rockyptjoe
Guest
If you are considering total hip replacement.....but are concerned about the surgery and recovery.....just "Do It"!
Find a good orthopedic surgeon doing the..... Anterior Supine Muscle-Sparing Hip Replacement....link---> Muscle Sparing Hip Replacement ......one with experience with this technique, since it is harder to do!
There is no muscle cutting (the good old butt muscles). The surgery is done from the front, with the muscles separated. I had the surgery in the morning (took about 1.5 hours), with spinal anesthesia, was walking with the aid of a walker right after getting out of the recovery room (the spinal hadn't worn off completely). Spent one night in the hospital (normal stay is 1-3 days).
Had physical therapy at home (still have a couple of seesions scheduled next week), and had to do exercises (torture) 3x a day. Progressed from using a walker to using a cane after about 1 1/2 weeks of therapy. There is a risk of blowing out a leg muscle without the walker or cane. There is almost no risk of dislocation of the new joint, since none of the muscles retaining the joint have been cut. I'm able to get around after about 2 weeks without the cane, but still use it as my leg muscles strengthen and the muscle pain decreases. I can start driving as soon as I'm off the pain meds, and can go back to work after Labor Day (about 4 weeks after the surgery)...with no restrictions.
Pain was minimal from the actual surgery, the internal stitches will be absorbed, with some type of "crazy glue"/and tape holding the outer incision (stitches were internal, with about a 5-6 inch incision running vertically) . You will get pain meds for the muscle pain that you will experience. The surgery is done on a special table with your feet locked in, wearing boots like ski boots. The leg is stretched and contorted to get at the hip, so that is where the trauma will be (muscles around the knee and upper leg/groin/butt). You will have bruising along the entire leg because of blood thinners.
As with any surgery, there are risks....blood clots, heart attack/stroke, infection.......and the old standby, constipation. You'll be on blood thinners (aspirin), stool softener, and some pain meds (the amount depends on your pain tolerance to the therapy).
But, if you've been holding off getting it done.....check out the procedure the way I had it done....I regret not having it done earlier!!!
It's sad that there are still so many orthopedists doing it the old way (from the rear, cutting the muscles).....with the months of recovery and risk of hip dislocation.
Find a good orthopedic surgeon doing the..... Anterior Supine Muscle-Sparing Hip Replacement....link---> Muscle Sparing Hip Replacement ......one with experience with this technique, since it is harder to do!
There is no muscle cutting (the good old butt muscles). The surgery is done from the front, with the muscles separated. I had the surgery in the morning (took about 1.5 hours), with spinal anesthesia, was walking with the aid of a walker right after getting out of the recovery room (the spinal hadn't worn off completely). Spent one night in the hospital (normal stay is 1-3 days).
Had physical therapy at home (still have a couple of seesions scheduled next week), and had to do exercises (torture) 3x a day. Progressed from using a walker to using a cane after about 1 1/2 weeks of therapy. There is a risk of blowing out a leg muscle without the walker or cane. There is almost no risk of dislocation of the new joint, since none of the muscles retaining the joint have been cut. I'm able to get around after about 2 weeks without the cane, but still use it as my leg muscles strengthen and the muscle pain decreases. I can start driving as soon as I'm off the pain meds, and can go back to work after Labor Day (about 4 weeks after the surgery)...with no restrictions.
Pain was minimal from the actual surgery, the internal stitches will be absorbed, with some type of "crazy glue"/and tape holding the outer incision (stitches were internal, with about a 5-6 inch incision running vertically) . You will get pain meds for the muscle pain that you will experience. The surgery is done on a special table with your feet locked in, wearing boots like ski boots. The leg is stretched and contorted to get at the hip, so that is where the trauma will be (muscles around the knee and upper leg/groin/butt). You will have bruising along the entire leg because of blood thinners.
As with any surgery, there are risks....blood clots, heart attack/stroke, infection.......and the old standby, constipation. You'll be on blood thinners (aspirin), stool softener, and some pain meds (the amount depends on your pain tolerance to the therapy).
But, if you've been holding off getting it done.....check out the procedure the way I had it done....I regret not having it done earlier!!!
It's sad that there are still so many orthopedists doing it the old way (from the rear, cutting the muscles).....with the months of recovery and risk of hip dislocation.
