OK, folks, beginning my journey to being bionic tomorrow a.m. If you need
a speeding car chased down or want me to jump up into a tree to rescue a cat, give me a few months and me and my soon-to-be bionic hip will be on the job. Any of you old farts with hip replacements have some advice, pass it on!
Thanks,
24 Replies
3w
leg up and icing - you want to keep the swelling and pain down. Get active with the walker and you'll be out running in no time just because you can.Praying for a fast recovery.
(In response to this post by RhinoVT)
3w
and out of the car on way home and to get in and out of bed. Keep it iced and keep moving as much as you can including steps. Avoid the painkillers if you can ( the nerve block keeps the pain down for a few days). Everybody I know who has taken the pain meds for a few days also got constipated. They tell you to use collace, but take a laxative from the start.
Also get some Glad "press and seal" to cover the bandage when you take a shower. The leg lifter and the sock putter-oner really make life easier. Good luck
(In response to this post by RhinoVT)
3w
She got an infection.
She is a beast and finished home therapy with 2 left. She was on a cane in no time. She was helping clean horse stalls after 5 weeks.
Unfortunately, her neck is acting up and going to therapy for that in the next 10 days. She is 66.
(In response to this post by RhinoVT)
3w
(In response to this post by RhinoVT)
3w
(In response to this post by RhinoVT)
You are a brave man. Best of luck.
(In response to this post by RhinoVT)
My titanium collection: 2 hips, left shoulder, right knee...
Had the hips done 10 years ago, the shoulder 9, and the knee in January. I'm back to playing basketball, running 10Ks, hiking, bike riding. Key is KEEP MOVING!!!
I'm 71 years old, and couldn't be doing any of that without those incredible procedures. Do what the doctors tell you to do, and once you're out of the recovery zone, do a little more.
Personal preference here, but everyone is different - Get off of the pain killers as soon as you're able. They
were making me nauseous, sweaty, and depressed. Second time around, I went to Tylenol as soon as I could bear it, and got much better results. As always, everybody is different, and always consult your doctor.
Pretty much everybody that's had replacements done will tell you they wonder why they waited so long, especially the hips. Good luck with your procedure!
** Edited by Culpeper Hokie at 7/6/2026, 4:40:17 PM
(In response to this post by RhinoVT)
3w
...than he was. Better, stronger, faster."
(In response to this post by Culpeper Hokie)
Hips are comparatively routine with very few complications
I've had bi-lateral hips, total left knee and two lumbar fusions. Wife has bi-lateral shoulders.
Based upon our experience I'd rank the reverse shoulder replacement surgery most complicated and hardest to rehab, then total knee arthroplasty, then hip replacements.
For hips and knees they want you moving with assistive devices same day of surgery. I had one night observation stays for the hips back 12 and 7 years ago, but last year for the knee I went to a orthopedic outpatient clinic, was held one hour for observation then out the door on a walker. Insurers want you home ASAP to save on their costs and also to keep you away from possible infectious materials in hospitals.
So, good luck to you. Follow any movement limitations for the first few weeks and rehab hard! It will pay off quickly on that hip.
(In response to this post by RhinoVT)
A
Arachnid
3w
Congenital hip displasia. Second one was easier. Doc had me wear compression hose and calf pumps at night so not much swelling. First one had way more swelling right above the knee and much more pain with no compression hose or calf pumps. Never took anything stronger than advil for either.
Second one I was at surgical center about 630 am and home by noon.
And yes they use a saw and a hammer.
My recommendation is you ask your surgeon about compression hose and calf pumps.
(In response to this post by RhinoVT)
3w
(In response to this post by RhinoVT)
3w
(In response to this post by RhinoVT)
3w
your progress. I'm considering doing the hip replacement thing before the end of the year.
(In response to this post by RhinoVT)
3w
(In response to this post by Spud)
It's been about two for me but I'm not as old as you
haha
What was your diagnosis? I've got arthritis in both hips and a likely torn labrum in one. But for now I can still do most everything I always have with minimal pain so ortho said hip replacement probably won't be needed for a long time.
(In response to this post by RhinoVT)
3w
and the surgeon told me that he couldn't do it because there was no space in the joint anymore. Latest xray showed that I was wearing away bone so it was time.
(In response to this post by HokieMacDaddy)
oof - hope the procedure goes smoothly!
(In response to this post by RhinoVT)