Hip Replacement Surgery

[LePaul]

My mother just had this done today, she had polio has a youngster and post-polio issues since.  Her right hip was very arthritic and she made it thru surgery in flying colors.

Im curious how long the recovery time is for people with this?  I've read some incredibly short times.  I wasn't sure if anyone here has had this procedure done, or family that has that can share their experience?

[dmf]

it depends on the person, my neighbors Grandmother who goes outside every day recovered fast, My aunt who is a hypochondriac, had her hips replaced last year and is still having problems, did I mention shes a hypochondriac?

[LePaul]

Well I know my Mom is anxious to hit the quilting shows and you-name-it-scrapbooking stores.  With her hip as bad as it was, she was out of energy and in too much pain to partake in many of her activities.

[nirvana]

I've heard recovery is quick due to the amount of blood vessels and such that feed the pelvis and femur, no experience though.  Best of luck to your mother for a quick recovery!

[Holden McGroin]

I had a degenertive condition and decided to get both hips replaced. While I decided against playing football again, I made a brief comeback to play baseball.  I feel much better now.


...wait... that wasn't me.

[LTARGlok]

My mother just had this done today, she had polio has a youngster and post-polio issues since.  Her right hip was very arthritic and she made it thru surgery in flying colors.

Im curious how long the recovery time is for people with this?  I've read some incredibly short times.  I wasn't sure if anyone here has had this procedure done, or family that has that can share their experience?

My Mom had both bad and good experiences.   In the first operation, the doctor messed up badly, and did not get the ball and socket aligned properly.  She never was comfortable, and eventually had the ball pop out 3 different times during falls.   Each time meant going into the Emergency room, with doctors putting it back into place.  Each experience was extremely painful.   She had expensive ambulance bills, and she had to undergo anesthesia each time, also not very good for someone in her mid 80's  After the third time, though, it was so unstable, that it was clear that the operation had to be done over.

The second operation to re-do the first one was a success.   The doctor that did the first operation had retired, so there never was any question of having him do it over.   In fact, he retired from his practice only 5 months after he did her operation.   In retrospect, we should have got a younger doctor, instead of someone who was 68 himself.

She never had any problems with discomfort after the 2nd operation, and even a few more falls never caused her any problem with it.   Your Mom does need to start walking a little right away, and then very slowly build herself up.   Her doctor should be explaining this all to your family if he is any good.   She will really need a lot of assistance the next few weeks.   A physical therapist should also be working with her to help her with exercises and also aid in monitoring her recovery.

Hopefully she got a good doctor with an excellent reputation.   That is the real key to success.

Good luck to your Mom in her recovery!

[Furball]

My dad is a stubborn so and so, he had this done and was back at work within a couple of months.  He is still in his 50's tho so that probably reduced the recovery time - his hip was knackered from playing too much football.

[Curval]

My father is currently recovering in Mass General after undergoing the operation last week.  He's up and about, albeit moving slowly.

I suspect his recovery time will be longer than most given his age (76) and the fact that he needs to lose weight badly.

[JBA]

It will depend on how well she does with physical therapy. it is imperative she stays on the program.
I could tell you about my 70 year old fathers or my neighbor,  but that’s all irrelevant, every person response differently, the only common trait is the ones that recover fully are the ones who stay with the therapy.

*One word of caution,. She will feel so good  after surgery, compared to when she had a bad hip, that she may over do the walking around in the first few months, this will set her back and she will feel pain and get discouraged.

[LePaul]

Thanks for the info, guys.

She told me that she can't do 90 degree movements with the new hip, I guess that could make it pop out, etc.  But she is staying in the hospital for 4 days, then based on her progress, either a convalescent center or home.  She's 61 and hopes this will help her mobility so she can shed some weight.  She swims 3 times a week and is on a healthy diet, but she can only do so much before the hip pain would clobber her.

Im off to visit with her in a few.

The Dr who operated on her has a superb reputation and his own "unit" at the hospital....nurses, PT folks, etc.  So its an excellent team she is working with.

[Maverick]

Best wishes for a full recovery. I hope your Mom enjoys her new mobility.

[LePaul]

Just got back, she's a hurting unit.  She had to have a blood transfusion since her blood pressure was running too low.  She's shaken the fever and slowly on the mend.