Hip replacement tips

Lindaa

Patience is what we all need and what we find hard to have. Im just into third week after left hip replacement. 10 years ago 1st was done and I set myself targets which set me up to disappoint myself though I did recover well within 3 to 4 months. This time my only target is to do the exercise programme as set by physios and walk as and when I can at present in the house and garden. I shall build on progress gradually and accept that others will be quicker and others slower in recovery.

I want to be as fit as I can be and get as much benefit as possible from the op but accepr it will take time

Abigail

You will get there .had one hip in October and one in may this year it is wonderful to get about again

CliveClive

Thanks everyone for the previous comments on this thread. I'm 6wks post op for right hip and can say that these comments have been very useful. Particularly keen to remmender that it's a marathon and not a sprint!

Rosehip

I wish I had read this thread before now. It is good to know that my journey post hip replacement is very similar in experience to date, in all sorts of ways that I haven't been able to read about elsewhere. I had my THR about 9 months ago. I am finding that I can walk about 3.5 miles tops, partly due to also having arthritis in my feet. I tend to find that I need to ease up on exercise the day after walking this far, as I feel very stiff first thing, and after sitting. I can walk mile without any after effects. I will need my second hip done at some stage. I worry about over doing it and wearing my new THR out faster, or wearing out the other one quicker so that I need an op on that one quicker too. I am so pleased to just be able to get out again. I feel like I have a life back.

RogerBill

Hi @Rosehip All the advice I received was that it's better to exercise and walk in order to maintain muscle strength and that will help protect the hips. The only form of exercise to minimise is anything that entails shock loading as this can reduce the life, for example running would be potentially worse than walking.

Rosehip

Hi @RogerBill,

Many thanks for taking the time to respond.

I have had a posterior, non cemented ceramic THR. It seems that the type of replacement affects which movement restrictions apply. At 6 weeks I was told I could go back on the exercise bike and return to the gym. However, when I considered what I used to do there, I couldn't work out how I could safely do this, e.g. still wasn't allowed to kneel, twisting restrictions etc., so didn't risk it. I have been doing the set exercises that I was given post operation, i.e. body weight squats, step ups, clams, side leg raises, and when on my front, a leg lift, and then with knee bent, foot raised upwards. I saw my surgeon a couple of weeks ago and he felt swimming (haven't done for several years), walking, and exercise bike and the prescribed exercises would keep me fit. He stated that other activities could reduce the life of the replacement. I still find that I am adjusting in my head, as I used to do the gardening, decorating, gym, and walk long distances most weekends. I certainly don't want to reduce the life of the THR. I am so happy to have the freedom of everyday things again though e.g being able to take the bin out again without an issue..lol

RogerBill

Hi @Rosehip My THR was done 18 months ago using the posterior approach. But the cup has a screw holding it in place and I'm fairly sure I remember being told that they cemented the stem in the thigh bone. I suspect these details are dependent upon patient age, condition of the bones and preference of the surgeon. I was 69 when I had my THR and the hip was bone on bone and the other hip was assessed as having mild OA which I suspect will need replacing at some stage. My lower back has caused some problems for many years and my knees are also showing signs of deterioration. But nothing anywhere near as bad as my hip was before it was replaced.

The materials used in replacement hips have been much improved over the years and I think would be unlikely to fail. The risk I was most concerned about was dislocation as the "only" thing holding the ball of the stem in the cup are the muscles around the joint. Hence the need for exercise to rebuild and repair the muscles and movement restrictions in the early months after the operation. However, the strength of those muscles must be considerable. Think how much effort is required to dislocate a cooked chicken leg and then think of scaling that up to the size of our hip joints. Also I notice the legs of free range chickens tend to be more difficult to pull apart which must say something for the benefits of exercise!!!

I now regularly walk 4 miles (used to do 10) and back to doing DIY etc but now limit the time spent on such activities to around two hours before taking a break. I do avoid anything that would impose a shock load, eg running or kicking a football and I try to be more careful when bending, lifting, etc but this is due to general aging as much as the THR.

Not sure any of this will be of much help because, as they kept telling me, everyone is different. Perhaps the best advice is listen to your body and take note of the advice of your surgeon and physiotherapist. I had a few different physiotherapists and their opinions varied but generally they, and the surgeon were all fairly relaxed about what I should do or not do.

Rosehip

Hi @RogerBill ,

Many thanks, that was really helpful.

I too have osteoarthritis, and I will also need my second hip done at some stage. I also have arthritis in one knee, plus both feet (I am currently waiting for updated orthotics). I am 56. I have also had back issues in the past linked to my hip and feet problems.

When I had my THR, mine was also bone on bone. The surgeon described it as 'quite a mess.'

Yes, dislocation is my main preoccupation, wear and tear of the new hip joint being second.

I was told that I was given an uncemented ceramic hip replacement due to my age.

I love your chicken leg analogy. I am sure it is very accurate, but it did make me laugh also...I shall keep that in mind :-)

It felt reassuring to read your post. Hopefully our various content will be useful to others reading this.

I enjoy the fact that people can't tell that I have had a THR now; not by seeing me walking anyway. Maybe the prescribed bending techniques give it away, lol.

MaureenB

I was interested to read the comments above. I had one THR 6 years ago, which I think was cemented. The consultant said the hip was as bad as it could get. I have had the second THR last November, it had just reached 'severe' in August and gone to bone on bone by the operation. This THR was uncemented and I have been told to avoid internal twisting, otherwise I can ride a bike, go swimming etc. The consultant has recommended strengthening exercises rather than stretching. The second THR has resolved my lower back problems arising from worn discs on the left side, for the first time in over 7 years I have no symptoms even minor ones. I have been doing Pilates for over 20 years and recommend it. I had exercises for my lower back which were pilates based.

slea

Had my right THR a week ago still sore especially at night where heel and bottom pain cause me to get up 1 to 2 hrly. It is very frustrating to be limited in what I can do . My leg is very swollen which doesn't help and I put it up were possible. Trying to do exercises as I these will help but overall my journey is hard at the moment as used to doing so much

slea

I am at 4 weeks now post THR but finding it slow. I am able to walk with one crutch in the house but my main problem is leg swelling and although my wound has healed with no obvious problems I am getting tightness and stinging around that area with swelling below the wound. I am able to do my exercises but it is quite disheartening to read when people are doing so well . Any advise would be great

slea

Ellen

4 weeks post major surgery is actually very early days @slea I think you may be being a bit hard on yourself.

Hopefully someone will be along to reassure you soon.

Ellen.

RogerBill

@slea I agree with @Ellen that 4 weeks is early days after a hip replacement op and probably one reason why my post op appointment with the surgeon wasn't until 6 weeks after the op. I was told to view recovery as a marathon not a sprint and you should certainly continue investing time and effort into the exercises, gradually building them up along with walking. It was a little time after the op that my leg swelled which was a surprise and a little worrying but apparently it's quite common so I wish I'd been forewarned about it. It's two years ago when I had my op so I'm afraid I can't remember some of the details, but I do remember some tightness and other different feelings. Because before the op I'd read about the procedure and how muscles were separated and the leg strapped down, etc I'd expected these sort of different feelings so I wasn't too concerned. Also after the op my body posture and walking gait was adjusting and putting different stresses on the various muscles. But having said all that if you're worried you should certainly contact the hospital.

slea

Thankyou for your comments maybe I am expecting too much . I wii give it another week and see how things go.

slea

6 weeks now post THR managing to walk around the house independently but now my thigh aches tried ice pack and analgesics .I assume its the muscles that need to get stronger any other advice would be appreciated.

slea

Nurina

I'm reading this thread and it's very informative. @slea I've read about the pain that comes when you start walking without aid. Apparently you have to reeducate your muscles. Probably for years, your muscles has been trying to compensate the wrong posture due to the bad bones. You've overused some muscles, like the ones in the lower back and not used others for years. It'll be hard but don't be hard on yourself. You'll be fine. I wish I could walk independently at 6th week when I have my surgery. All these people you see in youtube or read in testimonies that go skiing on the 2nd week could have other circumstances, like age, physical condition, maybe they are sponsored by the clinics or they are just liars. I've found a couple of accounts on Instagram claiming they got the hips replaced and it's clearly not true, but they have thousands of followers. Anyway, you are doing better day by day and that's a good signal. Keep going with your exercises, go walking, do a normal life and you'll be fine soon.

X

slea

Thankyou for your support yes I agree its quite disheartening when you read people have walked so many miles after a few weeks and at 6 weeks I can only go on short shopping trips and needing a crutch outside the house

I also get problems with bottom pain and numbness when I sit for a while I expect its from sitting for so long even though I try and have a little walk every hour

swimmer60

@slea

I simply don't believe those comments about what people can do at 2 weeks. 2 months probably, but not 2 weeks.

I'm 4 weeks in and just did my longest walk, about 2 hours with an ice cream at a caff, half way. Such a beautiful, sunshiney day! I was exhausted when I got home and had to go for a lie down! Both legs ached, my non-operated leg because, I suppose, I'd been using muscles not used for weeks.

Years ago, a physio told me nobody should sit for more than 30 minutes at a time, even if you just stand up and have a nice stretch.

Take care. Don't be disheartened. You get very helpful exchanges on here, stay away from youtube!

slea

7 weeks post THR can walk without any aids but after half mile thigh aches muscles getting used to it I hope.

The worst bit is upper bottom pain on replacement side with some numbness especially when sitting not sure what this is .Have my outpatients next week so hopefully find out has anyone had a similar problem.

Drinie

Hi All fellow THR friends,

To me you are the friends I can finally relate to with all the different experiences, helpful tips and I am so grateful and thankful for this. I live in Switzerland and had my operation on the 8 th February this year so roughly three and a half weeks ago. I had the THR and reattachment of the tendon to bone, as my tendon was totally detached . This could only be done with lateral, posterior surgery.

My wonderful family whom I love very much keep saying” mom you are strong, be positive, don’t get down” Some days this advice makes me feel a total weak failure. I wrote of my story on another arthritis post as I did not see the THR conversation, but three wonderful ladies replied and really reassured me that everyone progresses at a different pace and there is no normal progression.( This was so needed) Unfortunately for me as I explained in my post, I was readmitted to hospital five days post op due to hematoma complication that escalated my pain to an unbearable level. I could not sleep, having to do so only on our backs, which I find very difficult and then with the constant nagging pain that wore me down to a total emotional mess. I spent five days on bed rest in hospital, different pain management with only gentle short little steps in passageway.. and no physio at all. The CT scan confirmed hematoma and I was instructed by my specialist that I was to have no further physio for a few more weeks to enable the tendons , wound etc to heal, and slow down the small bleed. I now do only the leg pumps in bed, with short walks on both crutches and take the blood thinners which unfortunately seem to worsen the hematoma. I also despite being so so careful slid off the corner of the bed after my morning wash routine and fell onto the opposite hip.. I was so worried that I may have hurt the operated hip as I immediately felt more pain. My GP reassured me and said I would not be able to put any pressure on that leg, should I have shifted anything.However I will probably see the orthopaedic tomorrow for a scan to see if all okay. I am honestly praying that I have not made things worse.

Thinking about my journey, it seems strange as when I was first discharged after the surgery, I felt good, with all my previous chronic pain gone, only left with the obvious surgical pain.. I could actually walk with one crutch. After second trip to hospital to manage worsening pain, I had to go back to two crutches and felt it has been three steps back.

Now at three and half weeks later I still feel chronic groin ache.. and cannot really tolerate too much company.. my emotional health not really good as I find this operation to be so much more than I thought it would be, and overwelmed at times and having read blogs on others recoveries, that seemed amazing, this only made me feel worse ( due to my state of mind) as I seemed so so far behind.

For someone who has been fiercely independent, active and functional and reluctant to rely on anyone, despite chronic pain for three or more years due to inflammatory arthritis, and having had two rotater cuff shoulder surgeries, I feel that this operation has been a huge reality wake up. However reading reassurances that recovery is slow and different for everyone, has helped me now in that I am okay to accept this and not feel some personal failure or that the pain is all in my mind. Also it is okay to accept help and depend on help for now and I am grateful for the caring showed to me. I am trying to focus on trying to be positive and that my recovery may be slower but this is okay, that I need to learn patience ( which I probably needed to learn) and take every day as it comes is the best way. So yes, we all heal at different paces, and this is okay!

So thank you for your posts, I really wish the best for you all with steady healing and I am sincerely happy for those of you who have made such good progress.and hope that you who are having more troubles don’t feel despair and worry. I am also sorry to have rambled on and sound as if I am complaining.. I am learning acceptance and the to need to persevere with the understanding that my turn and those of us with similar set backs will come too and healing will take place in its own time.