Should I have a hip replacement? Advice please.

Up till recently everyone I know who had hip replacement was very happy with it. However, it does seem to be important to follow advice re 90 deg etc to the letter. A neighbour of mine had hers done in September and after about 3 weeks decided to sit outside on a sunny day. Unfortunately the bench she chose was a bit low, and when she went to stand up, the hip dislocated. Extremely painful, ambulance, hospital etc. They put it back, but recovery had to start again from scratch.

Then when she was just past 6 week mark, and given all clear by surgeon, she dislocated again, this time just bending down to pick up something. She had to have further surgery, longer op, lost a lot of blood and needed transfusion. She’s been told there’s no guarantee it won’t come out again- something to do with her shape.

I suspect she was a bit over-confident and tried to do too much, too soon, but advice given about 90 deg, leg crossing, is given for a reason.

Very positive advice on here for everyone getting to the hip replacement stage. My OH is on waiting list for his second.
All I would add is that different surgeons give different post op advice depending on type of op.

My OH, after recovery from first op, has been out regularly walking 7 - 8 miles with the ramblers plus over stiles. The worst thing (for me) was his snoring whilst he had to sleep on his back.

Spinal anaesthesia is often given these days and recovery is quicker afterwards. Don't worry about it, you can have sedation and may be totally unaware.

Nanny41, you can choose to have an epidural and remain awake.

I think the operation is a lot simpler and less painful than it used to be and you are encouraged to exercise asap. My friend had velcro shoes and a gadget for putting on her socks. I had to dig her garden as she, obviously, wasn't allowed to.

i had a hip replacement in 2006 and it has been good (TG).
I just want to add to other comments - best not to leave it for too long because your recovery rate depends partly on the health of the supporting muscles. So if you leave it until you can hardly walk it will take longer to regain your strength.

Had one on October 5th.Now walking without a stick in the house, and trying to to walk six steps and then put the stick down when I'm outdoors. Started driving again after six weeks and am doing cooking, ironing and shopping. You won't be able to sleep on your side for a while, which means you snore! I slept in the spare room for about seven weeks so we could both get some rest. My consultant said that it would be about four months before I would be fully healed. Have it done and make sure you do all the post-op exercises

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

This thread today has been wonderful, I am in exactly the same situation as Yebutnobut.Pain in hip getting worse, physio therapy twice a week, doesnt seem to be improving things.I am fed up having to take painkillers, sleeping isnt too bad, but always interrupted, cant bend properly to put socks on etc, I am miserable.This thread has really made my mind up, I hope to be able to benefit a few more years without pain if I have the operation.I have never been in Hospital apart from having children the anaesthetic is putting me off to be honest, but to waken without pain would be wonderful-. Thank you so much for this thread. Good luck Yehbutnobut.

GrannyLaine I hope you are finding all this advice and support as encouraging as I do. It’s a big decision.

My DH has had both hips replaced twice, the last one a year ago. I had to help out for six weeks, driving, putting his socks on etc., but his mobility is better and he is pain free. Go for it, your quality of life will improve. Best of luck x

Oh yes, the 90 degree thing. I remember my mum was given some rule about it but I forget what. It wasn’t forever, though. I dint know about the leg-crossing as she’s never really done that anyway.

I am just over a year post op. Definitely worth it. I was bone on bone and in a lot of pain. Had the spinal rather than general and recovered from that well. Pain management post op for the first week was an issue but my experience was unusual. Restrictions for the first six weeks but now back to work full time, driving , walking , swimming and sailing. Had the old fashioned posterior op complete with longish scar and a very old fashioned surgeon! But all good. Go for it. And before the op is no longer available on the NHS!

Yehbutnobut really good question and I'm watching this thread with interest as I too am at the stage of needing a hip replacement but reluctant for several reasons to go ahead just yet. The part about not crossing your legs made me smile - it was when I realised that I was unable to cross my legs that I knew something was amiss.

All very encouraging. Yes, him indoors is still around and might be dragooned into helping. I also have family close by.

I think I have been convinced. Thanks to all the positive comments.

My DH has had three hip replacement operations and would say if you are given the opportunity to have one then go for it. You will be free of pain and the recovery period of around six weeks has the limitations you have mentioned but if you follow the advice, do the recommended exercises and some gentle walking, increasing the distance each day, you will recover well. For his third operation my DH didn’t have a general anaesthetic just an epidural and a sedative and the difference in his recovery was remarkable. When he was taken back on the ward he was able to phone me and sounded as fresh as a daisy and he was only in hospital for one night. I only had to help him dress and carry his meals to him for a week at the most, after that the only thing I had to do was put his socks on. You will struggle if you don’t have somebody with you to help you during the first week or so, so make sure you do have some help. Prior to his first operation we attended a group session during which we were told what the operation would involve and what to expect during the recovery period and there was an opportunity to ask questions. We found this very useful.

How you cope with the operation and recovery will depend on your general health and varies from person to person but we would say go for it and wish you well.

No personal experience here but most people swear by it and the sooner the better. Apparently the recovery is much quicker and less painful that a knee replacement. Go for it!

May I suggest you make a list of questions you want answering and that list can be taken when you next have an OPD appointment. Do you have anybody who could help you immediately after discharge?

And everyone else ??

Thank you Jane for your reassurance. This for some reason was really bothering me!

no one has answered the question about the 90 degrees, whether that is just post surgery or for ever

Not for ever, OP, and in fact my friend who has just had it done (at Hexham) was told that it’s not considered necessary at all now, but obviously you would have to comply with what your own surgeon told you.
He/she is the person to ask.
Good luck

Had a replacement hip 3 years ago, spinal anatheasia so no ‘coming round’, hour and half on op table, all pain gone never to return. Walk, and walk and walk to recover and keep that muscle working. I was advised not to cross legs or do anything aerobic but I walk miles, swim and cycle, climb ladders and circle dance, but not at the same time. Have it done you will get your life back.

It will not improve-go for it! Follow all instructions given especially doing your exercises-even if it makes your eyes water to begin with. You will eventually (almost) forget you had it done and will be able to do pretty much everything. I can bend my leg easily now at keep fit past the 90 degrees!

Yes, the pain has impacted on my sleep and I find walking hard.

Thank you all for your advice.

Incidentally no one has answered the question about the 90 degrees, whether that is just post surgery or for ever.

Just do it! I did much the same as the OP for 5 years. I never realised how much the pain had built up because it was gradual, but even with the soreness from surgery, the pain was gone immediately from inside the hip. It’s one of the most successful surgeries that is performed regularly.

Not me, but my mum had a new hip about ten years ago. It was a brilliant success! She had it done under local anaesthesia. The pain that had kept her on painkillers for so long and the sleepless night - all gone. The added, unexpected, bonus is that she looked ten years younger afterwards, because the pain had lifted. It’s a free face lift!

Your hip is unlikely to improve and I think that probably it’s better to have the op when you are younger. My mum has also had a new knee but won’t get the second one done because she doesn’t feel that at 92yo, it would much improve her quality of life. Fortunately, the knee isn’t too painful, more just weak.