At 82 and Dexa -4 how safe is hip surgery

I’m currently on Tymlos and was diagnosed in 2025 with severe osteoporosis. In 2017 at age 69 I had both hips replaced three months apart. At that time I had osteopenia and no HRT or other supplements or treatments. Up until the hip replacements I was really in denial because I was a marathon runner in earlier years and had continued running until the hip pain became too much. I was living on anti-inflammatories up until the time I could no longer sleep at night from the referred pain, running down my legs. If your hips are shot, they are not gonna get better by themselves. I was bone on bone! And I never understood how I could develop osteopenia (now -3.2 osteoporosis) with all of my years of exercise and long distance running. The hip surgery was the best thing I could’ve done. I was back at work each time within three weeks. Discomfort for the first day or two post surgery and then just about nothing. I was walking a mile after the first week each time, but not without a walker or cane as a precaution. If your doctors clear you for the hip surgery, give it serious consideration. It made a huge positive difference in my life. I’m no longer running because that would break down the surgical accomplishments much sooner but I’m on a treadmill for 30 to 40 minutes and I do other lower body exercise without any hip discomfort ever. Now, if I could just get this osteoporosis under control… Something we’re all working to accomplish.

Hip surgery will not correct osteoporosis. Are you on any of the anabolic medications to rebuild your bones rather than surgically replacing them? If your surgeon states that you require the surgery, pause and contact an endocrinologist regarding the cost/ benefit of anabolic medications versus surgery. Take care.

@willowmena since you are no.longer running, and dong lower body exercise, I suggest you add weight, impact ( if you can) and balance training to help strengthen your bones.

@maryandnans thank u for excellent suggestions. Unfortunately, my back is far too compromised to do any kind of weight workouts or exercise that puts stress on my back or neck. I had an unfortunate horseback riding accident years ago that left too much damage. I have a very athletic history throughout most of my adult years and I know what I should be doing, but cannot follow through. Doing some treadmill and very minimal core exercise but nothing more.