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How Did Hip Replacement go in your (active) 80's?
I am female 83 excellent health. No meds nor health issues. I do need a hip replacement. I am bone on bone. I take one Aleve each time I play golf, pickleball volleyball. I manage my pain thru heat treatments, exercises, hip supports.
My concern is can I handle the recovery period?? How have patients my age group handled surgery /recovery. I would appreciate any suggestions that helped them.
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lazor14,
I am 71 and had a right total hip replacement five months ago.
I had a great surgeon and a really good hospital experience.
PT started day of surgery.
The first week was rough. Pain even with Percocet - although that was really just when I would attempt something like getting into my quite high bed. Very awkward. I used walker for 5-6 days. Never really used cane.
Now, five months out, I feel 90% recovered. The thigh on that side is still quite numb which they say is a thing. I think it “wakes up” slowly and sometimes I’ll feel a twinge there.
I had to have the hip replacement as I was in a lot of pain and couldn’t manage my usual activities. No regrets.
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3 ReactionsThank You! your reply was very helpful.
Lazor14
I am 77. I had left hip done in July and the right one done Nov 1. I was not prepared the first time for the numbness, burning and swelling but at least not surprised the second time. I used a walker for 3 weeks because I was so afraid of falling. I got dressing aids and a leg lifter to help get in and out of bed. We have a higher toilet and grab bars next to it.
I’m hope you will have some help at home with meals, dishes and laundry.
Good luck!
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1 ReactionMake sure you have the - anterior approach. Cut is in the front of the hip- not sides.
Recovery is wonderful!!!
My husband was back on his motorcycle in 2 weeks- for short rides.
Don’t know where you live - excellent surgeon in Illinois- Geneva, Elgin area.
Does 6 a day.
His name is Dr. Shawn Palmer - you won’t be disappointed!
Thank You!! That was very helpful.
Lazor14
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1 ReactionMy twin sister, who had a mastectomy, chemo, and 15 radiation treatments, is 75. She broke her hip and had surgery. She is very frail. How long will her rehabilitation likely take?
A newer minimally invasive approach is the Superpath or STAR method. My surgeon is the primary inventor of the Superpath method, He replaced my left hip four years ago and I had no post surgery pain.
Nine months ago he replaced my right knee. Again...no pain.
My conclusion: Finding a truly great surgeon is the single most important thing a potential recipient can do.
Go for it !!! I'm 81 years old had my left hip done July 02 2026 The operating was done around 3pm .
At 6:30 pm my wife drove me home about 100km
FROM day one I never had to use a walking support !
Nothings!
I did my descripted exercise every day. My daily steps 2000 the first week by now I try to make 8000 steps.
The most important thing is to find the right surgeon with the right approach!
If you need more info
@wolfgangjorn77
At 75 y.o. I had a right hip replacement surgery done in 2020 using the posterior approach.
Recovery took about 6 weeks and the first few days were painful and I took the high dose Tylenol during that time for the pain. The biggest difficulty was getting out of bed to go to the bathroom to urinate which seemed to be several times at night for the first 2 weeks. I had to pull myself up by grabbing the bedsheet.........there is actually a "bed ladder" on Amazon for this! Also, check out the "grabber" while on Amazon. You will need it to reach for things and I still use it today.
I fell and fractured my right hip mainly because I had my wallet in my back pocket and that created a bad situation. Now I know why doctors recommend never putting your wallet in your back pocket. In any case I was 82 years old at the time and the surgeon performed a hemi hip replacement. It was a little rough in the beginning with physical therapy but eventually I was in good shape two months after the surgery. I was pretty much back to normal as far as walking and doing my activities. The only problem or issue that I have is that putting on my socks in the morning on the right foot is a little difficult because you never get the complete mobility to lift your leg and rest it on your other leg to put on your socks. It's a little better now and I just have to bend a little differently to reach my foot to put on the sock. Make sure you go online such as Amazon and buy a hip replacement kit. You're really going to need it and it's not expensive.