THR Do you worry about wearing out your new hip?

[Brepp0]

Hello All.
Bonesmart was an incredible resource when I was worried about getting my THR, and I thank you all for the support.

I'm now well on the other side, 9 months out, and have made a great recovery. I'm still working on flexibility and strength, and continuing to make good progress.

Now... I'm starting to concern myself with how-much-is-too-much. I have the Smith and Nephew Oxinium on HDXPE. Maybe not quite as durable as Ceramic... I'm not sure.

Anyway, I'm 57 Y.O., walk about 2 miles a day at work, and might work 8 more years before retiring. I'm in pretty decent shape overall but could stand to lose 20lbs and am working on that.

I'm starting to worry that my activity level at work will cut into the lifespan of my new parts. I can probably back off to walking maybe 1 mile/day if I want to really start slacking at work. But I don't want to do that, I enjoy my job and enjoy being part of the team and not a slacker.

Do you guys have any thoughts on this? Should I just keep active and deal with the possible revision later? Or dial it way back and cruise through the next 8 years?

I know only I can make this choice but am looking for any more insight to help me noodle this out.

Thanks again all!
B.

P.S. Thanks again for the resource, it REALLY helped.

 

[djklaugh]

@Brepp0 There probably is little chance of you wearing out the hip implant with the activity you have reported here. The Implants currently in use are expected to last for 30+ years. And it does not sound to me like you are doing anything that would shorted that estimate.

 

[Hip4life]

@Brepp0 It's natural to want to protect that precious hip implant. Like I pointed out to my OS: next to my house, it was one of the biggest financial investments I've made in my life, not to mention the emotional and physical costs! Lol. In the beginning, you think more about your hip but after a while, that begins to fade into the background. I rarely think about it anymore in my everyday activities except when I'm here on the forum. Unless you take up extreme sports, and that sounds unlikely, you should get long life out of your implant. Just go and enjoy your new hip and the new lease on life it has given you. BTW: I also have a Smith and Nephew with Oxinium implant. So far, so good!

 

[myglasshalffull]

I used to ask about when I'd wake up and stop thinking about having hip replacement. Most days I don't think about it unless I'm here on bonesmart. I was just telling my partner the other day how strong my leg feels now (implant side). I've been averaging a little over 2 miles a day. That's not counting just daily housework, grocery shopping etc. I don't always have my phone in my pocket. And I went hiking on my recent vacation up some pretty high mountains.
When they say it's a year recovery I would agree, I think for me more like 15 months that I can say I felt totally ok, that being said I've had days that I've overdone and my body lets me know. But I'm noticing more and more each day how comfortable I am with the hip.
And thanks to this board and the others that came before me I've received excellent advice and support.

 

[Layla]

Do you guys have any thoughts on this? Should I just keep active and deal with the possible revision later? Or dial it way back and cruise through the next 8 years?

Joint replacement surgery is one of the most prevalent surgeries performed worldwide. The outcomes of these surgeries have become excellent based on a number of techniques changing over the years. The implants are durable and long lasting, with longevity much greater than before offering an increase in the likelihood you’ll never have to experience this procedure again.

With that said, it's understandable that we have concerns and sometimes visions of revision dancing in our heads.
Try not to entertain those thoughts as they may never be your reality. Use common sense and enjoy getting your life back...minus the pain. You'll do fine!

 

[Brepp0]

I would like to thank each of you so much for putting into thought and taking the time to respond. It honestly makes me a little misty-eyed having the positive feedback and encouragement.
I've had this longevity concern even before the THR. Hearing from you all that I shouldn't worry about it really is encouraging and lifts a pretty huge weight off my shoulders.
I'm going to do all I can to get back to 100%, be smart about my activities, and not to worry about it.

Thanks so much you nice and caring people
B

 

[Eman85]

I put off THR's for a long time and part of it was only wanting to have them done once. I used up every ounce of hips I was given at birth and I am doing my best to get my money's worth out of these new ones. I'd say we're safe in that they'll outlast us. Don't know what you do for a living but I have done anything and everything I want to do and plenty of things I really shouldn't do. The biggest problem I've found is the muscles really didn't like having a THR and they can be strained easier.

 

[Layla]

Such a heartfelt and meaningful response, Brepp0!
Please know that we'll be with you all the way, doing our best to alleviate your fears / concerns since we understand through personal experience. Lean on us whenever you feel the need.
Lots of comfort to you as you await your date. Wishing you a good week!
@Brepp0

 

[Supersonic]

I didn't worry about wearing my hip out until I realised it was 5 years this August gone !
Time has flown and it's been fabulous. I'm living with a bad left ankle, ligaments, tendons, bones ? It feels different day to day.The consultant is about to do another scan to see where we are with it. Its slowing me down but would swop my 'new' hip for the world.

 

[Brepp0]

I put off THR's for a long time and part of it was only wanting to have them done once. I used up every ounce of hips I was given at birth and I am doing my best to get my money's worth out of these new ones. I'd say we're safe in that they'll outlast us. Don't know what you do for a living but I have done anything and everything I want to do and plenty of things I really shouldn't do. The biggest problem I've found is the muscles really didn't like having a THR and they can be strained easier.

What's up Eman. Thanks for the response and I'm very glad it has gone so well for you.
My new hip is going very well too, and I'm also working on my strength.. and flexibility.
So, I'm an Electrician at a hospital campus, and it's a multiple acre spread. I'll be walking from building to building much of the day, and that's what worried me about walking too much. There's not much physical labor involved, mostly just traveling by foot. Fortunately from the looks of it, that may not be as big a concern as I imagined! It really is a relief.

Now I'd like to figure out how hard I should work on my flexibility. I'd assume the more flexible the better, to a point, but I definitely don't want to make the joint lax, or push so hard I risk dislocation.
I know that's a better question for my surgeon/PT.

Side note to any others gathering info here, my other old hip is feeling so much better, now that I'm getting strength in my new hip. Old hip probably won't last forever, but feeling good for now is such a blessing.

 

[Brepp0]

Such a heartfelt and meaningful response, Brepp0!
Please know that we'll be with you all the way, doing our best to alleviate your fears / concerns since we understand through personal experience. Lean on us whenever you feel the need.
Lots of comfort to you as you await your date. Wishing you a good week!
@Brepp0

Thanks you so much

 

[Eman85]

I hoped my right would last, with the increase in walking and activity after the left the right didn't last long at all. The walking should be the least of your worries. Now if you said you were running or doing anything that pounded on the joint that might be different. I can say that carrying weight wasn't good for me. The joints are incredibly tough and my OS uses 2 screws in the cup, must know fools like me will test them.

 

[golfer67]

https://youtu.be/FsBZyGMdcmQ?si=trKw-XSrPrrgcHu5

I also have the Smith and Nephew OXINIUM hip replacement and when I am well I walk as much as 6 miles a day every day. If you watch the above link to a video about OXINIUM hip and knee replacements I think you will stop worrying that you might wear yours out. The video does not say it but my research tells me that the new highly crosslinked polyethylene liners that used to last 20 years now could last as long as 75 years and the OXINIUM is just not going to wear out at all.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

Golfer67

 

[Brepp0]

Thank you Golfer and Eman.
Yes that video from S&N is very interesting, it is amazing what they are doing with materials now and it is encouraging. Your responses have helped put this worry to rest.
Thanks so much!
B.