Hip Replacement

[Argee]

It appears that I need both my hip joints replacing. I'm guessing that they'll want to do one at a time, although I've heard that it's possible to get the whole job done in one go, if there is adequate home support. My X-Rays and assessment are booked for September 8th., so I've got a little time to prepare questions for the poor unfortunates who have to deal with me!

Has anyone first-hand (or close family member) experience of the procedure involved? I'd appreciate any info, comment or advice - whatever the nature of it - so that I'm prepared for the visit. PMs welcome if thought to be too vomit-inducing for public discussion!

Ray

 

[wizer]

Sorry to hear that Ray. I can't offer any advice over and above my normal NHS rant. But it seems my father has very early stages of hip problems, so interested to hear how it all goes for you. Hope it's a positive experience.

 

[RogerS]

Bad luck, Ray

Go to one of the NHS specialist hospitals if you can't go privately.

Do the physiotherapy that they advise.

IIRC a mate of mine had one done and I'd guess he's the same age as you. My mother doesn't count because (a) she didn't really need it and (b) she's a moaning miserable eejit so you have to take everything she says with a mountain of salt. IIRC try and strengthen your muscles up first before the operation if you can.

 

[paulm]

Hi Ray,

There are different types of replacement available dependent on the condition of the joints and surrounding bone, age and such like.

I damaged the ball and socket joint on my right hip due to a motorbike accident when I was a young lad, and it deterioated rapidly over the years with restricted movement, limping and a lot of pain sitting down or moving around.

Back in 2002, in my early 40's, finally got something done about, due to a then relatively new technique of joint resurfacing. This was suitable for younger (relatively !) and more active patients who would demand more from the new joint than older and more sedentary patients.

Basically it involved grinding out a seating in the socket part of the pelvis and cementing in a new artificial socket. The clever part though, was rather than removing the ball and part of the femur at the top of the leg bone and inserting a new artificial ball joint, they leave the top of the femur intact (assuming it is sound) and grind it to shape and cement over the top a new artificial ball joint surface.

The advantage of this approach is that these joints are thought/hoped to have a longer useful life, and then in the event that they do need replacing in later life it is possible to revert to a traditional replacement joint later as the leg bone is still intact.

If you have a traditional replacement rather than a resurfacing then you are limited to that one replacement or at best one further replacement, so you are normally advised to leave it as long as possible before you have it done so it will see you out the rest of your days.

With the resurfacing you have hopefully a longer initial life of the joint replacement and then still, hopefully, the option of one or two further traditional replacements later, hence why they can be offered at a younger age. The resurfaced joints are also more stable and less prone to dislocations than the traditional types.

That said, if you are anything like as bad as I was a few years ago, the sheer relief of being pain free and mobile again will give you a massive boost regardless of type of joint.

They literally had me up and walking on crutches again the day after the op' :shock: and then on walking sticks within a few days and physio to ease up and loosen the muscles and ligaments for a while after. I don't recall any real pain, if there was any then the painkillers took care of it without anything to worry about.

Nothing at all to worry about at all, get it done if you have the chance and enjoy the new lease of lfe it brings

Cheers, Paul

 

[Gower]

Hello Ray, a golfing pal of mine had both done in one go some 5 or 6 years ago and seems happy with the result. Having had both knees replaced (not at the same time) I'll certainly back up Rogers suggestion to build up your quads and thigh muscles before you get done.
I don't know if you have much choice but research your orthopedic consultant and get some idea how many hip repl. operations he/she carries out in the year. As woodworkers we know that practice makes perfect!
Best wishes for a successful op.
Jim

 

[matt]

I can't think of anything specific to add but my stepfather is on his second new hip after the first one wore out (apparently the old joints were designed to wear out - something to do with the artifical joint wearing rather than the socket I think...) Nevertheless, his hip is fine it's his back that is a whole different can of worms.

And... my mother-in-law has had a hip replacement too. She put it off for years and was then very pleased she had it done. Recovered quite quickly too.

 

[Blister]

It appears that I need both my hip joints replacing. I'm guessing that they'll want to do one at a time, although I've heard that it's possible to get the whole job done in one go, if there is adequate home support. My X-Rays and assessment are booked for September 8th., so I've got a little time to prepare questions for the poor unfortunates who have to deal with me!

Has anyone first-hand (or close family member) experience of the procedure involved? I'd appreciate any info, comment or advice - whatever the nature of it - so that I'm prepared for the visit. PMs welcome if thought to be too vomit-inducing for public discussion!

Ray

Ray

I think you need to PM Boysie39 on the forum , he has had both done one about 2 months ago :?

Hope all is well

Allen

 

[gwaithcoed]

Hello Ray,

Sorry to hear about your problem but let me say this. My 74 year old brother has just had his done and is now walking fine. I have two golfing partners who have had theirs done last year. Both are back playing (not that it's improved their handicap - still rubbish) and one of our lady members now 90 although she will not admit it had hers done a few years ago and is still going strong.
Chin up mate everything will be fine I'll think about you.

Alan.

 

[plymouth pirate]

Full metal job on my right hip 5 years ago at the age of 62 and it's still getting more pliable as time goes on.
I can even cut my toenails myself now, bit of a pipper as I used to enjoy the wife doing it and she often threw in the left one free .
Anyway, once it's done and you're past the few weeks of crutches you won't believe the difference. The freedom from pain, at least in my case, is total.
And every day afterwards you'll say a little prayer for the guy who pioneered the proceedure and the surgeon who carried it out.
Regards
John

 

[tenpin]

Don't want to be a downer but my FIL had his done about 5 years ago
Surgeon botched it and he had massive MRSA infection caught from the rehabilitation unit in MK
He ended up spending 11 months in Nuffield bone unit in Oxford and is in a wheelchair ever since

My advice, like taking on a builder, check the bloke out who is doing the job, your putting your life and future in their hands so don't take it for granted that the guy is a master of his art...

Good luck
Ps
i here more good stories on hip replacements than bad, so don't be alarmed by my post..

 

[devonwoody]

Sorry to hear of your troubles, our experience of hip replacement is good,
my wife was able to spend a day in town on her feet approximately 4 weeks after her complete hip replacement op. following an accident 3 years ago.
Shes been climbing up the steps picking runner beans for the past week. So the recovery is up to your own determination and input.
Best of luck, (Sydney Hornsby hospital is good )

 

[bugbear]

It appears that I need both my hip joints replacing. I'm guessing that they'll want to do one at a time, although I've heard that it's possible to get the whole job done in one go, if there is adequate home support. My X-Rays and assessment are booked for September 8th., so I've got a little time to prepare questions for the poor unfortunates who have to deal with me!

Has anyone first-hand (or close family member) experience of the procedure involved? I'd appreciate any info, comment or advice - whatever the nature of it - so that I'm prepared for the visit. PMs welcome if thought to be too vomit-inducing for public discussion!

Ray

My (late) father had both done (1 at a time) and had (cliche) a new lease of life afterwards.

BugBear

 

[woodbloke]

Ray - no experience of any sort I'm afraid (apart from having worked in an op theatre and seen what goes on with hip replacement) Hope everything goes well - Rob

 

[Paul Chapman]

Hope it all goes well, Ray. I know lots of people who have had hip replacements and they've all been successful.

Cheers :wink:

Paul