About two years ago, after a lifetime of running, aerobics, yoga, tennis, and everything else you can think of to keep fit, I found myself suddenly limping, in a lot of pain, and losing my quality of life. When I went to my (male) family doctor, he told me to get a hip replacement. He said it just like that: “time for a hip replacement.”
No discussion of the risks, none of the fact that there’s a long recovery, nothing about the perils of general anaesthesia. It may as well have been “replace the spark plugs.”
I’m not a fan of unquestioned medical advice, and my mother “sundowned” after general anaesthesia for diverticulitis surgery and never recovered, tipping over into Alzheimer’s disease and a terrible slow decline. So I tried it all: acupuncture, physical therapy. yoga, stretching, Celebrex — whatever.
Nothing worked. My joint was bone on bone. But I also have back problems, which I had always controlled through yoga, and I knew a lot about alignment. After all, the “hip bone’s connected to the thigh bone, the thigh bone’s connected to the knee bone,” and they are all connected to the spine.
So I sought a surgeon who could help me with the hip replacement while not destroying the subtle alignment I had created in my back through yoga. The first guy I saw was so gruff that I walked out of his office. The second, a doctor in Tucson who does the minimally invasive surgery, admitted that he knew nothing about backs, and allowed as how my back wasn’t important, because after all this was my hip!
Finally I was referred to a female hip surgeon. And naturally, she listened to me and planned with me. She knew damned well that my back would be a problem, and she told me flat out that she couldn’t do minimally invasive surgery and guarantee my back would be okay after because she had to see inside the joint to position the new hip properly.
I trusted her, and we went through the surgery together, but it still wasn’t easy. Especially the recovery, about which no one is honest. If they told you it would be at least six months before you felt like a normal human being, you wouldn’t do it, so they stress the fact that you are up on your feet the same day. That’s not the same as being able to walk two golden retrievers on leashes. Also, the hospital itself is dangerous: nursing shortages, staph infections, complications, and all the psychological issues.
I had no one to talk to about these, and very little from the patient’s perspective to read. So I kept a blog here. I documented my fears, my opinions of surgeon and hospital, and my ups and downs during the recovery.
Please read it, share it, and recommend it to other people contemplating hip replacement. If we share enough stories, we will get good medical care. If we keep it to ourselves, we will literally suffer in silence.
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment50 Comments
Every BODY is different, as is everybody's physicality and mindset. Im a 57 year old retired firefighter, certified Hatha yoga instructor and avid walker. Compared to some, I am an animal, compared to others, I am a lazy sloth. I have always had what most have called an extremely high tolerance for pain (or have I never endured the pain others have)? I suffered with right hip pain and pursued every non-surgical avenue including, but not limited to, decompression, chiropractic, electrode therapy, ART, CARS, yoga, cortisone injections, experimental injections, and at the end, was left with a bad attitude. One year ago my X-ray did not appear egregious enough to be commensurate with the pain and the increasing dysfunction. So, more of the same until I finally determined my "quality of life' was no longer representing quality. I was DONE. The next X-ray was clearly representative of suggesting a surgical intervention. Bone on bone with splintering occurring. THR scheduled, University teaching hospital, Orthopedic surgical staff comprised of lead surgeon, two Fellows and two Residents, as well as experienced operating room staff. I had a spinal block, anterior approach, a small surgical complication (4 hours attempting to get an implement in my apparently funny shaped femur), up and walking in 3 hours post surgery, left hospital the next day with no walking aides or pain killers, flew on a plane the next, rested and pouted the following, and walked two miles four days post THR.
April 17, 2019 - 9:20amSuperstar, right? Hardly. Im very pleased with the surgical recovery, but even with my knowledge of common post surgical depression, I got a bit dumpy about it all. There is a vulnerability that comes to the forefront when you feel you are no longer in control of your body. I know what I am allowed to do now, two months post surgery, and yet I am limiting myself for no clear reason. It is all personal judgement and fears, but it can be a real bummer. Im starting to get more adventurous, but its a process. Physical and mental.
I love the question: "how does your hip feel, does it hurt"? No! The hip is brand new. I have this incredibly smooth joint created and phenomenally placed because of incredible surgeons and modern technology. The hip feels great. The rest... its a process. Would I do it again, knowing what I know? ABSOLUTELY. But... its a process to heal both mind and body.
This Comment
The best doctor for Ortho Hip Replacement
January 15, 2018 - 9:59pmThis Comment
It's interesting to read the comments about post total hip replacement. It really seems to vary quite a bit. I am exactly two weeks post anterior THP. My surgeon said the surgery lasted no more than one hour. He used a HANA table and I was given an epidural and moderate sedation. I am 56 yo and in good health and fairly fit. I was seen in a surgical center and avoided all the problems of a hospital. I left the surgery center about 3-4 hours after the surgery. My question is how far can I go in terms of exercise? Today I walked a mile with a cane mostly as a back up. I did my own upper body/core work out. I feel great, although the new hip area is still very weak. The surgeon doesn't want me to do PT outside of the home until after I see him in 2 weeks.
August 4, 2016 - 7:18amThis Comment
I recently had to under go a pretty intense hip surgery surgery. The whole process leading up to the surgery was traumatic for obvious reasons. I don’t want to go into too much detail but during the surgery, my team used a FAW blanket called the Bair Hugger and it helped so much with my post surgical recovery. I credit the super quick recovery to the blanket. I was able to get back to exercising in no time. Here are some facts about the system http://www.fawfacts.com
April 6, 2016 - 2:21pmThis Comment
I am your average 60 year old, walk my dog every day, work in my garden, yoga every day, not overweight, was very active in my youth, big downhill skiing, marathon runner, aerobic instructor, biker, etc. Started to have lots of pain in my left hip, tried everything, hot yoga, massage, swimming, etc. it all helped, for a little while. The PAIN was so bad really could hardly walk, so time for a hip replacement. My hospital care - I am Canadian - was relatively good, but after 3 days out you go, so home, alone, to my house. I had no follow-up care or help, at all, only what my friends could find the time to help me with. So don't sweat it, and just do what you can do. Dogs went to daycare for 1 month, and I used the internet to source what I could. 7 months later I can walk the dogs for 1 hour, but need my trekking poles to help - I have a bad right knee that also needs replacing. I am still kinda of "listing" when I walk, and wonder if the replacement has made my left side a little shorter, no one seems to be able to confirm this. I can do everything, just not for as long. pain is way down, and only take a few Tylenol a day, usually at night. It is not an easy recovery, try to be as fit as you can be before the operation, and lose as much weight as you can, I lost 15 lbs and this helped, a lot. It is well worth doing, and keep moving. Good Luck
January 21, 2016 - 7:27amThis Comment
I had an anterior hip replacement on Jan 15th, 2015. I am very fit and athletic and was up walking less than five hours after it was performed and out of hospital in less than 20 hours. Doctor said no physical therapy just walk and gave me four minor leg lift exercises to do. On Jan 16th I walked a quarter of a mile and by Jan 20th I was up to walking four miles without a cane. Went back to work fourteen days later. On Feb 1st went on vacay to Istanbul, Venice, Florence and Rome, took a 12 hour flight from NYC and walked around all cities. Climbed to the top of the leaning tower of Pisa on Feb 3rd. My best advice is just to get up and walk as soon as they allow it and walk, walk walk. It upset all the silliness some doctors tell patients such as "no ninety degrees, sleep with a pillow between your legs and on and on." Only have a two and half inch incision on front of leg that was closed with glue. My doctor was awesome and got me out of the hospital as fast as possible because he told me they do not want you to walk because everytime you get out of bed you could fall and they are more worried about being sued than what is best for you. I now run six miles a day and do yoga daily and lift weights. No pity party here. smile
March 23, 2015 - 7:06amThis Comment
Just had the surgery THR Jan. 8, 2015 and very pleased with the recovery - starting to get my normal gait back since it was way off pre-surgery with limping and compensating for pain. I know my "new normal" will come with change but the difference between the discomfort pre-surgery and the slow but progressive ease of movement is very encouraging I have experienced should and upper back pain but going to therapy and a chiropracter has reduced the symptoms.
February 19, 2015 - 7:45pmThis Comment
I had my surgery 1/8/15 also and there are days that I can finally "forget" I had surgery when I'm walking - i'ts great but I do understand that it's going to take a while longer to have that stability/flexibility and not notice there is a risk when movement is too generous....that's my biggest fear!!!
March 23, 2015 - 7:57pmThis Comment
how long it will survive
I did the total hip replacement in 2003 , till now (9 years later )it is fine , but I have to admit that life quality is changed , can’t run , bear heavy load , have normal sex positions as I like ,,,etc , but the main point is how long this artificial hip can survive , I hope somebody with long and good experience can share this information with us , Marwan .
August 12, 2012 - 4:29amThis Comment
My very active dad has had replace each 20 yrs since 60. I had one done two yrs ago. My very active life has changed drastically. I love to swim but my other hip wants doing and I refuse. Do what you love.
February 20, 2016 - 3:52pmJo
This Comment