Wednesday, September 14, 2011

How was recovery and how are things since hip replacement ?

How long did recovery take and what was it like ? Did you participate in rehab.recomendation ? How has your life changed since having surgery ? Better,worse or indifferent ?How was recovery and how are things since hip replacement ?I had both hips replaced four years ago (in separate surgeries several months apart). Although each person's experience may vary. I will tell you about my experience which I think is pretty typical. Since I had them done in separate surgeries, I was hampered somewhat in rehab from the first one because my opposite hip was still quite painful and I couldn't really walk very far or fast. In short, I didn't yet have a good leg to stand on! However, my operated hip did fine and I didn't need any walking aid for that hip after about 8 weeks. I did a prescribed exercise regimen religiously 3 times a day for 3 months. In addition, I went to outpatient physical therapy for about 5 weeks, 2-3 times a week.



I had a very easy time after the second hip since I now had a good leg to stand on. I was walking without any walking aid after about 6 weeks (although I continued to carry a cane in my car %26quot;just in case%26quot; for several months; I rarely needed it).



I don't think there is any %26quot;indifferent%26quot; about this surgery. I put it off so long that I was only a few months away from a wheelchair. As it was, during the 6-8 months preceding the first surgery, I couldn't take a step without a cane. My life had dwindled down to almost nothing because I couldn't work at my job, couldn't walk very far even with the cane, and paid extra special attention to how close I could park to stores, virtually lived on Aleve, etc. My world got smaller and smaller.



I am a completely different person today. I can walk miles, use no walking aids, have no pain (that awful arthritic stiffness and burning were gone immediately after surgery), use no pain meds. It wasn't exactly a walk in the park and it is major surgery after all but hip replacement surgery is one of the most successful surgeries in terms of what it yields in relief of pain and restoration of function in people who would otherwise end up in wheelchairs or as burdens to their families.



Today I could definitely work at the same job that I retired early from (because of my hips). Since I was bothered by the arthritis for several years as it gradually got worse, I could probably do the job more easily now than I could then! I have done a lot of travelling since my surgeries and I can hoof it with the best of them through big airports.



Things I don't do: running, any high-impact activity. I still follow some precautions regarding bending which result from several factors including the surgical approach used %26amp; the fact that I have both hips replaced. These are second nature now and are no big deal to me. I worked hard at rehab and have been rewarded by a new and more active life. I also have a better attitude about a lot of things because hurting all the time can really do a number on your mind.



Best of luck to you.How was recovery and how are things since hip replacement ?I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THIS ALSO B/C I HAVE TO HAVE A TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT...........SOON.