Hip Replacement. Opinions/Experiences ?

My dad may need a hip replacement.

He's 73.

anyone have personal experiences in the family with pros or cons, or alternatives like acupuncture, etc?

thanks

Re: Hip Replacement. Opinions/Experiences ?

HOSPITAL for SPECIAL SURGERY in Manhattan. Dr. Paul Pellicci.
I've heard such horror stories. My dad saw 3 other drs before meeting this one (at different hospitals and offices)and would NEVER agree to get it done b/c he wasn't confident. He was actually walking on crutches for years, hunched over in excruiciating pain.
He had double hip surgery and can walk, run, jump,.... it's AMAZING to see him now to us- who remember how terrible he looked. He got his done in 2001.
My aunt was told by more than 1 person that her knee needed to be replaced. My dad sent her to his dr.- it wasn't her knee- it was her hip- several other drs were ready to cut into her knee-- and it wouldn't have solved the problem.

http://www.hss.edu/hip-knee-replacement.asp

Message edited 4/10/2008 9:25:39 AM.

Re: Hip Replacement. Opinions/Experiences ?

you have FM

Re: Hip Replacement. Opinions/Experiences ?

My Dad had his done.

He said the pain from the arthritis hurt more then the pain of the hip after they replaced it!

It was the best decision he made!

His quality of life greatly improved after the replacement

Message edited 4/10/2008 9:48:15 AM.

Re: Hip Replacement. Opinions/Experiences ?

My mom had both hips done. Except for having to be careful with certain activities, she has full functionality, she's gardening, swimming, etc. She is definitely glad she had it done.

Re: Hip Replacement. Opinions/Experiences ?

Rehab wise hips are a realtively easy recovery. Much easier than a knee replacement. I've seen so many people who have "gotten their lives back" after living in pain for so long.

Good Luck to him -- FM if you want any rehab info.

Re: Hip Replacement. Opinions/Experiences ?

thanks so much for the feedback / fm everyone.

We're still going to consult with the Dr a bit further, and try to talk my dad into it (he's resistant )

I will take you up on your offers for more advice if I need it. thanks so much

Re: Hip Replacement. Opinions/Experiences ?

Do you know which type of hip replacement surgery he is going to have? If he gets the "cement" one, the recovery will be much faster (but the prosthesis won't last as long). If he gets the other type (name is escaping me at the moment -- bio-something?), the recovery is longer, but the prosthesis lasts longer. My father had his hip replaced when he was about 60 or 61. He had the latter surgery -- with the longer recovery -- because he was fairly young for the surgery (and his docs were trying to avoid him needing to have a second replacement with the cement option). A friend of the family (who was in his early to mid-seventies at the time) had his hip replaced the same day as my dad, but he had the cement hip. He was up and walking the day after the surgery with a walker. My father was on bed rest for a while and then gradually went to a walker, then a cane. The rehab was lenghty, but not really painful. My dad said the rehab hurt less than his hip did before the surgery. It was slow (took a couple of months), but it didn't hurt that much. I don't mean to say it doesn't hurt at all, but it wasn't nearly as bad as my father feared.

The rehab on the other type of surgery is even faster -- and from what I have heard, also not terribly painful.

My father's surgery was at Winthrop and I know he loved his surgeon. I don't remember his name, but I can ask my dad if you want. My father then went to Mercy for in-patient rehab and had a horrible experience on his first day. (Long story about an orderly who pulled on my dad's leg the day after his surgery - telling him he had to stand up to get weighed. Thankfully, after running tons of tests and x-rays, no damage was done...) The rehab after this incident was fine, though.

The hospital for special surgery is also fantastic. Had my father gone in for another shoulder surgery, he was going to go to a doctor there. The important thing is to find a good surgeon, preferably one who specializes mainly in hip replacement.

Good luck to your dad! If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Re: Hip Replacement. Opinions/Experiences ?

Posted by anna

thanks so much for the feedback / fm everyone.

We're still going to consult with the Dr a bit further, and try to talk my dad into it (he's resistant )

I will take you up on your offers for more advice if I need it. thanks so much

Re: Hip Replacement. Opinions/Experiences ?

My mom had a total hip replacement in 2 years ago. She is a new woman. She had a minimally invasive procedure and only has a scar that is about 10 inches long. It is amazing. Her hip is made out of titanium and she had no rehab. She was in the hospital for 4 days and then home for 6 weeks but she was told to walk and take it easy. The procedure was outstanding. I was there every step of the way with her and the doctor was amazing as was the whole process. My mom went back to work after the 6 weeks and the doctor said the hip should last 40 years!

Message edited 4/11/2008 6:31:03 PM.

Re: Hip Replacement. Opinions/Experiences ?

My grandpa had it done. Best thing he ever did, he will tell you that himself. Long recovery time, with that I mean, physical therapy.

Re: Hip Replacement. Opinions/Experiences ?

My Grandfather (now 86) has had both hips done. The first about 10 years ago, the 2nd just 4 or 5 years ago. It has been a great experience for him... No lasting side effects, no pain, no problems.

My MIL also had it done... she, however, did not let it heal fully before going back to strenuous activities. So, she still has a small limp. I think if you follow doctor's orders and go to all of your physical therapy, it can be an amazing outcome.