One year ago today!
 

I had my hip replaced. Without a doubt I am vary happy with the result. I wish I had not put it off so long.

My Dr. said he would fix me and he did. The pain is gone, and I don't even think about it except when I see the big scar. No more pain pills just to get through the day.

The old ball and socket were worn out. The bone was grinding on bone and that leg was shorter than the other leg because of the missing cartilage and bone. Now it is a 1/4 longer than the other leg. I learned to adjust to the difference quickly.

The only reason for the post is to encourage any of you that are suffering with bad hips to schedule the procedure. It will change your life for the better.

Glad to hear it, Glen! :)

I have a good friend (my age, 67) who is experiencing hip discomfort these days. He can walk for no more than 10 -15 minutes and then must stop as the pain is too uncomfortable. He was in to get ultrasound yesterday. Hopefully he will get to the source of the problem. He was a competitive skier all his life and just stopped ski patrolling after 30 years on the job. Doesn't know if he needs replacement or if it's arthritis.

Just wanted to say Congrats on the 1 year Glen! And I have to say you are getting around much better these days! When we went to dinner right before your surgery last year it was almost painful to watch you walk! Glad its worked out for you, I'd hate to have to come drive the 911 around for you. ;)

I can vividly remember every step causing pain. Mowing the yard required a prescriptioin pain pill. Not any more.

Can you give us some reference points for recovery timing?

What were you like after three months, and six months?

At what point did you say 'I'm 100% recovered'?

I occasionally play tennis with some older guys that have hip replacements. It's truly amazing how well they move on the court. A couple have had knees done as well. Great to be out of pain and functioning. Tim

I was driving after 4 weeks or so. It was a few months before I could drive my 911. That was mostly from just getting in and out. Within 5 months I felt 95% healed. After that I quit thinking about it. That hip will never be quite like the other hip, but it is real close.

Within 6 months I was pretty much back to normal. The last little bit of healing is slow but it was 1000% better than before.

My wife had her hip replaced about two years ago with the same results. Healing was very fast with little pain.

Glen,
Many Thanks for sharing your experience.
My dad is about to have this procedure on Aug, 22.
I forwarded him your comments in hopes it puts him at ease.

Congrats!

Holy crap it's been a year, no way, it seems like only a few months. Yikes!

Most people are little uneven after a total joint like a knee or a hip. Could not even guess how many times I have seen this. I encourage you to get it checked, even if you don't think you are having symptoms.

What does 'uneven' mean in this context?

In my case the hip I had replaced had a lot of wear. All the cartilage was just gone and the bone of the ball rubbing on the socket had worn down and the socket had worn down. That leg was shorter but it happened slowly so I never really noticed that. The pain was what I noticed and I had a pronounced limp.

After the replacement that leg was about 1/3 of in inch longer than the other leg. The change was pronounced at first. I do not even notice it now.

This is my new hip.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1376597682.jpg