, The sooner it is done, the easier it is too.

I recently had a knee replacement, which is actually more complex than a hip replacement (less worry about bending down etc immediately post-op though). It has made a tremendous difference. I no longer have to take pain-killers, I can do so much more than I could before, I sleep pain-free and have thrown away my walking stick,

Another thing you have to be careful about post op is 'marital relations'. If you're still active. Probably the last thing you think about at that stage.
When I was discharged after my op. we were shown a sort of cartoon film about all the warnings, including sex, showing safe positions etc.
The nurses at the back were giggling - ok for them with no problems.

Have a look at Bonesmart.org
Lots of helpful advice for post and pre op. And realistic descriptions of recovery too.

I'm 3 weeks post replacement hip surgery and already weight-bearing on new hip although unable to walk without a crutch for support - but getting there. Saw Physio yesterday and all is good. So glad to be off painkillers, etc. and apparently all the pain lines have vanished from my face. As everyone else has said, keep doing the exercises to strengthen those weakened muscles and follow all guidance about what to do/not to do. HTH

Mine was replaced about 11 years ago after hobbling around in pain for years. Done with an epidural and a sedative not full anaesthetic. I agree with everything said about recovery. Do as you are told, especially the exercises! I struggled for a couple of days with pain because they could not find the right pain relief but was OK after that. In fact I needed none after the first week. The 90 degree thing does seem to be important for the first few weeks and I used a raised toilet seat and extra cushions to sit on. I needed help with the post op stockings for a week or so but found a device to help put on socks and used one of those grabber things to avoid bending. After 2/3 weeks I was doing physio and using an exercise bike. Also gradually built up walking, and driving was possible after about 6 weeks. Sleeping on that side took a few months but I got used to sleeping on my back. After recovery I was able to do so much I hadn't done for years, hill climbing, gym, cycling, swimming which did wonders for my fitness and NO PAIN!

The physio advised me to keep exercising not just to build the muscles on the operated side but to help avoid similar problems with arthritis in the other hip. So far so good.

Good luck to you. I am told it is one of the most successful operations. Let us know how you get on.

Terri I will. I used to exercise every day until the pain got too bad.

Get it done ASAP. I was in agony until I had my hip done. I was told the pain would go as soon as new hip was in. I thought ‘no way’ can that happen. But it did. The pain went. I recovered quickly and was soon out and about. I can’t recommend having it done enough. If my other hip goes I’ll have it done as soon as I can. I had the epidural but asked for sedatives though some prefer to stay awake. Be sure to do the exercises though as I’m sure they help recovery.

Thanks to all the positive replies I’ve made an appointment today for January 3rd to take the next step. Could have had one before Christmas but needed to get all my ducks in a line.

Go for it. Six weeks is nothing out of the rest of your life. I felt rejuvenated.

I know two people who have had it done. Both were up and walking unaided within weeks. One person went in and had the other one done within a few months as it was so successful!

They will.advise you at the hospital what to do to recover. The Red Cross is great for appliance loans. Physio is a must. Good luck.

It is 3 years since mine. I would recommend having it done for a pain free life. As soon as the operation was over I was pain free after a long period of awful existance. If they are actually offering it, do it.?