Hip Replaced...

[jdmorton]

Well, I had my hip replaced 12 days ago. I know it's a clique, but I can't believe I waited as long as I did to have the surgery. I have had absolutely no pain in the replaced hip joint since the surgery. My story probably isn't too much different than most people who have replacement surgery. Mine started out as arthritis in the hip - first diagnosed in early 2006. By the end of 2006, I was walking with a limp and in constant pain with every step I took. Why I waited almost a year to have the surgery is now beyond me. The last 6 months were so bad that I was literally dragging my affected leg along.

Anyway, everyone say's I'm "young" to have a joint replaced (I'm over 50 ). While the rehab isn't a lot of fun (but not too bad - so far ); just the fact that I don't have any hip joint pain and can actually straighten my leg out for the first time in almost 2 years is well worth it.

By the way, I have a ceramic (metal, not porcelain) ball and socket, with the ball on a titanium post. Supposedly, this type of hip replacement should last 25 to 30 years. I hope it does .

 

[REWahoo]

Congratulations on your new joint! My sister in law had a knee replacement a year ago and her comments mirror yours exactly.

Supposedly, this type of hip replacement should last 25 to 30 years. I hope it does .

Here's hoping you're around long enough to wear it out...and a replacement!

 

[Leslie]

Congrats as well on your great results! My hubby needs a new hip badly (he's 53) and he's dragging his feet (so to speak) on setting a surgery date. He's really miserable with his arthritic hip--I'm hoping he gets his done soon. I'll pass along your post for encouragement!

 

[DougViages]

Keep me informed!

I'm 54, and need to schedule a hip rplacement ASAP. My (funny) young, orthopodic doc said my right hip Xray was the worst he'd probably see that day, and, gee,didn't it hurt more. Oh, and by the way, your left hip will be due in 10 years. So, now my DW and I are scheduling the operation for Feb 1. We have a cruise in December, and a trip to Hawaii in January, and I guess I'll tough the trips out with lots of tropical drinks. So far, the pain has slowed me dramatically, I take ibupropin with a beer chaser. It's partially genetic, and partially just life. My mom had a hip replaced in her 60's. It's been coming on for decade, so I've probably toughed it out long enough.

Please keep writing, I need to read about other's experiences. I'm with you here!

 

[jdmorton]

Follow-Up Reply

Wahoo - Thanks! I hope I do last long enough to get a replacement done!

Leslie and DougViages - I'm pretty sure I know what your respective spouse (Leslie) and you (DougViages) are going through. Much of it is a fear/anguish about the loss of control over your life - the small things like getting dressed, going to the bathroom, getting something to eat, relying on others to do things that even small children do. Well, that is very short-lived, and in some cases non-existent. They tried to get me to stand up about 5 hours after surgery. I had a little too much anasthesia, so I couldn't (I did sit up along the edge of the bed with my legs dangling down) - but I did get up later the evening of my surgery to go the the bathroom by myself (so that was one of my fears that turned out to not be one after all - I did not want to use a bed pan). You can do as much as you feel like (provided you don't exceed some 90 degree angle bends of the replaced hip; and even those aren't all that limiting). What really pursuaded me to have the surgery done was the pre-surgery joint replacement seminar that my surgeon puts on twice a month. His staff goes through everything - including all of the life-aid devices so you can be as independent as possible. The sock puller-on (as I call it) is about the slickest device I've ever used. (Hint - put a little baby powder on the sock sleeve and it is so much easier to use!. The hospital even gave me a couple of small bottles of baby powder to use.) If you haven't yet, I suggest "shopping" around for a surgeon you like. You can't believe the number of people who told me that their surgeon was the "best in town/state/U.S./world for hip replacement. I think I had the name of five local surgeons who were "world renowned" joint replacement specialists (maybe they all are). I went with a local surgeon who specializes in joint replacement - that's all he does. My local hospital, about 3 miles from my house, gave him two operating suites for his exlcusive use and a wing of the hospital for all his joint replacement patients to recover. I had a private room for my 3 day hospital stay. Naturally, I think he is the "best".

 

[jdmorton]

REWahoo, Sorry for Calling You Wahoo..

...Still can't read and type very well - I guess there are some things even surgery can't fix