Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Anyone with hip replacements got tips?

Given that we're both in BC, I'm hopeful - at least we don't have to pay! Thanks, Tom.

What does hip revision look like? Do they do something to the first hips to keep them going?

hip revision is usually replacement (redone) of the original THR

revision surgery is more complicated than the original THR.

that is why timing is of the utmost importance in THRs....you really only want to be going through the procedure one time only if possible

I waited until I was 58 for my THR and in retrospect endured too much pain in my effort to reach an age where a one time only THR would last a lifetime....if that makes any sense

plenty of revisions are successful but the procedure is more complicated

Wendy
do plenty of research on the subject so you are well clued up prior to your op(s)

download some pre op exercises from the net and go through them like an athlete...be prepared, it make an enormous difference

download some post op exercises from the internet. These IMO are far more important and will determine the level of success of your THRs


thinking of you
John

Hi Wendy: Just back from our Sunday hike. Probably 7-8 kms of up and down terrain. I have also joined the local hiking club so I can meet more like minded people and the club hikes throughout the week, not just Sunday. A couple of years ago I had revisions done on both hips and in my case the revisions were to replace worn out parts. Unfortunately my GP and the person who looks at x-rays did not acknowledge my complaints that I had a problem with my left hip. At times I could hear the hip move, like a hinge in need of oil sound, and even after the 2nd set of x-rays they still disregarded my complaints of not only the sound, but I knew the hip dislocated at times and I would have to lay on the floor to force it back together. I managed to convince them to refer me to a surgeon who looked at the x-rays and immediately put me at the top of his wait list which turned out to be less than a month. All medical people involved could not understand why I was not in some pain. The ball part of the THR had worn through the lining of the cup and was grinding a hole in my pelvic bone. The surgery required a bone graft, though successful, was quite an unnecessary inconvenience. Three months on crutches and no weight bearing on that leg. About five months after the 1st revision, the 2nd revision went as most revisions. They replaced the worn out part, not the whole THR, and I was out of the hospital within four days and walking on it within a month. Keep fit prior to surgery as you will recover more quickly. I don't know what the future has in store for me with regard to my hips but to date, I love my hips. I love this place too...Tom

PS: Thank you for helping keep this place together.

Thanks Tom. Encouraging posts are just what I need right now because I'm quite disappointed that this has become necessary. I'm also nervous about such major surgery.

Fortunately, I'm a good researcher! Sometimes it's hard to know what you're looking for so it's great to have these tips to set me on the right path with good questions. Thanks so much, John.

you're welcome and the best of luck

Wendy, i had both my hips replaced about two and a half years ago. I had them done a month apart because both were completely fused. Having them done was the best decision i made. Yeah, now i have to be careful because of hip precations (so i don't dislocate a hip) but i have very little pain, most of the time none at all. The hip precations are no big deal to me because i can do a lot more now than i could before the replacements.

I wish you the best of luck. It may be nerve wrecking to get them done, but once it's over i think you will be very glad you did it.

Thanks Becca. I didn't realize you could have them done so close together. I had assumed a gap of at least 3 months, if not 6. I'm encouraged by your experience.

depends on the method used for inserting the replacements...cemented or uncemented.

an uncemented replacement requires new bone growth to bond with your recent hip replacement parts. This takes many months and the recipient will usually not be able to fully weight bear on the operated leg until the bone growth is complete.
a uncemented THR so close together is highly unlikely, methinks Becca has had both THRs done cemented style

it will all become clearer Wendy the further you travel down the THR road