Hip Replacement Surgery: When to proceed

I've had 7 knee surgeries (right TKR and then shattered my femur above it 2 years later in my rt knee and a mcl repair and acl replacement in my left knee) and 2 shoulder surgeries (rotator cuff and then reverse replacement on the right-the left is bad but livable, the repaired one is the better of the two)and one back surgery. I'm much better after all. #1 find the best dr who has done hundreds from the best clinic/hospital and find the best PT and listen to both and do but don't overdure what they tell you to do. You can push more when you are better. I still do stretching and PT every day and it make a big diff (I'm 74) and feel pretty good for my age and surgeries, we ride our ebikes 17 miles or more a day when we can.

Elliott - I had a THR - left side 2 years ago. I’m 69. It went well. The pain I experienced pre surgery (groin pain, hip pain, loss of flexibly, sleep loss) all went away. I remember the first night sleeping thru the night - first time in years. I had a TKR in 2019, also the left side. It did not go as well. I can’t bend the knee more than 100 degrees. My PT was cut short due to Pandemic.
My THR was actually delayed because of Pandemic.
Here’s what I have to say about waiting. For me it came down to disruption in sleep. When I could no longer stand being dead dog tired, I had the surgery.
But there is another thing that happens as we wait: de-conditioning. Think how much work it is to get in shape and stay in shape. As we get more and more pain, and lose more range of motion, we pull back from exercise (movement) and we de-condition. My goal is to continue to be able to walk for the rest of my life.
I met with my surgeon regarding my right hip/knee last week. I have intermittent pain on the outside of my right knee. I probably will never get that knee replace, so my hope was it was joint to joint pain from my hip. It was confirmed it’s my hip. But my surgeon’s advice is that it’s my timeline. I decide. I’m totally not there for another THR. But I am starting to need Tylenol to get to sleep - it pushes back the knee pain. And I’m careful in my Aqua Fitness classes not to do the exercises that exasperate the hip pain.
I’m not sure if this helps - but it is your call. You will know when you are ready. For me, Hip surgery was so much easier to recover from than knee surgery.

Thanks for sharing your experience. It really does help to learn of other people's experiences. I had been quite resistant to using arthritic tylenol or aleve often, saving it for when the pain is just at a high level but I started this week taking two arthritic tylenols before bed - it does work some.

I just don't think I'm ready yet for my scheduled September surgery. Besides the physical issue, one also has to be mentally prepared for surgery. And, in that regard, I've had some minor but annoying complications from cataract surgery a few months ago and just don't feel mentally prepared for another far more discomforting surgery such as hip replacement at this time.

Yes having surgery is frightening…. Something I think we all dread! Yes you will know for certain when you have to have your surgery as you will have difficulty moving… but where it’s affecting your sleep you should seriously think about doing it sooner than later. I waited too long. My hip would keep “popping out of place” after a seated position and I could no longer lift my leg to work my car pedals properly …. Hence I was very reconditioned going into surgery which I believe affected my recovery post surgery. Also, I had a posterior lateral incision, several muscles/ tendons were cut… I’ve had a long and difficult recovery still( am in PT intermittentingly 3 years later for chronic tendonosis of bilateral hips/ hamstring issues- did have a 1/2 inch leg length discrepancy). I wholeheartedly recommend the anterior approach- A muscle sparing procedure. Obviously it’s a discussion to have with your surgeon. Best of luck to you!

Thank you for sharing your experience. I can't imagine the pain you must have endured prior to your surgery and the frustration of such a long and difficult recovery. Best wishes.

69yo. I had bone on bone in my hip. It didn't really hurt but kept collapsing.
Dr ordered 6 weeks pre-surgery PT. 2 days before I was susposed to start I fell and broke it. Please have surgery before it gets to bad. I felt 100% better 3 days post surgery. No complications, I only needed 2 weeks of post surgery PT.
I wish I would have done it sooner. 7 months later, it's better than the original hip.

I am glad I found this forum. I am trying to decide when the time is right to get a THR. I am a 69 year old male with minimal discomfort, my doctor said my X-rays scream THR. I walk 2-3 miles a day at least 4 days a week, with no pain. Pain when I put on my socks in my knee and into my foot. No meds or shots yet. Knee X-rays are fine. Possible other side might need to be done in the future. I can feel some discomfort on my outer hips, rating it about a 1. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you

@pjjr
Although I don't have hip issues I’ve had multiple surgeries on my shoulders and every doctor I’ve seen says “when do you want to schedule surgery?”
I have no intention of getting replacements until I can’t cope with the pain and lack of range of motion. I believe my original parts are better than anything man-made. Maybe I’m wrong but if and when the time comes that it interferes with my activities of daily living in a significant way, I'm going to keep what I've got.!
Take care,
Jake

Hi @elliott1953 ... I started feeling a little pain after doing my 2mile walk in the morning. Then, one day, I just couldn't move it. I was 53. I loved that they called me a pediatric patient... I had the anterior approach done, it really isn't' all that new.... (I'm 69 now). What the key to it NOW is finding a good ortho doc. My sister had hers replaced with a doctor here at Mayo and was using a cane within a week. It IS a scary thing - but I promise you, once you get it done you will wonder why you waited so long.

The improvements in joint surgery are amazing and the research they've done makes the process almost an out-patient procedure. I feel like I had mine done in the dark ages - 2010 is a long time ago.... I say, do the Nike thing - just do it. 🙂 big smiles for you when you make the decision.

@jlwilcox
I'm glad all worked out well for you, but there are risks. There have been members who’ve had pain since replacement.
My cousin died during hip replacement surgery. All usually goes well but complications do sometimes happen.
Jake