Hi Layla
I am having my right hip replaced. I have decided I need the surgery and the recent increase and frequency of pain has confirmed my decision. I am 71 and not very active in recent years. But I can’t get very active with my current hip. My wife is not supportive and thinks I should try PT and such. My primary care doctor says he can get me into PT which my Ortho doctor did not suggest. I have not moved forward with the PT.
I have been trying walking which is about all I tolerate. Hip and back pain are limiting me. I am unsure if the back pain is due to the hip or due to inactivity due to the hip. Probably some of both.
I feel that I don’t have any choice but surgery at this point. Any advice would be appreciated. My wife fears that I will be incapacitated for weeks after surgery and she will not be able to help me. I don’t think that will be the case but I can’t prove it to her.
Randy
My doctor did document bone on bone in the xrays. Pain has intensified since my diagnosis.I have the same question as, Eman, above. Has your hip been x-rayed and diagnosed as bone on bone?
If your OS recommended THR surgery, I'd definitely go through with the surgery so you can get back to life in the fullest without pain. While there is a healing process, I believe both you and your wife may be surprised at how much you're comfortably able to do soon...on your own! Unless she has some serious physical limitations herself, she should be able to offer assistance when you need it and that may only be necessary for the first couple weeks. Some members recover on their own! Yes, they do! I can't imagine it, but many have no other option and manage alone with someone checking in on them once a day or so.
I tried PT in an effort to avoid THR and unfortunately all it did was confirm that I did indeed need the surgery if I wanted to regain mobility and a better quality of life. I have not regretted the decision.
I wish you physical comfort and mental clarity as you weigh out options and make decisions. Good Luck!
@Megalodon
Thanks for your encouragement! I believe you experience is a great example of how my recovery will be.@Megalodon and @nasruddin Many folks have had this surgery and recuperated with no help other than some kind neighbors checking in on them. No you won't be "incapacitated for weeks!" You will be able to walk, climb stairs, get into and out of a car, and attend to your usual activities of daily life. Yes you will be doing those things a bit slowly and carefully at first.
I had both hips replaced at once .... had my cousin with me for a week after surgery. After that I was home alone during the day until my renter returned from his job. And managed just fine! So reassure your selves and your wives .... you will be fine!
I am still convinced that surgery is right for me. I will be as active as I can be to build up my hip muscles. That is all I can do.Hi Layla
I am having my right hip replaced. I have decided I need the surgery and the recent increase and frequency of pain has confirmed my decision. I am 71 and not very active in recent years. But I can’t get very active with my current hip. My wife is not supportive and thinks I should try PT and such. My primary care doctor says he can get me into PT which my Ortho doctor did not suggest. I have not moved forward with the PT.
I have been trying walking which is about all I tolerate. Hip and back pain are limiting me. I am unsure if the back pain is due to the hip or due to inactivity due to the hip. Probably some of both.
I feel that I don’t have any choice but surgery at this point. Any advice would be appreciated. My wife fears that I will be incapacitated for weeks after surgery and she will not be able to help me. I don’t think that will be the case but I can’t prove it to her.
Randy
Hi Randy,
It can be difficult for relatives to accept that the surgery, which of course comes with risks, is what you need. You are the one living in your body however, and even if you have better weeks, once the balance is tipped over too much towards pain, you know yourself then that the next best step is to get a new hip.
You mentioned that you are not so active recently. This was the case for me as well, and sometimes it gave me a false feeling that my pain was not horrible enough. That was because I kept limiting my activity. You want to do the surgery before it gets too bad, from what I read it gives you a better chance at a smoother recovery.
I just had mine yesterday, and granted, I am a bit younger than you, but I definitely don't feel bed bound.The first 24 hours at the hospital can be a bit all over the place since the staff will need to adjust your medication, but then you only go home once this is managed, and they will prescribe you just enough to get you moving and so that you are able to start your recovery at home.
Wishing you all the best, whatever you decide on!
Hi, im 10 weeks post hip replacement on my right hip and I'm more than mobile, granted not as active as if like yet but i need to build my strength and stamina up, i had my LHR last year, hope all goes well for youHi Layla
I am having my right hip replaced. I have decided I need the surgery and the recent increase and frequency of pain has confirmed my decision. I am 71 and not very active in recent years. But I can’t get very active with my current hip. My wife is not supportive and thinks I should try PT and such. My primary care doctor says he can get me into PT which my Ortho doctor did not suggest. I have not moved forward with the PT.
I have been trying walking which is about all I tolerate. Hip and back pain are limiting me. I am unsure if the back pain is due to the hip or due to inactivity due to the hip. Probably some of both.
I feel that I don’t have any choice but surgery at this point. Any advice would be appreciated. My wife fears that I will be incapacitated for weeks after surgery and she will not be able to help me. I don’t think that will be the case but I can’t prove it to her.
Randy
Hi Randy,
It can be difficult for relatives to accept that the surgery, which of course comes with risks, is what you need. You are the one living in your body however, and even if you have better weeks, once the balance is tipped over too much towards pain, you know yourself then that the next best step is to get a new hip.
You mentioned that you are not so active recently. This was the case for me as well, and sometimes it gave me a false feeling that my pain was not horrible enough. That was because I kept limiting my activity. You want to do the surgery before it gets too bad, from what I read it gives you a better chance at a smoother recovery.
I just had mine yesterday, and granted, I am a bit younger than you, but I definitely don't feel bed bound.The first 24 hours at the hospital can be a bit all over the place since the staff will need to adjust your medication, but then you only go home once this is managed, and they will prescribe you just enough to get you moving and so that you are able to start your recovery at home.
Wishing you all the best, whatever you decide on!