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Debating hip replacement

Posted by flowerchild65 @flowerchild65, Jun 22, 2020

I am only 54 but have osteoarthritis in both hips to the point they can give out. I don’t want surgery but need it. Anyone have success stories or tips to share?

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walk4life | @walk4life | Aug 24, 2023

I had a THR in January. Unfortunately i developed anemia with the surgery, which delayed my recovery. I was off the prescription pain med within 2 weeks after surgery with an occasional one at night. I was driving 3 weeks post op. I went to PT twice a week for almost 3 months. I was able to go back to the gym around 2 1/2 months post op. At 7 months post op i don’t have any pain and am still working on getting back to my previous level of exercise. I am glad i had the surgery, but i did not have the quick recovery that others did.

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celiak | @celiak | Aug 26, 2023
In reply to @celiak "I am 63 yrs old and just had a Left THR August 1st, anterior approach. When..." + (show)
@celiak

I am 63 yrs old and just had a Left THR August 1st, anterior approach. When I woke up from surgery I felt absolutely fabulous....my head was so clear, no headache, no nausea, just fabulous. I was very happy. In recovery I got one or two low doses of fentanyl for a little annoying pain in my hip, it worked. The Doc put me on tramadol, 3 times a day, and PRN Norco for pain. I was able to walk and do stairs with therapy, and the only reason I had to stay over night was because I was retaining too much urine (anesthesia will do that). The next day, the NP took my bandage off, gave me some flomax and sent me home. My incision looked great, and so did my leg! Really, no swelling at all. My son was there to tend to me, but I got up, got around and did everything on my own at home. Then came the barrage of Home Health Care Worker phone calls. I saw the RN twice, the OT once, and the PT about 4 times. Fortunately the PT told me to expect more pain and swelling after just a few days, cuz that is exactly what happened. My leg swelled through my foot and bruising was scattered all over my leg...and, of course, the pain worsened. It really wasn't half as bad as I envisioned it could be, and after a week at most, I'd say my leg is down to normal. I feel like I'm having a great experience, I just started out-patient PT yesterday and am walking with a cane. I did have ONE bad experience so far which I'll tell you about next time. Wishing you all well!❤

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Here is the bad experience I mentioned. Upon leaving the hospital, I received one week of pain meds. So after one week, I had to call my Orthopod for refills. I only received a refill on one (tramadol 3×/day) I thought "well, that seems a bit rough, but, okay." A couple days later I felt like I had been run over by a truck! There was not one position that gave me relief or comfort, and the Tramadol had NO effect. I LITERALLY did not sleep for 2 nights. Although I had my 2 week post Op follow up appointment on Tuesday, I could not endure this one more day, so I called my Orthopod Monday. They said they indeed DID order both pain meds. The pharmacy, without notifying anyone rejected the Norco order because it was signed by a different person, (completely authorized to order and sign for this med) from my Orthopod's office. Unless these crazy rules have changed again, I call this Patient Abuse by a Pharmacist who doesn't know what they're doing, and is shaking in their boots!!! RIDICULOUS!!! It took me some time to get down to my semi-acceptable level of pain.😞

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