Hip Surgery this Thursday

[Billinsd]

I’m scheduled for a new hip this Thursday. I’ve suffered for 5 years and finally getting it done. I had initially scheduled the replacement right before Covid, but wanted the craziness to settle first, didn’t want to get crummy care and rehab. There are some limitations and critical care issues that I must maintain after surgery. Some I didn’t know about, like getting an antibiotic before I get my teeth cleaned for the rest of my life, any bacterial infection could go to my hip, even years after surgery. If the hip gets infected it will have to be taken out. Otherwise my surgeon said no running or jumping. Running or jumping will drastically reduce the life of the replacement. He said I could safely ski if I stayed on blue runs, black diamonds will drastically reduce the life of the replacement. I just turned 62 and am slowing down, some.

I also just found out my big right toe is arthritic, but not real bad. It hurts a little to walk. I never figured I’d get arthritis in my late 50s, early 60s.

Wish me a successful surgery and speedy recovery and rehabilitation! My surgeon said my hip muscles are weak and rehab will take 6 months, so get up right after surgery and get walking!!
Thanks Bill

 

[wyosteve]

Good luck Bill. Just be sure to do the recommended rehab. therapy. All the folks I know who've had replacements wonder why they waited so long!

 

[Ross]

Good luck new joints help a lot, but the effort and time spent after the replacement is Key slow and steady and you will be very good in 1 year.

 

[voltage]

My dad had both of his knees partially replaced and had his hip replaced in his mid 50s. He said the hip was the easiest. Follow the rehab to the fullest extent possible. 10 years ago, he was miserable while pheasant hunting. Today, he pheasant hunts at least twice a week, and usually does 6-8 miles each hunt. No issue at all. He always talks that he would have done it sooner. Good luck!

 

[NealS02]

Good luck with the surgery Bill! In terms of the risk of hip infection, you are at greatest risk immediately post op, but risk still very low. As an ER doc, having seen 10K+ patients, I have never once seen someone develop a prosthetic hip infection beyond 1 month following surgery.

 

[survivalistd]

Heal quickly brother. I'm headed for an anatomic shoulder replacement soon.

 

[5MilesBack]

Well that "after the fact stuff" don't sound good. I'd be out. My mom had a hip replacement and two knees and never had to get an antibiotic for teeth cleaning. That's a new one to me.

I talked to her surgeon after one of her surgeries and told him I'd be getting mine done earlier in life rather than her at 80 like she did. And he looked at me and said "That's a bad idea for someone active like you......you'll wear it out and have to have it replaced in 10-15 years". Well, that sucks. I guess I'll just keep sucking up the pain and pressing on with what I've got. I have a large tear in the labrum in my right hip now. Getting the shots this week, then a repair if that doesn't help. Hopefully I can put off a replacement for another 20 years because I run and jump off stuff all the time on an elk hunt.

Good luck......and enjoy, I guess.

 

[Broomd]

Hang tough, Bill! Git 'er done. We'll all be pulling for your full and complete recovery with minimal discomfort!

 

[cnelk]

A friend of mine had both hips done last year. She is very active doing mtn biking, pickleball and downhill skiing and most definitely not limited to which color runs she skis.
And she’s 68
I think you got fed a line

 

[keller]

Good luck Bill!! I am 55 had a knee replaced 4 weeks ago it is going really well!! Had it done with robot aid. I was riding bike at therapy next to a lady last Friday who had a hip done recently and a knee couple years ago. She Said the hip is a breeze compared to a knee. DO the therapy it's NOT that hard. Worst part is trying to sleep. My discharge orders say I need to take an antibiotic before any dental work. Not sure for how long. Confirmed that with my dentist who is also my cousin. It is common practice. Do as much stretching as you can before. Not sure if I can help but feel free to reach out. I'm off work 12 weeks. My main concern is therapy!!
Good luck John

 

[TaperPin]

The 72 year old father in law just had his hip done a couple months ago. Two weeks later he was cleared to fly to Hawaii for vacation. We wheeled him through airports, but otherwise just slow shuffling from the car to restaurants or to sit on the beach. After two months you’d never know he had it done.

Every new hip is different, but his experience is very similar to the wife’s new hip two years ago.

Stay up with your pain meds, and even if you don’t think you’ll need the high power ones, get them, you’ll need them, and get off them as soon as you can.

 

[Pony Soldier]

Had both hips done. Was on a horse at 6 weeks. Full recovery at about 3 months for strength and endurance. Antibiotics for about 6 months.

I hunt for 30+ days per season and 300-350 miles on horseback. No discomfort after the first week. Do your pt plus a little.

 

[Huntndog]

Good luck!
I had a kidney stone blasted yesterday. Joking with the nurses passes the worst part for me which is waiting in pre op. Yesterday one of them was putting a sensor or something on my bicep and said “ Dang Popeye, I didn’t know I was coming to a gun show today! “
Attitude is everything. Hang it there,and rehab like its your job.

 

[Billinsd]

Surgeon said hip replacement is in great. He told my wife the Mako brand robot software was showing the wrong hip. He spent 45 minutes trying to troubleshoot and then did the work using the robot manually. While he troubleshooting my spinal wore off and the anesthetist did an emergency general. The surgeon confirmed that the implant was installed corrected, he told me great. I was last patient and it was late, so I stayed over. The therapist had me walk 100 feet on a walker and it was fantastic! I wasn’t limping, I was walking! Everything seems excellent. My only concerns about rehabilitation, is that I need to be careful not to over do it recovering and get a dislocation. I’m not in pain now, but will have some when the meds wear off. I don’t have any regrets for waiting so long. I knew it would be much better after I got it done and knew the risks. I’m 62 and hopefully won’t have any issues or need revision therapy.

Pray for my speedy recovery, no infection, no dislocation, low pain, and no blood clots. Thank you all so much!!!

 

[Billinsd]

Had both hips done. Was on a horse at 6 weeks. Full recovery at about 3 months for strength and endurance. Antibiotics for about 6 months.

I hunt for 30+ days per season and 300-350 miles on horseback. No discomfort after the first week. Do your pt plus a little.

Yep, and especially the PT plus a little. I don’t do little very well, (Extremely OCD) so I got to be disciplined not to do PLUS A LOT!

 

[Billinsd]

Stay up with your pain meds, and even if you don’t think you’ll need the high power ones, get them, you’ll need them, and get off them as soon as you can.

Agreed!! I don’t want to get behind on the pain. Yes, I want to get off them ASAP. My brother is a 22 year recovered Meth addict, and my cousin died from an Opioid overdose about 15 years ago.

 

[Billinsd]

A friend of mine had both hips done last year. She is very active doing mtn biking, pickleball and downhill skiing and most definitely not limited to which color runs she skis.
And she’s 68
I think you got fed a line

My surgeon’s only restrictions are that I don’t jump, or run, high impact, which will lower the life of the implant, and/or may cause dislocation. He says I can do anything I want to and cautions myself not to be too cautious and lower my quality of life. He said I could ski black diamond runs but it could reduce the life of the implant. He doesn’t know by how much, no one does, because there haven’t been any studies. I think decades of hard skiing may have caused the arthritis to begin with. Thanks Bill

 

[Billinsd]

Well that "after the fact stuff" don't sound good. I'd be out. My mom had a hip replacement and two knees and never had to get an antibiotic for teeth cleaning. That's a new one to me.

I talked to her surgeon after one of her surgeries and told him I'd be getting mine done earlier in life rather than her at 80 like she did. And he looked at me and said "That's a bad idea for someone active like you......you'll wear it out and have to have it replaced in 10-15 years". Well, that sucks. I guess I'll just keep sucking up the pain and pressing on with what I've got. I have a large tear in the labrum in my right hip now. Getting the shots this week, then a repair.

Yeah, I was out for 5 years because I’m extremely active and concerned I’d wear it out in 10 to 15 years. So, I sucked it up until I couldn’t bear it and more and bought 5 years.

I’d never heard about the antibiotics before teeth cleaning either. My surgeon said to do it for the rest of my life. I asked my dentist if it’s really necessary after two years. He said he didn’t think so, However I should because after going through so much with the surgery why take ANY CHANCES!? I don’t want to get any surface bacteria infections or bacteria getting into my bloodstream, because it could possibly infect my hip, even decades after surgery. And I’d have get the implant removed. I’d never heard of this and it’s a concern.

I had a labrum tear too and my first surgeon asked me if I wanted a repair? It didn’t sound like a long term fix, more like buying time. And I needed to do it immediately or it would be too late. Success wasn’t expected to be very high, so I passed. I asked several surgeons if the tear caused the arthritis or visa versa, the consensus was there was know way of knowing.

The longer you wait the higher the chances are of getting a medical condition that prevents you from getting the surgery or having lots of benefits. I wanted to be 65 or as close as possible. I just turned 62, and my health is good and my hip was toast!

Bill

 

[Pony Soldier]

When I got mine replaced I was told the life expectancy of the hardware was greater than 39 years. I haven't heard anything since that and don't know anyone that has had a problem.

 

[5MilesBack]

I had a labrum tear too and my first surgeon asked me if I wanted a repair? It didn’t sound like a long term fix, more like buying time. And I needed to do it immediately or it would be too late. Success wasn’t expected to be very high, so I passed.

Well shoot. I'm pretty sure I've had this tear for the last four years.....from a fall I took on my sheep hunt. I just assumed it was part of the pain from my lower back shooting into the hip joint until I had an MRI this last summer. You're 2.5 years ahead of me in age. This year was the first year that really limited me while hunting. Normally I get better as the season goes on, this year I got worse.

Sounds like you're doing well, and on your way to a good recovery.