Is 89 too old for a new hip?

NY65912 · 10-06-2012, 02:14 PM

My dad who is 89 was advised by a really good surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan that he thinks that a new hip is a good idea.

Now, dad is strong like a bull, overall in very good health. He has a history of arrhythmia about 15 years ago that was controlled with a drug. He has a touch of emphysema, but it is not really a problem.

Dad has been having more and more trouble walking and standing. Ideally a new hip would do him wonders. He has always been very active and physical. He says that if it weren't for the damn hip he would be just fine.

I am concerned that the surgery would be too much risk although I'd love to see him get around better.

Anyone have an older loved one that had hip surgery at about his age?

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

My former boss had his hip replaced when he was "just" 93. He is still active and does not regret the operation at all.

pavulon · 10-06-2012, 03:08 PM

Hip replacement patients tend to do well and the post-op pain tends to be less than knee arthroplasty. Sounds like his health is good but there is no ignoring his age. If he were my dad, I'd need to do something like an equation with him. Does the risk of surgery (bleeding, infection, cardiac or neuro (stroke) problems, falling post-op) exceed the potential benefit of bettered quality of life? One thing to include there is that as his hip worsens over time, he may be more prone to falls...and lots of elderly people end-up dying (for various reasons related to stress and hospitalization/recovery) after falling and breaking a hip. Good luck!

Zeke · 10-06-2012, 03:44 PM

MIL at 88. Did well until other problems overcame. But, she broke her hip badly and would not have survived as long (94) w/o the replacement.

crb07 · crb07's Garage

My mother needed a knee replaced and waited and waited. Bad on her as she lost a lot of strength in her right leg. Had a hell of a time in PT. She knew she was going to have to do it eventually and waiting is the worst thing she could have done.

Justin@Athens · Justin@Athens's Garage

I would have said that he was too old just a couple months back. However since then my granddad who is 87 just got his fixed 4 weeks ago and is now able to go up and down the hall on crutches and is no longer stuck in a wheelchair forever--I'd say go for it!

My granddads situation is very much the same as your dads as both are in pretty good health otherwise. I was really impressed to see this kind of surgery has been advanced to such a state of regularity and quality of approach.

It has taken my granddads attitude towards life in a very positive direction!

Good luck to your family!

island911 · 10-06-2012, 04:49 PM

Do it.

he could also consider looking at doing a 'resurfacing.' (no stem down the femur)

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Ask Todd, he's around that age.

9dreizig · 10-06-2012, 05:28 PM

Ok first F/U Mikey!!!
However since I've had two hips and two knees done,, I'm a minor authority in the field ..
Hips are pretty easy, if he's healthy he'll do fine..
No way would I suggest a knee at that age,, they are easily 9-12 months of pain..
Most people who have their hips done can't believe they waited that long to do it ..
FYI, make sure the doc does a min of 100 hips a year..

mikeesik · 10-06-2012, 06:00 PM

Have you not seen the movie...-LITTLE BIG MAN-
That movie was based on a factual account.

Your relation could live to a very historic age. Why keep him disabled?
Add another hip and who knows, they'll make a movie about him.

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

I just had my hip swapped out. I waited mostly because the replacement is good for 20 to 25 years. I don't want to wear it out to soon. I am 50 something so a ways away from your dads age. My operation was less than two months ago. I am going to drive my 911 at the autocross tomorrow.

Monza_dh · Monza_dh's Garage

I used to sell hip and knee implants to Dr's and hospitals. In the winter in the NE they would line up 5-7 surgeries a day after a snow storm after all the old ladies fell and broke their hip. They can resurface a hip or cut off the top of a fumur and install in a few hrs. depending on the pain he will be a lot better off. Sitting, walking driving, crapping, everyting is effected by a bad hip.

Tell him to do some research and pick a hospital and a Doc that does many a day. Any doc will be installing what they learned on in thier residency so a orthopedic surgeon in a busy practice is a must.

I sold for DePuy that was bought by J&J and now have a class action big lawsuit against them. Zimmer is another leading mnfctr from Indiana that has good info:

Zimmer MIS Posterior Hip Procedure

Good Luck!

Pic of a Full replacement and resurface:

mikeesik · 10-06-2012, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monza_dh

I used to sell hip and knee implants to Dr's and hospitals. In the winter in the NE they would line up 5-7 surgeries a day after a snow storm after all the old ladies fell and broke their hip. They can resurface a hip or cut off the top of a fumur and install in a few hrs. depending on the pain he will be a lot better off. Sitting, walking driving, crapping, everyting is effected by a bad hip.

Tell him to do some research and pick a hospital and a Doc that does many a day. Any doc will be installing what they learned on in thier residency so a orthopedic surgeon in a busy practice is a must.

I sold for DePuy that was bought by J&J and now have a class action big lawsuit against them. Zimmer is another leading mnfctr from Indiana that has good info:

Zimmer MIS Posterior Hip Procedure

Good Luck!

Pic of a Full replacement and resurface:

Jeeeze -a little cencoreship please.

I can see he's NUTS!!

einreb · 10-07-2012, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by island911

Do it.

he could also consider looking at doing a 'resurfacing.' (no stem down the femur)

No ortho in his right mind would do a resurfacing on an 89 year old. Too many risks and too little benefit.

FWIW, I had a 'resurfacing' done last year at 40, its been amazing, I am a huge proponent of it... but it has to be for the right application.

-Bernie

NY65912 · 10-07-2012, 05:41 AM

Ha, he's hanging to the left! I think my dad does too

Thanks guys, I feel more confident. The doc does tons of them a year. In fact a family friend recommended the doc as she had her him done at 88 and she is now 102. HSS is a known hospital for this type of surgery. The doc is also involved in designing new hips and elbows.

I do think the replacement would greatly benefit him.

pavulon · 10-07-2012, 05:56 AM

Before diving in, find out who these patients see for post-op physical therapy and talk to that/those therapists. They see the results and can compare them to others. A little talking might get you a recommendation for that or another surgeon with good results. Doing a lot of surgeries may or may not be an indicator of quality. After all, Motormeister is apparently still doing business.

einreb · 10-07-2012, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NY65912

Ha, he's hanging to the left! I think my dad does too

Thanks guys, I feel more confident. The doc does tons of them a year. In fact a family friend recommended the doc as she had her him done at 88 and she is now 102. HSS is a known hospital for this type of surgery. The doc is also involved in designing new hips and elbows.

I do think the replacement would greatly benefit him.

HSS has a fantastic reputation for hips/ortho, Dr. Edwin Su in particular.

NY65912 · 05:28 AM

Dad scheduled the surgery for 2/6/13. There is a huge debate going on in the family as to whether or not he should have the surgery. My niece who is an RN and has been with s few prestigious hospitals here in NYC seems to think the risk is too great.

The doc who will be doing the surgery is positive on the success and recovery.

I think this is a big quality of life issue with him.

Dad has made his mind up and is prepared for the worst but hoping for the best.

Justin@Athens · Justin@Athens's Garage

Good luck to him and your family! Typo in the date above. I will also add that my grandad is still using a walker, but still has much improved mobility than before the surgery of course. He is no longer in pain and generally is able to lead a normal life.

recycled sixtie · recycled sixtie's Garage

My mother and father's best man at their wedding later got a hip replacement in the UK. This was about 20 years back. He was 84. After the operation he got flesh eating disease and passed away after 2 weeks......

Chances of that happening now are definitely less. However if I was in a lot of pain I would go for it.