Debating hip replacement

I'm 81. Had left hip replaced in 2018, and right hip in 2019. Just had a carcinoma cut out of my bladder and subsequent chemo. Back to walking a mile a day, doing squats and working out with tension bands. No hip pain.
You can do it! Find the most experienced hip surgeon with the best reputation, and a hospital with a good reputation for ortho care. Takes a few weeks for recovery. The stairs probably will be out during recovery. You will be using a walker. A rehab facility may be an alternative while you are healing.
Find a great physical therapist when you are ready and work out diligently. Keep doing the recommended exercises daily and you should stay pain-free and limber.
Good luck.

At 68 and a Veteran of the USAF, you are a true hero and fighter! Will C in Saint Charles, MO

@cwle The newer methods of hip replacement are devised to return the patient to normal function. I was about 300 lb when my left hip was no longer functionate. 2006 I had a total arthoplasty. It was computer generated the first in that hospital. I went home five days after surgery with a walker. Had two weeks home PT. Started driving after three weeks. We had seven stairs. I used my walker folded up as a support for the right arm while I held onto the railing with my left hand. 2018 I was 170 lb when I broke my right hip and my elbow had a posterior replacement and my right arm in a massive cast. It was nightmare I learned to eat with my left hand. Until the cast came off I was trapped in the bed. As soon as I could force my self to sit up and transfer to a commode chair I felt human again.As soon as I could stand up and walk at PT I transferred to assisted living for six weeks to live like a sentient being. When I got an apartment on the first floor alone with my emotional therapy dog. She walks me three times a day that and housework is my exercisize. Please realize you're are the same person you were after the hip replacement as you were before. If you like me were not athletic you won't change unless you are motivated and push through. It's up to you. You need a hip rep!a cement to stay out of a wheelchair and a nursing home. Everything else is gravy.

I did it! I am about six weeks post hip replacement and am ready to get the other one done! It was a relatively easy recovery as my surgeon did the anterior approach. Ditched the Rx and walker at a week and just kept moving. The most important thing to remember is that you are not harming yourself when it hurts and it is just part of the process to healing. If you don't move, you won't be happy with the results. Do the exercises, walk and be positive-it worked for me!

Semper Fi Will. USMC vet, 56 to 65.

Thank you for your service and God bless you

My surgery was on 8/3/20 with the anterior approach which was great since they didn't cut through muscle. No PT, just exercises at home and walking. I have no restrictions and back to work putting in about 17,000 steps a day but I am still very stiff and have painful muscles (part of this may be from my Fibromyalgia). This is apparently normal so I keep on moving. Next one will be done on 11/3/20. Looking forward to being done with both and hunkering down with my elliptical. 😉

@weezy1939 I had total hip replacement the day you wrote. I am legally blind so used a walker for a month and then used a cane for a few days but found it was a hazard because of my lack of sight. I am 80 years old and walk a few miles every day without pain. I have also started gardening. I would not be afraid to have my other hip replaced if needed.

I too was thrilled with the relief I got from hip replacement, and at 7 weeks jumped in and had the second one done. Not my best plan! Two major surgeries so close together with general anesthesia were very hard on my body. Tackling recovery on a second hip before the first was 100% healed and back to full strength was difficult. And I was of ideal weight, had good strength, and was under 60.

When they had to be replaced a few years ago (recalled implants that failed and are no longer on market) the surgeon insisted on 4 full months between operations and recovery was much easier, even though by then I had developed othe rhealth issues.

I wholeheartedly recommend replacement of no longer working joints, followed by rehab exercises to retrain your body to stop limping.
Sue

One issue I have had six weeks since hip surgery is a sudden episode of knee and shin pain on the right hip side that was replaced.. Have arthritics in both knees but haven't had this pain before. Waiting or a Dr visit to determine what is going on. Some comments indicate that if your leg had been shorter due to hip issues that getting the right length back and learning the proper walking gait again may create some temporary knee issues that seem related to the knee patella.