Take the Fear Out of Getting a Hip Replacement

After three years of the pain in my right hip getting progressively worse, I agreed with my orthopedic doctor that something had to be done. I had been walking with a cane for the past 10 months and I was only 53! What he was suggesting was minimally invasive hip replacement and though it seemed to be a successful operation, I did not want the surgery.

The fact that I could not wrap my head around was the fact that a hip replacement would mean putting metal into my body permanently. If you are considering a hip replacement, my first suggestion is to focus on the positive outcomes and not the negative, as I was doing. The recovery will be secondary and fall into place, if you follow the doctor's orders. The bottom line is that once the hip has recovered, you should be able to do all the things you could do before the joint damage started and the quality of your life will improve tremendously.

Here are some significant things to help you when considering a hip replacement surgery.

1. Joint damage, whether from Rheumatory arthritis, Osteoarthritis, or an accident of any sort, is not going to get better, unless it is very minor and you catch it early enough.
2. If the joint has minor cartridge erosion, glucosamine and chondriton may help relieve the pain and rebuild cartridge. If you want to try this, go ahead, but keep in mind the damage will continually get worse because you are constantly using your hip joint.
3. Find a good orthopedic surgeon that you can talk to and have your questions answered. Once you understand the process, it helps to eliminate some of the fear of the unknown. An orthopedic doctor will also be able to give you cortisone shots while you are deciding.
4. Research online so that you can see for yourself.
5. Call the hospital and ask about their rate of staff infection after surgery. Every hospital has some reported, but you want the least, of course.

I tried nutrition and other supplements, cortisone shots, and simply endured the pain because I thought the surgery was so unbearable. Well, I was wrong and when I finally made up my mind to go ahead with the hip replacement surgery, I cannot tell you how everything fell into place. The surgery date quickly arrived and in the three days after the surgery in the hospital, they have you up and walking with a walker. I couldn't believe the recovery process began the first day.

After being discharged from the hospital, I went to a rehab center. I felt so good, so quickly, that I decided I could take physical therapy at home. Of course, everyone is different, but I think you get out of it what you put into it. I heard many stories of successful surgeries and I too was recovering very quickly. The doctor says that four to six months is average for complete healing.

Home health care is what I used when I got home and they come directly to your home and assist you with everything you need. Physical therapy also came to the home three times a week and it was nice to be at home to rest and recover in familiar surroundings, while getting accustomed to the new hip.

The moral of this story is "do not put off having hip replacement surgery with a qualified surgeon any longer than you already have." Hip replacement is said to be even easier and faster in recovery than other joint replacements, so there is little to be apprehensive about. As the muscles and tissue heal, you will get to feeling so much better that you will wonder why you waited so long. Of course, there is a small risk that comes with any surgery, but prayer always makes this better. The quality of life will increase as you can do more and more, and you can enjoy the days ahead instead of limping through life in pain. Relax, have the surgery and enjoy the rest of your life!