After years of putting it off, I went under the knife three weeks ago and got my right hip replaced. Surgeon was able to do a lateral Superpath approach and I was back on my feet within a few days and without pain meds after a week.
I started my rehab with a physiotherapist this week and i'm looking for some advice from BBI'ers who have gone through this surgery or who have performed it. Any particular do's and don'ts?
for hips than for knees after surgery. Be very careful
rising from positions like being down on the floor or
from a low chair. Use arm supports while rising where possible and avoid lateral stress on the surgical hip
for several months.
My right had a revision so it was done twice
The hip replacement surgery is really good
You go in to the surgery in pain and you come out without pain
I have had my replacements for many years and my hips are great with the exception that I have tendinitis in my left hip
Rehab is important but moving is just as important
I started hiking through the woods and continue to do that
Upon completion of the therapy I was not limited in activity
I play tennis and I still practice MMA
I second this. And if you have continued pain, speak up and see your surgeon. Eventually a successful hip replacement should alleviate all pain and have the patient forget they have a hip replacement.
The first thing we go over with patients with hip replacements are precautions:
If you have it done via a posterior approach, 1. do not flex your hip beyond 90 degrees. That means no bending over to tie your shoes, no bending over to pick a quarter off the ground, be careful when getting up from chairs, especially low surfaces. 2. Do not cross midline with your involved leg, ie no crossing your legs. They may give you a special triangular foam pillow to keep this from happening, they might not. 3. No hip internal rotation, if you don’t cross your legs, you’ll probably be ok with this one.
You may have some residual glute weakness as well, usually from the surgery itself and the damage done to adjacent hip muscles.
Honestly, more people should get this surgery done sooner. Most people wait too long and end up dealing with years of debilitating pain from arthritis. Outcomes are great, you should be fine.
wow, sounds awesome. I'll take 2!
Thanks for the post. It has been far better than I expected. I was walking a few days after surgery and 3 weeks out can barely feel any pain. I don't know why so many people wait until their 50s to get this done. Living without pain is something you can't put a price tag on (and since i'm in Canada, it was free).
Titanium and Poly with ceramic is what he put in. I got a referral to the surgeon who does alot of athletes hoping that was an indication he is excellent in his field. Sure feels that way at the moment.
The first thing we go over with patients with hip replacements are precautions:
If you have it done via a posterior approach, 1. do not flex your hip beyond 90 degrees. That means no bending over to tie your shoes, no bending over to pick a quarter off the ground, be careful when getting up from chairs, especially low surfaces. 2. Do not cross midline with your involved leg, ie no crossing your legs. They may give you a special triangular foam pillow to keep this from happening, they might not. 3. No hip internal rotation, if you don’t cross your legs, you’ll probably be ok with this one.
You may have some residual glute weakness as well, usually from the surgery itself and the damage done to adjacent hip muscles.
Honestly, more people should get this surgery done sooner. Most people wait too long and end up dealing with years of debilitating pain from arthritis. Outcomes are great, you should be fine.
I just turned 42 and with a 1 year old at home, I needed to get the pain under control. They sent me out without mobility restrictions since, i'm told, they didn't have to cut into the muscle to any significant extent.
The glute and quad weakness is apparent but also a function of being in so much pain for years that I almost stopped using my lower half for everything except sitting.
I'll be curious how long it takes for the bone to grow into the titanium and when I can take the kiddy gloves off and get to building muscle and flexibility.
I'm dying to get out on the golf course this summer. I haven't been out in 5 years.