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?

I had mine done 13 months ago

Spine block was great. You wake-up suddenly though, with a bit of a jump. Then feel sleepy but capable.

They get you up, going to the loo with a zimmer as soon as you can feel your feet, so an hour or so after the op

I spent the rest if the day and night dozing, being roused for bp measurements and my husband collected me lunchtime the next day. I was in for 28 hours

The pain relief was almost immediate. They sent me home with paracetamol and ibuprofen, plus blood thinners and I think 4 heavier pain killers.

You learn to love the plastic slippy sheet, the procedure for getting in and ouy of bed is a joy 😊

It took 2 weeks to feel steady on my feet. I could have happily gone back to work after 4 but I drive a lot so, being self employed, chose to wait for 8 weeks

Now I have a minor dull ache, sleep better and am walking properly, have most of my posture, and full height back.

Do the exercises... get on to a pre op class your NHS physio should run them regularly. Then do all the exercises you sre told to afterwards. You won't believe how much movement you can do and will be bemused by the simple things that catch you out

I regret having touched it put for so long and would heartily recommend anyone drop the stuff upper lip and go cry on their GP to get it done sooner rather than later

I had two THRs in 2018 aged 65. The first in August and second in December. Both done under spinal anaesthetic. Went home following day on both occasions. I wasn’t “chucked out” but felt well enough to leave. Three requirements before discharge was approved: surgical team had to check post-op x-rays, blood electrolytes had to be checked, and physio team had to check you were able to manage stairs, get in and out of bed, on and off toilet, on and off chair.

Cant remember how long it took from first GP contact to consultant appt, but once referred it was very quick. Only 22 days from consultant appt to first surgery so I suspect it was a cancellation. 16 weeks to second op.

Before surgery I was taking 60mg codeine four times a day to manage the pain. I needed very little analgesia after the first week. Totally life changing. I was carrying a rucksack around India three months later, albeit with a hiking pole for a bit of security

Hi not to derail but having both my knees replaced this year. First one supposed to be by April but I guess the bone cement thing might impact. Is it still true about the out of hospital soon with knees please?

DH had hip replacement 4 weeks ago. He was on the waiting list for 8 months. 4 weeks after the op he's walking without crutches and will be driving again in another 2 weeks. The first 2 weeks post op were quite tough but he did his physio and is improving daily now. He had the op under spinal anaesthetic and was in hospital for one night.

Things he's found hardest are having to sleep on his back - this causes back ache and his heels got really sore so he now sleeps semi recumbent with a pillow under his feet. Also sitting on the loo was extremely painful at first. It seemed to put pressure on the affected hip and he found it excruciating.

Depends can be 24h notice if someone is sick on their booked slot and we now have a vacancy. Less practical if youre on blood thinners, most it's 36-48 for cancellation. Not sure for electives as we are often clearing people from preop assessment between 4m-2wks before the op date

We do do day surgery knees too. Knees are more painful than hips tho

I am currently on leave post THR. I had the week off presurgery to arrange everything at home. Turned out to be for the best as there were a few things to do eg preadmission appointment, bloods etc. Op was 27 Jan and I was discharged on 30 Jan. As noted above I had a spinal anaesthetic and sedation so slept through the whole thing. Woke up well with no issues wiggling toes etc and walked to the toilet pretty soon once I was in my room (using a big wheelie support).

I am in Australia and did go private. My surgeon uses the direct superior approach. It does minimal damage to muscles - only 2 small ones are cut and then reattached at the end. There is also an anterior and posterior approach - both of which cut different muscles, which impacts your recovery times. I came home with zero restrictions. Other methods eg posterior have restrictions on bending etc and I didn't have any of that.

Typically they get you up and walking very soon after surgery. It's only a short walk but I was able to take myself to the bathroom and shower independently from the get go. I progressed from wheelie walker to crutches. Did my walks and exercises with the physio. I wasn't in a rush to go home - had my own room, got to snooze and order food when I felt like it, so hospital was pretty good. Plus they had a continual ice machine and leg massagers(to help prevent blood clots), so all beneficial for recovery.

Once home, I walked outside three times a day, increasing distance each time. By 7/8 Feb I could walk without crutches inside and this week, I can walk confidently over uneven surfaces outside without a crutch. I've got physio exercises that I do daily. I have also been working with an exercise physiologist for years, so set up weekly appointments with him post surgery. We've added lateral strengthening this week in addition to the exercises given by the hospital physio.

Surgery cleared me to drive from 4 weeks post surgery.

My surgeon said you get full benefit from surgery after about 9 months.

I've got more issues than just the hip, with advanced degeneration in both hips, one knee and spine, then moderate degeneration elsewhere. I couldn't take my daily pain meds for 3 days prior to surgery. My pain levels on surgery day were an 8 - it was really bad. When I woke up they were 1-2. If it felt like a 3 they gave me fast release pain meds. I had slow release opiods for 7 days (finished Wednesday morning post surgery) and ad hoc fast release - I've still got most of the fast release as I felt good. Now I'm generally 0-1, which is fantastic given all the non-THR bits that aren't good.

I found bed very uncomfortable on the first night home. My hip did a big clunk when I rolled over to get up in the morning. So I slept in my new recliner for 3 weeks - that was really good and similar to a hospital bed. I've been back in my bed for the past week and it's been a bit rough. Very uncomfortable first couple of nights. Took something to help sleep after that and been getting more comfortable as the week progressed. I find if I sleep on my non surgery side it aches terribly.

I'm nearly 5 weeks post surgery and have 2 more weeks off work (took 8 weeks total). I couldn't be happier with the recovery. Pre surgery, I'd scream (quietly) getting into the car. Now it's pain free. A friend is visiting regularly and has commented I'm the zippiest I've been in a very long time - and I've still got the second hip to go! Planning to do that one at the end of the year. I'll book in when I go for my follow-up appointment with the surgeon.

I had full recovery within 3 months but I worked hard at my physio. Sorry to tell you but a friend has just been put on the waiting list and it’s 12 months in North London

Another question - what painkillers have people found helpful prior to the operation? I can't take NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, aspirin) as they really upset my stomach. Paracetamol is useless. I was taking tramadol for years but have finally weaned myself off it as it wasn't really doing anything useful, basically I was taking it just to feel normal. Plus a couple of the doctors at my practice were getting funny about re-issuing it to me when it came up for review, because I'd been on it for so long. I've heard that some people are given morphine patches,I wondered if this was a possibility? And do they work without making you feel 'high' or drowsy? And has anyone used amitriptyline to help with sleep and pain relief? I asked one of the doctors at my practice a few years ago about being given it because I was having terrible trouble sleeping and had heard it could help,but he refused to prescribe it for me. I'd appreciate any advice!

DH was taking cocodamol and amitriptaline. He tried naproxen which worked really well but like you gave him a very upset stomach so he had to stop taking it.

I I had hip op 2 years ago. Private 2 night stay in hospital. Hip joint pain stopped overnight, although to start with pain from the wound was bad first 2 weeks. Walking without a stick at 4 weeks, driving at 6. My recovery was helped by having still been walking beforhand,despite pain/painkillers. I worked out that I was still in pain whether I exercised or not. So kept exercising......something to focus on while you wait. My pain was bad too, nothing helped and couldn't get a full night of sleep

DH was the same. He kept going to the gym right up til the day before his op. I'm sure it's helped his recovery. He started back at the gym this week too (week 5 post op).

Theres no such thing as morphine patches you mean buprenorphine which is another string painkiller. You are v unlikely to have it prescribed for arthritis pain due to risk of dependence/opiate crisis

Ask your gp for dihydrocodeine (or codeine but the former is better as works in everyone whereas not everyone has the enzyme to metabolise codeine into morphine

Amitriptyline is better for nerve type pain - burning shooting stabbing type pain (rather than grating achey pain normally from arthritis) but worth asking if you have this too. Low doses also good for sleep

Make sure you stay in paracetamol too as it works synergistically (makes other painkillers taking in conjuction work better) and I'm v skeptical of prescribing stronger medication whilst refusing to take paracetamol

I saw my GP a couple of weeks ago to ask for referral back to the consultant who injected my hip previously, and to discuss pain relief. He prescribed co-codamol 15/500 with the option to increase the codeine to 30 or 50, and naproxen, along with omeprazole. Last week I had awful trouble with constipation, I think caused by naproxen as I’ve had codeine in the past with no ill effects. I have IBS and I’m used to managing loose bowels but this was new, painful and upsetting. I’ve taken Dulcolax tablets, which have helped.

I had constipation years ago after a long operation, attributed to the general anaesthetic, how might a spinal block affect the bowels (if I’m offered one)?

Naproxen doesn't typically constipation. Codeine definitely does when taken regularly. Take senna with it (stimulant laxative) to prevent it

You will get a spinal unless have an abnormal clotting problem etc as its our default

Spinals don't have any effect on bowels (tis why we use them as it minimises the need for opiates which constipates). There's a small chance of difficulty urinating post op for spinsls as the bladder gets lazy when numb but that's a) far more frequent in men b) easily treatable

I had a TKR last summer, aged 50. I was bone on bone, and kept getting stress fractures, so it was a long 19 month slog on the waiting list.... I would say that don't bet on just having the spinal. We attempted it for mine, and I just didn't freeze up properly; so I ended up with a general. TBF, I wasn't terribly unhappy with it - I'd said my line in the sand was not to hear my femur being sawed into!
I was in hospital 5 nights, because they also thought I might have a DVT (because, of course....) I would say that the first 24-48 hours were the toughest I've had post surgery. I regretted all of my life's decisions at 3am the first night... BUT, I will say, that, after a week, it wasn't terrible; after about 3 weeks, it wasn't awful; and after about 6-8 weeks, I'd have done it again if I'd had to. Still would.
Big advice is be consistent, and DO THE EXERCISES - it's so key.
I would say that, a year on, I've got my life back. I can walk about places again (I was reliant on crutches for about 14 months beforehand), I have gone on holiday, and I'm back using trains/buses without any qualms.
In short, I'm so glad I did it, and would do it again in a shot. I hope yours goes well, and you have a much better quality of life after.

Had a total hip at 36. Total game changer!
saw the consultant in may, had it find in September.
ask to be put on the cancellation list.

Had one 18 months ago after a decade of ever worsening pain

The pain relief was instant, even groggy post op I could tell it didn't hurt, just ached

I know sleep far better, have my posture back

2 pieces of advice:

Do it

Rehab it properly

Good luck

@JohnTheRevelator did you get the hip replacement?

Not yet! The consultant I saw in May refused to put me on the list because he thought the issue was more to do with a problem with my spine than my hip. I was so upset 😓 I subsequently had an MRI scan that showed that I have stenosis of the spine,which IS causing some the of the pain. I saw a different consultant a week ago and he DID put me on the waiting list,and said that having the hip replacement operation could well ease the symptoms that I am having from the spinal stenosis. He said that pain from a severely arthritic hip affects the way you walk,which in turn, can impact on your lower back. He said I would probably hear shortly after Christmas about a date for the operation. I will be having it done in a hospital that does nothing but elective joint replacement surgery,no emergencies to delay things,so they have a fairly fast turnover. It can't come soon enough!

I had a hip replacement in my 60s (privately) and was fully recovered in two months. It’s important to do your exercises. Out of bed and walking on crutches next day, home in three days. Occupational health provided various equipment. Wearing elastic stockings for 6 weeks when you can’t bend to change them - you need help - is problematic. but basically it was a miracle operation.

@JohnTheRevelator sorry to hear you are still waiting.
I made sure it was all over my records that I was available for a cancelation- I think that speeded things up a bit- good luck