Handhold please - any hip replacement stories please

[Teaandbiscuits88]

My gran (75), the woman who raised me, the person I am closest to in the world, fell and broke her hip today.

They will be operating tomorrow, full replacement. She has lung cancer, they are doing a chest x ray due to concern of anaesthetic.

Does anyone have any experience of this? I am distraught. I can’t visit her until she’s on a ward, and only by appointment so might not be allowed pre op.

My DF had one during lockdown. His was in a bad way. The recovery was amazing. Really quick. They get up and walk after a few hours. All ok now. It’s amazing how they do it. Far less trauma to the body now. No bruising.

My DF is quite a bit older than your gran.

Thank you. That means so much to hear. I’m glad he’s doing ok.

I can cope really well in emergency situations, except where she is concerned.

My mum is the same age and had a total hip replacement this year. She had very little pain after and was immediately on her feet and able to fully look after herself. After a couple of months she could walk miles.

My ex’s great aunt had the same op. Was up and walking to the toilet with a frame the next day. I couldn’t believe it.

Apparently it’s a better op than a knee replacement. I’d have thought the opposite but there you are!

She was home in a matter of days. Can’t remember how many but a week tops. Was totally fine. Striding about the garden a few weeks later, all good.

Thank you everyone - you’ve given me hope.

I’m just so scared that she won’t survive the anaesthetic tomorrow. It’s also my birthday so I did make sure to tell her she would thoroughly spoil it if she died (we have an extremely warped sense of humour in my family!!)

My mum just had one, she was up and about really quickly, walking several miles a day now (about 12 weeks later). Everyone I have known who has had the op has said that recovery was fine and it was fabulous being able to walk pain free again.

I’ve worked with so many people post hip replacement. They make an amazing recovery most of the time, the most important thing is to follow the post op instructions to the letter, and do the physio!
I hope all goes well for your gran, and happy birthday for tomorrow

Thank you @FelicityBeedle. I’m already planning on moving in with her when she’s discharged so I will be nagging her to follow drs orders to the letter!!

They don’t usually do a GA. It’s a spinal and something else. I think they are awake, but they forget the op due to the meds.

DF wasn’t under for his op.

Honestly the recovery is quick and it’s not as brutal as it used to be. DF had no problems with healing and is up and about better than before.

You can’t bathe, so need a shower and help with some personal care. Have to be careful how you bend and sit. No stairs for a while, only once a day if necessary. We moved the toothbrushes etc downstairs so once down, no need to go up again til bed.

Good luck.

Dad fell and broke his hip when he was 86. He had it replaced, and was walking the day after. He lived another 5 years. All good wishes to you and your gran :)

Thank you both.

Fortunately, her whole house was adapted to suit my grandad who passed away in 2018. He had Parkinson’s and was wheelchair bound. Will make things like showering etc easier!!

Thanks for the practical hints and calming words. I’m so pleased I posted, this has calmed me down so much. Mumsnet at its best

My DM broke hers when she was 80. They did it under local anaesthetic, she said it was absolutely fascinating to watch and chat to the team about what they were doing.

If she's not great health wise they'll probably do it under a spinal and sedation - she'll be fine OP

My dad had two and was so much happier after it.

But, and I don't say this to put a damper or add a scare story, I just really wish I'd known it before... my mum had a hip opp at 75 and afterwards had dementia. Obviously she had it before but it was a big change afterwards. The suggestion was that she had an iscemic event under anaesthetic than deepened her vascular dementia. Apparently it happens sometimes.

I know a couple of people (both professional dancers) that had replacements both said it was far less painful than what they were living with beforehand and up and about quickly afterwards.

for you and your gran.

I'm younger than your gran but had a hip replacement 2 years ago. Best thing I ever did. It's very painful and stiff for a few weeks afterwards but within 6 weeks I didn't need crutches. I now need the other one done and can't wait .

If she does have a spinal anaesthetic that can really help with the rehab, as the pain relief can last for a good while shyer the op

My has had 2 hip replacements although not recently but her recovery was really incredible, she stayed with me as she couldn't do stairs for a short while, but she was up and about straight away, before she left Godoy.

I had a knee replacement under spinal anaesthetic but in the same room were 3 ladies of 70 to 80 who had had hip replacements . They were up and about next day and all went home within a few days . Apparently it's the less traumatic op of the two x

How is your gran today? @Teaandbiscuits88

She’s ok thanks @DobbyTheHouseElk. Hoping to get into surgery this afternoon, they have a full roster today apparently. She also has a very dishy doctor so it’s not all bad news 😂

Hope all goes well. She should be up and walking by this evening, all being well.

I had a full replacement in February of this year. Since then I’ve walked just under 500 miles (hoping to have reached that by the end of this week). It’s been life changing for me, although I’m much younger than your gran. Please encourage her with her post op physio- it makes a huge difference to recovery.