I am a male ,64 ,in good health, always very active particularly with regular weight training. In Feb 2003 I slipped on ice and fell down a flight of stairs which severed the tendons and ligaments above my left knee. They operated and I went through a several month rehabilitation program. I figured why bother with the extended rehab ( Big mistake) it will all just get better in time. So for about 1 1/2 yrs I limped and it only seemed to affect my left knee. But then I noticed that I was having limited motion and pain in my right hip. X-rays taken in Dec 05 showed my right hip was bone on bone and the Dr suggested a right hip replacement. Apparently walking with a limp put a lot of extra pressure and force on the opposite hip causing damage to the cartilage. So now I have all the cl***ic symptoms , when I stand I feel pain, have to wait about 15 seconds before I walk. I don't walk very well, tiredness in both thighs , a limitation to my activities, limited range of motion in my right hip. I have endured the condition for about a yr and will probably have the operation but first I would like to explore all the alternatives. So I would welcome any responses , or ideas or suggestions. What a great forum !
hip replacement advice
- Thread starter BillH
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ripanco
member
United StatesHey Bill,
Welcome! It is a good idea to explore alternatives up to a point. I did the whole gamut including cortisone injections for both back and hips, acupuncture, PT, chiro, tens, m***age, what ever, for almost 2 yrs. I now wish I had not waited so long to have both my hips replaced since mostly all I did was lose more cartilage during that time.
I finally had both hips replaced a year ago, today, I do just about everything and mostly never even think about the hips. It is good that you are still active, stay that way! The stronger you are going into your surgery, the better and faster you will recover. I did extensive weight training prior to my surgery which paid off big time with a quick recovery and excellent results with my new hips. Good luck!!
Andrea
(Believe in Barbaro)
Welcome! It is a good idea to explore alternatives up to a point. I did the whole gamut including cortisone injections for both back and hips, acupuncture, PT, chiro, tens, m***age, what ever, for almost 2 yrs. I now wish I had not waited so long to have both my hips replaced since mostly all I did was lose more cartilage during that time.
I finally had both hips replaced a year ago, today, I do just about everything and mostly never even think about the hips. It is good that you are still active, stay that way! The stronger you are going into your surgery, the better and faster you will recover. I did extensive weight training prior to my surgery which paid off big time with a quick recovery and excellent results with my new hips. Good luck!!
Andrea
(Believe in Barbaro)
Thanks Andrea for the advice I am at the beginning of doing the research and am still looking for alternatives if there are any. After I hurt my knee I became less active and gained some extra weight which didn't help my hip
over the last 6 months I have taken the extra weight off and that definitely helped. I am thinking about getting serious about PT and will see what that does. There was supposed to be some research going on about replacing cartilage I might check that out. In the end I will probably find a very experienced Dr and do the procedure, I am still looking for ideas that work so if anyone has ideas that may work I would like to hear them. I have already learned a lot from this forum.
over the last 6 months I have taken the extra weight off and that definitely helped. I am thinking about getting serious about PT and will see what that does. There was supposed to be some research going on about replacing cartilage I might check that out. In the end I will probably find a very experienced Dr and do the procedure, I am still looking for ideas that work so if anyone has ideas that may work I would like to hear them. I have already learned a lot from this forum.
Hi Bill -
I am just about 4 weeks away from bilateral hip replacement. I spend about 1-2 years going down the alternate road and although I met some absolutely great people and had success along the way, it was success that I couldn't sustain because at the end of the day no cartilage is no cartilage. I know there is a cartilage-like fluid approved for the knees but as far as I know no such thing (at least in the US) has been approved for the hips.
This forum has been a God send to me - people sharing their stories have given me the courage to move ahead with the knowledge that what is ahead is imminently better than what I am leaving behind. Hang in there - I just know we all going to be fine.
Andrea - I bought a great recliner this weekend. Not only will it serve me during my recuperation but it is a great match for my existing family room furniture. A perfect addition for reading next to the fireplace
Diane
I am just about 4 weeks away from bilateral hip replacement. I spend about 1-2 years going down the alternate road and although I met some absolutely great people and had success along the way, it was success that I couldn't sustain because at the end of the day no cartilage is no cartilage. I know there is a cartilage-like fluid approved for the knees but as far as I know no such thing (at least in the US) has been approved for the hips.
This forum has been a God send to me - people sharing their stories have given me the courage to move ahead with the knowledge that what is ahead is imminently better than what I am leaving behind. Hang in there - I just know we all going to be fine.
Andrea - I bought a great recliner this weekend. Not only will it serve me during my recuperation but it is a great match for my existing family room furniture. A perfect addition for reading next to the fireplace
Diane
Thanks Diane, people sharing their stories is wonderful it provides a lot of ideas. The recliner idea is good. I will see what I can find out about the cartilage like fluid and see how far they have come with it. Perhaps someone on this web site has some additional information or leads. Bill
Marie,
Once I met my Doc and knew I could work with him I gladly accepted the first date they offered. I was happy they had a date early in the Fall available as I want to be reasonably comfortable on my own 2 legs before the nasty winter weather hits (metro Boston area) or barring that - very good on the crutches.
Good Luck!
Diane
Once I met my Doc and knew I could work with him I gladly accepted the first date they offered. I was happy they had a date early in the Fall available as I want to be reasonably comfortable on my own 2 legs before the nasty winter weather hits (metro Boston area) or barring that - very good on the crutches
.Good Luck!
Diane
ripanco
member
Hyaluronic Acid replaces the synovial fluid and is FDA approved for knees but not hips. There is research being done using it for hips. I did look into this also. However, at least last year when I was looking into it, it was not covered for hips by insurance, is extremly expensive, is a series of injections and is not permanent (9-12 mon). I opted to not try it.
There may be something new on the horizon that does replace catilage too, but I really don't know anything about it.
As far as time goes, Marie, I guess it depends on your life. Like Diane, I took the first date I could get after my son was home from college. He took over my boarding kennel while I was down. I had mine done in early spring, so I was able to at least salvage most of the summer and by fall/winter just about back to most activites. I personally would think spring/summer/early fall would be best since you will want to get out walking soon after unless you live where snow and cold is not a factor. Plan for when you can have the most help too.
Congrats on the recliner, Diane!!. DH and I take dibs on who is going to use ours now. You will need to raise it up about 4-6" so start thinking about how to do that. Get yourself some nice big loose undies/shorts/pants that will fit over the bandages plus you most likely will be swollen for a week or so. Or just wear long tops like I did a lot. I liked undies that were the high on the hip ones so they came up above the incisions instead of riding over them. Then see about your hip cl*** and what they provide as far as helpful tools including a grabber, sock thing, long shoehorn. You will need a high toilet and maybe a shower chair. I never did use the shower chair, but I had DH to help keep me steady while standing in the shower and that worked fine. Later on, I can tell you a way I found to get in and out of the tub that was way better than how they taught us in cl*** too. This next month is gonna both fly and drag for you so just hang in there!
Andrea
(Believe in Barbaro)
There may be something new on the horizon that does replace catilage too, but I really don't know anything about it.
As far as time goes, Marie, I guess it depends on your life. Like Diane, I took the first date I could get after my son was home from college. He took over my boarding kennel while I was down. I had mine done in early spring, so I was able to at least salvage most of the summer and by fall/winter just about back to most activites. I personally would think spring/summer/early fall would be best since you will want to get out walking soon after unless you live where snow and cold is not a factor. Plan for when you can have the most help too.
Congrats on the recliner, Diane!!
. DH and I take dibs on who is going to use ours now. You will need to raise it up about 4-6" so start thinking about how to do that. Get yourself some nice big loose undies/shorts/pants that will fit over the bandages plus you most likely will be swollen for a week or so. Or just wear long tops like I did a lot. I liked undies that were the high on the hip ones so they came up above the incisions instead of riding over them. Then see about your hip cl*** and what they provide as far as helpful tools including a grabber, sock thing, long shoehorn. You will need a high toilet and maybe a shower chair. I never did use the shower chair, but I had DH to help keep me steady while standing in the shower and that worked fine. Later on, I can tell you a way I found to get in and out of the tub that was way better than how they taught us in cl*** too. This next month is gonna both fly and drag for you so just hang in there!Andrea
(Believe in Barbaro)
hipadeedoodah
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- Aug 22, 2006
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My name is Bob. I'm 66, in good health, not overweight, active. I was scheduled for hip replacement in November 06, but have postponed 'til March 07 so I can avoid trying to recuperate during the winter. I swim and walk every day and play golf 2 or 3 times a week. I have pain in my left hip, weakness in my left thigh and a pronounced limp. Was I correct to postpone? Winters where I live are dreadful. We winter in Texas, but my insurance won't cover me for post-surgical treatment (if required) anywhere but home. Any suggestions?
Bob
Bob
ripanco
member
Hi 3janis,
Your doctor said no baths ever???!!! That sounds crazy to me! Why on earth not, did he say? As soon as the incisions have completely healed, there is absolutly no reason they can not be immeresed in water. Are you not allowed to ever swim either? The pool is a wonderful place for therapy and I know most all PTs will encourage it. I would certainly question someone about that restriction! Can you take showers yet?
As far as my method for getting in and out of the tub, it is more for the first week or so, when you can't bend your leg very much. In the hospital they taught us to sit beside the tub, then kind of schooce your butt over onto the tub seat, then try to slide/swing the legs over. I found this hard and cumbersome to do. It is hard to lift your legs forward after THR, but very easy to bend at the knee and lift your heels. So all I did was face the rear wall right next to the tub and lean on it with both hands for support, lift the leg nearest the tub up behind me and over the side, transfere weight onto that leg and repeat with the other leg. Of course I had DH standing by to steady me if needed, but I found this to work just peachy! Now, this did not give me a bath, only a shower, but at that point even a shower was wonderful. I did not have to wait for my staples to be removed either, I just had to use the plastic covering, which of course I can not remember what it is called right now, but you just stick it on to keep the site dry. I think I had my first shower about 3 days after surgery and it was wonderful! It was a while before I actually got down into the tub for a soak, probably several weeks. I was back in the pool doing PT at just 2 weeks however.
I would love to hear more about your bath restriction, let us know if he meant that and if so, why. Weird. How is everything else going?
Andrea
(Believe in Barbaro)
Your doctor said no baths ever???!!! That sounds crazy to me! Why on earth not, did he say? As soon as the incisions have completely healed, there is absolutly no reason they can not be immeresed in water. Are you not allowed to ever swim either? The pool is a wonderful place for therapy and I know most all PTs will encourage it. I would certainly question someone about that restriction! Can you take showers yet?
As far as my method for getting in and out of the tub, it is more for the first week or so, when you can't bend your leg very much. In the hospital they taught us to sit beside the tub, then kind of schooce your butt over onto the tub seat, then try to slide/swing the legs over. I found this hard and cumbersome to do. It is hard to lift your legs forward after THR, but very easy to bend at the knee and lift your heels. So all I did was face the rear wall right next to the tub and lean on it with both hands for support, lift the leg nearest the tub up behind me and over the side, transfere weight onto that leg and repeat with the other leg. Of course I had DH standing by to steady me if needed, but I found this to work just peachy! Now, this did not give me a bath, only a shower, but at that point even a shower was wonderful. I did not have to wait for my staples to be removed either, I just had to use the plastic covering, which of course I can not remember what it is called right now, but you just stick it on to keep the site dry. I think I had my first shower about 3 days after surgery and it was wonderful! It was a while before I actually got down into the tub for a soak, probably several weeks. I was back in the pool doing PT at just 2 weeks however.
I would love to hear more about your bath restriction, let us know if he meant that and if so, why. Weird. How is everything else going?
Andrea
(Believe in Barbaro)
I agree - I am curious why a doctor would say no baths! The plastic stuff is called tegaderm and it is wonderful - making bathing while healing possible.
Well, I have had most of my pre-op stuff - been x-rayed, poked and prodded as well as banking the first of two units of blood. Now, I am just trying to stay healthy for the next 4 weeks so there is no hitch at the last minute.
Seeing I do not have a DH standing by to steady me I plan to simply use a walker in my shower (walk in shower stall) to hold me up - because I know I will be really really cranky if I wait too long.
Diane
Well, I have had most of my pre-op stuff - been x-rayed, poked and prodded as well as banking the first of two units of blood. Now, I am just trying to stay healthy for the next 4 weeks so there is no hitch at the last minute.
Seeing I do not have a DH
standing by to steady me I plan to simply use a walker in my shower (walk in shower stall) to hold me up - because I know I will be really really cranky if I wait too long.Diane
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