Double hip replacement in future. So many questions.

Hi HippieChick,

Wow I am so sorry for all that you are going through. I'll focus on your hip question, and if you have other questions, please do ask.

I don't suggest bilateral joint replacement. Recovery is a lot harder and you need a lot of help. The good news is that hip replacement should have a very quick recovery. You can ask your surgeon, but you may be able to get the hips replaced within three months - less or more depending on your health.

So please do ask the question of your surgeon.

Addressing another point you raised - I don't agree either that waiting until pain is constant is a good way to decide when a joint should be replaced. In my opinion, as soon as a joint is painful enough to prevent you from doing something you used to do easily, and there are no other remedies, it's time to schedule the replacement.

I'm 71 y/o and have had both knees, right hip, and left shoulder replaced. In all four cases I waited until I was in daily pain to schedule surgery, and then had to wait about three painful months to get on the schedule. Do it as early as possible and when there are no other alternatives to lasting pain relief.

I wish you well, friend.

Joe

Thank you, Joe. You should change your online name to the Bionic Man!
I definitely will ask him many questions, just.. my appointment is a month+ off.
How long before you could do stairs after your HR?

You sound like a very upbeat "can do" type person. You have a lot going on, but I agree with Joe.

What I do is I fix the small pains first: in my case, I did my carpal tunnel and ulnar nerve release on my left hand and elbow, 45-60 days before my RT shoulder replacement (Oct 15th).

Have not had to have hip replacement, like Joe or you. Though from what I have read shoulder replacement is harder than hip replacement?

What do you say heyjoe415?

IMHO success of surgery and difficulties in recovery have ALOT to do with your overall general health and attitude; support system.

IF it were me, and I am 70, I would likely do both hips at once - but ONLY if I were in tip top physical fitness as I could be. I would work out as much as possible for at least 90 days - what I call "rehab" - and LOSE any weight above what is exactly your perfect weight, before doing a double hip. If that is not possible for you, I would do as Joe says and do one at a time; though doing that, you are going to be in a rehab center IF you do not have at home help for your at home rehab.

And having animals, I would want to be at home.

SO - if you can line up very supportive, consistent, rehab help AT HOME twice, do the single sides first, IF that help can come help you rehab twice?

Otherwise do both at once, it may take longer, but lining up help only once will be easier (?) that twice?

I think the best thing you having going for you is that you sound like an undependent, intelligent, go getter type personality. "Can do" personality style goes a LONG way in orthopedic procedures.

I would not wait. Age works against our recovery physiology of course. Weight works against our recovery. Going into a rehab facility works against us, as it opens one up for infections and depression; being out of our element as we age is not good for us due to physiological and psychological reserves declining once we hit 66-70; depending on each person's baseline at age 25-30.

Hang in there. I know with my shoulder replacement getting rid of the painful joint and replacing it with a new joint took away the pain immediately! The only thing I have is stiffness and soreness from muscles being manipulated, and a bruise on my right boob because someone must have leaned on it when replacing my joint! lolol

I'm about 6 lbs from ideal weight. Been working on it.
Besides walking large yard 2-3 times a day and fall clean up my only exercise is aquafit.
My right foot is a mess. Ankle bones rub, the torn arch tendon, Merton's neuroma, and my Catch-22 is a Ganglion cyst. The more I walk in he worse it gets. So walking PT won't work.
Im hoping aquafit will be good.
I have a friend with an elliptical machine she's offered me.
Have to see what doc says.
I have my annual wellness appointment tomorrow. I'll see if my PCP has thoughts on all this.
Remember when there was only one doctor that knew everything?
Thank you for your time and suggestions. I'm open to hearing them all.
I will be prepared.

@hippiechick I support working out in the water!

Good... great, actually. Hope the Dr supports water exercises, too. It's not 'weight bearing' which is what I think is preferred.

My wife had total bilateral at the age of 52; compressed femur nerve in left leg, heaved pain medication for 9 months. Nerve regenerated, immediate revision on right hip due to fractured pelvic on right side. 6 years later a revision on left hip due to Cobalt / Chroumin poison. 4 years later, right implant completely removed, medicated spacer implanted for eight weeks with medication for staph infection as well as Cobalt / Chroumin poisoning. Honestly, I did and still do question the use of epidural….. wife’s hips do not seem to cause any issue now but lower back is issue and I blame that on all the epidurals she received. I would not recommend total bilateral; would not recommend a teaching facility for your procedure; my wife came out black & blue from head to toe. Doctor informs me when surgery was done, 6 hours later I have to demand to see my wife before I am finally able to. There are good orthopedic surgeons that are not trying to fill a quota but provide a quality service; research! Good luck

Hi Danny,
Thanks for all this new information. What is Cobalt / Chroumin poisoning?
And I won't be going through a training hospital.
I am AMAZED that my cost with my Medicare Advantage plan is only $385 per side!!
What?
Had it checked four times different ways. I'm sure after costs, PT, will be more than that!
Kathy

Good advice, Joe. Just had my right hip done—it was very bad— and the surgeon said the left one may be down the road and it would be a good idea not to wait too long. Will take a look at the situation in a year and see. I was extremely lucky that I had long term care insurance and could hire someone to help me. Simply could not have managed at 82 without it. I am about seven weeks in now—walking well, but still nowhere near as strong as I was prior, even with PT. So I will keep working at it, but Hippie Chick, don’t expect to be lifting the dog and bumping up the stairs with him on your lap anytime soon. I used to do that years ago, so I know it is possible, but I doubt that your surgeon would be enthusiastic. What a splendid crew we all are caring about each other!

Thank you, Bettes!
Had my annual wellness appointment today with my PCP.
She's another doc who looks at my tests and X-rays, tells me that I am a
mess, and wonders why don't I hurt more.
But all my broken down bits are only going to get worse.
Unless I come up with some more questions I think my next step is to make
another appointment with the surgeon...not wait 2.5 months for our next
appointment. Start finding out what I have to get done, ahead of time, to
smooth out the process.
I agree, it's great having you all in my corner. Wasn't sure if I'd even
get a response. So thanks everyone.
This is the 2nd successful chat group I've joined. I'm still in one that is
supporting families with a Down Syndrome member who has Alzheimer's. Lisa
passed over a year ago but many of us stay in the group to help newcomers.
Until we chat again, have a pain free life.
I'll be reading...
Oh, I was told by the surgeon that hip replacement is the 2nd easiest
operation. The first is cataract surgery.