Total hip replacement in next 3 months

emma86oneill

Hi All,

So I found out last week that I have to have a total hip replacement on both hips due to my severe osteoarthritis. The first hip(left) will be within next 3 months. I've read alot of the posts regarding surgery, and tbh I'm finding it pretty difficult. I'm 38 and was not expecting to be going through something like this. I'm happy that I will be getting the surgery as I currently have no life with the pain and stiffness. I'm in constant agony. But pretty scared about it too. It will be great yo get my life back, albeit not until second surgery has been completed. If anyone has any tips that could help me prepare for surgery or any advice would be greatly appreciated ❤️

Nurina

I’d recommend you to get as fit as you can. There are NHS programs in leisure centres you can attend for several weeks to get prepared for surgery. I’ve also had staged double THR and understand your struggle but this is an amazing surgery and you’ll recover your life.

emma86oneill

Thankyou, I am trying to do as much as possible, but I am very limited. I will look into the nhs programs though as only knew about the online videos. Thanks for the advice 🙏

emma86oneill

If you dont mind me asking, how long did you have to wait for your second surgery after the first and I'm also a little confused as to how you can do physio after the first when you still have a painful other hip? 🤷‍♀️

jj72

Hi,

I'm just new here so thought I would say hello as I'm also waiting for a total hip replacement. Osteoaritis in both hips too. I've been told an 8 month wait.

I thought I was young to be having this surgery (52) but obviously your a lot younger.

All I've been told that being younger you should be able to heal a lot quicker!

Also dreading it but keep looking forward x

Nurina

@emma86oneill Waiting times depend on where you live. When I was diagnosed stage final of OA last year, in Wales there was a waiting list on one year and a half for the first visit to the consultant and another two years for the surgery. I couldn’t walk and the pain was excruciating. I had to pay for my first surgery in a private hospital that was done one month later.
My other leg was as bad as the first but it was okeyish for around three months after the first surgery so I could do the physio, not perfect due to the limitations but I managed. When it started to fail, I couldn’t do much more because of the limping and the pain but I’ve always done seated exercises and exercises from the Escape program app. I know from experience that the fitter you go to the surgery, the better. I attended the NHS program for 6 weeks right before the surgery. It’s run by NHS physiotherapists so they know what they do. I waited 10 months in the NHS emergency list for the second surgery. I had it done two weeks ago ago and I feel great. I’m now 56 and I’m still too young to have this surgery but I feel so lucky to have it done and recover my life.

claudsl

Hi @emma86oneill

Here is some information I found on hip replacement surgery which you may find useful. While you are young to be having the surgery, a positive way of looking at it is that it should help to massively improve your quality of life, rather than suffering for years and having it done when you are older.

Hip replacement surgery | Treatment options | Versus Arthritis

Wishing you all the best and please keep us updated on how everything goes!

Take care, Claudia x

JPT

@emma86oneill It's well worth reading posts on here from lots of us who have had total hip replacements (thr). We have all started out afraid (none more than me) and the lovely people on here who started recording their recovery diaries was a massive help to me so I also did the same. Although I have been fortunate in only needing one hip replacement (fingers crossed it stays that way for a long while) I was only 55 when I had surgery and my surgeon said that more and more younger people are dealing with this so you are not alone. Do do as much exercise as you can to get strong, get your house set up so things will be easier in the early weeks. Most of all, accept help when it is offered! You will be fine and won't look back. x

emma86oneill

Thank you @JPT. I have read a few, so will continue to do so. I know it'll be so worth it in the end. Just know the next year is gonna be so tough. X

emma86oneill

Thank you Claudia, that's very true and a good way to look at it. I will keep updating my journey on here. Thank you for the links too x

emma86oneill

Thanks @Nurina that makes me feel a little better about the physio in before the second surgery. I am determined to do as much as I can before the surgery hopefully without putting myself through too much pain. But I know the stronger I can get before the easie it will be. Really appreciate your advice x

emma86oneill

Thanks @jj72 and hi 👋.

I hope the wait goes quickly for you, I was told I would have to wait around a year originally so my appointment came through slightly earlier than expected. I was diagnosed in July so not really been waiting too long, but long enough. When in pain it always feels like it's taking forever to get near to the appointment. X

anxioussarah

Hi Emma

I was so anxious and very scared the first time in may but I told nursing staff and everyone put me at my ease that really helps

Also I did some relaxing meditations from you tube in the weeks before it also If you can go to a local swimming pool even just walking in the water really helps your legs , take care Jean x

emma86oneill

Hi Jean, thank you for your message 😊 the meditation sounds like a good idea. The anxiety really kicks in, just need to remember it will all be worth it! I have been going to a Hydrotherapy pool once a week which has been brilliant, meetinglots of people in the same or similar situation as me. It does help to talk to people that understand. So thanks for taking the time X

Janlyn

@emma86oneill it is so understandable that you are anxious. It's just about 12 months since my replacement hip and I was terrified, but I'm so happy to be pain free and able to walk properly again. And looking back my recovery wasn't too bad either. I was cautious at first, scared of falling and everything took time but it really wasn't anything like as bad as I had imagined.

If you read some of the diaries on here they're all very similar stories. If you can exercise and relax as much as you can so you are in as good a place as possible you will help your recovery.

Take care, and let us know when you have a date for your op, please.

Hopefull1

I am also having my right hip replaced and have a date for the ‘op in February. Recently had a X-ray on my left ankle. GP mentioned ankle fusion and has referred me to orthopaedics. As I am on Apixaban a blood thinner pain relief is limited. I am currently using a 10mg morphine patch which I only stared a couple of days ago. Has anyone one else used these ? I am concerned about addiction and wondered if anyone had any information regarding this.

NanaAnna

I'm much older than you (65) but I had my second hip done almost 3 weeks ago. The biggest difference for me this time (I had Rt side done 11/23 and I did a lot of physio prior to that op) is that I did modified pilates on a reformer for 6 weeks prior to this surgery and the core strength I developed in that short time has made the world of difference. This time, I was able to move much more easily in the bed/chair while in hospital and to mobilise at home, compared to the first hip. A lot of the reformer exercises were not possible to do due to my hip pain however the abdominal work was not painful, so I focused on those and it's the best thing I did. Wishing you all the best for your upcoming surgery.

emma86oneill

Thank you. Unfortunately I spoke toa lady at the hospital today asking after my appointment letter and was informed that my consultant had told me the incorrect information. My surgery will not be within 3 months as his waiting list is so big it will more likely be nearer to Aug 25. Super angry as I got into my head not long now. But got so many more months to wait and suffer the pain which frustratingly is getting worse. Just wish he had said he was unsure of how long rather than getting my hopes up! It's starting to really get me down now 🥹

Nurina

I'm so sorry. I know how you feel. At least it's "only" 8 months. In Wales the routine waiting list is 2 years. I jumped one year ahead when my consultant saw I couldn't walk anymore and the shooting pain made me almost faint in front of his eyes. Even he put me in the "emergency list", I had to wait 10 months. The waiting list committee are constantly reviewing the cases so they are moving up the most serious cases. If you feel worse, let your GP know. Take care x

emma86oneill

Thanks Nurina, wow that's awful. I suppose in that case i am still quite lucky! Iwill keep updating my doctors. I have asked if I can at least have a cortisone injection to help with the pain in the meantime x

Nurina

Be aware you can't have the surgery for some time, I don't remember how long, after having a cortisone injection.

Fran54

@emma86oneill

when I had a steroid injection in my knee I was told that I would have to wait 6 months before I could have any surgery done in case of getting an infection. Hope this helps.