Hip replacement thread

[Gastropod]

Just wondering if there's already a thread for some general chat, advice, support or just sharing experiences about hip replacement surgery.

I'm late 40s, I had both mine replaced recently and would love to hear other tales of recovery, life after hip replacement, or even life before! Mine was due to severe osteoarthritis, which no doctor could really explain - other than putting it down to bad luck.

It's been quite hard to find useful info on what to expect - or what is normal- post-surgery, partly because I had both mine replaced at the same time, which apparently is pretty rare, and also because I've found much of the literature seems to be aimed at a much older target audience, for obvious reasons. And what info I do find varies massively from one source to another.

Of course, if there is already a thread like this, no need for me to start another one, but would be grateful to have the link if so.

Hi @Gastropod I just searched on this topic and found your post. How have you got on since your surgery? Are you happy with progress? Did you find any other threads offering support?
I’ve got surgery booked for three weeks time for an arthritic hip and am interested to hear from others.
Top

Hello @TopOfTheCliff , I'd kind of given up on this thread so sorry for just replying now!

I'm doing OK post surgery, in some ways better than others. I did get quite a bit of support on here when I was suffering from poor sleep and discomfort in the few weeks after the op. There are definitely plenty of us hip-replacees on Mumsnet.

So, to answer whether I'm happy since the surgery I'd say yes, as every week I'm getting a bit better, unlike before when the opposite was true.
Progress is slower than I'd hoped. Apparently this is normal, and younger people are likely to be more impatient to see results as we are desperate to return to our pre-arthritis levels of activity. Whereas, I'm told, older patients tend to be more satisfied with the outcomes in the short term.

It's been just over 6 months and I'd be lying if I said there's no pain at all. I still get creaky and achey after certain activities, but this is getting less severe and lasts less time as the weeks go by. Of course, I had both done at the same time so I probably had a bit more of a traumatic recovery than some people.

Kneeling is still bizarrely difficult - I wasn't expecting that as one of the side effects!

I was quite flexible before, even with the hip arthritis. I definitely lost a lot of flexibility and strength in my legs, which I'm only starting to build up again now - just restarted Pilates and swimming. Cycling on the static bike was the first thing I started doing again after the op.

I'd be happy to keep the conversation going here if it helps? I don't know if you have any other questions or worries before the op but I'm happy to chat if you need any reassurance or useful info that I can helpfully give!

@Gastropod There is a very active group on Facebook called (something like) hip replacement for young and active people. It's aimed at people like you who aren't elderly and all that entails.

I've never heard of people having both hips replaced at the same time, that must have been brutal! I am hoping to get a hip replacement but so far the NHS won't agree to it due to my age (42). Did you find it hard to get them to agree or did you go private?

@garlictwist thanks for that, I never thought of Facebook! Will have a look.
I don't actually live in the UK - am in mainland Europe - but even here it's not so common to have both done at once. Only a few surgeons do this and even a couple of docs/healthcare people I've seen since I had it done had never heard of it happening! I suppose it was quite brutal but apparently the recovery times are very similar whether you have one or two done, so as both needed to be replaced, they were happy to get it all done at once.

I have to say that here too it took a long time to convince the doctors that it needed to be done. I went through a lot of "non-surgical" treatments before I got to this stage. The first specialist I saw said that because of my age, I'd have to be able to show that I'd tried everything else before they'd consider surgery. So I had two hyaluronic acid injections on each side, plus steroids on one side.

That actually helped a bit, for a few years anyway, but gradually wore off and the last time I had it done it didn't make any difference at all.

The key n the end was speaking to a very understanding GP who referred me to a very understanding consultant. It was pretty bad by then though!

I’m in the opposite position in that my X-rays are appalling as I had severe pelvic trauma in my 20s. The consultant was amazed I can do as much as I do “with such an awful hip”. After 35 years I am used to it and the pain is manageable. I am getting it replaced because of the loss of movement and because it is affecting my spine and knee. I can’t reach my feet and need help with shoes and socks etc. I am not young any more but I am pretty active cycling 60 miles easily and sailing and gardening. I just want to get it over and done with now.

I'm so confused trying to decide whether to go ahead with a hip replacement.

I've been managing ok with hip OA for 3-4 years. Jan 24 my lower back went but then recovered. Sept 24 back went again, mostly recovered by end Nov. Dec and Jan back has got worse and now won't mend itself.

Hip has got worse in Dec and Jan too. It feels like the hip being off is causing the back to throw out.

But because my hip isn't in excruciating pain all the time, and because I still have a good amount of flexibility in the hip, I'm not sure if it'd be a mistake to take on the risks of surgery.

@UncertainWife I am the poster above and now a year post surgery for THR. It has transformed my life! The pain stopped immediately and I have regained full movement for the first time in years. The back pain I had has totally resolved and I can now do core strengthening exercises that were limited by my hip not extending. The longer you leave it the worse your fitness will be and the longer it will take to recover. Also you will be older and have more health issues in other areas. I would recommend getting it over with, it’s only going to get worse if you wait.

@TopOfTheCliff that's a very good point about fitness and recovery, thank you so much for saying that as it's a good, positive reason for getting it done.

I'm so glad it got rid of your pain, back pain too, I hope it's the same for me.

@UncertainWife I had one done 18 months ago and one done 4.5 months ago.

With the first one - that sorted my back right out from the very start. It’s a very tough initial recovery but it gets better quite quickly for what a major op that it is. I am so glad I have had both mine done and am on the other side. The fitter you are before surgery the better for recovery I think.

(I am 46 for reference)

Thanks @Sweetbeansandmochi that's very encouraging to hear it sorted your back out. Glad it's worked out well.

It's great to hear positive stories.