Upcoming BiLateral Hip Replacement - Can anyone shed some light?

[Heather]

I found this forum when researching my upcoming MIS (July 24th) and felt so much better about reading what you all have to say. Needless to say this is very scary to me, as I understand it has been for most going through this. But I've not talked to or read much about anyone doing both hips at once.
I would love to hear about the whole ordeal right through the recovery process! (how bad was it...or wasn't it? ...what can I expect by having both legs in recovery at the same time?)....whatever anyone can share with me I would greatly appreciate!!! It will help me process/accept all that's about to happen.
I underwent the newer 'repair' surgery back in December on one hip and it really did no good at all and probably could have bypassed the ordeal altogether. I never really got out of pain and the progression of the other hip surpassed the first one. So I'm counting down the days now both in fear as well as excitement of being relieved of having endured the discomfort and thus such inactivity in my life. While I was thinking about this I remembered how helpful this forum seemed to be for so many people, so thought I'd give it a try.
So if anyone can share their insightful wisdom as to what I'm about to go through, I would REALLY appreciate it!
Thank you so much for reading this, if you got this far! lol And good luck to everyone suffering with these hip issues and brave enough to do something about it!

Heather
Encino, Calif.

[Swright]

Hello Heather,

I haven't had my THR yet, but I have visited any Hip replacement board I could find to get input. It is a scary time, but from what I've read it is worth it. So many of the people on these boards say they wish they would have done it years earlier.

Have you tried other Hip replacement boards?

There is a very active one called Totally Hip Support Group.

The site is:
http://disc.server.com/Indices/8340.html

Good Luck

[Josephine]

I have nursed many, and known a couple of, people who had bilateral hips done in the traditional manner and I believe that their experience was no more of an ordeal than having one done.

The pain might be a little more but the staff should be on the ball and ready with extra pain-killers for you. Even so, don't be timid to speak up if you have the need. In my experience, hip and knee replacements almost always get a PCA ( patient controlled analgesia - often referred to as a morphine pump) for at least the first 24 hours. This means you will have a button you can press to get a small dose of morphine every 5 or ten minutes as soon as you begin to feel any discomfort. The very regular small doses are better than having a big one very 4 hours and much less sedating.

As for afterwards, the MIS procedure means you are more quickly back to normal and a pain-free life.

As for the anxiety (fear!!) I have said to patients and friends a zillion times that we would really be a bit weird if we didn't fear allowing ourselves to be at the mercy of total strangers for such a thing as this. Be assured, everyone feels that way - even I did and I have had many surgeries over the years, only mollified by the fact that I actually enjoy the sensation of being put to sleep. But then I'm an odd ball that way!

Another tip - there is actually little physiological difference between being scared and being excited. It's true! The same adrenaline and other hormones and body responses come into play like fast pulse and butterflies in the stomach. So as a trial of auto-suggestion to help you cope, try telling yourself that you're EXCITED by the prospect of getting new hips and having a new lease of life, rather than keep telling yourself you're scared. I have found this works for some and it certainly worked for me. No harm in trying it out!

All the best for your op - do let us know how you get on, won;t you.We want to know!

[ripanco]

Hi Heather,

I had simultaneous bilateral THR, MIS, metal/poly, posterior approach in May 05. Not everyone is a candidate for simulatneous bilateral, but at least for me it was the best way to go. The surgery itself is a little longer, of course, but the recovery is pretty much the same and you only have to go through it once! I believe it is a lot easier if there are any leg length issues since both legs are healing at the same rate and time.

If your hospital offers 'hip classes', make sure you take one. They can teach you a few techniques that will be helpfull since you will not have a good leg to stand on. However, I was weight bearing the morning after surgery and 'walking' the halls with crutches by that evening with very little pain. The surgical pain was well controlled by the wonderful drugs and the deep pain in my hips was magically gone! I was discharged the following morning, but that is not the norm. I did break a hospital record for early release following simultaneous bilateral THR, but mostly it was because I was in very good physical condition going into my surgery.

That said, my biggest suggestion to you is to try to get as strong and lean as you can before surgery. You do not have much time, but I would start doing some weight training now, and you will have some benefit.

Recovery from simultaneous, like single, is gradual with spurts. It is important to do your PT and work hard at it. The first week is the worst, but if you have some good home support, it goes fast and soon you will be making regular improvements. You will continue to improve for up to a year. After a year, I found I was able to do all my athletic endevors at a very high level again, including competitve riding, x/c and downhill skiing, mnt biking, hiking, roller blading, kayaking, weight training, even some running.

What type of "repair" surgery did you have last December that did not work? I hope your THR is a great success.

Andrea

[Heather]

Thank you so much for your input...and I will look at that other site!
And you're right...all I've read is about those wishing they did it sooner.
So here goes!

[Heather]

Thank you Josephine, for your knowledgable advice! I too am one of those oddballs that loves the feeling of being put out! lol And since I made my surgery date about 5 weeks ago, it's given me time to digest what is about to happen. I waiver between fear of pain and excitement of a pain free life...and I think the latter is now taking over. Since making the date it seems the pain has increased and is letting me know I'm doing the right thing.
So again thank you...and I'm so glad I found this site!

Heather

[Heather]

Hi Andrea,

Thank you for taking the time to write me about your experience.
The kind of 'repair' I had (for lack of knowing what it's really called), was
an arthroscopic entry into the hip joint to clean out the torn cartilage and
any pieces they felt was causing my pain. I stayed in physical therapy for
almost 6 mos. and even though it got a 'bit' better...there were times when it felt worse. And then my other leg was getting worse and I couldn't make a decision to do a procedure that wasn't working on my first leg....so I got another opinion which brought me to scheduling the hip replacement. It was my doctor who suggested getting both done at once. I later called him asking questions about me being a good candidate because I never was very athletic, have weight to lose, and was concerned about it. He said I'm very healthy otherwise, and that my weight increase has been from the immobility I've experienced over the almost 2 yrs. now....and not to worry about it. I totally understand how being fit would help me...but that's not the case and I've little time left (one week from tomorrow - the 24th).
I'm looking forward to moving freely again, dancing to get my weight off...and even just the desire to move around again!
Thank you for your encouraging words! I really appreciate it!

Heather