Has anyone here had hip or knee replacement?

[whathehell]

I could use some advice..I have 4th stage arthritis in my right knee, and strongly suspect the same for my right hip..Pain in knee was bearable, but it's
now been joined by groin and buttock pain.. I'm having a hard time walking, sitting and climbing stairs without pain.

[brewens]

1. I've had knees, hips and shoulders. Sounds like you'll be needing a new hip too. When my left hip went,

it felt just like what was called a groin pull when I played football in the 70s and it just never healed. When it got worse, I could no longer reach to tie my shoes. Good luck.

[whathehell]

9. That sounds like a lot!

I'm guessing it wasn't all at the same time, right?...I ask because both my right knee AND my right hip are in need of replacement and I don't know how I'm going to handle it.

[Croney]

2. Both hips, both shoulders, one knee so far,

and the other knee is in the gel-injection stage.

My advice is to get replacements so you can live your life. I'd be bedridden if I hadn't done it.

[whathehell]

23. Wow..That's a lot to go through!

Thus far, I've had only one knee replaced, and it was VERY painful...That said, I'm almost embarrassed to complain about it given all you've been through!
I admire your courage and endurance, Croney, and I appreciate your encouragement.
Here's hoping your knee stays in the gel injection stage so you don't have to undergoe more surgery.

[Croney]

24. Thank you! Looking back, it wasn't so bad. I'm like an old car,

just keep fixing me up and throwing me back on the road! 😜

[whathehell]

25. You're quite welcome!

I'm glad it wasn too bad for you..I've thought of myself in terms of the
old car metaphor, too...One has to keep fixing this, and fixing that, because, unfortunately, there's no 'new car'.

[leftieNanner]

3. Hips

My husband had both hips replaced two years ago. Absolutely magic! Definitely do it.

My friend had her knees replaced and because it's a trickier joint, the recovery is more challenging. She can't play tennis anymore, but pickle ball yes!

Good luck.

[whathehell]

16. Thanks for responding, leftieNanner

Good to hear that both of your surgeries went well. Did you and/or your husband have both hips replaced at the same time?..I had one knee replaced eight years ago, and it was QUITE painful..I'm glad to hear that at least one of the upcoming replacements should be less so.

[leftieNanner]

17. My husband had each hip replaced separately

Three months apart. I don't think anyone will do both at the same time. They get you up and walking around almost immediately. Three months after the second one, he climbed up the Acropolis!

[whathehell]

18. ..He climbed the freaking Acropolis?!?

That is Amazing!..Good on him and you..I'm not surprised his doctor wouldn't replace both at the same time..I got the same response with my knees -- One at a time, both at once is too much.

[leftieNanner]

19. Yep!

And FYI he was 71 when he had the surgeries. Two days after he did the Acropolis we took a ferry to Hydra where there are no cars - only feet and donkeys. He walked 5 miles that day.

[whathehell]

20. That is incredible!

especially at age 71. I am 2 years older, and not nearly that ambitious.
My hat, if I wore one, would be off to him...Keep on keepin' on!

[LakeVermilion]

4. The beauty of hip replacement

is that you will probably go home the same day. For sure you will be walking within 3-4 hours after the surgery. If therapy is a choice, choose therapy. You will need help at home. Don't shortcut the exercises.

I would say that you will feel completely healed in about seven weeks.

I didn't know this: infections in other places in your body can travel to your replaced hip. Don't think that you've got it made after you're feeling good.

I really didn't know this: Doctors can refuse to treat you if you have THC in your system. Do not self-medicate.

[whathehell]

15. Thanks for the information, Lake Vermillon

It's good to know, especially about the possibility of infection -- I've already had one knee replacement (and unfortunately, need another) and risk of infection was never mentioned -- Could this be a risk primarily associated with the hip replacement?
I will certainly mention it to my doctor when I'm ready for surgery -- or perhaps I should say "surgeries" since I need both. I'm seriously wanting to put off both as long as possible.
Thanks again for your info and good advice.

[gohuskies]

5. Just past 2 wks from my Total Hip Replacement

My right hip was a total mess with avascular necrotic damage which was akin to a broken hip. The hip socket was bone on bone and I had virtually no range of motion that caused severe pain and instability. My hip replacement took all that acute pain away but I am going through what was described accurately as the type of post operative pain, ie, tight sore quadricep muscular pain, skin nerve sensitivity and pain in my knee. I am gradually able to walk albeit using a walker or cane at this stage but things are improving within the timetable my surgeon told me to expect. I would totally recommend this surgery, my quality of life prior to surgery was deteriorating rapidly and I feel this procedure allows me to recover so that 3 to 6 months down the road I can get back to enjoying the activities I love, riding my bike, travel and bowling.

[whathehell]

14. Thanks for responding, gohuskies.

Wow..That sounds rough. It's good you're hanging in there and can look forward to some upcoming relief.
I'd read and heard that knee replacement is the most painful joint replacement, but what you describe sounds like NO fun whatsoever.
My problem is I need both a knee and a hip replacement and have to decide which to get first.
Thanks again for weighing in..I hope you feel better soon.

[Desert grandma]

6. Had a knee replacement in 2016

I did a lot of research and discovered that not all knee and hip replacements are alike. I chose an orthopedic surgeon that is one of the physicians for the US Olympic Ski Team, or was then. He practices in Taos NM. Although I live in Albuquerque, we made the trip to see him. The procedure involved an extensive MRI of the knee which was sent to the manufacturing company by the surgeon. The company then constructed a custom knee perfectly fitting my knee. I went home the day after the surgery and started PT the following week. I have 100 percent range of motion. The cost was totally covered by Medicare and my supplement. Two brother in laws used this same surgeon for their hip replacements. They both had anterior approach replacements that means less pain and shorter recovery time as the muscles are not cut. Most hips replacements are done using the posterior approach. Both were driving one week later and completed PT. They have had no issues at all.

Just saying....it pays to do your research on the surgeon as well as the surgical procedure. Good luck to you! These joint replacement surgeries are miracles of modern medicine and treatments continue to evolve.

[Tikki]

7. You can ask my family.. I am a whole NEW person since both hips were replaced.

And in the last six years my energy and enthusiasm for everything has grown exponentially.
No more chronic constant pain.
Good luck.

Tikki

[whathehell]

12. Thanks for your reply, Tikki

I've had years long problems with my knees. I had one replacement 8 years ago and now need another.
The hip problem is new to me. I'd not even guessed it was my hip since the pain manifests mainly in the groin. My problem is that both mess with one's mobility and I don't know which should be replaced first.

[Chainfire]

8. I would be happy to keep my knees and swap out everything else.

[whathehell]

10. I'm just curious, but why would you rather

hold onto your knees more than anything else?
I had one knee replacement, and am now facing another, along with a hip replacement.

[Chainfire]

11. To give you a straight answer, they are one of the few things that still work as intended. I shall say no more. ;)

[whathehell]

13. Gotcha, Chainfire!

[cactuslady]

21. hip replacements

The surgery had improved so much from my first hip in 202 t0 the second hip in 2017. I had the same doctor and he was doing the surgery from the posterior both times. The surgery in 2017, I went home the next day and am more flexible on that side.

[whathehell]

22. Thanks for that info, cactuslady

Having undergone a very painful knee replacement in 2015, I'm glad to hear the surgery has improved. I'm now facing knee AND hip replacements, so I'm hoping it applies to knees as well.

[brewens]

26. I've had two of both and both shoulders. Is the hip the worst now? That one should be the easiest to rehab if the

knee holds up. If your orthopedic guy could fire you up with some cortisone in the knee to get you by, getting the hip done first might be best.

[Srkdqltr]

27. Have whatever part you need replaced.

Walking in pain makes you limp or compensate in other ways which will cause other problems. Docs will probably tell you which needs to go first. Exercise, therapy, therapy. Don't skimp on yourself.

[thatdemguy]

28. My father said the same thing I have heard everyone say about his hip

And thats a simple why did I wait this long to get it done. With 2 weeks he was in less pain than before the replacement.

[whathehell]

31. You know, I have heard that

hip replacement isn't as painful as knee replacement, and I've already had one of those, and it was quite painful. Now I need the other one done ALONG with the hip on the same side. but hey -- why piss and moan?..If you've read some other posts on the thread, you'll see that some here have had more replacements than that, and their attitude is great.
That said, I'm going to take the good, encouraging vibes I'm getting from you and others and just go with it. As the late, great Bette Davis once said, "Old age isn't for sissies".

[Wonder Why]

29. My wife had one knee replacement in 2019. Four months later we won 1st place on cruise ship fast rock dance contest!

She was 74 at the time.

She will be 79 in January and sometime shortly afterwards will have the other knee done.

[whathehell]

30. Wow..Good for both of you!

That is VERY encouraging!

Best of luck on her next surgery, and thanks for sharing your story.