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What is Hip replacement surgery really like?
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Jun 17 11:31am | Replies (54)Comment receiving replies
I have appreciated all the informative responses. I had almost backed out, but after reading your comments I'm going to have the surgery.I have an excellent dr who does anterior with navigation-not robotics. Please share the pain you experienced. That is what I'm most afraid of. PTSD from my many knee surgeries with extreme pain.
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@tkrfail21 NO surgery is pain-free, but hip replacement pain is manageable. I have done it 5 times, along with many other ortho surgeries. Here is what I recommend, especially with your PTSD:
ICE, Ice, ice! Get an ice machine with a hip cuff. Plan to use it 24/7 for the first several days, then frequently (whenever off your feet and after all PT) for several weeks. Then keep it handy - when you ache, ice.
Do pre-surgery PT to get as strong as you can. It will make recovery easier. If your insurance allows see a PT for pre-surgery exercises. If not maybe @steveinarizona can help with a list of the exercises he used.
Stay ahead of the pain for the first week, and before PT. Now is not the time to be "tough" because once it hurts, it is harder to control. I only used narcos for a couple days, but for weeks alternated Tylenol & ibuprofen to stay as comfortable as possible. Talk to your doctor about their pan management plan before surgery. And when it hurts, ice some more.
Good luck, like most of us, after a few weeks you will bew glad you did it.