Bi-lateral hip replacement - please help !!

weejean

Hi there everyone, I am 38 years old and suffer from a rare bone condition which causes osteoarthritis in every joint. My hips are badly affected and I am going into hospital on 5th August to have both my hips replaced at the same time. I am absolutely terrified and dont really have anyone to discuss this with. My husband and family are brilliant and very supportive but I need to know more about it all from people who have had similar experiences. I am trying to focus on how good my life could be in the future but the nerves just seem to take over and I cant think straight most of the time. Any replies would be greatly appreciated as I feel so lost at the moment. Many thanks xx

stickywicket

Hi there, weejean. I don’t think we’ve ‘met’ before so welcome from me.

I can see this must be really scarey and I expect your supportive family are wanting you to focus on the positive and not even think about the negatives – like being scared! My husband’s always very encouraging when I’m due an op but, the only time he ever needed one I thought I’d have to hire a big tractor & a bunch of heavies to drag him in.

I had my first replacement knee joints at 36 – not together but one as soon as the other had reasonably healed ie 2 months apart. I’ve never regretted it for one moment, Since then I’ve had both hips done and, 27 yrs on, one of the knees replaced. I’ve had no problems with any of them.

All ops are scarey and there’s always a minimum amount of risk. I try to push the odds in my favour firstly by ensuring I tell the docs everything I can about my medical history and secondly by exercising the joints that are being replaced as much as possible beforehand (Not the best time, I know) to get the muscles as strong as I can. Then, afterwards, I do as much as possible again on the exercise front but equally (and this is very important) rest & elevate the joints too. No heroics for the first month or two. Let others do the work. Your job is to recover. (They want to support you? OK, now’s the time to call in the favours.)

What I probably hate most about THRs is sleeping on my back afterwards but I guess, in the grand order of things, that’s minor.

I wish you every success. Have you seen AC’s booklet on surgery? Click on the Publications & Resources section & scroll down to ‘surgery’. Also, towards the top of this page, there's a thread on Tips for Going into Hospital which you might find useful. Good luck!

weejean

Thanks so much for your reply !! It is so good to hear from someone who has had joint surgery. I am new to this group and hope to meet people who can help and support me and I also hope that I can do the same for others. Luckily I am quite a determined person and am still managing to walk with crutches when my doctors think I should be unable to walk at all. I hope to use this determination to aid my recovery. I have had osteoarthritis since birth with it gradually getting worse as I get older. I have had difficulties with lack of mobility in my hips for about 15 years now and my hips dont move at all when I walk. My legs only move from the knee down and its as if my legs are stuck together. I am scared of the risks of the surgery etc but I am also scared of how different I will feel when I am able to move my legs better. I know this sounds insane and I should be really excited but it makes me feel kind of strange as I havent used my legs for such a long time. Everyone around me thinks I should just be so happy that I will be able to move better but it is such a strange concept to me and its frightening. I hope you can understand where I am coming from and not think I am odd like everyone else does. It feels good to get all this off my chest and thanks for taking the time to read this and reply to me. I really appreciate it xx

stickywicket

Weejean, there are a lot of people here who have had joint surgery but weekends tend to be fairly quiet so there’ll probably be more around tomorrow and there’ll certainly be plenty of support.

You do sound determined and I’m sure that’ll be a huge help. I think I can, to some extent, understand where you’re coming from. As you’ve not been able to use your hips when walking for such a long time the whole idea of using them must feel a bit odd and scarey. And it may feel the same at first after the op because some of your muscles will probably have gone into hibernation and won’t be too pleased at being made to work again. I had something similar after my first TKR and, I can tell you, that walk round the bed (Actually, I was half carried by the physio!) was the longest, most painful walk I’ve ever done! I immediately burst into tears convinced I’d never walk again. How wrong can you get???

You are not odd, Weejean. You are understandably apprehensive and, let’s face it, you’d be a bit odd if you weren’t in the circumstances.

barbara12

Hi weejean
I am waiting for my first hip replacement , like you I am terrified of surgery, so I keep reading all the positive post on this lovely forum.
I need both doing, and to be honest I did ask would he do them both at once, when I left he hadn't made up his mind.
I really do wish you well with it all, and make sure you stay with us, then we can all support you.
You take care

valval

hi the thing most people do not get is how arther messes with your head, i can understand how you do not feel over the moon about the changes after the op to be honest with arther you tend not to put your expectations to high just incase. but you come accross as a very strong person, but remember we are here for you when you have a down day there will be some before and after and it not always easy to explaine to those close to us. we do not always get it our selves until we post on here and some one replys and then you go that it that how i feel as well i just did not have the words to explaine it. we will be in your pocket with you when you go for your op and stay till you no longer need us around sending hugs and positive thoughts your way. you will be ok and it will go well for you hugs val

hileena111

Hi weejean.....
Welcome to the forum.....
Most of us will understand needing to talk to someone who knows something about it.
I have a fantastic hubby.....very supportive...especially at the minute.....but unless they have arthritis they dont understand like someon on this forum will.
I've had one hip replaced and the other one was due to be done a few months later but they decided that my back had to be done first.
I hadnt a clue about hip replacement and came on here asking all sorts of {what seemed to be} silly questions...but got them all answered.
My first thought when reading your post was good grief....2 at once!!!!! but thinking bak to it......6 weeks recovery and a lot of restrictions.....you'll only have to go through that once. Sticky said it was sleeping on her back that bothered her. Me as well.....6 week sleeping on my back was awful but at least you'll only have one lot of 6 weeks....not like me who will have 2 lots of 6 weeks on my back
Any questions you think of just come back on and ask and I'm sure someone will be able to answer them
Love
Hileena

weejean

I would just like to thank everyone who has replied so far. I have been having a bad day and to be honest I have been on the verge of cancelling my surgery due to the fear of the unknown. I feel much better now and a lot more positive. I would just like to ask if you can feel that the replacement hips are not your own?? Again that probably sounds like a really stupid question but I hope you guys can understand xx

stickywicket

The only 2 ways they don't 'feel like your own', weejean, is that (1)they work and (2) they don't hurt!

Anytime you're having a bad day just say so. We probably can't do anything to help but we can understand where you're coming from. Hope tomorrow's better.

weejean

Thanks Stickywicket, what a wonderful reply. Am feeling so much better xx

constable

Hi there

You must be very scared and understandable too. I had my left hip replaced just over 9 weeks ago. I am now near enough back to normal regarding the hip. Back to all the housework and well everything.

Obviously it will be double for you, but at the end of it there will be a lot less pain and lots more mobility.


Karen xx

weejean

Thanks Karen, all the comments have really helped and although I am still scared I feel more at ease. I go into hospital on 4th August and have my operation on the 5th unless I get a cancellation. Wont be too long until its all over and I can start to live again. Thanks again, Jean x

speedalong

Hi Weejean and welcome,

I had a THR on the left aged 30 and a resurface-replacement on the right last year. I put off surgery as long as possible and had severe mobility problems and was in constant pain in the lead up to my op. Within two weeks of my op, I was wishing I had had it done so much earlier!!

I did not have both done together, (only one needed doing first time round) but I agree with Hileena, there are advantages - only op, only one stint in hospital, etc etc

The first couple of weeks are hard as you have the post op pain - but no harder than being in constant pain from OA. You know the pain will end! The pain is not that deep bone pain, it is post op pain and managed by meds. You will quickly notice that movement does not actually hurt like it used!! You will have to work hard at getting your muscles working again - but you will be so much better off.

You have nothing to lose you currently have very poor mobility and are in a lot of pain. It is worth it. Use the waiting time to plan for your rehab - rearranging the house to make life easier post op, plan and arrange your support, visitors etc Read Mike's hospital thread. In less than a month you will be focusing on your rehab and looking forward to all the things you will be able to do again!!

Speedy