It's becoming apparent that I might be headed for a hip replacement. Wondering if anyone has had one? What was it like? How long were you in hospital? Pain afterwards? Did it really fix your problem? TIA. Oh BTW I looked for a similar thread and didn't find one.
I have not, but my MIL has had a hip replaced and both knees (not at the same time.) She is in her mid-80s and stayed in the hospital several days, then was moved to a PT facility for a while. She is quite fragile and has a lot of musculoskeletal problems, however.
I have not personally, but I have known dozens of folks who have, and since they developed the anterior procedure, the recovery time and pain has diminished considerably. One patient, however, received a mis-matched ball and socket (complete hip) and the procedure had to be repeated at the manufacturer's expense. She was not a happy person, but she said she would do it again, as the reduction in pain was so remarkable.
I have not myself, but I have transported several patients to a medical facility in McAllen, Texas that specialized in that. My understanding, even twenty years ago, was that the procedures were more likely to be successful than not, so I would expect they've gotten even better now.
If there is one, that could be a difficult one to find because the search feature doesn't search for words that are three letters or less.
I had a hip replacement in 2005. I walked with a small limp on the right side and had an x-ray done. It showed mostly "bone-on-bone" with very little cartilage left in the hip. I got a cortisone shot, but it didn't work, so surgery was my other option. I almost didn't have it done, after watching a YouTube video of the procedure/surgery. So, my advice is, don't watch a YouTube video of the surgery! My wife took me to the hospital on a Wednesday mid-morning and I had surgery that afternoon. First thing I noticed was, the surgical room was fairly cold, but they knocked me out as soon as I was put on the table. Surgery went fine. For whatever reason (s), I had a blow-up support on each leg. My surgeon released me from the hospital on the following Friday afternoon. So, Wednesday to Friday afternoon. My first night, after the surgery, in the hospital, I was woken up every two hours to check my vitals. My wife was there during all visiting hours (thank God). For a week, I had a home-visit of a physical therapist that helped me do exercises. After that, I was "on my own" for home exercises, but did go, three time a week, to a physical therapy center for their exercises. Some of their exercises were kind of painful, but that's just part of post-surgery procedures. For a few days, after arriving back at home, I had to give myself a small shot, in my leg area, for thinning my blood. No problem with that either. I was off of work for 6 weeks. My orthopedic doctor told me "when you can push down on the accelerator and brake with very little-to-no pain, you can drive again." However, at work for a week or so, I had to use a cane to walk with and had some restrictions at what I could do. I am extremely glad that I had the replacement done..........no doubt about it. It is said that a hip replace only last for about 10 years, but here it is 2021 and I had my done in 2005. Now, if I walk to much, I can feel it somewhat in the hip (pain), but nothing terrible. So, even with the hospital stay, recovery at home and going to the physical therapy center for a little tough exercises, I did it.
When I lived in Idaho, I had a good friend who had at least one hip replacement, and I think that she had a second one later. I remember that she told me that she was not supposed to be able to kayak or ride her snowmobile after the replacements; but she did both, and was in her late 70’s when she had the replacements done. She was glad that she had the procedure, and said it helped her a lot, and well into her 80’s she has always had a large yard and flower garden, and is able to enjoy life and traveling.
We had a friend that had a hip replacement done. Her ortho doctor/surgeon told her what she could do and not do. Unfortunately, she didn't listen to him and had to go back under the knife in surgery again. But, the lady is like an Amazon woman and doesn't like to listen, but does like to do her own thing, no matter what.
Thanks, everyone, for these responses. Sounds like this is something I'd want to avoid if possible but it's good to hear more about it from you all.. @Cody Fousnaugh , I especially appreciate your detail. Gives me lots of things to think about. Great advice not to watch the YouTube surgery. I hadn't heard before of a general 10 year limit on the replacements. Glad yours has lasted so long with no problems. @Yvonne Smith , thanks for reflecting your friend's experience. It does pain a hopeful picture that helps balance the apprehension.
@D'Ellyn Dottir I would check with your surgeon on the expected life of the implants. Technology has advanced since the time @Cody Fousnaugh got his, as well as the new technique and experience with the equipment. Life expectancy on new techniques is always quoted conservatively, and often exceeds expectations, as Cody's experience shows.
Good idea @Don Alaska. Thanks for the suggestion. In the meanwhile, I've scheduled a series of Feldenkrais functional integration sessions (similar to PT), which should help release stiffness and pain.