THR KNEES, NOW HIPS!! TERRIFIED OF THE RECOVERY AGAIN!!!

[TIC1015]

Hi everyone!

It’s been a while. I had two TKR’s in October and December 2022. I had them eight weeks apart and it was the most excruciating pain I’ve ever been through. Therefore, when I found out that I had hip dysplasia and was going to need both my hips replaced, I put it off as long as possible.

After a little over 2 years and a lot of pain, I am having a Mako robotic Left THR in 3 days, on March 20th. I’m really scared of the recovery pain. That Process was so miserable and everyone has been telling me this is going to be much better. I hope so. It just feels like the lesser of two evils. I know I need it and I can’t go on living like this.

Has anyone had knee replacement and is now having their hips replaced? I am just looking for someone who’s been there and can give me some insight on what lies ahead.

Thanks in advance,
TIC 1015

 

[Jamie]

I’m so glad you decided to come back to BoneSmart for reassurance that you’re going to be just fine after you have your hips replaced. In most cases it is true that recovery is an easier than what you experienced with your knees. We can help you work with your doctors to manage pain.

You have a lot of company with members who have had knees replaced and then need hips done…or the reverse with knees coming after hips. Arthritis impacts our entire body and, over time, this is a pretty frequent thing for people. Following both my knees, I’ve had one hip and one shoulder replaced.

We’ll be here for you. Please try not to worry!

 

[benne68]

Welcome back, @TIC1015 Nice to see you again -- although I'm sorry you are facing another surgery.

I'm another one who has had both hip and knee surgeries -- although I did my hip first. Although the initial two weeks were challenging, I find the hip recovery to be easier. (Since I'd had my hip done before my knees, I was unprepared for how much harder the knee rehab would be.)

One of the best parts of hip recovery is that you don't need physical therapy. The best recovery is to walk. My surgeon won't even prescribe PT for his hip patients unless they have other issues. So, I followed his instructions and focused on walking (after the initial recovery) and found that by the six-month post-op, I was able to "forget" that my hip wasn't original equipment!

You've got this -- and we'll be here to help.

 

[TIC1015]

That’s wonderful!! Thank you so much! I went through all the pre-op stuff today & it’s daunting. You’ve given me hope & made me feel much better.

 

[TIC1015]

I’m so glad you decided to come back to BoneSmart for reassurance that you’re going to be just fine after you have your hips replaced. In most cases it is true that recovery is an easier than what you experienced with your knees. We can help you work with your doctors to manage pain.

You have a lot of company with members who have had knees replaced and then need hips done…or the reverse with knees coming after hips. Arthritis impacts our entire body and, over time, this is a pretty frequent thing for people. Following both my knees, I’ve had one hip and one shoulder replaced.

We’ll be here for you. Please try not to worry!

Thanks Jamie! Everyone made me feel so much better the first time, I couldn’t wait to come back! Countdowns on.. Deep breath!


T

 

[Deni444]

Hello @TIC1015

You're 6 days before me. I'm having left side too but just missed out on Mako, it's coming soon to my hospital. I'll be keeping a close eye on you and hope that by this time next month we're well on the way to a full recovery

 

[mendogal]

Welcome back @TIC1015 !

From what folks here report, the hip is usually an easier recovery than the knee. In fact many surgeons don't even refer for formal PT - just walking and slowly resuming activity.

The usual cautions about basic healing apply - 6 weeks for muscle, 12 weeks for tendons and ligaments - so just taking it super easy, icing and elevating, and after a few weeks focusing on proper gait and light stretching, and not even thinking about targeted strengthening for a few months is a good way to keep healing on track.

 

[leejaa]

I will second or third the opinion and experience that hip recovery is much easier than knee. I was happily surprised how smoothly it went. Walking was my go to for exercise from the beginning and I do not even think about my hips. I had lateral-posterior replacements and the hardest part was the limitations on not bending 90 degrees or more but even that was not so hard especially since I had such limited pain free movement prior to surgery that I was already using many of the dressing aids prior to surgery.

After my second replacement they kept me in recovery an extra couple of hours due to some other medical issues so that when I was brought to my room I was quite awake and actually got off the stretcher to the floor all on my own and went to the bathroom with the walker. Of course, the aides and nurse were right there to make sure I was OK but it felt so good to be able to move without pain.

Best wishes for your surgery.

 

[benne68]

Thinking about you, @TIC1015, and hoping you have an easy day.

When you are feeling up to it after your surgery, I hope you will start a new thread in the Hip Recovery Forum so we can share our Recovery Guidelines and follow your progress.

 

[TIC1015]

Hello @TIC1015

You're 6 days before me. I'm having left side too but just missed out on Mako, it's coming soon to my hospital. I'll be keeping a close eye on you and hope that by this time next month we're well on the way to a full recovery

Hi Deni!

Thanks for reaching out! It’ll be good to have somebody to go along this journey with.

I’m still in the hospital and it has been pretty good so far. I’ll continue my posts on the post op section. Follow me there or I’ll go into more details. I can tell you the good and the bad that I’ve experienced so far..


T

 

[TIC1015]

I will second or third the opinion and experience that hip recovery is much easier than knee. I was happily surprised how smoothly it went. Walking was my go to for exercise from the beginning and I do not even think about my hips. I had lateral-posterior replacements and the hardest part was the limitations on not bending 90 degrees or more but even that was not so hard especially since I had such limited pain free movement prior to surgery that I was already using many of the dressing aids prior to surgery.

After my second replacement they kept me in recovery an extra couple of hours due to some other medical issues so that when I was brought to my room I was quite awake and actually got off the stretcher to the floor all on my own and went to the bathroom with the walker. Of course, the aides and nurse were right there to make sure I was OK but it felt so good to be able to move without pain.

Best wishes for your surgery.

Welcome back @TIC1015 !

From what folks here report, the hip is usually an easier recovery than the knee. In fact many surgeons don't even refer for formal PT - just walking and slowly resuming activity.

The usual cautions about basic healing apply - 6 weeks for muscle, 12 weeks for tendons and ligaments - so just taking it super easy, icing and elevating, and after a few weeks focusing on proper gait and light stretching, and not even thinking about targeted strengthening for a few months is a good way to keep healing on track.

Thanks so much! I’m keeping it all in mind. I’m still in the hospital and taking it a day at a time. Already been up to bathroom & with walker. Of course, with assistance. I’m heading into day two and the pain is starting to increase. However, they are managing it, and I will continue to charge forward.

I will continue to post on the recovery section and hope that all will follow and continue to support.

Thanks again
T

 

[TIC1015]

Thinking about you, @TIC1015, and hoping you have an easy day.

When you are feeling up to it after your surgery, I hope you will start a new thread in the Hip Recovery Forum so we can share our Recovery Guidelines and follow your progress.

Thanks Benne!

Yesterday was great! Night and day from my past experience with the knees. I was up and talking and slept a lot. I went to the bathroom with help and walked with a walker for PT.

I will continue posting on the other forum and appreciate all of your support.

Thanks again!
T

 

[benne68]

@TIC Looking forward to seeing your new thread! so we can share our Recovery Guidelines with you.

 

[Deni444]

Hello @TIC1015

You're 6 days before me. I'm having left side too but just missed out on Mako, it's coming soon to my hospital. I'll be keeping a close eye on you and hope that by this time next month we're well on the way to a full recovery

Hi Deni!

Thanks for reaching out! It’ll be good to have somebody to go along this journey with.

I’m still in the hospital and it has been pretty good so far. I’ll continue my posts on the post op section. Follow me there or I’ll go into more details. I can tell you the good and the bad that I’ve experienced so far..


T

Wonderful to hear you are post operation and doing well I'm following you and am looking forward to reading all of your updates! Congratulations on your new hip