My hips are worn out

Keith Molden · Jun 26, 2020

V.A. sent me to a local hospital for an evaluation on my hips. After x-rays the Orthopedic Dr. tells me that my hips are worn out and the right one is the worst. He wants to get an MRI on my lower back before deciding on any surgery. I won't get any at all till this fall after the hay season is over. I've never had this surgery before and I'm wondering just what I'm looking at like will I be in a wheelchair for any time and how long is the recovery. Will the pain persist after it heals up. I know there will be a lot of physical therapy after the surgery. I know a lot of you guys have gone through this and have lots of experience. Should I get it done or not. I haven't been able to sleep in be for a few months now, I sleep in my recliner. keith

Oregon Tractor Jack · Jun 26, 2020

I haven't had a hip replacement only a knee. From what I have heard from my orthopedic surgeon, hips are the easiest to recover from. There should be virtually no wheel chair time. I have several friends that have had hips done and they were back to there old self in a matter of weeks. Of course everyone is different, but I wouldn't fret about having it done. Once your pain is gone you will wonder why you waited so long to get them replaced.

OTJ

Mike M · Jun 26, 2020

Well depending on your age and health etc. and how you react to surgery most with hip replacements I have heard of just one side at a time are up in short time and back to light work quick too. Don't know if they will do 2 at a time ?

Mike(NEOhio) · Jun 26, 2020

Keith, don't stress about it. I had both mine replaced in 2009 and 2010. It was three days in the hospital and you're walking the same or the next day. I was back
to work in six weeks and stacking the wagons in three months. I'm recovering now from having the first one redone on 6-8. The ball and liner wore out and the upper
cup was loose. The other side is the same and needs repaired too. This time it was only an overnight and with a little help walked to the head a few hours after.
Home the next day and they sent a therapist the my home, twice a week for three weeks but that will vary by patient. You'll need a walker or crutches for a few weeks
but less and less each day. Therapy isn't bad, just do what they tell you. My mom had a hip done at 92 and did fine. You'll have to restrict motion for the first
month. Can't bend past 90 deg. or any twisting motion or crossing your legs. Unless the doc uses the anterior approach, no restrictions, mine doesn't. After a few
months you'll forget it was ever done.
As to deciding to do it? No question...DO IT. It's what I tell everybody who asks me. You only suffer and it will not get better. Pick a good surgeon, one who does
these A LOT, not a few each year. Personally, I wouldn't rely on the VA. I'm not a vet so it's only my opinion but from things I hear I'd be skeptical. I hope this
helps. I was apprehensive the first time. The second I said schedule it as soon as you can.

Bob Bancroft · Jun 26, 2020

My right hip was replaced Dec 2017. I had one good, active, productive year, then spring of 2019 my left hip started acting up just as I got busy. I made it through the year, and saw the Dr. this past winter, expecting to get it fixed. He wouldn't do it! He said x-ray didn't look near as bad as the right one had. I said "I don't care what it looks like, it hurts a lot more than the right one did!" He apparently has to justify his actions for whoever is paying. He insisted on the shot first. But then they won't operate for three months. Then it was too late to get fixed before spring work. I'm hoping I can make it through the year.

There really is no wheelchair time. They get you right up and going. My right hip isn't perfect. There are some little aches and pains here and there. But it's a far cry better than being crippled.

wingnuttx · Jun 26, 2020

Keith.... I had total hip replacment on left side. Before I forget, you can watch UTube of procedure if you choose to. I passed. Once awake from surgery
and brought to my room the physical therapy team (2) came for me 4 hours later to fit me for a belt to hold on to me while I walked up and down the
hallway. Once they taper you off the big drugs there is some pain. I was told the most of it was due to the tendons and muscles trying to reattach
themselves to a forgien object in the human body. Recovery in my case was probably in the 5-6 week period. That included PT. You should go for it
because in the long run you'll feel better. Oh.... You may need crutches during some degree of this process. Did your doc plan on doing one hip at a
time??

Gary H. · Jun 26, 2020

My wife has had both hips replaced. They made the incision in the front to do replacement. Her first one was done in July 2018 and 3 weeks later we were at the county fair and she was using a cane. The first one she stayed overnight and was released the next morning after a visit with the therapist. The other hip was done in August 2019 after she went with me to the Half Century of Progress show. That one she had to be there at 6:45 am and we left there that evening after 7pm to head home. She was also back on the lawn mower 2 weeks after surgery. She had it done at Beacon Orthopedic in Cincinnati Ohio. Top class operation.

steve_in_mo · Jun 26, 2020

My hip surgeon said his patients don't need physical therapy. He was right.
Minimal pain after the first night. Went home the next afternoon. Another
hospital day might have made it easier for my wife, though. They made me
use a walker when I was outside for three weeks - because it takes some
time to recover your balance. At three weeks they let me drive myself again.
Hip replacement surgery also took a lot of pressure off my back which
significantly reduced the pain level there.

John in Mich · Jun 26, 2020

My sister (who is 81) fell and broke her left hip and her left wrist last November. She had surgery two
days later (other health issues delayed surgery). She was out of bed the day after and taking a few
steps, with help.
Physical therapy followed and she used a walker for a few weeks. Her therapy progressed to now she only
uses a cane if she feels she needs it.
Her wrist surgery was good but the therapy was a problem. She complained about the pain. What really
upset her was that she is a retired music teacher and up to her fall, she was teaching some adults how to
play piano.
She changed therapists. Walla! Her had is doing much better.

Hoofer B · Jun 26, 2020

I had my left hip replaced 2 years ago at age 48. Do not put if off. Now I get around better and have no pain. 6 weeks later I was back driving truck. Bill

Keith Molden · Jun 26, 2020

My VA now sends a lot of patients to outside hospitals. They do no surgery at my VA in Chillicothe so they sent me to the hospital of my choice. That is all thanks to President Trumps changing the way VA does things. I forget what the bill or whatever it was. I'm a disabled vet because of being on tank tables with the tanks firing and providing mechanical support, we had no such thing as hearing protection in those days.

Keith Molden · Jun 26, 2020

Thanks to all that replied. I sure do appreciate it. I will be 73 in October
so I think I have a lot of living to do yet but I'd sure like to be able to do
it without hurting constantly. Thanks again. Keith

SVcummins · Jun 26, 2020

Mine are shot as well . I wonder what it Costs for two new
ones ?

showcrop · Jun 26, 2020

I got one done Jan 9th it is no big deal. I went home the next day, I had a walker but used it just two days. I went up stairs that night. I had three sessions of PT then released.

newhollandnut · Jun 26, 2020

My boss had one of his done in January and was back to
work in two weeks. I would ask if theirs any trade in value on
your old ones!

Paul from MI · Jun 26, 2020

Broke my left hip in April. Had a replacement May 29, walking with a cane part of the time June 17. No wheelchair, no pain.

37 chief · Jun 26, 2020

I was about 73 when I had my right hip joint replaced. I was up walking the next day with a walker in the hospital. It healed fast. No problem at all, do it. Stan

fixerupper · Jun 26, 2020

Marilyn had the first hip done five years ago, the other one three years ago. The surgeon decided to do hers posterior or from the back though he does do anterior hips too. The recuperation time was Very long and therapy lasted a long time but she has no problems whatsoever now. Her brother had a hip replaced anterior and had no therapy whatsoever. He used a cane for a short time then went back to normal or near normal activities. As I understand most hips are done anterior today but posterior is still used in some cases.

steve_in_mo · Jun 26, 2020

This brings up an important point. Don't stay with a therapist that isn't getting you some results.
Back surgeon told me "I want you to see MY physical therapist." Best advice ever.

mrslesq · Jun 27, 2020

I just had my right hip replaced 2/3/20. I am 65. Because I am over weight my surgeon would not do anterior. He went in the side. I was up and walking some the same day and doing physical therapy. I was in the hospital for 3 days, I had some problems the second day. I went to a nursing home for 18 days where I had physical therapy twice a day (an hour each time) except Sunday once a day. By this time I was doing great with a walker. 3 more weeks of physical therapy graduating to a cane and then no cane most of the time. I had terrible pain the last few months before the surgery. So it was well worth it and if my other hip gets bad I will have it replaced as soon as possible. Everyone is different as to how they react to the replacement. I am NOT trying to scare you, but not everyone is up driving truck 3 weeks after the surgery and I did not want you to be discouraged if it takes a little longer to recover than some Good Luck!

WNYBill · Jun 27, 2020

Had both done 3 months apart, 5 years ago when I was 75. GET IT DONE, don't suffer! When you wake up, in recovery, the pain is gone. Only
pain was the incision, and the catheter being removed! I was able to get out of bed without help in about 4 days. Do the re-hab. I am very
careful not to fall, but there are few things I can't do. Hips are an easier recovery than knees or shoulders. There are about 3 different
procedures. Daughter in Law, who is only 50, had the newest procedure, walked out of the hospital with a cane in 2 days and could touch her
toes in 2 weeks. She did sell her horse, sad day, for fear of falling off.

Get er done!

Bill

cuby · Jun 27, 2020

Ortho Dr. told me that shoulder surgery is much worse cause they rotate many different directions. I know, had both mine done, out for 12 weeks each time.

showcrop · Jun 27, 2020

(quoted from post at 09:47:48 06/27/20) Ortho Dr. told me that shoulder surgery is much worse cause they rotate many different directions. I know, had both mine done, out for 12 weeks each time.

Yes, I have had both shoulders repaired. Hips are incidental compared to shoulders.

Check Break · Jun 27, 2020

(quoted from post at 15:30:53 06/26/20) My VA now sends a lot of patients to outside hospitals. They do no surgery at my VA in Chillicothe so they sent me to the hospital of my choice. That is all thanks to President Trumps changing the way VA does things. I forget what the bill or whatever it was. I'm a disabled vet because of being on tank tables with the tanks firing and providing mechanical support, we had no such thing as hearing protection in those days.

Spend some time looking for an orthopedic surgeon in your area with a reputation for success. It costs the same to do it right as it does to do it wrong.

My hips are worn out

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