What is normal recovery time/ progress for total hip replacement?

Having @heyjoe415 say the following was just what I needed to hear to help with my ambivalence: "... if your surgeon says the joint will eventually have to be replaced, go ahead and get it replaced as soon as possible and at a time as convenient to you as possible." My surgeon (at HSS in NYC) has left the decision up to me. He said it will eventually need replacing. He replaced my left hip in 2017 and his PA said i "waited too long" to replace that one. My husband's Lewy bodies dementia has gotten dramatically worse in the past 2 weeks, which is terrifying, so I feel a bit more confident I'm making the right decision to have THR in April. I agree it is best not to wait until pain interferes with functioning and sleep and fitness cannot be maintained. It's just rare to hear of people having THR based on logic and realism about one's future vs. being burdened by pain. Thank you for your help. All the best to you as well.

with what are you injected?

I had a total left hip replacement August 2023. I was asking my HP for a disability parking pass... she encouraged me to WALK! SHE was not listening to me. My pain started January 21, 2017. It took physio, many trips to the ER., before an ER physician said, "you needa total complete left hip replacement". That qas early January 2023.
I was referred to an Orthopedic Surgeon. Saw him for about 10 minutes Filled out all my operation paperwork. Continued with physio. Finally got a disability parking pass.
Surgery date. They did a spinal on me to help WITH OR recovery time. First into surgery back to recovery then to a bed for the night. First thing following morning in 150% PAIN. I had to walk to a room to be shown how to walk up and down a set of stairs. DISCHARGED! LESS THAN 24 HOURS!
I cried the whole way home ... a 2 hour drive. Prescription for pain meds Follow up 6-8 weeks!
I was in agony ... ended up in an ER 9 days postoperative with a bad infection. 24 hours later and 2 visits to ERS 2 hours apart, I finally was seen heard and a prescription for pain. One week later, when the staples were removed, we discovered in the Fracture Room, my staples (4) were in crooked.. physician or staple malfunctioned. NO ONE NOTICED WHEN IT WAS DONE!!

I appreciate the comments that you all have made. I am going in for hip replacement In May for my right hip. The doctor I saw previously said my right hip was OK even though its bone on bone, Also that I had a lot of range of motion so it’s fine. I changed doctors, and he said both hips need replacing. The left hip according to the x-rays, Is where my right hip was three years ago. Since I am 86 I’m probably going to have a longer recovery. I am doing physical therapy twice a week to strengthen my muscles and that is really wearing me out. I am now finding it hard to sleep at night. I like to sleep on my side and even with a pillow between my legs, it still hurts. I need to sleep more on my back, which I don’t like, so I keep waking up a lot at night. I’m sorry for all the pain for those who are experiencing it!

You're very welcome Peggy. I know too many people who put joint replacement surgeries off, getting more and more injections. But medical science hasn't yet found a replacement for cartilage, and until they do, these various injections are band aids.

Good surgeons will always leave the decision to their patients. Once a joint is bone on bone, and in my opinion, it's just time to get it replaced.

Best wishes Peggy.

Joe

Thanks Lorie. Sounds like you're feeling good, and that's all that counts.

But something you said is so true - every surgery is different, even it's the opposite joint on the same replacement. So if you had a "meh" experience with a hip or knee or shoulder, that doesn't mean it will repeat.

It's best, I think, to not have too many expectations going into surgery, and to work hard, hard, hard on pre-op and post-op exercises, and maintain an exercise regimen post-op, whatever it is.

Joe

I'm so sorry for what you're going through Faye. My hat is off to you though for sticking with the pre-op exercises. I did that for my knees when they were replaced in 2022, but I was a spry 67 y/o at the time. I truly respect your effort and commitment and Im sure it will help tremendously with your recovery.

As to another comment you made, each surgeon is different. In my opinion, once a joint has zero cartilage, bone on bone, it's time for a replacement. Some surgeons, like mine, prefer to wait until the patient is experiencing chronic pain.

I asked him why he does that, and he explained he wants patients feeling better after the surgery than before. It is possible to go quite a while bone on bone in any joint and not experience severe pain. So I waited and the pain worsened and I had the replacements.

Now I've changed mind. As I mentioned to Peggy, once a joint is bone on bone, and a good surgeon says replacement is inevitable, get the joint replaced. And do it asap especially if you're in good health.

Best wishes to you and Peggy on your upcoming replacements. Im getting my right hip replaced tomorrow, and given the pain, really can't wait!

Joe

Toradol and cortisone. I am put to sleep it’s done in a hospital. He also uses some kind of long lasting lidocaine. I will get the exact amount from him.

Thanks Artemis. I had a kidney stone and because I can't use opioids, was given Toradol via IV at the Emergency Room. It took car of the pain. I have a shoulder that needs to be replaced and use Rx 5% lidocaine patches that work well on pain right inside the joint.

Two things to note, Toradol is a powerful NSAID and from what I understand, can only be taken for 5 days. And the Rx lidocaine patches may not be covered by insurance if it's for muscle pain. I got mine approved because the shoulder needs to be replaced, I think.

That is awful! Its amazing to me the difference it can make between having a great surgeon or having a not so great surgeon. I had a left total hip replacement on Oct. 7, 2024 and only had the post-op pain for about a month. The pain I had before surgery was awful and affected my whole leg, hip and groin area. That pain was completely gone post-op. I had the Anterior hip replacement and highly recommend it!! It really does make a HUGE difference! This type of total hip replacement surgery has a much better, less recovery time! But you have to ask for the Anterior total hip replacement! I for sure had a great surgeon too! I took Tramadol post surgery and I loved it. Didn't give me that doped up feeling that Oxycodone can give. But it helped the pain alot. Only used it for about 2 1/2 weeks. Good luck everyone!