Both at once?

[pharman]

Do they ever do replacements on both hips at the same time? I have horrible pain in both hips and it seems to go back and forth as to which one is worse any given day. I was diagnosed with OA over a year ago. I've been able to "control" the pain with exercise and medication, until the last couple of months. It's become so unbearable I need to use a cane most of the time to walk. I have an appointment in a few weeks with my primary care physician to get a referral to an orthopedic surgeon. I just discovered this forum and and very happy because I don't know anyone who has had hip replacement. I just keep focusing on eventually being able to walk normally. Being able to go to the grocery, or walk on the beach. I'm so frustrated with this level of immobility. But, I was wondering if I can do them both at once?

 

[ano]

Depend on your doctor. How old are you and how is your health? It can be done, but from what I've seen doctors seem to be leaning toward a staggered replacement, doing one then 6 or 8 weeks later, doing the other.

 

[mikey]

I'll let you know. I'm having resurfacing 6/23 on the left and 6/25 on the right. I hope I don't regret it. On 6/24 I can always back out. I just think it will be difficult to rehab the first one if the other is still bad.

 

[Josephine]

All the time, pharman. If you read around these threads both here and in the hip recovery forum, you will find several people that had bilaterals done.

And I have been around hip surgery since its inception and have seen bilaterals done since as far back as the early seventies.

However, there are a few things to consider - some surgeons will readily do them, others won't do them at all. Mostly it has nothing to do with the patient, only to do with their personal choice. So if you are thinking this is what you want, I suggest you make sure you choose the right surgeon else you will be disappointed.

As far as the patient is concerned, if there is anything in the medical history like heart problems or if greatly obese, then most surgeons will advise against bilats for your own safety.

End result is a much speedier rehab, only one surgery/anaesthetic to go through and everyone's a winner!!

You go for it!

 

[Bob A.]

I'm leaning toward a bilateral as well, they will have to talk me out of it. My feeling is that if you have one done, it will just showcase the other one. For all the reasons already stated, I think it can be the right choice, but it should be your decision based on your dialog with your surgeon.

 

[ripanco]

I had simultaneous bilateral THR and was/am very pleased that I went that route. Some surgeons will not do it, but my surgeon told me I was a good candidate. He did have some tough criteria however. I had to be lean, strong, young (53), motivated with good home support. On top of the positive reasons that Josephine gave you already, it seems to be easier to heal as far as leg length discrepancy goes also. Both legs are healing together.

Andrea