Jessie Said:

How painful is hip replacement surgery?

We Answered:

I've had both hips replaced in separate surgeries because of severe osteoarthritis. I can answer your question about hip surgery. Of course the surgical procedure itself is done under either general or spinal anesthesia with sedation so you won't feel a thing. I had general anesthesia, then had a PCA [patient-controlled-analgesia] pump for the next couple of days. The PCA pump enables the patient to push a button and get more pain meds as needed. After that I was put on oral meds. I really feared the pain since I had never had any kind of surgery before. However what I experienced was not nearly as bad as what I imagined. Mostly I had no pain except when I moved "wrong" or when they turned me on my side at the hospital. That pain was sharp and fleeting. You'll no doubt discover that hospital staffs have become very concerned about patients' pain and you will be frequently asked to "rate your pain" on some sort of scale.

The surprising thing was that the old arthritis grinding pain was instantly gone the first day! Amazing.

After a 4-day hospital stay, I was dismissed to go home. While at home I had visiting nurse and PT for 2 weeks. After that I went to outpatient PT for about 5 weeks and used a walking aid (walker or forearm crutches to start, then a single crutch, then a cane) for a couple of months. The incision itself heals up in a couple of weeks but that isn't the end of "recovery". I was told by my doctor that a patient may gain strength and muscle tone up to a year after surgery. For all practical purposes I suppose one is "recovered" when they can go back to work. Depending on the type of work they do, they might be returning as early as a month or as long as 3 months. It all depends on the patient, the type of surgery, the nature of the job, and the direction of the surgeon. Others may consider they're "recovered" when they are approved to drive again. I drove at about 5 weeks.

I have no personal experience with knee replacements but I've been told (by my physical therapist) that recovery from TKR can be a bit more difficult and painful than from hip replacement.

Velma Said:

Would an air matress be a good choice for hip replacement surgery recovery?

We Answered:

I would go over this with your physician. Probably this is not the best option, as it is hard to make sure you get the right support with an air mattress. A family member had a hip replacement several years ago and had to have a large, flat board placed under the mattress (above the box springs) for additional support. I believe he also used a memory foam mattress (or thick mattress topper...I don't remember).

You need to make sure that you have the proper support and form for your body, and also make sure it is a good height to get up and down from when your mobility is limited. If the air mattress is going to be on the floor, that is not a good plan as it will be very difficult for you to move around at all after the first bit of immobility.

I would reiterate that you check with a doctor and/or a physical therapist and find out their opinions on this. I would say that an air mattress is not a good idea for this particular procedure, however.

Good luck with your surgery and I hope you do well in finding something that works for you!

Katie Said:

What are some of the good brands for post-surgery recovery exercise machines?

We Answered:

Best thing to do is ask the doctor that is doing the surgery or her general doctor. Usually after hip replacement physical therapy is recommended at a hospital branch rehab facility or a home health agency is sent to her home to do exercises with her if she cannot get out. She will need supervision to train her to do them right so she doesn't injure the weak parts. They are very specialized exercises that therapists know how to do and what to look for if there are any complications arising.

Rosa Said:

Can someone who's had hip replacement surgery tell me is the recovery tough?

We Answered:

I've had both hips replaced in separate surgeries. I wouldn't call the recovery "tough" but it can be rather long and tedious. There may be precautions & restrictions involving movement & position for several weeks or months. You may not be approved to drive a car for several weeks. There may be physical therapy for several weeks. Patients typically need to use a walking aid for a few weeks - beginning with a walker or two crutches and progressing to a single crutch or a cane for awhile. Depending on the nature of the job, some people can return to their work in a few weeks.

My impression of my own recoveries was that the first surgery was the hardest. I had considerable leg swelling, nausea/no appetite from a pain med that I was given, lots of trouble getting a good night's sleep (I think many people have this problem after THR). I learned the drill that time so I knew what to expect and what worked for me and the second replacement went much easier and faster. I was walking without a cane by 5-6 weeks, driving at 5 weeks. I felt really good and my biggest problems were my impatience and following the precautions & restrictions.

Pedro Said:

Has any one has hip replacement surgery, or know some one who has been through this?

We Answered:

I've had both hips replaced in separate surgeries. To prepare for the surgery, I had a physical exam from my PCP after which I was "okayed" to undergo surgery. I also self-donated blood for use in transfusing me after surgery (this is not a universal practice). I was in the hospital for 4 days. I was given a PCA pump which delivers a steady amount of pain med through the IV and has a button which the patient may push if they think they need more. This was removed after 2 days and I took oral pain meds. I began PT while in the hospital, beginning the same day as surgery with getting me out of bed and walking a couple of steps. By the time I left the hospital I could go up and down steps with my walker or crutches. I used a walking aid of some kind for the next several weeks, graduating to a single crutch, then to a cane. I had PT at-home visits for 2 weeks, then went to outpatient PT for about 5 more weeks. I was asked to sleep on my back with an abduction cushion between my legs for 6 weeks. This was among the worst parts of the recovery because I'm not a back sleeper and found getting enough sleep was impossible with that thing. I eventually learned to cheat a bit and use a fat bed pillow instead. I also worked really hard at being able to lie on my good side, even for a few minutes. It was such a relief. I had leg swelling after my first surgery, but none after the second. I hired my housework done for 2 months after surgery.

All this was several years ago. I am a different person now and regret that I didn't have the surgeries a bit sooner. I can walk miles, have no limp, no pain, and need no pain meds. The recovery and rehabilitation can seem long and tedious but it is definitely worth it for the pain relief and the mobility that is gained.

Greg Said:

I am having hip replacement surgery soon - do you have any good tips on recovery, etc.?

We Answered:

I've had both hips replaced in separate surgeries. Here are some things I found helpful:
Prepare easy-to-reheat meals (or buy them) before surgery day.
Prepare your home for your return after surgery. Pick up throw rugs and clear the clutter in your home, paying attention to the spaces you will use the most - kitchen, bath, bedroom, living room. When you are using a walker or crutches you will appreciate this.
Pets underfoot (toddlers also) can be a hazard.
You will not be able to carry anything in your hands when on crutches or walker. Get a bag to put on your walker (my hospital gave me one). It enabled me to carry my cell phone, book, etc. Some people get an apron with pockets to carry things.
Move things you use frequently to areas no lower than your waist or knees so you can access them easily. You won't be able to get things out of bottom cupboards and drawers for awhile. Examples: kitchen stuff, clothing, items in bathroom.
For the kitchen, I bought a cheap plastic shelf section on wheels at K Mart. It was a little taller than the counter. I used this to load up things from the cupboards and refrigerator when I prepared a meal and was still using a crutch. I could put down my crutch and use the shelf as a temporary walker when I cooked.
If they send you home with a commode, it can double as a shower seat. Take out the bucket and put it in the shower and sit on the seat to shower. Replace your fixed shower head with one on a hose for easy showering.
If you're inclined to spend some $, you could consider getting a higher toilet fixture. We did this and liked it so much we got another one for the powder room.
Check out the stairs in your home. It REALLY helps if there is a railing on EACH side of the stairs on all stairs. Although our house is new, we didn't have this and I am so glad we had the second railing installed before my surgeries.
Figure out where you are going to sit during your recovery. You need at least one chair with arms, such as a dining chair. Also consider the height. The seat shouldn't be lower than the bend in your knee, and a little higher isn't a bad thing. I resorted to stacking two white resin deck chairs for this. Arms are a must because you need arms to brace on when you sit and stand. Recliners can be a problem, esp. if they're too soft and if they rock and swivel. We raised our fixed recliner a couple inches by placing it on boards and I spent lots of time in it. Forget your sofa for awhile. They aren't good for hippies. I didn't sit in mine for several months.
Assemble things near the chair in which you will spend a lot of time. TV remote, reading material, phone, whatever you do to pass the time.
Figure out which side of the bed will be the correct one for you to get in and out of bed. For the right hip use the side which permits you to put your unoperated leg in bed first and then use that leg to drag your bad leg onto the bed. Even so, you may have to do what I did for a week or so: enlist help in lifting my bad leg onto the bed.
Those abduction cushions are a real pain. I didn't exactly follow the order to sleep with it in place for 6 weeks but I did substitute a fat bed pillow.
Getting a good night's sleep may be a big problem. I did better when I followed the visiting nurse's advice to take Tylenol PM at night. In hindsight, I wish I had asked for sleeping pills. If you're asked to sleep on your back (with the abduction pillow in place) for 6 weeks, you will find out quickly how uncomfortable that can be. I worked really hard on turning to my unoperated side with bed pillow between legs. Even a few minutes on my side was a relief.
Once you return home, make it a point to move around as much as you can. It may help reduce the incidence of swelling in your leg. Get up every hour and walk around the house. Even though everything you do will take 3 times longer than normal, go ahead and do as much as you can.
Until you are approved to drive, enlist someone to run errands and take you where you need to go. After awhile you may enjoy going to the store (grocery carts make wonderful walkers!) or even out to eat as long as you don't have to sit for too long.
For those times when you are away from home (and your carefully measured seating), get a boat cushion (personal flotation device) to use when the seating isn't high enough. I used mine in restaurants, the car, even the theater.
The toilet seats away from home may also pose a problem if they are not handicapped accessible with taller fixtures and grab bars. Usually it is other people's homes that have toilets that are too low. If you're going to spend any length of time in this situation, take a raised seat with you. You can buy one at some discount stores, home stores, medical equipment stores.

Dana Said:

Hip replacement recovery process? ?

We Answered:

He could be back at work more quickly than you expect. Return to work depends in part on the nature of the work. A teacher might be able to return sooner than those in other, more physically demanding professions. I've had both hips replaced in separate surgeries. Although I no longer worked, I could have returned to my job at about 6 weeks after my 2nd hip replacement. The reason: my old job did not require lifting or much physical labor and it permitted me to alternate between sitting, standing, and walking - this was ideal for me.

Unless there are extenuating circumstances, expect him back at work by Feb.