hip replacement surgery

[Linda Wilson]

My surgery is set for Dec 2 and I am scared to death. Could anyone tell me something to ease my mind and let me get on with life. I use a cane, take pain meds(under dr.) and so depressed. I live alone and that doesn't help I know. What can I do to get rid of this fear as I am afraid it will hinder my recovery. Please help
Linda

[Pete]

Linda It's been 32 days since I had THR on my left hip. Had surgery Sept 3, 2009 and went home Sept 4, 2009. Stopped taking all pain meds at 4:00pm Sept 11, 2009 and as of Sept 24, 2009 back to walking 2 miles a day. Started physical therapy 9-7-2009 and also stopped using the walker that evening switching to the cane. I stopped using the cane Sept 28, 2009. Returned to work Sept 21, 3009. I do walk with a slight limb because of my left leg being longer than my right. The surgeon will fix this when I have my RT THR next Tuesday 10-13-09. I tell you this to reassure you. I cannot stress the importance of a good positive attitude and starting physical therapy ASAP will help tremendously.

You are in a great position. You're two months away from surgery. You have an opportunity to prepare yourself both physically and mentally. Get out there and start walking building up your strength. Also a good diet and weight loss, if needed, will help. Good luck!!

[Sharon]

Hi Linda,

I had my THR on July 8th 2009. It's been three months now and honestly this is the best my hip has felt since a February 2005 car wreck left me with a left hip fracture below the femoral neck. I has 32 years old at the time of the wreck so my surgeons wanted to avoid a hip replacement due to my age. I had been in chronic pain for 4 years. I experience pain from muscle tightness in my groin area, a sharp shooting pain going down the side of my leg and a feeling as if i had broken shards of glass in my hip joint in I walked. The pain caused me to have poor gait which aggravated an existing lower back condition. I also had been back using a cane for mobility for almost 2 years. I am blessed to say that I have virtually no pain since I have healed from the incisions from my surgery. Of course there is still some minor arthritic pain due to the trauma of the accident but honestly its not even on the same scale as the pain I had been experiencing and then its not everyday like before the THR. I say go for it whole-heartedly and don't worry about it, pray on it and let it go. I had been using my cane and the pain meds (which had stopped working so I had stopped taking them)and now I don't need either of them and it's only 3 months out and I am still getting stronger.

[Kratermagee]

Linda Wilson wrote:

My surgery is set for Dec 2 and I am scared to death. Could anyone tell me something to ease my mind and let me get on with life. I use a cane, take pain meds(under dr.) and so depressed. I live alone and that doesn't help I know. What can I do to get rid of this fear as I am afraid it will hinder my recovery. Please help
Linda

Linda, You will be fine and wondered why you waited so long.
I just went thru THR surgery 9/17..back to work already, in sales
and I walk alot everyday. Had home PT for 2 weeks, now doing out
patient therapy, it is great. I put it off also out or the unknown. But I would encourage anyone to check out the anterior
approach, done thru the front with less pain, less cutting, less of
everything. I have not taken a pain pill since I left the hospital
and got rid of the walker and cane within 2 1/2 weeks. Have the
best doctor around. Good Luck.