[quick67bird]

I have a genetically deformed femur that has destroyed my hip giving me severe arthritis. The orthopedic doctor that I am seeing wants to do a replacement as my hip is bone on bone. I am only 41 and the replacements seem to only last 15-20 years.

What I would like to know is how did your replacement go? How long was your recovery? How well is your mobility and are you able to do activities that you did before the replacement?

I can deal with the pain, but sometimes my hip will bind and not work properly. I am just nervous because if I decide to do it there is no going back.

[quick67bird]

I have done research online, but I am looking for other peoples experience. I have also researched the doctor and all is good there.

[J.D.]

well my mom had a hip replaced about 6 months ago . it was not nearly as bad as she thought it would be. she was able to SLOWLY go up the stairs at her condo 4 days after the surgery. she was sorry she put it off for the last 5 years or so. her recovery was pretty fast for a nearly 80 year old . now 6 months later she has no limp and MUCH BETTER mobility than before surgery. cant really say anything about how long a replacement will last.

[shawn e.]

My dad had a hip replaced. He had to have to other one replaced a few years later because he had been favoring the bad one for so long he damaged the good one.

Shawn

[PMD1969]

Only last 15-20 years? I would go find another opinion and make sure they are installing the best THR your insurance will allow.

I had a near fatal motorcycle accident in 03' and dislocated my hip. They used polates and screws to hold it together but the top of the femur died and the bone wore away. A year later I was able t get into an excellent hospital (Rush Medical in Chicago) and had a THR. They installed a triple chromed Cobalt hip and a new socket. It has been xrayed and looked at many times over the years and is still iin new condition. No side effects from the implant itself.

It did take some time to get the strength back in the leg to then walk normal again. Physical therapy was a waste of time. I quit that and started seeing a massage therapist. I was walking in no time as she was able to get the muscles loosened up and fresh blood into them.

Marc

ETA: I was 34 when I had the hip done.

[quick67bird]

Originally Posted by PMD1969

Only last 15-20 years? I would go find another opinion and make sure they are installing the best THR your insurance will allow.

I had a near fatal motorcycle accident in 03' and dislocated my hip. They used polates and screws to hold it together but the top of the femur died and the bone wore away. A year later I was able t get into an excellent hospital (Rush Medical in Chicago) and had a THR. They installed a triple chromed Cobalt hip and a new socket. It has been xrayed and looked at many times over the years and is still iin new condition. No side effects from the implant itself.

It did take some time to get the strength back in the leg to then walk normal again. Physical therapy was a waste of time. I quit that and started seeing a massage therapist. I was walking in no time as she was able to get the muscles loosened up and fresh blood into them.

Marc

ETA: I was 34 when I had the hip done.

The time line for replacement of the prosthetic is what I found on my research not what my DR said. I was apprehensive with the surgery so he said we could try anti-inflammatory medicine first. We have not discussed the surgery to much further, but he does recommend it as well as another orthopedic who is a friend.

[PMD1969]

Originally Posted by quick67bird

The time line for replacement of the prosthetic is what I found on my research not what my DR said. I was apprehensive with the surgery so he said we could try anti-inflammatory medicine first. We have not discussed the surgery to much further, but he does recommend it as well as another orthopedic who is a friend.

FWIW My surgeon told me that I would not be able to do as much as what was once possible anymore. Ie water skiing, rock climbing, football or basically all of the stuff I had not ever been doing. Avoid anything that may have a major impact to it. Otherwise they told me that it will last a life time. I am still as active as I was which includes lawn mowing, construction, working on the cars or anything else.

Currently I broke my knee a month ago and now have a plate in the same leg. No damage occurred to the hip so I would say its pretty tough.

[andyg]

The upside of doing it now if it lasts 25 years is that you will be 65 next time around. Relatively young and able to heal from another surgery. Then that next one may do 30+ years due to advancements and outlive you.

[74gto]

I am in the same boat as you. I just turned 46 two weeks ago. I have no cartalige (SP?)left in my hip, have been bone on bone since at least 1997. My brother and I used to do landscaping and lawn maintence, and I continued to do Irrigation and low voltage lighting up until 2001.

Growing up, I walked funny and wore out shoes easily. I was suppose to wear leg braces when younger, but was told I hardly wore them. In high school I was exemted from my Physical Education requirement as long as I took our school swimming course. I basicly could'nt run, or not very fast without it hurting.

I am now to the point where I cannot bend and pick things up off the ground, I must support myself against a solid object to do so. On humid days, the pain starts getting a little annoying. I have started to take anti-inflamitories on bad days, helps a little with the pain. I have noticed in the last year or two the muscles in my leg are tighting up and making it harder to move, or stiffen up after getting up from a seated position to the point where I have to stop for a minute before I can actually walk.

The last time I was at the doctor in 1997, I was told that the process is to cut the top of the leg bone off, install a stainless steel ball, and they install the socket end of the hip in plastic or ceramic. I was also told that this would last from 10-15 years, and they would have to redo it. They cut your bone a second time and replace it again. I was told they can onlu do this twice in your lifetime, so the doctor told me I would be in my late 50, or early 60's and probably in a wheelchair, and to live with it as long as I could. I am also starting to inquire into the current hip replacement and see what the expectancy is now, as I'm sure a lot has changed in 15 years.

I have a 74 GTO with a cage, and I'm sorry to say, It's not much fun driving it anymore, as getting in and out of the car really sucks without being able to pivot your hip. My tow vehicle to go to the track is a Chevy Dually with a stick, and I also have a 74 Formula with a 4 speed. My left hip is bad, so driving them is also getting pretty painful. Complicating maters is I have been self employed for the last decade, and have a 10 month old baby. Between their health insurance payments, I have none on myself. I also do not know what the law or policy is on pre-existing conditions, so I will follow your thread and see how you make out. Good Luck, JOHN

[quick67bird]

Hey John,

You left hip conditions describe my right hip to a T. I have been researching a lot on hip replacements and have found that most of them now last between 15-20 years and some 25 years.

I have a thread about this on yellowbullet and it seems like a lot of guys our age have had this surgery. I will update this thread with any other information that I find to help you too.

Robert

[Stormin]

My mom is 79 and has had both hips replaced.. most recently her second one was replaced about 10 months ago.. it was a fairly quick recovery... and she moves really well.. only downside she notices some pain when it's damp out.. or really really cold out.. otherwise.. both hips working great. Her first hip was done about 10 yrs ago..and works great.

take care!

NB

[Richman]

Originally Posted by quick67bird

Hey John,

You left hip conditions describe my right hip to a T. I have been researching a lot on hip replacements and have found that most of them now last between 15-20 years and some 25 years.

I have a thread about this on yellowbullet and it seems like a lot of guys our age have had this surgery. I will update this thread with any other information that I find to help you too.

Robert

Why so much worry about it not lasting so long? Get it done to get rid of the pain and lead a "normal" life doing what you want to do. Every person I have ever met say they waited too long before having a THR done.

[blue goats]

I know two people with the surgery done.They both got both done at the same time. First was 45 when it was done and was told he would need it again in 20 years or so. It all depends on the miles you put on it is what the doctor told him. It took almost 3 months to get back to normal for him. He is going on about 10 years now . Hips don't bother him now just his back. The other one I know has had both hips replaced twice . Once when he was 35 and again at 62. He was told at the time he would be expected to get up and around within hours of the surgery,not like the first. The second surgery didn't go well for him though and he was in the hospital for two weeks due to the surgeon making one last tap to set the prosetic and it cracking the bone. He limps badly, has an elevated shoe, and has regular pain from the second operation.He did not have any of these issues before . If asked would he do it again ? He said he would take the chance of the original wearing out. The doctor told him it was 90% worn.
Hope this helps,
George

[lust4speed]

My surgery is coming up on December 16th, so I'm also very interested in what is reported. Just set the appointment last week, so I haven't done much research yet. The surgeon did mention that he was going to use a ceramic and polyethylene joint. I'm not even too sure at the moment whether that's a ceramic ball and ceramic socket with a layer of poly, or some other configuration?

I'll mention this thread to Les Iden (Wheelspin) and let him report the great success that his wife has had with her surgery earlier this year, and what was involved and what joint they used.

[wheelspin]

Originally Posted by lust4speed

My surgery is coming up on December 16th, so I'm also very interested in what is reported. Just set the appointment last week, so I haven't done much research yet. The surgeon did mention that he was going to use a ceramic and polyethylene joint. I'm not even too sure at the moment whether that's a ceramic ball and ceramic socket with a layer of poly, or some other configuration?

I'll mention this thread to Les Iden (Wheelspin) and let him report the great success that his wife has had with her surgery earlier this year, and what was involved and what joint they used.

Good friend Mick Batson (lust4speed) is home resting after his successful total hip replacement ast Friday. it won't be long before he is prowling around the secretly located Pontiac Garage compound. Mrs. Spin had her full hip replacement surgery about a year ago, dropped a few pounds, and looks and acts 20 years younger .

[GT182]

QB, the guy we ground crew for with the Mig-21 and L-39 had both hips replaced, 1 in 2006 and one in 2008. He has no compaints at all. He said to tell you you want Cobalt Chrome on Cobalt Chrome..... get nothing else. This will last your lifetime where pastic and ceramic won't. The ceramic joint can actually explode and make a real mess out of you.

Joe is a power weight lifter and today squats 315lbs, dead lifts 400, plus he skis. No BS. And he still climbs in and out of both jets with no problems. Well...... a little loss in range of motion is about all.

Do a web search for Dr. Steve Dellose here in Wilmington, Delaware. He is the best in this field and knows his stuff. Phone number is 302-655-9494. If you call, tell him you got his number and info on this from Joe Gano of Warbirds of Delaware. As Joe said to me this morning... make sure you DO call him.

PM me if you want more info.... Joe will talk to you if you want. I'll give him your number and you give him a time to call.

Yeah I know, Delaware is a long way from Washington..... but if you want the best it will be worth it.

[Silver Judge]

My father who is 84 years old is on his 3rd hip replacement (one of the replacement hips wasn’t installed too well. After the 3rd hip went in, he found a great deal of relief from a lot of pain


My next door neighboor is 86 years old and has two artificial hips and a tricked out knee made of titanium. He is still very active and even does activities like climbing up tall ladders to trim trees in his yard. This man can climb !
Last year, over a period of about a week, he spent a few hours a day on the roof of his two story house to clean a lot of moss that had accumulated. He does a lot of gardening and is comfortable with these sorts of activites.

Good luck with yours !

[61 vent]

Here is a quick update, on day 10 post surgery, I was sitting at the computer and noticed a huge wet spot at my incision area. Called the Dr. and went in to see him.

Dr said I had to relax for 2 days with bed rest and start to take antibiotic. Has anyone else had this happen? I had nothing since surgery, and now I am changing my dressing every couple of hours.

[ron cozzo]

Subscribing to this thread. I was diagnosed with Bilateral Avascular Necrosis this summer and am facing THR for both. Did a little research, have a lot more to do. Trying to go as long as I can on what's left, timeline's unknown, basically until I can't stand the pain any longer. I'm 46.

[quick67bird]

There is a lot of good information in this thread about hip replacements. http://www.yellowbullet.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=414038

Thanks for all the help guys.

Robert