total hip replacement

hughstjust
hughstjust Member Posts: 4
edited 19. Dec 2010, 14:27 in Living with Arthritis archive
I am not experiencing a lot of pain - more the odd shock when I move awkwardly. I have had my rt hip resurfaced in 2007 and the left is pretty worn out - I'm 65 years of age. I can no longer ride a bike or sail - my walking with a stick seems OK.

I see the surgeon tomorrow and he'll suggest we proceed with an operation - which I deferred from last year. He's suggesting a ceramic/plastic combination for the surgery.

My living is now pretty difficult at times as my mobility is impaired - do I go ahead? The resurfacing in 2007 was very successful! :?:

Comments

  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi and welcome
    I am in the process of waiting to have my first THR, so I do know what you are going through, If it was me I would get it done sooner rather then later, has they say things can only get worse.
    If you read down some of the post, there are lots on here that have had the op, it is really good to read there different views, mostly good I add.
    Good Luck
    Barbara x
    Love
    Barbara
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, I've not had a hip replacement, so I can't give you any useful information. I do know that lots of people on here have had that op done. I'm sure that someone will be along soon to give you some good information. Also, the help line number at the top right of the page is a very good source of information as well as providing someone to talk to. So it may be worth giveing them a try, they also have some leaflets explaining procedures, which they will send you.
    I hope that you get on well with your op. Oh, I havn't said hello and welcome to the site, do let us know how things go. love Sue
  • mirabella
    mirabella Member Posts: 272
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi there,I am recovering now from my second hip relpacement in less than a year,so far 11wks downthe road now since last op,wonderfull,and the first op on my left hip is just the best thing I ever had done,and that will be a year come 1st Dec. Your still a young man,get it done asap,you won't regret :D Mirabella
  • dachshund
    dachshund Member Posts: 9,093
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Hughstjust.
    welcome to the forum people on here are so kind and helpfull.
    i had my thr 14 years ago after falling over i have not had any problems with it.
    i've been to the gym on the rowing machine treadmill and exersize bike and lying on the floor.
    good luck. joan xx
    take care
    joan xx
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello and welcome to the forum

    I haven't had a hip replacement either so I haven't any advice, I just want to wish you luck with your appointment and hope that the doctor can help you make the right decision.

    Take care
    Juliepf x
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Hugh and welcome,

    I have THR on my left (it's 13 years old) and I had a resurface-replacement on the right (May this year.)

    Only you can make the decision about when you are ready for the op. Things to consider would be, a THR is never quite as good as a real hip in terms of range of movement and strength. However, the longer you wait, the more your muscles deteriorate (as you become less active) and the longer your recovery post-op. Also to consider is even when you decide you are ready - you will have to join the waiting list and in that time your hip can deteriorate rapidly. Might be worth finding out how long the waiting list is.

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • mp1952
    mp1952 Member Posts: 425
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Hugh

    I had my first hip replacement in May this year and am so very pleased I had it done and I wouldn't hesitate to have my other one done when I need to (hopefully that won't be for a long long time yet)..

    As Speedy says, best to get on the waiting list because mine deteriorated dramatically in the last 6 mnths before I had it done..

    You will need someone with you for about 10 days post op though..

    Marion
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,791
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Hugh

    I have all my own hips :wink:

    Serioulsy though we will support you on here if you do decide to go ahead in any way we can.

    Good luck

    Toni xx
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Morning hugh, like frogmorton I too have the originals but if I was offered the chance for a replacement joint of any sort I would not hesitate. As frog says, whatever you decide the forum will do its best to support you. Only you can make the decision tho. I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • lola9755
    lola9755 Member Posts: 39
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    Im going in for my THR on friday, and I guess the last 6 months have been extremely painful, Im 55 work full time and it is limiting my lifestyle..........I feel OLD!! SO, Iwill keep you posted on my progress, I think that now is the right time for me, Ive waited since march this year on the list
    tricia
  • fester
    fester Member Posts: 98
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My very best wishes for a speedy recovery and successful operation to those about or looking into this procedure.

    I had my first bilateral hip replacements done at nearly 18 years old and the right one is only now getting ready for replacement after 34 years (had the left done in 2000 thereabouts after the shaft sheared :roll: ).

    Had no problems whatsoever up to when they began to fail and are very happy with the results, in fact i also have a right shoulder replacement since 1993 and so far touch wood apart from some stiffness and limitations on movement its fine.

    Steve
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Tricia, those months of waiting on the list are hard aren't they? You have done well to keep working - I was really struggling in the end - with work and lifestyle.

    Wishing you well for your op on Friday. You sound very calm about it. Are you all organised? Not long to wait now and then the focus will be on your recovery. Keep us posted.

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Wow Fester, 34 years!! That lasted well.

    My oldest hip is 13 years old. If it lasts 34 years, I won't need it replaced until I'm 64 ....

    The other hip and the shaft business sounded a nasty way for a THR to come to the end of its life - is the new hip sound and successful?

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • hughstjust
    hughstjust Member Posts: 4
    edited 15. Nov 2010, 06:41
    Have seen the surgeon and am proceeding with the operation on 9th December as I have elected to go private. Didn't really want to go ahead as losing my hip aged 64 is a real loss! My doc advises a plastic/ceramic combination using a titanium stem.

    My resurfacing in 2007 was done by the same doc and that has been brilliant! The THR is a much smaller and straightforward operation - let's hope!
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Always feels better when a decision has been made. 9th December is not far away. Good that it is the same surgeon doing your op. Did you have hip restrictions after the resurface op? Keep us posted.

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • lola9755
    lola9755 Member Posts: 39
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi I'm pretty well organised, finished the last of my christmas shopping this morning............anything else will be done online!! Expecting my first grandchild 5th dec, so it's all systems goooooooooooo!!
    thanks for all your good wishes, I will keep you posted
    tricia xx
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sorry I'm only getting this now......had problems with my computer.
    Good luck for the 9th Dec...not far away but just long enough to get yourself organised.
    I had my first THR in Feb and was due my 2nd Oct but it has been deferred until I see a back specialist....Got an appt this Wednesday so I'll know more then.
    Oh yes and welcomne to the forum LOL
    Lov e
    Hileena
  • denpen
    denpen Member Posts: 389
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    I had a THR in April this year age 55, if your hip joint is worn away, its worn away, why hang on to it and be in pain, get a false one. and I would recommend it to anyone, as previously I was taking 16-18 painkillers a day and now NO PAINKILLERS AT ALL "Fantastic" so its worth it just for that alone. I still have some mobility problems, but I am working on it and just to be pain free is worth it.
    Denise.
  • fester
    fester Member Posts: 98
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    speedalong wrote:
    Wow Fester, 34 years!! That lasted well.

    My oldest hip is 13 years old. If it lasts 34 years, I won't need it replaced until I'm 64 ....

    The other hip and the shaft business sounded a nasty way for a THR to come to the end of its life - is the new hip sound and successful?

    Speedy

    Hi Speedy Yea when the shaft sheared i screamed blue murder for about 5 seconds as i got in the car then walked on a broken hip joint or tried to for six month before conceding defeat yea i'm nuts i know :lol: As regard the left hip to be honest i think its starting to show signs of future problems eg sqeaking,aching and heat around the joint but again like my right hip still not quite enough to warrant ringing my sawbones yet maybe early next year or later as would probably ask for a double replacement if possible.
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ooh - that does sound nasty. Amazing how we grit our teeth and carry on ... however when the time is right for the op (or we just can't carry on any longer) we know we have to face the sawdoctors!!

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • hughstjust
    hughstjust Member Posts: 4
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well, I had the operation to replace my left hip joint on the 9th December and came home the following Monday. Still feeling pretty sore and heavily bruised. Am taking pain killers and blood thinning drug for 4 weeks post discharge.

    Hobbling around on 2 sticks - still it's all over bar the check up on 28th January. :))
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    From what I have read on here I think you will feel bruised and pretty sore for a while yet! Do your exercises, rest in between, keep your leg elevated (I think that's right) and keep ahead of the pain with plenty of pain dullers! I wish you well and I sincerely hope it all leads to a new lease of life for you. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Hugh, hope your recovery and rehab is going well and that the swelling and bruising is improving.

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • tonesp
    tonesp Member Posts: 844
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I agree with everyone else I had my new hip in September Getting around the house and garden with no help I am still using one crutch when we go out.I keep forgetting it though and keep leaing it behind normally to a chorus of Senor Su Muletta!!! It's normally at supermarket checkouts as I help my wife pack the bags x:lol: x:lol: x:lol: x:lol:
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Hugh

    Just seen this post and wanted to wish you well and to say hope your recovery is going well.

    Thinking of you.

    Love Tilly xxx