About Us | Privacy | Site Map
May 18, 2013

Viewer Comments: Total Hip Replacement - Describe Your Experience

Viewer Comments & Reviews

Total Hip Replacement - Describe Your Experience

The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:

Please describe your Total Hip Replacement experience.

Anonymously share your comment to help others.Patient Discussions FAQs

1
Comment from: Larry WI, 55-64 Male (Patient) Published: November 15

I am 7 weeks post operation with a THR of the right hip. The entire process has been like a cake walk for me. No real pain to speak of, a little discomfort, but nothing that I would call pain. I quit using the cane after the 3rd week, and now I walk normal. I can climb steps, and I can dress myself without any aids or help. I only take the pain meds as needed, no more than 2 per day. My last Doctor visit was Friday, Nov 12th, and the Doc said that I was a solid 1 year ahead of most others with my recovery. I no longer have the "real pain" that I had pre-opp for the last year or so, and I am totally pleased with the results.

Comment from: Lucy, 45-54 Female (Caregiver) Published: August 27

My husband had a right total hip replacement in Aug. 2006. Shortly after surgery, he developed great pain in the area of the right groin. He went through three pain management injections, which did not help him. In Dec. 2007, after about 18 months of pain after his total hip replacement, he requested a CT scan of his hip. The doctor ended up doing another right hip revision in Feb. 2008. About six weeks after the second surgery, the same exact pain came back to the groin area. He saw his surgeon on a follow-up appointment, and his doctor told him to go to another pain management specialist. He did three more pain management injections, which did not help. I have taken him to other orthopedic surgeons, pain management doctors, and a neurologist. The neurologist says there is no nerve damage, so it must be a hip problem. We are still continuing to pursue solutions. He is in pain all the time.

Related Reading: total hip replacement | CT scan

Comment from: Brownie, 55-64 Female (Patient) Published: August 27

I had a total hip replacement on Dec. 15, 2008. There was more pain than I had anticipated; however, I was sent home on the fourth day with warfarin (3 mg. per day) after having both warfarin and Lovenox in the hospital. The visiting nurses came and checked my blood levels (INT), and the first test showed 1.1, which is not therapeutic, so I understand. After several more days, a second test showed the same levels and my warfarin was increased to 5 mg. per day. Two days later, I was diagnosed with a blood clot behind the knee and the pain was indescribable. At that point, warfarin was increased to 7.5 mg. and I was sent home with Lovenox injections (70 mg.). My blood was then monitored each day, and it took seven days for the blood levels to reach 2.1. At this point, Lovenox was discontinued and now, after five days of no blood draw, I will have a stick test tomorrow to see if the level is maintaining. I was flat on the couch with an elevated leg for 12 days before I felt much relief in the leg. So ... rehab was discontinued, and I am at least two weeks behind now on any serious rehab. My experience makes me furious because I believe the "ball was dropped" on the blood levels. Also, I had huge issues connecting with the surgeon who was "out of town" and had no referral physician. How differently things would have been if I had been more educated and took more control over my own care and demanded closer attention be paid to what was going on.

Related Reading: warfarin

Comment from: Don D., 75 or over Male (Patient) Published: March 18

I had my right hip replaced and experienced no more than normal pain. In the follow up with my doctor, the X-ray showed that my femur had split and required surgery the next day. We still do not understand why I was not experiencing pain due to the fracture. The repair went well however, six months later, I still have extreme muscle weakness and right my leg is about 1.5 inches shorter than my left.

Comment from: jssonger, 55-64 Male (Patient) Published: November 06

I had my right hip replaced 13 months ago. The doctor said he had to sever major muscle on my thigh. Now it feels like my thigh muscle rides up the side of my leg when I sit down. If I sit for too long, I get an excruciating pain down my leg to my big toe.

Comment from: Barry, 19-24 Male Published: September 11

My hip was replaced in 1971, over 40 years ago. I have water skied on it as well. I am now 63 years old and still going fine. Barry

Comment from: hopalong, 65-74 Female (Patient) Published: June 21

I had a total hip replacement two years ago. It was so wonderful to wake from the surgery to no pain at all. I was given a pain pump to manage my pain but after three days it was removed. I did end up with a little bursitis but my doctor gave me an antibiotic and it went away.

Related Reading: bursitis

Comment from: E Wright, 35-44 Male (Patient) Published: June 02

I had bi-lateral hip replacement surgery on April 18th. I have no pain. I can walk 3-4 miles a day and my quality of life has improved tenfold. I still have a long recovery ahead and I really look forward to other activities to help in the recovery process. I would advise anyone that is a bi-lateral hip replacement, get both done at the same time. E. Wright Mint Hill, North Carolina

1

Must Read Articles Related to Total Hip Replacement

Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is not a single disease but rather the end result of a variety of disorders leading to the structural or functional failure of 1 or more of your ...learn more >>

Viewer Comments & Reviews

Total Hip Replacement - Causes

The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:

What caused you to need a total hip replacement?



Viewer Comments are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified health provider because of something you have read on eMedicineHealth. The opinions expressed in the comments section are of the author and the author alone. eMedicineHealth does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment.

Alert If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Arthritis

Get the latest treatment options

Please acknowledge your agreement





Medical Dictionary


Use Pill Finder Find it Now

Pill Identifier on RxList

  • quick, easy,
    pill identification

Find a Local Pharmacy

  • including 24 hour, pharmacies