I'm looking at at getting a hip replacement

[The empressof all]

I've gotten to the point that sitting for more than 5 minutes is getting unbearable. I've been putting off discussing it with the Orthopod--we both agree it's inevitable but he's leaving it up to me to set the timeline.

I haven't even gotten to the point where I've seriously investigated all the options in hips. My sister tells me I've got to make sure I'm fitted with a "female" one.

So my Dear DU'rs has anyone had the hip thing done? Tell me what kinds of questions I should ask.

[Warpy]

1. The prosthetic hips have improved so much even in the 25 years

I was a nurse that anybody having significant hip pain (as you certainly are) or difficulty in walking needs to get his/her butt in there and have it done.

My eye surgery was delayed for 6 weeks while my doctor had his hip replaced. He'd had to fight with an insurance company for 2 years to get it done. I couldn't believe the difference in him postop--6 weeks later he was using a cane only when he was outside the office and there was a definite spring in his step while he'd been dragging booty before the op.

What you can expect is to be gotten out of bed the day after surgery. You will start slowly, using a walker. You will not be allowed to sit in a chair for more than a few minutes for at least the first few weeks--only for meals and going to the loo. There will be pain at the surgical site, but it's generally well controlled by a combination of ice packs and drugs. Just make sure you get medicated at least half an hour before you are expected to walk. You'll sleep on your back with a triangular shaped pillow called an adduction pillow to keep your new hip in the optimum position. You won't need it when you're up. You'll need a plastic gizmo when you go home to raise the level of the toilet seat. The hospital will have you using one while you're there and will allow you to take it with you if you ask.

Recovery is now astonishingly quick. If you're being offered the op, go for it ASAP. You'll be using your new, comfortable hip to allow yourself to kick yourself for waiting so long to do it.

[The empressof all]

2. I need a good kick in the butt...Thank you

I'm really scared and operating under the stupid --better the pain you suffer with every single fricken day --than the unknown pain that will result in relieving it. Crazy thinking is very powerful :crazy:

[Warpy]

3. You go into the OR with a bad pain and come out with a worse one

but they give you DRUGS when you come out. Big difference. Plus, the one you come out with will get better. The one you go in with will only get worse and worse.

Consider your arse just got a swift kick.

[blondie58]

4. my father has had both hips replaced and also

his TOE JOINT replaced due to arthritis! I call him the Bionic Man. They really have made great strides. You will have some recovery afterwards, but you will eventually full wonderful. Good luck!

[SKKY]

5. I saw a story on 60 minutes about a lady who went to India...

...to get it done. She saved something to the tune of 80% as compared to the same procedure in the States. They did another report on her a year later and she was doing phenomenally well.

[sam sarrha]

6. go see a doctor now, if you get it early enough you can have th orthoscopic surgery only a few weeks

recovery.. my wife waited tooo long.

[ThomCat]

7. My current roommate is currently recovering from hip replacement.

He was in rehab for a week after surgery and then came home. He was using a walker for a few days, then crutches. Now he's using only one crutch, and he's definitely improving noticably day by day.

I don't know what questions you need to ask. But I'll definitely wish you some pain-relief.