What is Hip replacement surgery really like?

THR i was like a miracle for me. I had pain with every step and was bone on bone. Find a great surgeon who does the anterior approach if they think that will work for you. They can do it and spare nerves and muscles making recovery shorter. I started out with forearm crutches, in 8 days Iwas on a cane. In 3 days I was in PT. The first week the pain from surgery is not great but can be managed with ice and the pain meds. If my other hip ever starts bothering me, I would have it replaced as soon as they would allow it! Good luck to you!

@sandrac
Thanks for the info. Hope to hear from more of you so I can better prepare as well as decide if I want to have the surgery. I had a tkr 4 years ago that led to 5 more surgeries. A nightmare for 3 years straight. That is why I'm so afraid to open this can if worms.

@sandrac
I went one step further and went with the primary inventor of the Superpath method of minimally invasive hip replacement for my arthritic left hip. This was four years ago (I am here because six months ago the same surgeon replaced my right knee).

I had zero post surgery pain (ditto for the knee). The only problem I encountered was the common problem of not being able to pull up my socks. A couple of PT sessions took care of that. My surgeon chose to go with an uncemented replacement so he had me be a couch potato for the first five weeks because "the one thing I can't do is make bones grow". I don't notice any difference between my titanium left hip and my natural right hip and I also don't notice much difference between my oxidized zirconium right knee and my bony left knee.

Replacing arthritic joints has been a miracle for me as well. I returned to playing golf 27 days after my recent knee replacement and I now "play" golf three times a week.

Hi. I had THR in 2012. It took some PT and working with it to get it right. In 2022, I had to get a revision- meanwhile, my sister had an orthopedic surgeon who used robotics on her. She was walking without assistance 1 week after. If I have to get another one, I’d definitely use robotics. But, the anterior is the way to go & remember: your attitude is everything!

I’m the outlier who had posterior surgery although it’s really done from the side. It was a miracle surgery for me. My hip never hurt, it was all referred pain in my leg and thought it was from my back issues. It was excruciating to walk before the surgery. Zero pain after and I went home the same day. My surgery went great, I was off tramadol in 3 days. I actually sought a doctor who did posterior surgery. I had my reasons. I made sure to choose a doc who had an excellent reputation. The big deal with posterior surgery is just not to bend forward deeply for 8-12 weeks…I was allowed per my PT after 10 weeks. My right hip is now jealous of my bionic left hip. I do chair yoga and I have a lot more flexibility with my bionic hip. If my right hip ever gets to where it needs to be replaced I hope that my surgeon is still doing them and I won’t hesitate to have him replace my other hip as well. I think the key is getting a good surgeon but all our bodies are different and what my experience was, may not be your experience. Oh, and hip replacement is simpler than knee replacement. A good set of YouTube videos to watch on hip replacement is the Canadian “Talking With Docs.” Look for their videos on hip replacement. They are two Canadian orthopedic surgeons and I watched all their videos and was completely prepared for my surgery. I live in the US, but I subscribe to their channel and they have practical videos on all manner of medical subjects.

So much has changed in joint replacement. RH -- 2018
LK -- 2020
LH -- 2022

Knee was the worst. Right hip was a slow process as I also have cancer but I tore the labrum and bone on bone. Walker for 3 days, cane for another 10 days and off to the pool I went. Knee not so smooth. Longer than expected rehab stay as I live alone. It's been 4 years, close to 5. LH -- this was a breeze except I fell 2 hours after I got home so landed in step down swing bed for 3 weeks. As much as I disliked the rehab facilities I think with PT and OT everyday really helped the joints. Pool therapy is the absolute best. Saw surgeon yesterday for follow up. Wonderful xrays. Stability is superb. I have some bursitis in left hip but easily managed. I have severe osteoporosis. However, no one loss notice. H checked right Knee and it looks good with no issues. We laughed as I said he was only needed for joints. Oh, my surgeon is Dr. McDreamy. Oh lala

Good luck. Seriously think about pool therapy after incision heals.

🐝 KIND

@what did you do for the left hip bursitis? What helped?wittygoose

@bellatheball
I was referred to PT. Used my cane. Ice was my friend. Unfortunately nothing worked so I needed a shot. That was 16 months ago. I just saw surgeon for follow up. Everything on all 3 joints is great except left hip bursitis. Currently 2 or 3 out of 10 pain scale whereas when I got the shot I could barely walk. I am able to get a shot every 6 months but less is best. I still ice. Otherwise it is manageable, now.

🐝 KIND

@tkrfail21 and others on string

You asked what THR is really like, and you are getting some replies, keep in mind results vary depending partly on your baseline health, and meds after surgery. Some of the replies mention results vary with the surgical approach, however the AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) indicates risks and benefits apply to all approaches, and if anyone indicates any particular approach (anterior, posterior, "super", lateral, etc) is better than another approach, please ask for the peer reviewed orthopedic journal article providing the evidence (this would probably need to be new research published in 2025 or 2026). THR always has slight risks of infection, dislocation, and death, mostly in the first year, but risk continues in the years after surgery, and you will sign a consent indicating you understand the risks before you have the surgery. Most, but not all, THR patients are happy with the results, and are often pain free. If problems develop, the surgery can be revised (redone), however % of patients satisfied is less with revision because the success rate is less. As a side note, if you have had a low back fusion or have any reason to believe your low back is abnormal, ask your surgeon about how this impacts risks, and if the surgeon states the low back doesn't impact THR I recommend a second opinion.

You mentioned pain with over exertion, but pain resolved with rest. I recommend considering treatments other than surgery, such as acetaminophen and NSAIDS occasionally (for example intermittent celecoxib if you and your primary doctor and surgeon agree after risk benefit analysis), and lifestyle intervention. The surgeon might be able to tell you if joint space narrowing is a consideration, and if the surgeon is participating in recent research using Ai to evaluate joint space x rays.

Based on the limited information you mentioned, I'm not sure THR is advisable, but gathering more information before deciding to have major surgery is a good plan.

Best wishes in gathering information to help you decide if and when to have THR.

I appreciate all the good info. xrays show bone on bone. I can bend over but slowly. My dilemma is that I'm 75 and the loss of cartilage isn't going to improve over the years. My hip doesn't hurt but I'm slightly aware it isn't perfect. 3 years of excruciating pain from 5 knee surgeries has me petrified that I am making a mistake to have surgery. I'm in good shape overall and not overweight.