Bilateral THR Hello and pre-op scheduled

[Supersub]

Hi
I've been lurking on here for a while. I've been waiting for THR for almost a year now. I'm a 50-year-old woman, live in the UK, have an active job and really struggle with the pain and fatigue. Severe osteoarthritis in both hips was identified after I saw a physio for a quad muscle pull in January 2022 and it turned out the thigh wasn't the real problem. I had symphysis pubis dysfunction during my first pregnancy in 2005 and ended up on crutches. I wonder now if this was the start of my hip problems or if it was a flare-up of a pre-existing issue. I'll probably never know.
Anyway, fast forward to the current situation. It was mentioned as a possibility on my first consult with the surgeon but during my waiting period, he has agreed to do a bilateral THR so that I have only one recovery.
My pre-op appointment for bloods, ECG etc has been scheduled for October with the surgery hopefully sometime between December and February.
I've found it very encouraging to read people's recovery stories, especially double hippies, and while I'm totally terrified of the whole prospect of the operation (never had surgery before), I am so desperate to get it done, heal, recover and get my life back.
Love and strength to everyone on here, wherever they are on their hip op journey.
Thanks
Supersub

 

[djklaugh]

@Supersub Welcome to BoneSmart! How very fortunate you are that you found a surgeon willing to do both hips at the same time! IMO, when you have 2 hips that are in really bad shape, it is much better to get both replaced and have to go through recovery only once! My "new" hips are now 11.5 years old and I am thankful every day that I was able to get them both replaced in one surgical session. You may have noticed as you were looking around here that there are "tags" in front of some threads. Find a "Bilateral" tag, click on the tag itself, and that will give you a list of all the bilateral threads here. The link to my recovery thread is in my signature. It's old now and rarely gets updated ... but feel free to read mine and any other thread

A couple of hopefully helpful hints from one who's been there and done that:
1- Stock up on patience! Waiting for surgery to happen is frustrating and painful. After surgery too there will be times when it seems like healing is taking too long (usually it's just taking the amount of time YOU need to heal)
2-Buy new shoes before your surgery (and don't wear them until after the surgery)- old wear patterns can keep you limping in the old bad hips pattern and that is not good for new hips.
3- Find things to help you stay reasonably calm - hard to do I know. Every person along this journey is a professional - all the nurses, surgeon, other doctors, etc - and they have your well being as the primary goal. And they do these surgeries every day. If you get to surgery day and still feel anxious tell them! And they will help you deal with the anxiety.

Here also is the pre op list of articles and helpful suggestions:

Hip: pre-surgery considerations

If you are at the stage where you have joint pain but don't know for sure if you are ready to have surgery, these links may help:


Score Chart: How bad is my arthritic hip?
Choosing a surgeon and a prosthesis
BMI Calculator - What to do if your surgeon says you're too heavy for joint replacement surgery
Longevity of implants and revisions: How long will my new joint last?

If you are at the stage where you are planning to have surgery but are looking for information so you can be better prepared for what is to come, take a look at these links:


Recovery Aids: A comprehensive list for hospital and home
Recliner Chairs: Things you need to know if buying one for your recovery
Pre-Op Interviews: What's involved?

And if you want to picture what your life might be like with a replaced hip, take a look at the posts and threads in stories of amazing hip recoveries

 

[Jaycey]

@Supersub So sorry you are trapped in that endless NHS wait list! But at least you know things are moving in the right direction as your pre-op assessment is scheduled. I would think they would need to do the op by latest by the end of January. Pre-op results are usually only accepted for 3 months. Fingers crossed!

Deb has given you some good tips. Do have a read around the recovery area for more information from our members.

I look forward to following your journey.

 

[Zorro]

Hello dear Supersub.

You write: " I'm totally terrified of the whole prospect of the operation (never had surgery before),"

I think that this fear is normal. Due to fear and anxiety, I did not sleep at all for the four days prior to my RTHR.

I share with you some advice that was given to me -- and that has proven to be true: With your THR,
1.) You will be put to sleep.
2.) You will wake up.
3.) It will all be over.
It is really that simple. This context may ease some of your anxiety. Also, please avail yourself of the resources Bone Smart provides and keep us posted about your concerns.

Fear not and God bless you.
Your hippie friend, Zorro

 

[Supersub]

Thank you everyone.
I really appreciate the support and will continue reading about other bilateral patients for further helpful info.
@djklaugh Great advice, especially about new shoes for post surgery. I'd never have thought of that.
@Jaycey I've been told the pre-op results are acceptable for 18 weeks which stretches into February. In my area, they cancelled all elective surgery in January and February this year due to winter pressures so while I am hopeful I may have my op by February, I'm not banking on it. Trying to balance optimism and realism.
@Zorro Wise words - I just need to try to get them to sink in to my anxious brain.

I'll keep you all posted
Supersub

 

[Mojo333]

Another bilateral hippy on the way....
First days are a bit tough, but I was grateful to be one and done.
New hips rock.

 

[cold_brew]

You got this! I’m just over a year out from my bilateral THR and so glad I did it. Which is not to say it wasn’t hard! Anyway good luck and a speedy recovery. Maybe take a look at my thread to see how it went for one person

 

[cold_brew]

Couple of tips:

Strengthen / “pre-hab” what you can, if you can, in the time before the op. Every extra bit of strength in your upper body & core will help get thru the first weeks of walkers and log legs.

Buy new shoes. Find some you can put on without bending over to lace or fuss with the heel. I lived in my Kiziks (look like athletic shoes but they have springs in the heels so you can just step into them like slippers)

Ice! Hopefully your freezer has room for a collection of ice packs.

Find a way to *properly* elevate your puffy legs. I faked it with pillows for a while but things were much better once I got a proper wedge pillow and I wish I’d bought it ahead and had it on day 1.

 

[Newhip_Pol]

Wow @Supersub that's brave! I'm a 'double hippie' but for reasons of reluctance, COVID, lockdowns etc etc my operations were five years apart.

I hadn't realised UK NHS surgeons were willing to do bilateral replacements. Hopefully you won't have too much longer to wait - IMO waiting for surgery is the worst bit psychologically. Hopefully you'll be on the road to recovery soon.

 

[Jaycey]

I hadn't realised UK NHS surgeons were willing to do bilateral replacements.

This is all about the patient's own medical situation and how difficult each THR might be. Not every patient is a candidate for bilateral. And the surgeon and their team will need to allow for a longer theatre time. Bilateral surgery can by quite physically demanding for a surgeon.

 

[Newhip_Pol]

Bilateral surgery can by quite physically demanding for a surgeon.

Indeed - I imagine so

 

[Zorro]

To Supersub, if you have your surgery in February 2024 or even March, by the time May/June rolls around you will be ready and able to enjoy summer fun activities. You will most probably be walking well and able to get around. The timing will work to your advantage.

As was advised up thread, be intentional about strengthening and enhancing your health with nutrient-dense foods and optimal hydration. Perform physical exercise as much as you can, especially upper body. Even while you are recovering from your bilateral THR, you can still have killer arms.

 

[Supersub]

Couple of tips:

Strengthen / “pre-hab” what you can, if you can, in the time before the op. Every extra bit of strength in your upper body & core will help get thru the first weeks of walkers and log legs.

Buy new shoes. Find some you can put on without bending over to lace or fuss with the heel. I lived in my Kiziks (look like athletic shoes but they have springs in the heels so you can just step into them like slippers)

Ice! Hopefully your freezer has room for a collection of ice packs.

Find a way to *properly* elevate your puffy legs. I faked it with pillows for a while but things were much better once I got a proper wedge pillow and I wish I’d bought it ahead and had it on day 1.

Thanks for these helpful hints. I’m off to Google Kiziks I think Skechers do something similar and they seem to be easier to source here.
Can you give me an idea of the kind of wedge pillow? There seems to be a multitude of shapes and angles.
Thanks again cold_brew

 

[cold_brew]

I had a “lounge doctor” pillow. It was a big improvement in keeping my ankles up nice and high compared to just a pile of pillows

 

[benne68]

@Supersub Here's a link to the wedge that BoneSmart recommends:

bonesmart

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