I've had both hips replaced. 1st in 2001 and the 2nd one 2 or 3 yeas ago. First one was the hardest. The last one... with improved surgical procedures, better pain meds went so much better. End result of both has been fabulous... NO MORE PAIN!!! Without the hip replacements, I have no doubt that I'd be either bed ridden, in wheel and blitzed out of my mind on pain meds. Once you've had one done, you will know right away if & when the other one needs to be done. That bone on bone pain is nothing that is going to go away or get any better no matter what you do.
Tips: Be sure you do your exercises afterwards even though they hurt. It will help you to get to the pain free/cane free stage faster & easier. They are not hard exercises, but they will hurt for awhile. I was pain free & cane free within 6 weeks. You will need some help at home for at least a couple weeks, so hope you have someone to help you.
A few months after I had my 2nd one done, I got a mailer from the hospital announcing their new improved method of doing the hip replacements. Smaller incisions, shorter hospital time, less painful, faster healing time, etc. So your surgery should go even better than either of mine. By now most all hospitals are probably using that newer method. Good luck! You won't regret it at all once you are all healed up. |