GreenReaper

My wife had her left hip done via the frontal method. Rehab consisted of not sitting around the house. She spent one night in the hospital and was walking around the same day she was released. Two days later she was driving. Her rehab consisted of doing exercises at home. Needless to say, recovery time was amazingly short.

Dragonophile

I think the bottom line is that most people experience positive outcomes, but there is a lot of individual variation due to factors such as age, physical condition, femur condition, weight, method of surgery, and attitude you take towards rehab/recovery. Myself, I rarely even think about my hips anymore, which is wonderful given my pre-surgery arthritic condition.

DavidPhares Loc: Chandler, Arizona

Thanks for all the input and suggestions. I am at day 3 and showing improvement. No rehab other than walking with a walker and using a lot of ice when sitting or sleeping. I am off the heavy pain med and just using Tylenol as needed. Not near the pain I expected. My surgeon actually went through the side and did not cut any muscle but rather spread them. The incision is only about 4-1/2” long. Amazing. Happy new year to all who posted advice. 😀

Wally Phyfe

I've had both hips replaced, ten years apart, by the same surgeon. He told me I wouldn't need PT, but to just get back to my normal activities as soon as I was comfortable getting around. I used a walker for about three days, and then switched to a cane for another week or so. I kept it handy for a few more days, just to be on the safe side. After the second replacement, I drove 300 miles home, solo, 10 days after the surgery with no issues, stopping twice and getting out and moving for a few minutes. I had spent 5 or 6 hours a week working out at a local YMCA for two months prior to the second replacement, with the goal of building up strength and losing 20 pounds, which i'm sure contributed to the speed and ease of recovery. I was in my mid-seventies when the second hip was replaced. I went with the best surgeon I could find, after speaking to a number of his patients, and every one said "this is the guy." (One hiked a 23-mile 7000 ft. elevation trail with a group of boy scouts six months after his replacement, and the only complaint he had was that he shouldn't have worn a new pair of hiking shoes.) Good luck, and you'll be back to normal before you know it.

DavidPhares Loc: Chandler, Arizona

Thank you for your response. My surgeon also came in from the side. I am now at day 8 in recovery and every day gets a little easier. I am optimistic! 😃

DavidPhares Loc: Chandler, Arizona

My doc also said no rehab, just walk every hour. I was a bit taken back by the swelling bruising, but they are starting to diminish. No so much pain as stiffness. Walking is working for me. Thanks for your input.

Wally Phyfe

My surgeon used the same approach, and with only muscle separation to install the components, and no cutting, healing and related progress in recovery seems to be a lot quicker. I had very little pain, controllable with OTC medications, and was basically back to normal physical activities in about a month. I'm glad you are doing well.

DavidPhares Loc: Chandler, Arizona

Wally - thanks for sharing your experience. I am now 10 days out and I am walking (?) around the house just sort of pushing my walker along for balance. The progress is increasing day to day. I still notice a kind of a “clunk” in my right leg still. I would hope that goes away as the muscles that were stretched tighten up. Did you experience that as well.

I really want to thank all you UHHers that responded to my post. Everyone was helpful.

David