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Anyone else in their mid 40s and very active have a hip replacement?
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Jun 20 5:37pm | Replies (16)Comment receiving replies
@sueinmn Sue, you just made my day! I have felt so alone in what I’m going through. Like no one understands or people are judging me thinking that I’m crazy because I am so active or want to continue being so active. Everyone’s solution as well. Just stop being active and you’ll be fine. 🤦🏼♀️ that’s unthinkable for me. Anyhow— I appreciate you sharing your experience with me. I have had discussions about my surgeons approach and his success rate, etc. but I have not had discussions regarding the actual implants or items that want to be placed in my body. One concern I continue to come across in my mind is the risk of joint infection. I believe it has a three letter acronym and is very dangerous although very uncommon. Because the artificial joint is no longer recognized by the body as something, it has to protect it can in rare cases, have a bacterial film on it, and create a pretty nasty infection that your body cannot fight. I’ve heard that you have to be especially proactive and careful when it comes to dental work and treat any bacterial infection promptly. Which of course I do this anyways, but it was just something I had heard about and was curious about your experiences or research on this. Here’s a question. What was your recovery like being that you were so active? I don’t mind a little discomfort when it comes to Rehab) rehabilitation and I think my biggest barrier is going to be that I’m gonna wanna do too much too fast. What did your Recovery look like?
Replies to "@sueinmn Sue, you just made my day! I have felt so alone in what I’m going..."
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@chelsea79 First, get as strong as you can now, especially your quads and hamstrings- it will aid in recovery. Second, infection risk - the one to be concerned about is MRSA or methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus. The most common place of infection is the surgery or health care facility, so check their records. The second most likely source is if you're exposed to infectious bodily fluids in your work. As for risk from dental work or other procedures, you can find stuidies going both ways. I still premedicate before dental work, one dose every six months, not a big deal. I have had many surgeries, procedures, cared for my Mom who had chronic MRSA, and even some pretty dirty wounds since my hip surgeries and never got infected. On my "radar" infection risk once I'm healed from a surgery is far down the list.
Finally, recovery. The surgeon will tell you 4 to 6 weeks. That is basically wound healing and getting back on your feet. You may still get tired or sore, especially if you push too hard. Listen to your body. I was on a dance and hiking cruise 3 months after having both hips replaced 6 weeks apart. It would probably take me longer to heal now.
Are you having an overnight stay after surgery? Do you have someone at home to help you the first week or two?