DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Everything Else... Hip Replacement

O.k. So after 20 years of limping, hurting , cursing etc.. I am going to have this operation next Tuesday . Anyone have this done and if so what can I look forward to other than pain of course.

I have not had it done, but more than a couple of friends have.

There will be pain, no doubt. I think there are few things worse than post-Op bone pain, BUT, the worst of it will be behind you within 16 hours of waking up, and in most cases recovery from, and return to regular activity after, hip replacement is super fast. WAY faster than knee replacements. You will almost certainly be walking yourself to the bathroom the next day, no worries.

Within a month you will be moving like a champ - and pain-free.

Best of luck, and hopefully you have a speedy recovery!

Which type of entry do they plan on making. THere are two that I'm aware of. From the side and the other from the Front.

My wife has had both (both hips). The side entry method went very well but was a long recovery (about 6 weeks).

The front entry went well, but the replacement hip they used had a defect. Had to have that one again. I guess it wasn't really defective as much as it slipped further into the bone than it was suppose to thus throwing everything off kilter. It needed to be replaced. I believe they name of the replacement part was Stryker. lots of those have been recalled. But I'm sure the bad ones have been pulled.

You'll have to do some PT to get back the use of your hip. you'll probably have to uses what I think was called a TENS unit. IT's designed to keep the blood flowing to avoid cloats.

The good news, in less than a year, you'll feel a lot like your old self without the pain of course.

I expect I'll have to have my left hip done in the future. It's starting to lock up and be painful when I walk.

Good luck and please let us know how you do.

My Grandma is 104 years old.
She had a hip replacement when she was 98.
She is doing well.
Suck it up already.

I've known only one friend who had a hip replacement. I was amazed at how quickly he recovered and got active, pain free.

Good luck!

Good luck with your surgery, I pray that it goes well, and you are up and around in no time.

If you do require a TENS unit, don't let them talk you into renting one from a Medical Supply company. (as was suggested to me) You can buy a really good TENS unit for less than $40, and I just bought a stack of 40 replacement contact pads (10 packages) on Ebay for $13.90, including shipping.

The local medical supply company was going to rent me a TENS unit after my last procedure on my back, and they were only going to charge me $50/week. I was amazed at their nerve. They even called me back after I told them not to process the order to see if I had changed my mind. I bought a highly rated unit on Ebay for less than $40. I am using it today for my feet. It takes a 9 volt battery, and I have been using it all day. (it also plugs into an outlet)

WalMart also carries a similar unit now, from one of the pain medication companies, (I want to say Icy Hot, but I'm not 100% certain) but I don't know the prices.

I wish you a super speedy recovery.

I'm in therapy for shoulder surgery, the people in therapy tell me they were up and moving hours afterward.

Not many complain about pain, they said the pain was way worse before surgery. That's all I can tell you.

Not sure if your going to Omni or Spectrum.. I like DR Pentz from Omni, DR Klimo did my surgery from Omni.

Also Paul Renner or Dennis Scaia from FRS therapy group on Whipple across from Planet fitness are top class Therapists.. Fun place to rehab.

Good luck to you..

Ire - I had both hips replaced last year. One in early August and the other in late September. The worst pain is the trip from recovery to your room where they'll hook up your pain meds. After that, the worse pain is when they make you walk the next morning (with a walker) and then will try to get you to do some basic rehab exercises. You won't want to because it hurts, but try to get through it because the PT / rehab exercises are really important to your long term recovery and return to "normal", or near normal. My doc told me that complete hip replacement is a 12 month recovery, assuming your due diligence with doing your exercises. I'm still finding my way after having both replaced. In effect, I'm learning to walk again. I'm still trying to find my normal gait. But I've worked pretty hard at doing the exercises daily and I'm progressing fairly well. The best part is not having the constant, nagging pain. The worst part is staying patient with very slow incremental progress. Its all about what you want to get back to. I'll be happy to walk my dogs, cut my grass, and ride my bicycle. I'm not intending to ever run 3-4 miles a day like I used to back in my 20s, 30s, and early 40s. I might try going to the driving range sometime this summer to see if I can rotate and turn on a tee shot without hurting myself. I was only ever a casual golfer, but it was something I thought I'd cultivate as I approach retirement. Just not sure its in the cards. I might have to switch to fishing.

Anyway, all the best ... good luck, stay positive, and DO YOUR EXERCISES.

Feel free to PM if I can answer any questions - let us know how you're doing.

My aunt is getting ready to get her 3rd hip (same hip) in just over a year. Choose your doctor carefully.

Best of luck to you, Ire.

If they give you the option, upgrade to the bionic hip. It's going to cost more up front, but you'll make it up on the back end when you get your own TV series.

Seriously, good luck and rest well. And enjoy the pain meds.

My Dad has replaced his shoulder, knees, and ankles. He is the bionic man.

Does he make that cool noise when he runs, or lifts something heavy?

Why yes, yes he does.

Whoa! That is just too cool! lol

Good luck Ire. I watched a graphic on the procedure a few weeks back. Looked savage.

Good luck.

My advice is to make sure that you put the effort into the post-op physical therapy. As long as you do this, you will be pleased with the outcome.

Also, talk to your surgeon about what type of hip he is going to put in. Specifically address what your favorite activities are and what type hip would be best for you. Some hip replacements offer differences in movement restrictions. For example, if you love to golf there may be one hip that will let you resume golf after recovery whereas with a different one you might not be allowed to do the twisting required for you golf swing..

Good luck bro. I will keep you in my prayers for a quick pain free recovery. I hope you get back to singing and dancing like this again

Ah man, show some mercy, '40! Best wishes, '45...

I was merciful! A real man would replace his own hip!

best wishes to you ire45

45 I have had my right knee replaced, both hips, rebuilt both shoulders, and thumbs. Also I have the first torea ankle replacement in northern Ohio. The hips and knees are no problem. I was up and walking with a cane in 3 to 4 days. You can do this, just follow your therapist. You will get up the day of surgery. Just get your mind right.

Well yesterday was the surgery and it went fine . Surgery started at 11:15 and I was home in my own bed by 7:00 ! Outpatient hip replacement kinda freaked me out at first but so far so good . Pain is not bad , in fact most of the pain comes from my back being unable to sleep on my regular side . Thanks for all of the thoughts and advice .

Awesome! Glad it went well.

WOW, outpatient Hip Replacement.. That's freakin amazing. Glad you are OK,,

Don't you wish we healed up as well as those young guys