I’ve been to see my Orthopaedic Surgeon today and am going to have a hip replacement op on 16th March to deal with the bone mets in my pelvis which have been giving me jip. He said it was a technique called ‘Harris something’ and apparently he only does about 3 - 4 each year. He also mentioned using a new piece of software that determines which piece of bone is the strongest to use for pinning, aparently he has only used this once before on this type of op. As I have been walking with a crutch since October last year and am on strong painkillers, I am desperate to be able to walk again, pain-free and unaided, and would love to hear of anyone elses experiences, and of course, any useful tips.
Hi Linda. I know nothing of the technique that was used for my hip replacement but my experience…if it helps…I had my hip replaced in 2003 after it spontaneously fractured (I got my bc diagnosis at the same time.) I was told the bone that was attached to the replacement was good. The operation went well and I had fantastic physio straight afterwards which I believe helped my new hip bed in nicely. I had no pain after the op and was up and walking with a zimmer frame the next day. The following day they, physio, had me walking up and down the hospital stairs with my crutches. My operated leg was slightly longer than the other leg at first but was soon back to normal length. I was off crutches by week 5. Was sent home with some pain killers I never had to use and some useful aids, a raised loo seat and one of those grab sticks to pick up things. I stopped using any aids when I came off crutches. I’ve never had any pain from the replacement which is now nearly 7 years old and I walk well and unaided, the replacement feels completely normal. I have a yearly x-ray and see the orthopaedics doctors at the same time just to check the replacement hasn’t moved at all and I’ve been assured I can have a replacement when this hip has reached the end of it’s life…if I am still here…who knows.
Good Luck…I hope you have a similar experience…xx
Thanks very much for such an encouraging post (so glad you didn’t take a break from the forums, we need you too much!). I hope my experience is as good as yours, although I know that there is a big tumour in my pelvis and that this will be quote (from Ortho Sur) “the mother of all hip replacements”, but life is such a struggle at the moment I will be grateful for any improvement. My dream is to be able to walk my dog again so that’s what I’m aiming for. How long were you in hospital for?
Hi again Linda…(ha yes I am trying not too post as often…hard not to check in to see how everyone is though) …I was in hospital for just over a week, think about 10 days but I was having lots of scans to see where my cancer was…and had a couple of days on accident and emergency before the bc diagnosis was confirmed. I do hope you are up and about and walking the dog very soon…xx
Hi. I had Right hip replaced April 2006. Was not cancer related. My experience post op seems very similar to Belindas but I was in hospital for 5 days.
I found swimming regularly after my 6 week check up helped with my recovery. Plus it was a very hot summer that year too so double reason to be in the pool lol.
All the best for your op. Make sure you do your excercises after
