hip surgeries

[cookiedough]

finally got the green light October and December to get both hips replaced after 4 years of misery.  Figured if can do both in 1 year 8 weeks apart having to pay ONLY 1 co insurance amount/deductible due will save me a few grand as well.  Just had to get a DR. who was willing and able to do them both later this year.   Best part is 8 or so of 12 weeks off of work as well.   Drs. did say though new hip replacement only last 25 or so years and by then around age 80 I figure if make it that far will be fine with me?   To say my cycle riding the past few years was pitiful is an understatement been sitting so long barely ridden a few times each year, there now is Valk related.  

[Valkorado]

Constant pain is no good.  I'm glad you will finally able to get this scheduled and behind you.  Best wishes.

[da prez]

  As an FYI , ask and be sure the incision is vertical. Anterior replacement and a vertical scar. Two other Drs. saw the scar from my replacement and commented on it. I asked why and they said it saved about five minutes on the surgery. It also severed some of the nerves in my leg that let me know if my foot was on the ground when the bike was stopped. A S K all questions and N E V E R  let them tell you ,you do  not need to know or will not understand .

                                                               da prez

              a bill will follow for medical advise. 

[Rams]

My Spousal Unit had both shoulders replaced last year and this year a hip.   Looking to schedule the other hip soon.   The pain she has been is was trerrible but, now that she's doing better, my "honey do" list seems to have grown...............   

Rams   

[cookiedough]

yep will be anterior (in back more) but never asked about vertical scar.  Now I have to decide which is worse left or right.  It was the left side, now past 3 weeks AFTER the last appt. has been the right hip bothering me/hurting the most.  All started age 50 about 4 years ago when standing at work (office job) for about 25 minutes my hips hurt so bad from bone on bone contact had to sit down.  As soon as I sat down, pain went away.  Past few years has been a chore doing much of anything going up steps, bending down to the ground, and overall walking much (or fast enough) has been NOT good.  If I push mow the yard, luckily wife does 80% of it,  after done hobbling along like a 90 year old, I am almost unable to lift my legs to walk sorta dragging the legs to move forward since hips do NOT want to bend up to  pick up my legs.

So weird a few times my wife took my socks off of me, and if she barely pushed on the bottom of my feet upward,  my hip bone instantly hurt like crazy, very odd.  Some days are better than others, but EVERY day is a pain to walk or go upstairs and sometimes downstairs and bend over or lift my leg over cycle seat.  Thus the reason only have taken out cycles a few times each summer past 4 years, yah, pretty pathetic but sorta dangerous if cannot lift my leg to shift or get my feet/leg down quick enough to hold the cycle upright.  Not to mention I look like a fool sitting on my cycle seat wondering how I can even lift my right leg OVER the cycle seat to get off (and on) both.   Even the width of the cycle seat is painful on my hips and even on my ATV seat is bad as well. 

[scooperhsd]

It sucks getting old, but it beats the alternative....

My lower back will probably be in constant pain for the rest of my life. I have to be careful trying to pick something up on the floor / ground - if I bend my back too much - immediate increase in pain. Also if I try to lift too much (more than 50 pounds for sure.)

[cookiedough]

well, made it thru surgery, after reviewing all the hip surgeries prior postings where almost all got front anterior hips replaced,  I was mistaken it had to be posterior on the side more in back due to me being 290lbs. so cut thru some SERIOUS glutteous maximus muscles back there.  BOY,  am I in SEVERE pain now 3 days out of surgery.  1 hour surgery done 11 a.m.,  tried just standing 3 p.m. NO go,  4 p.m. walk 20 yards barely,  6 p.m. walk in hospital did 40 yards tops VERY gingerly with walker so got sent home.

Never been in this much PAIN and soreness in my life just trying to sit down, get up, go poddy, put pressure on my right hip/leg with walker is a chore.  Without my wife babysitting me every 3-4 hours I would not survive by myself so far 3 days.   3 days in an 2 exercises unable to do still sliding my right leg laying down outward and still unable to laying down lift my right leg off the bed flat surface, my butt muscles are pretty much gone in back to do much of anything.

Am sure I will be with a walker next 3 weeks for sure since is VERY sore and bruised side muscles being posterior surgery.  Guess too fat people cannot do front anterior approach talked to 2 surgeons both said 290lbs. must be posterior hip replacement. 

My riding season let alone 4 weeks unable to drive or go anywhere by myself then doing it all over again dec. 3rd replacing left hip posterior approach is not a great ending to 2024. 

2025 cannot be worse or so I hope !   

[Valkorado]

Really sorry to hear about the pain you're experiencing, Cookie.  Prayers out for your full recovery.  Your rehab will be the key to that, do what they ask of you.

[DDT (12)]

Cookie,

WOW! I do hate to hear of all your complications and pain. I hope things take a giant turn for the better for ya, and we get to see ya next year moving like a kid again...

DDT (12)

[Jersey mike]

Take all your meds as prescribed, including any narcotic medication and ice as often as possible every day. 

We keep a daily note of when meds are taken to keep it easy to maintain a schedule.

If the narcotic med is not helping with the pain, be sure to call the office and ask for something stronger, having relief of pain is important to get you moving around as the doctor and therapist want.

My wife had both hips done but from the front so it is a different procedure and you’re experiencing different pain than she did and I cannot say what your PT regime should be however whatever they suggest it’s important to do your best to keep up with the program.

One thing both the doctor and the physical therapist said was to be sure to take pain meds beforehand.

[cookiedough]

thanks all,  yah oxi pain meds for sure gave me 30 pills am sure will use them up taking 2 or 3 per day for sure.   

Never knew how much but muscles one uses to lift UP and DOWN out of bed, poddy, and chairs.    As most say the frontal replacement which I did not have done seems to be less painful and quicker recovery than my posterior reqd due to my weight issue.

Surgeon DR. also suggested me going in to get sleep apnea tested come November since he is pretty sure I have it he said I was sawing logs LOUDLY the entire 1 hr.. surgery.  LOL    Wife says I snore as well VERY loud at night.    Not so sure a CPAP machine will like on my face though do not like wearing anything besides a wedding ring, no jewelry/watches, etc. ever in my life.

[Jersey mike]

I forgot to mention a good laxative, opioids can cause bad constipation. Dulcolax works well.

[cookiedough]

I forgot to mention a good laxative, opioids can cause bad constipation. Dulcolax works well.

yep,  they told me powder to go regular or so I hope.  Not too bad, but this constant getting up every 3 hrs. to go poddy is annoying where as before could not go for about 6 hrs.   It makes me get up though which I need to do been doing exercises 2x's per day and probably should be doing them 3x's per day, maybe 4, since have nothing much better to do all day long next 4 weeks.

[Jersey mike]

thanks all,  yah oxi pain meds for sure gave me 30 pills am sure will use them up taking 2 or 3 per day for sure.   

Never knew how much but muscles one uses to lift UP and DOWN out of bed, poddy, and chairs.    As most say the frontal replacement which I did not have done seems to be less painful and quicker recovery than my posterior reqd due to my weight issue.

Surgeon DR. also suggested me going in to get sleep apnea tested come November since he is pretty sure I have it he said I was sawing logs LOUDLY the entire 1 hr.. surgery.  LOL    Wife says I snore as well VERY loud at night.    Not so sure a CPAP machine will like on my face though do not like wearing anything besides a wedding ring, no jewelry/watches, etc. ever in my life.

You have quite a journey ahead of you with recovery and will experience some pain for quite sometime, DO NOT let yourself run out of pain meds. The doctor is limited on how much can be prescribed at once but can call/fax in refills to your pharmacy. 30 pills is just over a weeks supply. You’re going to need them through PT.

Don’t be bashful about calling for refills. To get through PT and back to moving forward and normal masking the pain to do your PT is a necessary evil.

[HayHauler]

Man, I feel for ya Cookie.  I broke 6 ribs 1.5 years ago and had almost the exact same symptoms you have and we weigh about the same.  Most people can't imagine how much different muscles/tendons come into play with simply getting up and down from chairs and toilets.
A 3" spacer for the toilet made a world of difference for me.
I also got a "lift chair" to ease the pain of getting up and down from the chair.  I slept in that chair for 3 months after the accident.  It made recovery somewhat easier.

I hope your recovery gets easier for you.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[da prez]

  As old2soon indicated , I am going in on the 24th for a left hip. Already have right hip and both shoulders replaced. The hip interferes with riding. Young surgeon at VA.
  At the interview , I asked him how many hips he has done. 50 to 70 he replied. So I asked, "it's not hold my beer and watch this"!. It took him a moment to catch on.
 He is using a new procedure that is between posterior and anterior.  I will let you know after it is done.
  On the right hip , I was out of the hospital the same day. Gave up on the drugs in two days. Let's see what seven years difference will do. (OLDER?)

                                               da prez 

[cookiedough]

  As old2soon indicated , I am going in on the 24th for a left hip. Already have right hip and both shoulders replaced. The hip interferes with riding. Young surgeon at VA.
  At the interview , I asked him how many hips he has done. 50 to 70 he replied. So I asked, "it's not hold my beer and watch this"!. It took him a moment to catch on.
 He is using a new procedure that is between posterior and anterior.  I will let you know after it is done.
  On the right hip , I was out of the hospital the same day. Gave up on the drugs in two days. Let's see what seven years difference will do. (OLDER?)

                                               da prez 

good luck on the hip replacement.  hope cutting in the middle is near as good as from the front last time.  I do know posterior more in the rear of the butt cuts into more muscles and for sure loose those muscles to do pretty much everything like sit/walk/stand up/etc. pretty much everything.  I can walk now about 300 feet tops but by end of 2nd week they think I can walk with walker/crutches qtr mile, doubt it will see.  By end of 3rd week they think just cane, no walker, might be doable?

[Jersey mike]

  As old2soon indicated , I am going in on the 24th for a left hip. Already have right hip and both shoulders replaced. The hip interferes with riding. Young surgeon at VA.
  At the interview , I asked him how many hips he has done. 50 to 70 he replied. So I asked, "it's not hold my beer and watch this"!. It took him a moment to catch on.
 He is using a new procedure that is between posterior and anterior.  I will let you know after it is done.
  On the right hip , I was out of the hospital the same day. Gave up on the drugs in two days. Let's see what seven years difference will do. (OLDER?)

                                               da prez 

good luck on the hip replacement.  hope cutting in the middle is near as good as from the front last time.  I do know posterior more in the rear of the butt cuts into more muscles and for sure loose those muscles to do pretty much everything like sit/walk/stand up/etc. pretty much everything.  I can walk now about 300 feet tops but by end of 2nd week they think I can walk with walker/crutches qtr mile, doubt it will see.  By end of 3rd week they think just cane, no walker, might be doable?

When they say walking, don’t get to optimistic it will be like a stroll through the park but you should definitely feel relief on that side but may have some surgical pain. Keep up with PT.

I remember when my son did PT for his knee and ACL as well as when Barbara did her PT for her hips, the first few weeks they’d come out sweaty and tired.

[da prez]

  I watched a couple videos on the replacement process. V E R R R Y  interesting.

                                             da prez

[Jersey mike]

  I watched a couple videos on the replacement process. V E R R R Y  interesting.

                                             da prez

When my wife’s were done, Barbara asked how they got the new hip in place. The surgical nurse asked do you really want to know. She gave a quick description of we take your leg and put it all the way over here in a stirrup.

[HayHauler]

  I watched a couple videos on the replacement process. V E R R R Y  interesting.

                                             da prez

When my wife’s were done, Barbara asked how they got the new hip in place. The surgical nurse asked do you really want to know. She gave a quick description of we take your leg and put it all the way over here in a stirrup.

It is times like these, I would rather NOT know.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[cookiedough]

well less pain now been 9 days and able to do more stuff than 1st week for sure.  Less butt tenderness and tad bit more strength/movement in rt leg/hip.  

Sitting in the recliner for more than 3-4 hours at one time is not good get stiff they really want me walking/moving around every 1 hour, but not many am sure can do that or would want to get up every 1 hour.    

What sort of sucks is not able to drive anywhere since right hip for they said 4 weeks out.  I do not think I have not driven a vehicle ever since before age 16 in more than 1-2 weeks timeframe.  

At least I am not going backwards and getting worse, not better.   Still on course to hopefully after 3rd week walk with a cane, iffy still qtr. mile, will see?   I have a very low car to get into and even after 4 weeks, not so sure I can get down that low and bend right hip into car let alone get out of the car?  Might have to swap vehicles with the wife she has an SUV which that issue is too skinny and VERY high lip to lift my leg OVER to get in/out.  My 1/2 ton truck might be doable ONLY if I can get the legs onto the running boards and support my entire body weight on my right leg in a few weeks?

2 things for sure NOT doing is moving my right leg inward even 2 inches or even thinking of crossing rt leg nor extending right leg OUT more than say 1 foot is screaming bloody murder painful have accidentally done both inward and outward too far a few times and I am sure the neighbors heard me YELL....