r/TotalHipReplacement

My THR right side is Wednesday!! I thought I had everything covered but reading posts now I’m second guessing myself and think I should rent the cold-therapy machine. Started looking online… so many brands, so many mixed reviews! HELP what do you recommend and why?!

Can some of you share your experiences after getting your other side done? I heard some say it was easier recovery.

hello hello!

i’m a 32y.o. woman from the US and i have my first surgical consult on tuesday. i am so relieved to get to this point, but i am one of the first in my family to get hip replacement so i don’t really know what questions i should be asking my doctor.

i haven’t been able to pick my feet up more than 2 inches off the ground in over 3 years. the pain is incredible, keeping me awake at night and forcing me to consider quitting a job i love. after being mislead forever, we finally determined that i have severe arthritis, caused by hip dysplasia. i have tried steroid injections, prolotherapy injections and several years of different kinds of physical therapy, and i am exhausted and at the end of my rope. i had to beg my orthopedist for this referral to a surgeon in the first place, so i definitely want to make the most out of my appointment.

if you were going to your first surgical consult, what questions would you ask?

thank you!

ETA: clarification

Hi all, I learned so much from this community pre-op (thank you!!) and promised I'd come back to share lessons learned from my own experience. I'm female, was in my late 50's when this was scheduled, in pretty good shape with zero prior surgery experience. I'd been in pain for about three years, and in PT for about a year trying to avoid surgery, but I couldn’t get the all-day-every-day pain down below a 4 on that 1-10 scale. So in mid-March, surgery was scheduled for May 5th. [Edit to note: oops that was 5 months ago, not 6. I can't edit the title of this post. Sorry for the goof!]

I spent pre-surgery weeks getting my body ready (switched to prehab PT), my head ready (counseling sessions to get the fear down), and my house ready (toilet seat raisers, rugs removed, a freezer full of frozen dinners, etc.).

The surgery itself was one of the hardest things I’ve ever been through, and it was incredibly successful, and I am incredibly grateful.

My gratitude starts with having been able to choose an excellent surgeon, imo THE most important factor for anyone going into this. I was lucky to find a surgeon nearby with a hugely successful track record. If I hadn’t, I like to think I’d have been smart enough to figure out how to get to one.

I’m reluctant to describe the first few hours post-op, because I didn’t handle the anesthesia well and I think what I went through is pretty rare. But I’d recommend getting a heads up on what that could look like. It would’ve been easier on me if I wasn’t so surprised by it all.

Of the equipment I collected, my absolute favorite – would not have wanted to go through recovery without it – was a cold therapy machine with leg compressors. Insurance wouldn’t cover the rental (3 weeks for $300) and I’m hugely grateful we could swing it. If you’re going into this without those kinds of funds, consider borrowing from friends and family, having a fundraiser, finding a line of credit, etc. The machine maintains a steady temperature, and turns itself on and off so you don’t have to watch the clock, a priceless alternative to making a thousand trips to the freezer for immediately-warming ice packs (which I was still very grateful to have for weeks 4-8!).

As for pain meds, something I didn’t expect was the experience of going off the opioids. I knew that being on Tramadol for the first five post-op days was suppressing the pain and making me sleepy, but I didn’t realize how much it suppressed my ability to process things emotionally and cognitively. So when I went off of it on Day 6, there was the pain but also an unexpected wave of emotion and trauma-processing, or whatever you’d call getting a grip on what your body had just been put through. (One more note: I kept up with Tylenol, and eventually Ibuprofin too, and only took myself off of them about a month ago. Not because I’m out of pain completely, but because what’s left is very bearable without them.)

As for incision care, I followed doctor’s orders and kept the bandage on for three weeks; applied Mederma daily weeks 3- 11; and ever since have been applying an alcohol-free aloe gel a couple of times a day. I’m happy with how it’s healing.

Post-op, it was really helpful for my mindset to write down every milestone that meant something to me. On the surface, my recovery went REALLY well. Walking without a walker on Day 2, ditching the trekking poles on Day 5, driving on Day 12. And at the same time recovery was HARD. Day 11 before I woke up and didn’t immediately burst into sobs. Day 17 before I wasn’t watching the clock like a hawk, ready for next meds. Four and a half months before I was walking without having to deal with the difference in leg lengths (down from 2cm to 1cm – yay! – but still a bummer of a distraction when I’m standing still).

All of that to say: if you’re reading this because you’re staring down a total hip replacement, trust that it will go well, and trust that you will soon be in less pain than you are now.

Find a great doctor and a great physical therapist, and do everything they tell you to do.

Be really kind to yourself during the days that are harder than you want them to be.

I hope these notes are helpful! And I believe in your ability to get through this, too xx

I have an apron belly. Not huge, but big enough to worry me that my surgeon won’t do the anterior approach. Has anyone had THR with an apron belly? My surgeon hasn’t said anything yet.

Hi all- Im 29F and grew up a figure skater... always been hypermobile and chronic neck/back pain. Back in Feb, I had a fall/what they thought was a seizure at first, and woke up never being able to move my hip the same and terrible pain. First it was just osteoarthritis/dysplasia of the left hip... Everything got worse VERY rapidly the past 8 months.

Now I have severe dislocation/osteoarthritis/dysplasia of both - complete bone-on-one, no socket left. I FINALLY found a surgeon willing to do one hip at a time: he specializes in reconstruction. There haven't been any surgeons willing to do it until now because im severely underweight/malnourished due to other health issues.

I lost the ability to walk without heavy reliance on a walker back in July and even a small bit is extremely difficult and so painful. I've lost pretty much all independence and my entire life because of this.

Still trying to decide which hip to do first, but really praying that I'll at least be able to walk again with having the one done. They said everything goes well, it's possible I can get both by the end of the year though!

Also just had major emergency spinal surgery so my whole body is pretty much being replaced at such a young age...

Suggestions which I should get first?

Anyone else need to get both done very badly and taking a staggered approach? How has it been after your first?

https://preview.redd.it/y5n8gbc6oeuh1.png?width=910&format=png&auto=webp&s=d7004b396a530b63c6655c3b69792d007563cda1

Hey there has anyone had a total hip replacement after having labral repairs with what surgeons will call a normal x-ray? By okay I mean no bone on bone arthritis and having visible spacing between the joint . I am 36.

I have had labor repairs with femoral head debridement bilaterally. Both sides are painful the left side not as much as pre-op the right side is extremely painful. I have been told I have reverted hip sockets as well. Osteoarthritis was prevalent via scope on both sides during labor repairs and if I remember correctly was classified as mild to moderate although I believe this was downplayed. Seeing the pictures it looked like stage two or three arthritis to me although I'm not a doctor.

I am currently out of work trying to figure this out as I got to the point where I couldn't work. I am seeing one of the hip surgeons that is the best in the region. He initially seemed to think a replacement was a viable option and then I verbalize some of my overthinking which seemed to psych him out. I did a hip injection which seem to help during the 4 to 5 hours after the injection and the steroid might have helped after a week for a one to two week timeline. I am getting bilateral SI joint injections in a couple weeks to rule that out.

Bottom line I don't want to waste my time with another labral repair my initial ones were almost unreparable massive tears with osteoarthritis despite x-rays looking okay. I'm running into replacement surgeons essentially blowing me out after looking at my x-ray and not seeming to spend the time to look into the bigger picture of my case. Have any of you had a similar experience with prior labor repairs, status of x-rays, and gotten total hip replacement with good results in the end?

Has anyone traveled out of state, or specifically to HSS, for a revision total hip replacement? What was the experience like? When were they able to safely fly back home?

My surgery is scheduled for next Thursday morning. How many of you are glad you stayed overnight at the hospital or is trying to go home the same day as the THR surgery a realistic option? I live apx. 90 minutes from the hospital.

I’ve had hip pain for about a month and went in to figure out what the issue was. Found out it’s arthritis in both hips (pain in just one side currently) and was told I will eventually be needing hip replacements. The unknown is weighing heavily on my mind now. I’m a fit 59yo male with no previous surgeries. I am a physical education teacher and coach so I’m on my feet most of the day. I average right around 10,000 steps per day just at work. The pain isn’t terrible but it is definitely affecting my walking gate and my ability to move normally. It’s not affecting my sleeping and sitting for the most part is OK, but I’m stiff when I get up after sitting for a while. So my question is for people here is this - How did you know it was time to get your THR done? What was the thing that made you realize that now was the time?

Just wondering- did you have an mri before surgery or just X-rays? I can deal with an mri I just need more evidence that a hip replacement is necessary since my X-rays only showed mild arthritis.

I wanted to bring up timelines to stop our pain meds. Without a doubt, we are all different and there is not one answer. I’ve also seen that most care teams are not very prescriptive about pain med timelines and taper schedules.

Anyway, I have seen a number of posts on the sub from recent surgery recipients where they will note “I stopped taking pain meds on day 3” and then later in the post “I’m having a lot of pain/stiffness when performing X activities so I’m not able to do them” etc. I think some people are misinterpreting the goals here around pain meds. Our goal is not to just get off pain meds. It’s to stop taking pain meds when you are at a point in your journey where you are able to sufficiently perform the activities and especially exercises needed to continue progression toward normal function and activity level around your hip. If you’re having pain during PT/daily exercises that inhibit your ability to perform the exercises or even cause you to use poor form or compensation, you probably need to maintain some level of pain medication.

TLDR: please don’t stop pain meds just because you’re not having pain when you sit on your recliner. If you are having pain during PT, during walks, during your stretching and strengthening exercises but have already stopped taking pain meds, I’d suggest rethinking your approach. Maximize those sessions to encourage proper posture and return of flexibility and strength to the surgical area.

I have a large posterior tear where my only option is THR now. Also developed achy knee and ankle that I assume is from the hip. Had both checked out separately and nothing major was found, but Drs. won't say the issues are definitely from the hip. Many days, the knee especially bothers me more than the hip.

Just wondering if anyone has/had similar symptoms. Thank you for the input.

Well , my first thirty days are over. I was concerned at first. Worried about all the side effects. Honestly I was feeling very good going into my follow up. My surgeon is happy with my progress, but still told me I can’t start pt until week six. I haven’t had pain meds since day three. Totally independent of cane or walker. I can take stairs like a regular person.my limo is much, much less.. Driving since week two. The only issue I have is getting comfortable after I wake up on the middle of the night. I honestly feel very lucky my recovery is going so well. I hope all is well with all of you. ❤️

Curious how many folks have had issues with seroma during healing process. Anterior THR on 9/16 and healing was going great until early last week. Noticed a lump developing under incision that continued to get larger. Called surgeon’s office on Wednesday and got in later that day to get it drained. ~45ml of fluid was drained that was a red color but not viscous like blood. Surgeon wasn’t too concerned, we discussed it, fairly typical part of healing process. Told me to wear something that could provide some compression. Only had yoga pants which aren’t that great for compression depending on which pair I’m wearing. Had my intake for out patient PT on Thursday morning. The saroma was back but didn’t seem quite as large and we’d talked about how the body should reabsorb. She said to call surgeon’s office and let them she told me to call because she was concerned it would impede my ability to do some PT exercises and just out of abundance of caution. Got an appointment for Friday afternoon. Drained ~70mL fluid. I think he was planning on sending it off for testing because it was in a specimen cup and I noticed he had an extra piece of paper that looked like he needed to fill out that he kept while giving me the check out sheet. Talked about getting something with more compression. Spent several hours trying to track down something with more compression. Not very easy. Ended up buying two pairs of spandex shorts that seemed to have some good compression to them after looking at everything they had available in Dick’s. And proceeded to look at two other places including medical supply and left empty handed. Last night wrapped the area in ace bandage and put the spandex shorts on over that. Woke up in the morning and took it all off to assess. Seems like fluid has been accumulating that was pushed outside of the ace bandage. The incision is also filling back up. Got rid of the bandage since I didn’t want to move it into different parts of the thigh. Will be calling surgeon Monday morning to get back in. It doesn’t hurt. No fever. No chills. No new aches.
Husband is freaking out. I’m not…that much. I’m concerned and monitoring. Anyone else have a sort of similar experience? Had posterior approach on left last year with staples and didn’t have this sort of issue. This is closed with glue.

I received my thr posterior approach mid June 2026. I am happy with the healing and pain relief but disappointed with the indented scar leaving my glutes looking deformed and hollow. It looks like they removed some fat at the incision site leaving me with the scar tissue indented and hard. I can feel the bone underneath. There is a cliff of tissue at the top that leaves a shadow, and at the bottom where it meets my thigh it really accentuates my saddlebag. I am a thin woman weighing 133lbs. Is this normal? I wasn't prepared for this.

Have any of you experienced this? Did continued exercise and muscle building help? Did it smooth out over time? I am very active and plan on wearing bathing suits to the beach...and this is very noticeable. Shall I just get used to it?

Will a 2nd opinion help? Orthopedics denied my referral. They reviewed my X-ray which showed mild arthritis. However, they didn’t have my MRI which I had done a week after. Do I have a chance for THR? I’ve failed two blocks of physical therapy and injections. Here are my MRI readings:

IMPRESSION:

1. Degenerative arthritis of both hips with moderate chondromalacia, shortening of the femoral necks and partial ossification and tears of the acetabular labra.
2. Prominent enthesopathy both innominate bones and proximal femurs.
3. Bilateral gluteal tendinopathy with partial-thickness tear of the conjoined portion of the tendon on the left.