Hip replacement operation.

[JohnTheRevelator]

Has anyone on here had a hip replacement operation? I'm hoping to have one in the near future,I've got an appointment with the orthopaedic consultant in 6 weeks and I'm hoping that I will be approved and put on the waiting list. According to the X rays,my hip is in a pretty bad way and I'm having trouble walking,and find it nearly impossible to get comfortable in bed to sleep. No painkillers seem to help. Basically it's interfering with my quality of life. My questions are these - how long did you have to wait for the operation after being out on the waiting list,and did you find a real improvement afterwards in the reduction of pain, and being able to walk more easily?

Didn't mean to activate the AYBU or not!

Not hip but had both knees replaced. Well worth the recovery. Pain free now

I had a THR at 35 years old, about 7 years ago. It was utterly life changing but, recovery was slow. The Dr said it would be 18 months for a full recovery and it really was.

It felt like many around me bounced back, but that didn't happen and it was disheartening at times.

From getting the referral to the actual operation was about 5 months. Take all the help and support they offer you. Something I always remember was being told that progress is really fast at first then it drastically slows down - it's good to go into it prepared and realistic I think.

After 18 months I could sit on the floor and play with my children again - I have lost some external rotation in the hip but was told to expect this. The only thing I can't do now is sit cross legged.

Being able to walk and even run freely is just incredible and not something I take for granted.

Best of luck with the operation OP - I hope you won't be waiting too long x

For the pain now and after the operation I'd really recommend an electric throw - the warmth really helped me. Getting cold seemed to make it so much worse.

SussexLass87 Wow! 18 months for a full recovery?! I didn't realise it would take that long. Everything I've read online says to expect full recovery to take about 3 months.

Can I also ask how long you were all in hospital for? I've been told it could be done on a day surgery basis, depending on how quickly you recover,or it could be up to 3 or 4 nights. I must admit I'm not keen on being turfed out on the same day of the operation, going on how I've felt after previous operations under general anaesthetic!

I also had my hip replaced at 37. I was fortunate to be able to go private so there wasn’t a wait. I agree that full recovery took about 18 months. The pain was gone very quickly and mobility in the hip itself improved quickly, but all the muscles had taken a hit due to my limited mobility so I would say it was nearly 18months before I had full mobility back. Full mobility for me meant climbing round a soft play, running round after a toddler and facilitating homebirth, some people are just trying to get back to being able to walk to the local shop, so it’s all relative.

I was in hospital for 2 nights but if I’d had a walk-in shower and access to a downstairs toilet, and we hadn’t had a crawling 9 month old at home, I probably would have been ok going home the next day.

First replacement followed 6 months later by the second hip. I was walking around without a stick after 2 weeks and totally pain free after about 3 weeks. Brilliant operation!

I had a left THR due to osteoarthritis about 15 years ago. I had to wait about 3 months before I could drive and then returned to work as a teacher. I was tired but not in pain anymore.

I recommend lots of walking and rest in between and strengthening exercises using bands (which they give you). Buy a litter pickup grabber for a fiver, and do obey the rules about bending etc to begin with.

I was diagnosed and given a date of about a year, but luckily a cancellation came in about 5 months later. Ask them for the cancellation appointment as they don’t always offer it.

For now, get a TENS machine for during the day, it really helped and it is only about £30. I also used a long pregnancy pillow from Amazon to help sleep at night. A blowup cushion with a hole in the middle is comfy too, when you can’t find the spot. Also they will lend you a zimmer frame and toilet frame from physio before your op, hang a bag from the frame to carry your book, crisps, water bottle etc.

Your sleep will be broken but they do help.

I had a spinal anaesthetic for the op, as I felt it helped me mobilise faster the next day. But it’s a personal choice.

Don’t go too fast in recovery and don’t feel ashamed to go downstairs on your bum, do what works for you.

Good luck

Totally agree - sounds like we had very similar experiences. Full recovery for me was to get around a soft play too (though I missed having an excuse to skip it!) 😃

I was in hospital two nights. 2nd and 3rd day all about getting you up and moving. And physio. If your house has stairs you have to show you can safely go up and down. I was back to work in 3 months

I had a THR in 2009 under epidural. I stayed in 2 nights and was discharged to be by myself at home. I was driving and back at work 4 weeks to the day after the operation.

I'm having the other one done next month. It's a GA and I expect recovery will take longer.

Most patients stay at least overnight, and the average stay in hospital for a hip replacement is 2.5 days. Waiting times vary, there is still a bit of a postcode lottery as some areas have significant backlogs. If you are young ish and otherwise good health, i.e. no chronic conditions, non smoker, you may have more options around where and when you have your surgery, such as a specialist elective hub or on a weekend

I had a double HR and honestly it changed my life, from needing a walking aid to walking unaided. Recovery a week or so taking it easy but religiously doing my physio. Certainly after a month I was up and off. I was 60 when I had it done. Not on a waiting list as I went private.

I’m 69 and steeling myself to get on the waiting list. I’ve had my hip injected twice, first was brilliant, second one (early 2024) did nothing. Since jarring it stumbling in November it’s been relentless pain, and hellish trying to sleep. I’m finding ibuprofen and codeine most effective, alternated with Solpadeine Max, plus Voltarol gel at night, my GP prescribed meptazinol which is no help. I’ll try a TENS machine.

I live alone, with dogs and cats, and the thought of not being able to reach to the floor for weeks after surgery is worrying. The cats are used to their litter trays being kept clean, their food and water bowls have to go on the floor, I can’t afford to pay for six weeks of pet care. How have people who’ve had the op managed their pets?

I’ve had both hips replaced and am 59. Best thing I did as it really helped the pain and mobility. Recovery wise the first 3 weeks were the worst because of swelling and stiffness. I’d say I felt totally recovered in 9 months

My cats are going to the cattery. No alternative.

I’ve never heard of it done as a day patient. Both times I was in hospital for 3 nights

Full recovery, no. Walking on pavements etc., yes, but not on uneven ground. I was back climbing mountains by 9 months though. Walked a marathon 8 months in!

I have had both hips replaced. Do absolutely everything they tell you to do. Don’t rush it. Do your physio religiously, and keep your weight down.

It’s life changing!

Could you apply to the council for a home help for a month?

I’ve had both of mine done, 1st time I was in overnight, 2nd time I came out same day! Brilliant op, back to work 2 weeks later and life changing to be pain free

It isn’t usually done under general anaesthetic. You have a spinal injection, and are awake, but sedated. I had a lovely chat with the anaesthetist about his new puppy, then a big snooze during my second one 😁.

You can’t leave hospital until you’ve managed some (about 3!) stairs with the physiotherapist.

DM is 83 and in daily pain. She is about 3 months in to a 6 month wait to see the NHS physio, who’ll refer her to a surgeon, for which there is a 12-18 month wait.

She has made an appt to see the same surgeon for a private consultation, and is considering spending the rest of her savings on private surgery, but is aware that she may not be a suitable candidate for private surgery.

@YourWinter You can do a golfer's pickup to get things off the floor, as long as you don't bend your operated hip it's fine.

@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads the surgeon will be able to put your DM straight on to his NHS list if she's suitable. She will still have the normal waiting time on that list but it cuts out the wait for physio and to see the surgeon. She may have a choice of where to have the operation even if it's on the NHS, you should research this before she sees him so she can discuss all her options.

I was fully recovered in 5 weeks and skiing again in 10. I put this down to starting physio before the operation, learning and practicing the exercises, and then doing them religiously.

We’ve done a bit of that research, and DM is clear in her head about which hospital she’d like to go to if she went private. I have a very good friend who is an NHS physio who has talked us through the process. I don’t think you can use private consultation early in the process to skip the waiting list in our area. I understood that you chose one route or the other. Concerns are that DM is asthmatic, diabetic and only 3 years post chemo. I’m concerned that in a private hospital she won’t have the support of A&E etc that a main NHS hospital would have. Physio friend (and also a podiatrist friend, who both have elderly parents who’ve all had hip replacements) seem to think that surgeons cherry pick their private patients, for those who are likely to be a success. We shall see what transpires. I am going to see the surgeon with her next month. I’d be grateful for advice on what to ask and consider.