Marian Said:

Does anyone that has a hip replacement (in Canada) have anything other than titanium as their replacement?

We Answered:

I'm sure that cobalt-chromium replacements might also be used in Canada as well as the US. To respond to your other concerns: Sometimes surgeons dismiss their hip patients to a rehab center for a time before going home if circumstances warrant. However I was taught how to use stairs while in the hospital so was able to manage at home without going to a rehab center. My PT began in the hospital, continued for 2 weeks at home with visiting therapist (2-3 times/wk), and ended after 5 more weeks of outpatient therapy, 2-3 times/wk. Pain wasn't a big deal for me. It was well treated while in the hospital with a PCA [patient-controlled analgesia] pump for a couple of days, then with oral meds. After I got home I got by with Tylenol 3 (has codeine) and then plain Tylenol. I was able to walk without a walking aid by about 8 weeks.
A hip replacement can last for many years or not - sort of depends on how you treat it; if you engage in a lot of high-impact activities and sports you will likely shorten it's life. A rule of thumb that I have read says that the failure rate can be about 1% per year which means that at 15 years, 85% of implanted hips will still be functioning. And with new materials such as ceramic or metal bearings that rate may improve in another 15 years.
Yes, sometimes a hip fails and must be revised. Revision surgery may have more complications and be less successful than the primary hip replacement (one reason to take care of it).

Here's a web site developed by an ortho surgeon as a service to patients. It appears without commercial content in [slightly fractured] English translation. I recommend it for anyone who has questions about any aspect of hip replacement surgery. This is a link to the contents page:
http://www.totaljoints.info/DIRECTORY_ta…

Herbert Said:

How long does it take to recover from a total hip replacement?

We Answered:

I have had both of my hips replaced in two separate surgeries. Although I worried a lot about whether I would have pain, I was surprised to find that the old arthritis pain was gone immediately, to be replaced with the discomfort that goes with an incision and stretched soft tissues. That pain gradually subsides. To be frank, the crick in my neck (from my position on the operating table?) was a lot more annoying than my hip on day 2! The worst pain while I was in the hospital occurred when they periodically turned me on my side.

As to the recovery time, it would be typical to be driving by week 5 or 6 so long as you aren't taking any narcotic drugs that might impair judgement and you can safely operate the vehicle. Going back to work would depend on the nature of the work - sedentary job or one that requires physical labor might have different recovery times. I felt really good after a couple of weeks but was still using a walker or crutches. By 6-8 weeks I was down to a single crutch or a cane. Although I don't work, I feel that I could have gone back to my old job (that required a combination of sitting with walking and being on my feet) at 7-8 weeks, even though I was still using a cane.

And, I was told by my surgeon, that strength can be regained for up to a year after surgery. Please have your surgeon advise you on all these things as he is the one who knows your case and knows what he did to you in the OR. And surgeons do differ slightly in their recommendations to patients.



I was hooked up to a patient-controlled-anesthesia machine for about 2 days. This delivers pain meds through the IV in a controlled manner plus it allows the patient to give herself an additional "boost" if needed. The machine is set so that the patient can't overdose herself. Once I was taken off that machine on day 2, I began oral meds. I found the hospital staff very aggressive in asking me to rate my pain, usually on some sort of scale 1-10, and aggressive in treating my pain. I never rated any pain at a 10. Even the pain I experienced while being rolled to my side was fleeting and I put up with it because it felt really good to be able to spend even 30 minutes in that position.

My in-hospital pain med was oxycodone. I was sent home on day 5 with Tylenol3 (with codeine). The T3 made me nauseous so after hip #2 I refused to take it andgot by with OTC ES Tylenol and Tylenol PM to help me get to sleep. They worked fine. I had slightly different experiences with each hip; the second recovery was easier than the first. Could be that I learned what to expect and maybe there's some advantage to having "been there; done that".

I really had no pain after I went home. The pain issue is overrated. I had more trouble trying to sleep on my back as ordered, or just plain sleeping at all. Ask for sleeping meds. I didn't and should have.

Bruce Said:

Hip replacement 7 wks. ago. Ever since, half my rt. hand is numb. Poss. Brachial plexopathy due to prone pos?

We Answered:

I've had both of my hips replaced. The problem you cite may have been a result of your position on the operating table. I had a terrible neck ache for a couple of days after my first hip. It did go away but it bothered me more those two days than my hip did! I guess the pain in my neck made me forget about my hip incision.

When they position you, they tuck various cushions and pads and the axillary roll that you mention was probably placed under your armpit or shoulder when you are on your side.

You mention that you have done research. Have you found any studies that relate to this complication after THR? Is the symptom likely to resolve? If so, in what time frame? Be sure you print them out so that you have them when you next visit the surgeon[s]. Best advice I can give is to keep at them. I'm afraid I have more questions than answers for you.

Billie Said:

What to do if you receive a very lame bday present?

We Answered:

I have a feeling that your partner does not know how to treat a lady. You should talk to him. Let him know how you felt when he gave you that gift. I would have probably shoved the candle down his throat, lol. Tell him that he has to be a bit more romantic with you. And if you have other things to tell him that he should change then now would be the time to do it. You also need to understand that some men are not good at things like this. But if that is the case with your partner then next time that he wants to give you a gif then you can go with him and you can choose what you want. And yes, you have a right to be upset.

Joel Said:

Get answers from millions of real people.?

We Answered:

You're not going to get many useful answers by posting this Q in the wrong category but I'll answer it for you anyway. If she has questions about her incision she should address them to her surgeon. It may be that she is allergic to the tape. I've had both hips replaced and the incisions were closed with staples. I did not have anything resembling "blisters" or "large open skin slashes".
Staples are usually removed at about the 2-week point and that would be a good time to ask any questions she may have about her incision and its proper care. If the area is inflamed and hot, she should not wait and should consult the surgeon's office now. Any instructions that she has been given about showering or bathing should be followed.