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I'm one who ended up with at least 4 complications from an Anterior Hip Replacement in 2010 and I can't leave the house w/out my walker. I know there are good outcomes but mine was not. I was 72 at the time and now here I'm pretty damaged at 80.
I'm sorry. It's unfortunate, but there will always be instances where things don't work out as expected.
A good friend of my mom's railed for years against THRs because she also had an awful experience, and blamed darn near everything that was wrong with her on that surgery. We found out later that she actually had more health issues that she had let on, and refused to take most of the recommended steps or medications that were advised. She also was big on natural/alternative medications and treatments. She died of cancer, probably many years before she should have.
I ignored her protests when I found out I needed a THR. I have always been very active, and a runner. Started having hip pain and after it got to where it was affecting my sleep and my walk (actually started a slight limp) I knew I had to do something. Went to the most renowned ortho guy in my area, and he gave me my choices.
1) Get shots for pain, keep going as I was until I needed a walker, eventually would have to stop working out and gradually lose my muscle and then once I just couldn't take it anymore, have surgery. And then have a tough recovery.
OR
2) Schedule surgery now. Keep working out as much as possible up to surgery, have a quick recovery, and get back to my life.
I chose option 2. I rode 2 hours on the stationary bike the night before my surgery, and worked out another hour strength training. Had surgery, went home 23 hours later, and in 15 days was back in the gym, and rode 15 miles my first night. Was back running in 3 months. It was damn near a non-event. I was 59.
I would never advise anyone to do anything other than see a good hip ortho. And if you need surgery, HAVE IT.
Last edited by ChessieMom; 01-03-2019 at 05:43 PM..
Sports medicine is not the same as treating someone with the problems of aging. They are two completely different medical issues. Go to an ortho who treats seniors with hip deterioration. Get referrals from friends or family who have had similar problems and have been successfully treated.
2) Schedule surgery now. Keep working out as much as possible up to surgery, have a quick recovery, and get back to my life.
I chose option 2. I rode 2 hours on the stationary bike the night before my surgery, and worked out another hour strength training. Had surgery, went home 23 hours later, and in 15 days was back in the gym, and rode 15 miles my first night. Was back running in 3 months. It was damn near a non-event. I was 59.
I would never advise anyone to do anything other than see a good hip ortho. And if you need surgery, HAVE IT.
I'm going to guess the vast majority of people who have hip replacements are completely deconditioned and have been for some time.
I'm going to guess the vast majority of people who have hip replacements are completely deconditioned and have been for some time.
Yes. Because they make the mistake of waiting, and thus allowing a decline in their condition. It makes for a much more difficult and lengthy recovery.
Sports medicine is not the same as treating someone with the problems of aging. They are two completely different medical issues. Go to an ortho who treats seniors with hip deterioration. Get referrals from friends or family who have had similar problems and have been successfully treated.
^^^ I treat geriatric patients and I agree that sports medicine docs and orthos who specialize in hip replacement and other problems common to aging take very different approaches. I would go to the ortho hip specialist.
I'm sorry. It's unfortunate, but there will always be instances where things don't work out as expected.
A good friend of my mom's railed for years against THRs because she also had an awful experience, and blamed darn near everything that was wrong with her on that surgery. We found out later that she actually had more health issues that she had let on, and refused to take most of the recommended steps or medications that were advised. She also was big on natural/alternative medications and treatments. She died of cancer, probably many years before she should have.
I ignored her protests when I found out I needed a THR. I have always been very active, and a runner. Started having hip pain and after it got to where it was affecting my sleep and my walk (actually started a slight limp) I knew I had to do something. Went to the most renowned ortho guy in my area, and he gave me my choices.
1) Get shots for pain, keep going as I was until I needed a walker, eventually would have to stop working out and gradually lose my muscle and then once I just couldn't take it anymore, have surgery. And then have a tough recovery.
OR
2) Schedule surgery now. Keep working out as much as possible up to surgery, have a quick recovery, and get back to my life.
I chose option 2. I rode 2 hours on the stationary bike the night before my surgery, and worked out another hour strength training. Had surgery, went home 23 hours later, and in 15 days was back in the gym, and rode 15 miles my first night. Was back running in 3 months. It was damn near a non-event. I was 59.
I would never advise anyone to do anything other than see a good hip ortho. And if you need surgery, HAVE IT.
Tell us more about your being able to run after hip surgery. I've always been told that you can't do that, after a hip replacement.
Very interesting thread. I didn’t realize so many had hip issues so (relatively) young. My long time friend/coworker had always had joint issues, and by 64 had both knees and a hip replaced. Has always been athletic and active, and was back running and expert sking within a few months of each surgery. Conditon/weight and proper PT are key. My DF on thebother hand, not athletic, too sedentary, has had both knees replaced one at 68, the other at 79. Pain is gone, but recovery is slow because of limited effort in his PT follow up.
Tell us more about your being able to run after hip surgery. I've always been told that you can't do that, after a hip replacement.
Well, I don't run half- marathons anymore. My dr. told me I could run short runs (3 miles or less), a few times a week, with no problems. This ortho is one that happens to deal with a lot of athletes, so he does have experience in this. I don't overdo it - that is for sure. I definitely have no pain - no issues at all in the 4 years since my surgery.
I did research here to see what other's had experienced. Hiprunner
I know the female half of this couple. Not sure if he is still running though.
I'm going to guess the vast majority of people who have hip replacements are completely deconditioned and have been for some time.
You were smart.
The longer you allow your hip to deteriorate before getting surgery...the more toll on the other joints and the sciatic nerve can be compromised. It sciatic nerve can hurt like heck after surgery...but mine eventually recovered in a week or two.
Very interesting thread. I didn’t realize so many had hip issues so (relatively) young. My long time friend/coworker had always had joint issues, and by 64 had both knees and a hip replaced. Has always been athletic and active, and was back running and expert sking within a few months of each surgery. Conditon/weight and proper PT are key. My DF on thebother hand, not athletic, too sedentary, has had both knees replaced one at 68, the other at 79. Pain is gone, but recovery is slow because of limited effort in his PT follow up.
Sounds to me like active people will more likely benefit from the surgery than sedentary people (since they are less likely to follow thru with proper PT). Something to think about for anyone considering it.
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