Im 53 what is post op recovery of Total Hip Replacement

Assisted my mother through process. Surprisingly simple. Follow rules to the letter and you’ll do fine.

@amack26 You're just about the same age as I was when I had both hips replaced.

Acute recovery is pretty quick, and they get you back on your feet right away. But don't believe "4-5 weeks" - this is major surgery and your body takes time to fully heal . Bones, muscles, nerves are all affected.
The first week or so you feel pretty helpless, so it is good to have someone on hand to help you. Use pain meds early on, but graduate to alternating ibuprofen and Tylenol as soon as possible. Move every hour or more often even if it hurts.
The first few weeks ICE, Ice, ice...then ice some more. Get whatever machine your insurance will cover and use it. This reduces pain and swelling. My personal recommendation after a dozen orthopedic surgeries-24/7 the first week or 2, especially at night. After that, whenever you are sitting and after PT and at night for another month, gradually decreasing.

You can do day to day activities after a couple weeks, even go back to work in a month or so if not strenuous, but you maybe tired and achy. Make sure you are referred for PT and do the exercises every day.

I used crutches for about 2 weeks after each surgery, just for support.

My hips are almost 20 years old and I have never regretted having the surgery.

I had my first, and probably only, hip replacement done at age 84. Do the exercises, do your PT, and, yes, have someone stay with you for the first week or two if you live alone, and have them stock your kitchen with very easy to prepare or microwave meals, plus your favorite ingredients for breakfasts, because it will be difficult the first week or two when you are on your own.
I had no problem with post-op pain. One glitch was that the doc prescribed a narcotic-acetaminophen mix, which meant I couldn't take enough of it to do any good because I'd bump up against the maximum dose of acetaminophen/day. I had to get that changed so I could take the meds separately, but that meant it had to be picked up at the pharmacy and I wasn't driving, not for about six weeks. So figure out how little things like this will be handled, i.e., who can run a errand for you? May it go well and may you be on the road to recovery soon!

Questions to ask:
What method do you use? Posterior? Anterior? Superpath?
Do you do revisions? If yes, approximately what percentage of your surgical time is on revisions?
What type of implant do you use? Titanium? Oxidized zirconium? Etc.

In order of surgical introduction: posterior to anterior to superpath. Order of likely minimal pain: superpath, anterior, posterior.

Revisions are more complex than OEM hips. Not all hip/knee surgeons do them. A surgeon who does many of them tends to be more skilled...all other things being equal.

Some people are allergic to certain metals. I am not but some are.

I had a successful left hip replacement about three years ago. I had zero post surgical pain. My surgeon is the primary inventor of the Superpath method. As far as I know I am not allergic to metals but my hip is titanium. My surgeon limits his practice to hips and knees and spends about 20% of his time doing revisions.

Incidentally, my surgeon also replaced my right knee four months ago and, again, I had no post surgical pain. In his opinion, and mine as well, the most important criteria are: extensive experience doing the exact procedure; great hands; a great mind.

@steveinarizona Hi and thx for your post. I’m sooo interested in your experience with “ super path”. Here’s my story… I’ve had a partial left knee that went bad and within 3 months had a total revision. That went south right away so I left my local doc and traveled to the Cleveland Clinic and found an amazing surgeon who did the second revision of the left and a THR of the right hip. I’m now 6 yrs post 2nd revision and 6 1/2 yrs post THR ( anterior) of right. Unfortunately we are investigating why my left revisions knee is once again problematic PLUS I need a THR of that left hip. My first anterior hip rehab wasn’t bad but could you explain to me what the “ super path” is. I’m all for a “ no pain” recovery!!!

Thanks Sue!

I'm a metal man - both knees replaced, right hip, and just six months ago, left shoulder. I set off the metal detectors when I walk into an airport.

All of these surgeries have worked wonders at relieving the high level of pain I experienced before surgery.

Hip replacement is deceptive. I was back on a spin bike in two weeks. 4 weeks after surgery I dislocated my knew hip doing a standing ITB stretch - so one foot on the new-hip leg crossed over the other (first strike), and hips bent well past 90 degrees - my palms were on the floor (second strike). And out popped my new hip and thus began 5 hours of agony in the ER (heart attacks, strokes, and gunshot wounds all rightly take preference in an ER over a needlessly dislocated hip).

My surgeon's PA had an important message - the "joint capsule" - hip or any joint, takes time to close back up and "scar over" (in a good way). Respect that and 1) don't cross the operated leg over the other leg and 2) don't bend at the waist more than 90 degrees. I ignored both and paid the price. That said, dislocation after surgery is rare. It takes an extreme level of ignorance to dislocate a new hip, and I would know.......

Another thing that started a few days after surgery and persisted for two months was "hip snapping" - I think it was the ITB moving back and forth over the greater trochanter (the very outside of the hip bone). It's freaky when it happens, but it does resolve quickly.

Thanks Sue.

Joe

@cosynook

Superpath is not a guarantee of no pain. I ascribe credit for my no pain recoveries as follows: me at 5% for my research into procedures and surgeons; my magical surgeon at 90% for his method and skills; and luck at 5% -- fortunate in my case. That last 5% is unpredictable.

My surgery was delayed while my surgeon recovered from rotator cuff surgery. So one day we had some time to simply chat. Despite being the primary inventor of the superpath method and holding more than 15 patents, his three most important criteria are as I noted: extensive experience doing the exact procedure, great hands and a great mind.

In my case, I had both. All the procedures I wanted and a vastly experienced surgeon at doing them.

Here is my surgeon's explanation of Superpath:
https://www.chowhipandknee.com/superpath-total-hip-replacement-hip-knee-specialist-phoenix-arizona/
If you prefer to read scientific papers, here is a description:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9318286/

@heyjoe415

My Superpath procedure was done about three years ago. My surgeon walked into the prep room for the surgery that morning with a document that appeared to be about ten pages long. It was the hospital's list of things to do and not to do such as crossing legs, bending at the waist, etc. He said: "See this..." and dropped it into the waste paper basket. Instead, he told me he had only two requirements: take my medications and be a couch potato for the first five weeks because "the one thing I can't do is make bones grow". It was okay for me to cross my legs, bend at the waist, etc.

I didn't know enough to ask at the time but I now assume that the procedure was not cemented -- hence the five week time period. For my knee replacement four months ago, he did use cement and his requirement was to be a couch potato for one week, then begin activities at home and commence PT in the third week. I don't know whether he still does uncemented hips.

I wish you well on your hip replacement (it certainly sounds like that is what you need).

I had my right hip replaced last year at age 70. (I'm in very good shape for my age - 5'10", 155 lbs, and in the gym every day either spinning on a stationary bike or doing resistance work. That sounds like bragging but I don't mean it to be. We are all different and, accordingly, respond differently to post-op rehab.

The Dr used an "anterior" incision - literally the front of my hip. The incision was small, maybe 6", and no muscles are cut with an anterior incision - versus a posterior or lateral incision where gluteus muscles are cut, lengthening the recovery and resulting in scar tissue. Unless a person is very overweight, I believe the anterior incision is almost always used. I do suggest you ask your surgeon what incision is planned.

And please see my response to Sue for what NOT to do after the surgery.......

In my case, the replacement eliminated 100% of the pain I had pre-op. My pre-op symptom was groin pain. I could only lift that leg about 12" off the ground. It took me 10 months of dis-ease to realize that the hip joint lies directly beneath the groin, and that was the cause of my pain. My bad for not asking for medical help earlier.

I've also had both knees and left shoulder replaced. Recovery from hip replacement was far easier. I didn't have PT scheduled, but I was given some easy exercises to do every day and I did those. It's very important to follow the post-op guidance and rehab exercises, and not to do anything stupid - as I did.......

Bottom line - respect the recovery period and follow instructions for what to do, and what not to do.

All the best to you! Please keep us updated!

Joe

Hi Joan,

Wow good for you getting a successful HR at age 84! That's amazing! I'm 71 and have had both knees, right hip and left shoulder replaced. Post-op PT sessions and home exercises are absolutely necessary. Although I didn't get in-person PT, but did get a list of at-home exercises.

I'm a little surprised your surgeon prescribed the combo narcotic painkiller with Tylenol. I think I was prescribed just oxycodone for the first few days, and then switched to Celebrex for another few days and then to Tylenol.

Anyway, good for you Joan! I love to hear these stories, especially as I head toward my 80s, and hopefully 90s!

All the best.

Joe