Hip replacement in late 30s/early 40s?

[Cumberlover76]

Any experiences of early hip replacement? I had hip issues and surgery as a baby and was fine until early 30s when I started getting hip pain and was diagnosed with arthritis, it's gradually got worse with more pain and less movement. I'm now 40 and saw specialist today who said only medical option now is hip replacement and I can have it done when I want it. I can manage the pain with no pain relief although it does hurt most of the time, but movement is restricted and I do limp a fair amount of the time but can walk and cycle and swim still. I will get it done, but may hold out for a bit, but equally I'm thinking why not just get it done now and reap the benefits whilst I'm still relatively young with a young child? If be really interested to hear other experiences of hip replacement at a similar age.

Need to talk to your consultant about how long it will last (before needing replacement again). And then ask consultant to put a percentage certainty on his answer (so he might say he's 95% sure it will last at least 15 yrs). My gut feeling is GO FOR IT but you need to know what to expect.

Thanks Brexit, he did say 15 years but I'll go back and ask for his percentage certainty. He did say if I had it done in next few years then I would need another and maybe 2 depending on how I am at 70. I spoke to DH and he thinks I should too. I think he notices how much pain I'm sometimes in more than me. I'd never really identified myself as someone suffering from chronic pain as I just get on with it but I suppose I am. I imagine sex would be easier so DH is keen on that! It's a bit scary but it should make my quality of life much better as I'm pretty outdoorsy and although just get on with it I do struggle a bit on long walks. I think I may look towards getting it done next year sometime, maybe winter.

Cumber go for it!
I'm 20 years older than you and have hung on quite long enough for knee replacements. Just had the first done two weeks ago (still a bit of pain but getting better).
One thing I would advise - wait til winter if you can. I have to wear these damn 'TED stockings' to avoid thrombosis - for four weeks. In this heat.

I had a hip replacement 3 months ago, I'm late 30's.

Things to bear in mind.

Revision surgery (2nd, 3rd replacements) may not be as successful as the original replacement.
The recovery is long. For the first 6-12 weeks you cannot bend over, cross your legs etc. whilst you observe the 90 degree restrictions. I found this very difficult as my youngest child is small. I wasn't able to do housework. I had to shower at a relatives house as I couldn't lift my leg to get in the bath (shower over bath) due to the restrictions for 6 weeks.
No driving for this time period either.
The scar I have is 20cm long.
You may end up with a few post op struggles as your muscles regain strength or back issues as you are not longer limping.
Total full recovery takes 6 months to a year. Short term recovery is 6-12 weeks.
You will have to wear stockings for 6 weeks.
You will need toninject yourself with a blood thinner for 6 weeks.

I wish someone had told me all this before I had mine done so I was fully informed!! I have no regrets about it. However, it's not a quick fix and the recovery period can be difficult, physically as well as emotionally.

Good luck!!!

I don't know if these are still available but my dad has had a double replacement, the first one NHS and the second privately. He has two titanium and ceramic joints which should last his lifetime, he was early fifties when he had then done.

Actually thinking about it he has had them now for about 12 years.

I had this op late 40s and wished I had had it done earlier. If you don't run marathons and are not overweight, as well as having the op done by a capable surgeon, I understand it might last longer than 15 years, especially with the latest joints.
I went into it expecting the worst and it was not too bad. I had both joints done in the same week, and was off crutches within 6 weeks, could use the shower in the bath with assistance within a week, I stopped the injections after a week, and could bend and cross my legs after 6 weeks. With young children I think it would be at least 12 weeks that you would need help though. Depends how active they are.

PS. Obviously everyone is different, and recovery times are different due to circumstances - they don't know exactly how the op is going to go until they are doing it.
I wish I hadn't let worries about recovery times put me off having the op though, as I found for me it was much quicker than anticipated. If you can get up for a short time on the day of the op and then get moving and exercising in the following days it helps immensely too.

A lady my age that I met in hospital had her replacement the day after me. She lifted her leg to have a shower in the bath three weeks after her operation. She dislocated her hip and had to wear a body brace for three months.

Please OP if you do it, adhere to the restrictions. My replacement immediately took away the arthritic pain and what a relief that was!

Thanks all. I think I've decided to go for it. Since seeing the surgeon it has brought the pain and mobility issues to the forefront of my mind and I'm noticing how much I do struggle. Might wait till spring as there's a 3 month waiting list plus things are a bit up in the air at work at the moment. I think I'd rather have recovery in spring rather than winter.