Hip replacement - advice request

[mike909]

Just been to the consultant and have been told I need a hip replacement (and probably another within 5 years on the other side)

I was told the rugby, cricket and squash probably accelerated the wear and tear involved, but the base problems resulted from slight hip issues from when a kid it seems.

Seems a little "unfair" at a mere 56 years old...but I wondered if any of you had a replacement and perhaps could given me a heads up on what to expect etc?

Thanks

Mike

[NellyWellyWaspy]

This is not a 'choice' but outcomes can vary a lot depending on where it is done, and who does it.

One of my neighbours, a little younger than you, as an ex-prop, has had both done now. The second went badly wrong (infection), and it took a long while for him to recover from the first (OK) operation. The side that went wrong still gives him more pain than he had before, and less mobility.

My sister-in-law (NOT an ex-rugby player, LOL) has also had both done, and she is relatively OK, but not as mobile as before.

[mike909]

Thanks - I'm quite lucky in surgeon choice where I am - so that's hopefully one less issue to worry about.

[Rossm]

Having had a total knee replacement that went badly wrong, I would say only have it if it is absolutely necessary. However please don't let me put you off. A knee is a much more complicated joint to replace than a hip and as far as I know, hip replacements are simpler and have been around a lot longer.

Don't be afraid to give your surgeon the third degree.

[mike909]

"Thanks" 

I saw the x-rays - and even a lay person like myself could see the problem. I got to see one of the SW's leading consultants (by paying...) and the pain and immobility issues don't give a lot of choice - I'm reduced from easily walking 10km in the hills to walking 2km with the dog on the flat with 3+ bench stops and having to hold onto something to put my trousers on....

[backdoc]

In the SW, John Timperley at Exeter, Ashley Blom in Bristol.

The surgeon with the slickest PR is usually the one to avoid.

[mike909]

Thanks

I've got a clear recommendation from both physio and GP. Current choice a specialist in sports and ski injuries....

[ricohchezwasp]

I have to say two much older members of my family in the 70's and 80's have had hip replacements and had some serious side affects relating to vascular dementia, obviously nothing can be proved medically but my wife's uncle never recovered from his operation and was never the same man again and more recently my mother in her late 80's had a similar op and although before she was not in the best of health, afterwards she went downhill fast and now six months on its just a matter of time !!

I don't want to seem alarmist and i am sure that in younger people this is not an issue but its worth checking out all the facts and asking the questions

[Heathen]

My wife has had both of hers replaced. First at 47 and the second at 49.

Both done at a BMI hospital with the best consultant in the region. In hospital 10 days for each. The immediate post operative physio is a must. She was in the pool every day from day 4 and continued with the hydro twice a week for the nest month. It made a huge impact on her recovery.

Now 20 years on, she has no problems with the replacements.

[mike909]

Thank's all

I'll be very good with my physio....my wife won't allow me to slack and I do want to get back to normal activity asap.

[Rossm]

Good luck.

[mike909]

Thanks - I'm lucky in that I have decent musculature in the right places....and nothing much else wrong with me. 

[Hymenoptera]

My wife has had both of hers replaced. First at 47 and the second at 49.

Both done at a BMI hospital with the best consultant in the region. In hospital 10 days for each. The immediate post operative physio is a must. She was in the pool every day from day 4 and continued with the hydro twice a week for the nest month. It made a huge impact on her recovery.

10 days??

My wife had both hers replaced, at 49 and 53. First time she was out the next day, second one was the same day.

She's had both available techniques, your bog standard anterior thats been around since forever and more recently an interior method. The latter was way better, recovery time halved, hardly any recovery restrictions, much less discomfort, no muscle loss around incision, hardly any physio required...everything was so much better / easier.

If you have a procedure option, def choose interior.

[mike909]

That's good to hear and thanks for info

The consultant I saw was pretty optimistic about activity sooner rather than later - with estimates of walking soon after with assistant (i.e. crutches) to none quick quickly

[backdoc]

"She's had both available techniques, your bog standard anterior thats been around since forever and more recently an interior method. The latter was way better, recovery time halved, hardly any recovery restrictions, much less discomfort, no muscle loss around incision, hardly any physio required...everything was so much better / easier.

If you have a procedure option, def choose interior."

Sorry but this doesn't make sense. There is no such approach as interior [unless the surgeon was a Kiwi...]

Posterior is very old fashioned.
Lateral is still routine
Anterior needs a very good surgeon and we [the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital] see many patients with unstable joints, or joints that have been excessively lengthened with associated nerve damage, referred in by other hospitals.
I have seen far more injured nerves in the last 10 years than in the preceding 20, mostly caused by the Anterior approach.
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