Double Hip Replacement

[Guest guest]

My suggestion would be that you have one hip replaced at a time....

When I had my right one replaced in August, I simply could not imagine having

them both done together. I am having my left hip replaced in August.

I think I recovered quicker and better by spacing them out. JMHO!!!

Good Luck!

speerfactor <speerfactor@...> wrote:

I am a newbie to this group and need everyone's help out there.

I was just told by my Orthopedic Dr. that I will soon be needing a

double hip replacement. Both of my hips are shot. This particular

doctor is looking at alternative measures before the actual surgery.

He wants to do some type of hip injection to hopefully buy me some

quantity but not quality time. I need some help so I make sure I get

the best care and help I deserve. I have done research on the metal

on metal and some on the ceramic devices. Since I am looking at a

double, is there anything new I should be looking at? I have even

told my ortho that I would be open to new procedures. I live in

Nashville and have access to the VA who works with Vanderbilt Medical

School, I hope this will make for exciting new procedures that are

still in the experimental stages. Also, exactly what should I expect

before, during, and after this procedure? Any help and suggestions

will be greatly appreciated.

.

between 0000-00-00 and 9999-99-99

[Guest guest]

Have you looked into resurfacing? That cuts less bone off the femr,

leaving the core of the head & all of the neck. The femur itself

bears the weight without needing a metal rod running down your marrow

cavity. The bearing is metal on metal, & I love mine. Had them done

2 weeks apart because my doc was fairly new to the technique when I

had it done. If you are in good shape getting them both done at once

or a few days apart will save a lot of recovery time.

Just google resurfacing or check out the group surfacehippy.

Peace

Hozack bilateral BHR 10/17-31/06

[Guest guest]

I agree with Lisel - whether one or both, the anterior approach is

really miraculous. Very speedy recovery, no pain, no limitations, and

at 8 weks now, my endurance and full abilities are back. Eileen

[Guest guest]

Wow, that was a wonderful endorsement!!!! you just gave me lots of hope.

Lynn

>

> I agree with Lisel - whether one or both, the anterior approach is

> really miraculous. Very speedy recovery, no pain, no limitations, and

> at 8 weks now, my endurance and full abilities are back. Eileen

>

[Guest guest]

Man, Guy guys are great. Now I have quite a few options and even

more questions to get aswers to.

I'll post when I can, once before the surgery and then again after

(as soon as possible).

Keep me up to date with things and I'll keep sending great thoughts

your way.

Peace,

Mike AKA: speerfactor.

>

> I am a newbie to this group and need everyone's help out there.

> I was just told by my Orthopedic Dr. that I will soon be needing a

> double hip replacement. Both of my hips are shot. This particular

> doctor is looking at alternative measures before the actual

surgery.

> He wants to do some type of hip injection to hopefully buy me some

> quantity but not quality time. I need some help so I make sure I

get

> the best care and help I deserve. I have done research on the

metal

> on metal and some on the ceramic devices. Since I am looking at a

> double, is there anything new I should be looking at? I have even

> told my ortho that I would be open to new procedures. I live in

> Nashville and have access to the VA who works with Vanderbilt

Medical

> School, I hope this will make for exciting new procedures that are

> still in the experimental stages. Also, exactly what should I

expect

> before, during, and after this procedure? Any help and suggestions

> will be greatly appreciated.

> .

>

[Guest guest]

Hi friends,

I am scheduled for a right hip replacement in early May. But my doctor

mentioned that I could have both hips done, 3 days apart from each

other. I was shocked that that was an option, and discounted it. But

I'm wondering if I should consider it. For those of you who have had a

double replacement, how much worse off were you during recuperation?

Were you in bed for a long time? Did you need someone helping you for

longer than a week? How long would you be out from work? And how long

did your PT last? I am only 56 and working full time in a tech company,

so I have to consider the time out of work (I can work from home when

I'm ready). What could I expect with 2 replacements within one week?

Thanks,

Eileen

[Guest guest]

>

> For those of you who have had a

> double replacement, how much worse off were you during recuperation?

Hi, Eileen. I can't tell you about hips, but I can about knees. I've

had a number of friends that have had one done at a time, and a number

of friends that had both done. One who just had one done now realizes

how much the other one hurts, and wishes she did both. Recovery is

tougher with two, for sure, but I think there is less downtime for

both than doing one and then a few months later, the other.

I made my decision to do them both after talking with a friend of my

parents, who had both knees replaced, then two years later, spent a

week in Colorado, skiing. And he is over 80 years old! He said doing

both was the only way to go. So I scheduled them both. A few weeks

later, I was talking with him again, and asked " why is it the only way

to go? " He said, " If I would have done one, I never would have done

the other. "

I'm glad I did both. I'd do it the same way again. It's no walk in the

park, but you will get there. You will enjoy having your life back.

Bill in MN

[Guest guest]

Eileen,

I am a knee person so can't address it specifically but there is what is

call minimal invasive surgery. They make a very small incision and cut

no muscle or tendons or very little. This allows a very quick recovery.

Pain management is very important. Everyone is a little differ when it

comes to these drugs so having a specialist adjust your prescription if

needed is the best way to get help. Some hospitals have staff that do

just that, you should ask.

From what I have gather over the years regarding hips vs knees the knee

is a little more sever but other factors can change that.

Lastly what ever you do, get in the best physical shape you can before

the operation this will payoff with a quicker recovery. This goes for

the other person who asked about double knees as well.

Don

>

> Hi friends,

>

> I am scheduled for a right hip replacement in early May. But my doctor

> mentioned that I could have both hips done, 3 days apart from each

> other. I was shocked that that was an option, and discounted it. But

> I'm wondering if I should consider it. For those of you who have had a

> double replacement, how much worse off were you during recuperation?

> Were you in bed for a long time? Did you need someone helping you for

> longer than a week? How long would you be out from work? And how long

> did your PT last? I am only 56 and working full time in a tech

company,

> so I have to consider the time out of work (I can work from home when

> I'm ready). What could I expect with 2 replacements within one week?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Eileen

>

[Guest guest]

<I am scheduled for a right hip replacement in early May. But my doctor

mentioned that I could have both hips done, 3 days apart from each other. I was

shocked that that was an option, and discounted it. But I'm wondering if I

should consider it. For those of you who have had a

double replacement, how much worse off were you during recuperation?

Were you in bed for a long time? Did you need someone helping you for

longer than a week? How long would you be out from work? And how long did your

PT last? I am only 56 and working full time in a tech company, so I have to

consider the time out of work (I can work from home when I'm ready). What could

I expect with 2 replacements within one week?>

Hi Eileen,

I can't answer all of your question because I only had one hip done not

quite three weeks ago, but I did want to mention that the kind of hip

replacement you get factors in. That might sound strange, but I turned out to

be a candidate for what's called a minimally invasive procedure meaning I have

none of the traditional restrictions on movement. My surgeon doesn't do that

with many patients, just those with good bone quality and when his highly

trained assistant works with him. I'm thinking, with your youth, you might be a

candidate. I got out of bed the day of the surgery and walked into the bathroom

followed by a trek into the hall. The next day I cruised the whole floor and the

day after that, they sent me home. The first week was a strange experience with

drugs still in my system and a leg that felt like a log, but I had no trouble

manouvering my house which includes going upstairs to my office and getting in

and out of bed. Yes, my husband is here, but he has a lot of health issues and

after that first night, I again picked up the cooking/cleaning duties. I walked

to the mail box for the first time in the better part of a year and two days

later and drove one week after the surgery and, after covering the incision with

waterpoof tape, got back into the pool in two weeks. No formal physical therapy.

Today I'm taking my 90 year old wheel-chair bound mother to the doctor, using

her chair for balance some of the time, relying on a crutch the other.

I'll have my other hip done in about a month but believe I could have handled

both within the timeframe you're considering. Two things, of course, contribute

heavily to my saying that--the minimally invasive procedure and doing water

exercises four days a week ahead of the surgery. I'm self employed as a writer

and returned to the computer a week after the surgery. Before that, my brain was

pretty much out to lunch.

My suggestion, get your dr to detail what he has planned for you.

Vella

[Guest guest]

I met with my surgeon for the first time earlier this week and asked

him how far apart I could have 2 THR's. He said 3-6 months. When I

asked him for reasons, he explained there are some things that happen

during a THR that are hard on the overall system. The one I kind of

understood is that, due to the fact one's bones are cut and drilled,

cells from the bone enter the surrounding tissue and need to be

processed and absorbed. While these are tiny cells and not bone

chips, the assimilation process apparently takes its toll on one's

energy and immune system. He said he would not consider doing THR's

more closely together for that reason, and that I would understand

after the first THR. THR's and TKR's are all he does, and he seems

to be on top of medical literature.

I'm 59 and have been mostly self-employed, although the pain is

limiting my ability to work the past few months. I was hoping to

hear that I could get them done closer together for practical

purposes, but it's not working out that way.

Alice

>

> Hi friends,

>

> I am scheduled for a right hip replacement in early May. But my

doctor

> mentioned that I could have both hips done, 3 days apart from each

> other. I was shocked that that was an option, and discounted it.

But

> I'm wondering if I should consider it. For those of you who have

had a

> double replacement, how much worse off were you during

recuperation?

> Were you in bed for a long time? Did you need someone helping you

for

> longer than a week? How long would you be out from work? And how

long

> did your PT last? I am only 56 and working full time in a tech

company,

> so I have to consider the time out of work (I can work from home

when

> I'm ready). What could I expect with 2 replacements within one week?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Eileen

>

[Guest guest]

Alice, I can attest to being easily tired out after THR. I'm 3 weeks post-op

and do tire quite easily. I can really feel the " impact " on my body. Just a

comment...I'm 56 and in pretty good shape.

---- aliceinboulder <aliceinboulder@...> wrote:

> I met with my surgeon for the first time earlier this week and asked

> him how far apart I could have 2 THR's. He said 3-6 months. When I

> asked him for reasons, he explained there are some things that happen

> during a THR that are hard on the overall system. The one I kind of

> understood is that, due to the fact one's bones are cut and drilled,

> cells from the bone enter the surrounding tissue and need to be

> processed and absorbed. While these are tiny cells and not bone

> chips, the assimilation process apparently takes its toll on one's

> energy and immune system. He said he would not consider doing THR's

> more closely together for that reason, and that I would understand

> after the first THR. THR's and TKR's are all he does, and he seems

> to be on top of medical literature.

> I'm 59 and have been mostly self-employed, although the pain is

> limiting my ability to work the past few months. I was hoping to

> hear that I could get them done closer together for practical

> purposes, but it's not working out that way.

> Alice

>

>

> >

> > Hi friends,

> >

> > I am scheduled for a right hip replacement in early May. But my

> doctor

> > mentioned that I could have both hips done, 3 days apart from each

> > other. I was shocked that that was an option, and discounted it.

> But

> > I'm wondering if I should consider it. For those of you who have

> had a

> > double replacement, how much worse off were you during

> recuperation?

> > Were you in bed for a long time? Did you need someone helping you

> for

> > longer than a week? How long would you be out from work? And how

> long

> > did your PT last? I am only 56 and working full time in a tech

> company,

> > so I have to consider the time out of work (I can work from home

> when

> > I'm ready). What could I expect with 2 replacements within one week?

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> > Eileen

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

I will be getting my first hip done on Monday March 2nd. the dr

stated that the soonest he can do the other one is 7 days after. So

if my bloodwork looks good- i plan on having my second hip done on

March 9th.

> > >

> > > Hi friends,

> > >

> > > I am scheduled for a right hip replacement in early May. But my

> > doctor

> > > mentioned that I could have both hips done, 3 days apart from

each

> > > other. I was shocked that that was an option, and discounted

it.

> > But

> > > I'm wondering if I should consider it. For those of you who

have

> > had a

> > > double replacement, how much worse off were you during

> > recuperation?

> > > Were you in bed for a long time? Did you need someone helping

you

> > for

> > > longer than a week? How long would you be out from work? And

how

> > long

> > > did your PT last? I am only 56 and working full time in a tech

> > company,

> > > so I have to consider the time out of work (I can work from

home

> > when

> > > I'm ready). What could I expect with 2 replacements within one

week?

> > >

> > > Thanks,

> > >

> > > Eileen

> > >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I had both hips done, 2 weeks apart. The surgeon did resurfacing on

both & was fairly new to it, so it took too long to do both at once.

Not a problem if your in good shape & have help when you get home.

Peace

Bilateral BHR Hozack 10/17-31/06