Debating hip replacement

If you are actually in danger of falling because of your hips, don't put off the surgery. A broken hip from a fall would be even harder to recover from! I have a male friend who is 79 years old and had BOTH hips replaced last Dec. He is doing so well that he is back to cycling long distances now.

I had two hip replacements in my 50s. I'm now 75 and walk every day with no pain or any difficulty. Having the replacements was the best decision I could have made. It has given me years of great mobility and independence. I don't know how many years I have left on these hips, but so far they show little wear. If you decide to do the surgery, which I highly recommend, get a surgeon who frequently does the procedure. Good luck. Keep us informed on how you do.

I just had my left hip replaced on the 18th. I was very nervous because I have a lot of back problems also and I didn't know for sure what was hurting the most.This is my 5th day and I am still in pain, but it is a different sort of pain.I am walking better and my back has not bothered me . I think it was the best decision I have ever made.If I need to get the other one done I will not hesitate a day.

I'm older at 68 and my right hip has been getting worse for 4-5 years. I reached a point that my activities are driven by the hip and supplements, NASIDS, exercise, yoga, etc. etc. have diminishing returns. The clincher was on a visit on 6/5 the doctor told me that with the severe arthritis, my right leg is now shorter. That explains recent back issues and other issues related to the hip. So surgery it is in August. Quality of life issue to me - are you going to continue to be more limited in what you can do or seek relief to try to get back to a more normal life. Even bought a bicycle but the hip makes mounting and dismounting tough - should have bought a ladies bike! Good luck will follow your story and results.

As I am headed that way - how were the first couple of days? My doctor wants one overnight stay. My house has 5 steps from the garage to get into it so I wonder how easy with help that will go. Did you have to use a walker in the house for a few days? PT on my schedule doesn't happen until two weeks after surgery.

I spent 2 nights to get the steps down. Will you have help at home? I used a walker, but really didn’t need it that long. Wish I could’ve started PT sooner than I did. Push for PT.

While in the hospital ask for PT to show you how to use the steps. Hospital stays have changed so much since my procedures in 2001 and 2003. Besides about 3 days in the hospital, I then went to a rehabilitation facility for about 5 days. While there I got daily PT and OT. By the time I got home, I had no pain and was able to manage quite well. It's too bad so much has changed.

Have help at home. PT process is built in to start two weeks out so I will have to do some things in advance at home. Thanks

Hi. I was 51 when I started having pain and fearful of making it across the parking lot where I work. I was told I had arthritis in my left hip. The doctor told me the pain would get worse and then I would know I needed a replacement. He was so right.I think it was 4-5 months later it was near impossible to even get in my car. I was scared of the thought of surgery. The only time I was ever in hospital was when I had my two children. The surgery was a success. They had me out of bed the next day being mobile. Had physical therapy at hospital then at home. Went for PT at a facility. The best thing that helped me was doing the therapy at home like I was told to do.You have to have a no quit mentality. Living without that pain for the last 7 years has been amazing. No pain when I walk. Life is too short to live in pain. Also anything worth having has to be worked at. I wish you the best. Take a chance, what do you have to lose. Life could be so much better.

Thank you for the responses-I appreciate all the input. We just assembled my elliptical and look forward to being able to use this and my pool for rehab. There are also pre-surgery exercises to do.