Recent hip replacement anyone?

[beveeheart]

I have an appointment tomorrow with my orthopedic doctor and would like suggestions as to what questions/concerns to discuss with him. None of my friends or family members have had this procedure, so I haven't had any 1st hand experiences told to me. I must admit that I'm a little freaked out about this upcoming surgery.

[flamingdem]

1. Not me but

my mother just had one due to a fall. It amounted to four days in the hospital since she's elderly - otherwise I think it's three days - and 18 days in a rehab clinic. She left a couple of days early. Two months later and she can move without the cane but still uses it for any distance. She gets physical therapy at home and that seems very helpful.

If you're younger you'll be able to go without the cane sooner. As soon as you're done with surgery they want you on your feet so you'll be testing the procedure right away.

Maybe the worst thing was how she got constipated, make sure to eat prunes etc. after surgery!

I am not hearing complaints about pain at this point. She did have to take pain killers for the first two weeks. They want you to walk and do therapy so the replacement takes.

Best of luck!

[beveeheart]

5. Oh I know all about the

Constipation because of the pain meds so I only take them when I absolutely can't stand it anymore. Glad to hear that your Mom is doing better and not in pain.

[SummerSnow]

2. I had a family member who had hip replacment..

She asked them what kind of prosthesis she was getting. This was important she says cause the kind you get depends on your recovery and level of pain. Then she wanted to know the name of the manufacture of the prosthetic device cause it may be a recall or some class action law suit.

[beveeheart]

6. Well I hadn't thought of that aspect of surgery.

Thanks for that suggestion.

[Nay]

3. Mr Nay just had one hip replaced and in 2 weeks he's having the other replaced.

We went to a seminar about a relatively new procedure called a "makoplasty." In this procedure, a computer-generated picture of your hip is used to place the replacement very accurately so that you get the correct angle of the joint capsule and ball. The surgery is computer-guided so the surgeon cannot put the ball in badly. Mr Nay is ecstatic about his new hip and can hardly wait to get the other one. It is proving to be the most accurate way to replace hips and knees.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAKOplasty


Make sure to check this out before you decide.

[beveeheart]

7. I'm very happy for Mr. Nay.

I hope I'll be ecstatic also! Will definitely inquire about that procedure.

[NV Whino]

4. Had one three years ago

I spent three days in the hospital due to prior nerve damage and the need for full anesthetic rather than a spinal block. Others done at the same time spent two days and had the spinal block. Up walking the next day. Discarded walker when I got home. Used one crutch for about a week and cane for a few weeks, but only when I went out. I had double the PT time, again due to prior nerve damage, which had affected my quads.

I experienced minimal pain, although I ended up sleeping in my zero gravity recliner for a couple of months. I suspect that was a problem relating only to me as I've never heard of anyone else having comfort problems when sleeping.

Best advice: exercise those quads as much as you can beforehand. You're never as strong as you think you are.

New surgery techniques make hip replacement a piece of cake these days. Possibly the best decision I ever made.

[beveeheart]

8. I'm already worried about my left quad

as it is noticeably weaker than my right quad.

Trying to find out what to expect, several days ago I found a journal of some guy's experience 10/11 years ago. Believe me, it was a mistake to read it. So your "piece of cake " makes me feel much better.

[NV Whino]

9. 10-11 years ago it was an entirely different technique

The doc should send you to an orientation class where they will give you exercises, let you look at a sample appliance and give you all sorts of good tips. Don't stint on the exercises.

Generally what they do these days is go in from the anterior (front) rather than posterior (back). This limits muscle disruption and damage. No cutting of the muscle. They just move them aside. It was the re knitting of the muscle that created long recovery times. Also, they no longer glue the appliance in. Failures were generally related to glue failing after about 15 years or so. The socket is surrounded by a disc with holes in it. Two years out, the bone will have grown into the holes, securing the socket. Same with the shaft into the femur. My socket was secured with a single screw. I don't know if that was just me or if that is standard. But as of the last X-ray, one year ago, bone and socket had fused.

But I will say, it may be the most expensive barometer in the world. Again, that may be just me, and it's not terrible. I just know when the weather is going to change.

[beveeheart]

10. This sounds much better.

Thanks so much for this info.

[Brainstormy]

11. My son

had BOTH hips replaced in the last two years. He's back playing A-level tennis and also coaching his daughter. You'll be great!

[beveeheart]

12. Thanks for the encouragement!

And I hope to be more physical afterwards also.