r/TotalHipReplacement

I know ultimately I am the only one who can decide but I just needed to put this out there.

28F My hip pain started with my right side last July and I have been on crutches since January. I was referred to an orthopedic surgeon in the public health system (Canadian here) who came highly recommended by a family friend who was an anesthesiologist and another friend who had her hip done by him and was very happy. However, at the time I did not have a surgery date from him and was desperate so I reached out to a private clinic offering hip replacements and I spoke with another surgeon who I like better personally and has been a head surgeon for pelvic trauma at several university hospitals and does 150-200 hips a year (saying this to make it clear I know he isn't a crock). My issue is that now I have a date (July 24) with the public system surgeon and am waiting to hear back about a potential date with the private system surgeon.

I will list out the pros/cons to each surgeon just to make this simpler:

Public system surgeon:

Posterior approach with enhanced posterior soft tissue repair

Can recommended by an anesthesiologist and another one of his patients that we know

Sooner surgery date

Says his patients generally recover at the same rate as many anterior hip recipients and he has never seen one of his implants be unstable

Free/covered by Canadian health care

**Does not support my desire to go back to lifting at the gym

Follow up is virtual except for an 8 week post op appointment to check implant stability

Private system surgeon:

Anterior approach

High volume surgeon who is practiced in his technique

I feel like he cares more about his patients personally

**Says he would be happy for me to go back to whatever activities I like as long as I listen to my body and use common sense

Follow up for up to 12 weeks - see nursing staff at the surgery clinic at 2 days post op and 2 weeks post op, see surgeon at 6 and 12 weeks post op

Expensive (34,500$ 😬😬😬 but I have money put aside and I will pay for a good hip and happy life)

Probably surgery not until August or September

I know people make a big deal out of anterior vs posterior, but my biggest hang up isn't the approach (I am terrified of numbness and the nerve damage potential with anterior) but going back to the gym is a big deal for me and I want a surgeon that support that goal. If the posterior surgeon said "hell yeah let's go" (he wouldn't say it like that lol) I would be all for it. I also like the private system surgeon better personally and feel like the follow up will be better. However, my knees have recently started to give out on me and I am worried they are wearing out while I wait. I worry about having to wait until September. Hopefully will hear back about a surgery date with the private surgeon soon as that may be a big deciding factor.

Any advice or input is appreciated 🙏🏼

I’m 2.5 weeks post-op … I’ve had some pain in my groin the last two days … I’m afraid I may have overdone it and bent over a little too much. Does anyone have any experience with this ? Anything to alleviate the pain ?

I’m still not sleeping great either. I’ve tried to sleep on the non-surgical side and still too much pressure on my new hip. I’m still using the recliner but sleep is sporadic.

I had my surgery on Thursday. Right hip was replaced. I'm using a walker. PT appointment is on Monday. I'm using ice and staying ahead on pain meds. I am unable to get into my bed but can sleep well in my recliner. I am truly thankful for the support I have received here. I had thought the pain would be much worse. I got a lot of reassurance here which was exactly what I needed to go ahead and get fixed.

Had rt anterior thr on 6/16. 62 yr old male. Retired a year ago. Things went pretty well. I reported in around noon. And left the surgery center before 6.

Used the walker for about two days. Used a cane for about a week. Then realized I didn’t really need it. So I quit using it. Getting around pretty well.

I’m busier after retiring than I was when I worked. 5 days after my surgery I was on the zero turn mowing the grass. I regretted that decision a little. I was sore for the next 2 days.

The last 4 days I start out thinking I’d do a little but then chill. But then I’ve wound up working on projects all day. I’ve installed a transmission in my ‘73 riviera, dug up onions in the garden. A lot of onions. Mowed and weed eated. Took the riviera to cars and coffee this morning.

I will say while I was looking at cars and started talking to a guy there in a ‘39 Plymouth. He was in shorts and had what looked like a hospital compression socks on and a wound cover on his knee. Do I asked if recently had a knee replacement and he said yes a few days ago. So he might be crazier than me. It was his left knee. But I was impressed, since I’ve heard knee is worse than hip.

But overall I am very pleased with the outcome. Even though it’s been less than three weeks. I don’t have the same pain my hip was giving me. Now I just have pain in the muscles and incision area. Does feel bruised up. And my lower back gets tired now.

Probably should have waited for winter so I wouldn’t have do much work to do. But my hip hurt so bad I didn’t want to wait.

So if you’re questioning having it done I 100 percent recommend it. And a quick recovery is possible.

For those of you that work out regularly prior to THR how long did it take you to regain strength and mobility after surgery? Particularly squats and lunges?

I’m still able to work out but squats and lunges are too painful. Surgery is in two weeks, I hope the pain resolves

I’m a 33M, 4 days post-op from a right THR (direct superior approach). Background: childhood SCFE on that side, and my leg was lengthened during the surgery.

I know everyone’s different, but I’m starting to feel like I could handle a little walking outside. I wouldn’t be going solo, my girlfriend would be with me, and I’d stick to sidewalks rather than uneven ground. What’s holding me back is more the practical side than confidence: worried about tripping, or getting too far out and having nowhere to sit if I need a break.

For those who’ve been through it, when did you start walking outside, and how did you handle the “what if I need to rest and I’m too far from home” problem?

It's been 6 months since my hip replacement. Everything is going well; I walk a lot and am able to do yoga. I have some numbness near the surgical site and a 4" scar on my leg.

I'd like to get a tattoo over the scar. How long should I wait before getting a tattoo?

Was originally scheduled for lateral left replacement but got sent to a cardiologist. Now got the green light for July 17th. So once again getting everything I need to get done. Yard work, cleaning the house and garage, food shopping, etc. Live alone and need to get stuff ready. Already have walkers, shower seat, etc. All the bases are covered on that end. Just getting the house ready now.

I’m now 7 months post op, I had my surgery in December 2025. I was in the hospital for one week because my surgery was a bit more complicated and painful than regular hip replacements due to my hip dysplasia. After I came back home from the hospital I still felt like I was at the hospital. My home didn’t feel like my home at all anymore weirdly enough, that feeling just wasn’t there, I still felt stuck like I was at the hospital. I laid for two months in bed, rarely went in my living room, only when I needed to eat. I got constantly help from others with groceries, showering, getting dressed, cleaning the house, making me breakfast and dinner and driving me to physiotherapy. I really appreciated all that from others who helped me, I really couldn’t done all that on my own but at the same time I felt so helpless because I’m a independent person and to constantly depend on others for the simple little things, I really felt like I was in a cage that I couldn’t wait to escape from!

I finally ditched my crutches at 3 months post op but first used only one crutch to get used to walking. Finally after 3 months post op I started feeling like I’m home again! My home didn’t feel like a hospital anymore! I didn’t had to use crutches anymore, I could shower and dress on my own, make my own food, drive the car alone to physiotherapy and walk finally on my own long distances without guidance! I felt so free and relieved! Like a bird that has escaped a cage! I don’t know if I’m the only one here who had that feeling but it felt so strange like still being stuck at the hospital while you are at home. Did your home also felt like a hospital months after the surgery? It didn’t only felt physiologically like that but visually as well, I don’t know how to explain it but my home just felt and looked different, like I wasn’t home at all. But now I’m happy to be finally back home! It feels great to be mentally back at old home again! My home doesn’t feel like a hospital anymore!

AHR 3 months post...

Dumb mistake yesterday. Last 2 days I spent tilling up yard with a machine. Then planting lots of annuals. Passed this test with flying colors. Actully felt pretty good after.

Then last night was lighting some fireworks for family and neice and nephew. Lit a mortar in the and wasn't thinking and ran away from it. Big mistake lol. Actully did that twice before realizing thats a no no. Paid the price last night (hard time sleeping cause the hip swelled up) and today. Swollen and tight leg...neuropathy in feet hurting.

Just forgot I cant do that stuff anymore. Got away with it i guess. I'm sure by tomm or next day it'll probably get better with rest but man did i set it off. Have to remember I'm gonna have limitations now for awhile at least.

How many of experience serious sleep issues weeks after surgery? If i sleep more than 2 hours at a time, it's a miracle. 62 male, anterior. Think my mind going to crack.

Hi all- 51F and had an anterior THR on 6/18. Everything has been smooth sailing until Thursday. I overdid it at PT (felt good at time) but I have been so sore. On Friday, I developed a softball size hematoma under the skin. It is warm to the touch and I have muscle soreness in both legs but no redness, fever, etc. Then today, I was trying to get on bed- scooting back and lifting the surgical leg and definitely felt a pop. It could have been normal things moving around but I’m terrified. I can still walk and bear weight- but things feel different. When I lift up the surgical leg (to walk) i have a weird pain (almost like a charlie horse pain). Has anyone had this? Im currently waiting on the ortho resident to call me back but o don’t want to go to the ER on July 4th if I don’t have to.

I had posterior THR a year ago and had all kinds of restrictions. My mom had Anterior THR Wednesday. She is using a walker and has an appointment in 2 weeks to be evaluated. The nurse at the hospital told her this dr doesn’t care if you come in with a walker, cane, or nothing at the 2 week mark. Although the 90 degree rule was mentioned to her, nothing was said about weight bearing. They just kept telling her go by how you feel. She is very physically fit and healthy with strong bones. She wants to start trying steps without the walker. Maybe go to the cane if it feels ok. Did anyone do this just a few days after surgery?

TL;DR Good first week, some huge hurdles, some down time, but more good than bad in the end.

It's been one week and WOW what a week. A lot of good, and some very difficult hurdles to leap. But it didn't kill me, so I guess I'm better off in the long run.

As I stated before the procedure went smoothly. I was ready to leave but still needed the visits from PT & OT. PT was perfunctory but then I've been going to PreHab for 2 months and was scheduled to continue elsewhere so my attention was probably lacking. The OT visit was very helpful and the simple skill of putting on my boxers with the grabber was useful in the following week. There were other little things that I remember when I do them, she was very practical and helpful.

Then I had a couple of days were I was able to walk with the recovery walker 2500 steps, and over 3000 steps, and a night of an impacted bowel in betwixt. I won't go into the details as you can look it up and it's a memory I don't want to refresh. The DB counselor has me on Mounjaro to control my blood sugar and lower my insulin use. It works! But it slows down the gut, that's side effect Hollywood loves. Oxycodone slows down the gut too. Guess I should have used more ice and less Oxycodone. But that event has passed.

Between the two good walking days I went to the 1st PT follow-up appointment. A lot of information and some exercises to do at home. So far I'm a slacker on getting the exercises done at home, but there's today and what follows. I'll do better.

The rest of the week was mostly sleeping and getting over the cleaning out. Today I'm using one of my canes in the living area but will still be using the recovery walker for moving around outside.

Onward to just keep moving.

Oh, the compression socks aren't that bad once you get the skill built. But then I'm not one that's driven by style as a retired engineer I'm mostly into function.

And finally from the surgeon 2 rules! #1 Don't Fall. #2 Pay attention to your body. So I can pick up things from the floor, bend, stoop, flex my knees. I haven't slept in the bed yet, still in the recliner. I do lay down flat on the bed to do the exercises and I'm wondering what will happen when I sleep.

More to come.

Hi everyone!

I'm one week post op and have a lot of knee pain. The best way to describe it is like lightning strikes through the centre of my knee. I am moving around regularly to avoid my leg from going stiff. It's making it very hard to sleep at night.

Ice packs seem to help and sitting in my recliner but anywhere else turns into agony after about 20 minutes.

I'm 6'4 120kg - the surgeon did warn I might experience more pain than normal because of this

Has anyone got any tips to help reduce the pain? Or experienced similar? How long did it last kinda thing?

Thanks!

33 male, just had my first hip replacement (anterior approach) a little less than two months ago and I am getting very frustrated. I am up walking around now and my recovery will seem like its going well but then pout of nowhere I get fatigued and sore. I just had some pretty nasty cramping that I have to tell my care team about...Now I dont know if I should get my left hip replacement done or if I should insist on trying to save it....its all very overwhelming and I feel like I am too young to be having to do all this..not looking for medical advice, I just wanted to know if any else closer to my age feels the same way? Or am I a bit crazy?

I am really nervous to start water physio for all the common reasons but in particular I don't know what to wear. Prior to hip replacement I wore bikinis and was fairly confident. Now I am still fine with the scar showing and such but I don't know what swimwear is expected? I also have a very.. voluptuous body and some of the more conservative options still feel revealing... Has anyone went through this? Will they suggest a style for coverage? I am not finding much online for options either. Its very clear that swimwear is not functional even for athletes. Im sure I'm overthinking but I've been sexualized most my life and feel super awkward being one on one in a pool with a male

Thanks for any support or help

Hi peeps Now that I have a new left hip, how do I repay people who are helping me? Visiting nurse and PT is easy I have a stack of 20s for them. But what about my wife? She didn’t ask for me to be crippled She has a lot more work now with bringing me meals upstairs and doing double duty with the dog.

What did you guys do? I was thinking like diamond earrings, but not sure if she wants that . I wanted to keep my old hip and have it turned into jewelry of some kind but the surgeon said no.

So I am clueless she needs a new car but that’s a very personal decision for her. She would be mad if I just bought her a car

Had my index surgery August 2024, revision April 2026, I am a minority here, as my hip replacement and revision have not been positive, except that my recovery for both the index and revision happened in the warmer months so I am able to spend more time outside. I do my exercises outside, I'm sitting less at the computer. I have a dragonfly and humming bird that visit me.

We read a lot of stories here of people quitting opioids two days after the surgery, or even not taking them at all. My doctors were stressing I needed to stop taking tramadol two weeks after surgery. I did as they told me, and was in horrible pain. The two week advice is for standard people without other medical issues.

I (F, 51, anterior LTHR)) have Long Covid and I am hypermobile. This means my body reacts differently. Two hours after surgery I had a hypotensive event, my bp dropped to 58/38. This can happen to anybody, but in those with Long Covid it happens more often.

Long Covid also creates dysfunction in muscle and tendon tissue. There is less oxygen available. This affects healing. My muscles reacted badly to the surgery but my surgeon dismissed my complaints and said I just had to wait it out.

My gp on the other hand told me that having too much pain will mess up the healing process. She put me back on opioids and now I am doing much better. I can do my daily exercises again. I am less stressed and irritable.

Healing from a thr is not a competition. It is not about who can quit pain medication the quickest, or who can walk the most after a week. It is a process that will be affected by underlying illnesses and other factors outside our control. There is nothing wrong with going back on pain medication if you are in pain. The goal is to heal well, and to be comfortable while healing.