Hip Replacement

[allenlondon]

Anyone had a replacement hip? Is it keyhole surgery? And can you have it under local anaesthetic?

Ta.

Allen

[Buenchico]

This should help:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hip-replacement/
(Check out all of the links from that page too)

[jno]

not sure how you'd get a hip through a keyhole, allen - I've just tried it and all I can think is "I'm gonna need a bigger key!"

[ChillDoubt]

No, not possible through keyhole(arthroscopic) surgery.

There is a minimally invasive technique we used up u TIL a couple of years ago where I work but the surgeon who performed the procedure has since retired.

[ChillDoubt]

Should read: up until

[ChillDoubt]

Forgot to add:
Won’t be possible under local anaesthesia but a spinal by all means.

[allenlondon]

Thanks all. Spinal would do (I had my leg sawn off with a spinal - didn’t want to miss anything!)

[Ringlet]

I had a hip replacement in Musgrave Park Hospital, Belfast. It was done with epidural. I was awake, although sedated and pleasantly relaxed. There was nice music playing in the operating theatre and a green screen was erected so that I did not have to see what was being done. Although the operation was not "keyhole" the incision was not problematic and healed very quickly. The whole procedure was pain free and stress free and I was on my feet again very quickly. It is nothing to be afraid of.

[mallyh]

had a spinal block and a sedative didn't feel a thing my scar goes across my bum so when I had second hip done it looks like I have a big smile x

[brainiac]

Keyhole surgery? Local anaesthetic? Would love to see that.

[maggiebee]

Think you need to have a look at some of the links given. I've had two hip replacements and a knee too. Certainly not keyhole and, as it takes some time, certainly not under a local anaesthetic.

[allenlondon]

Ringlet, Matty - what’s immediate post-op like?

I have no left leg, and it’s my left hip, and I use my left remaining bits a lot - to go to the toilet, to clean myself, and so on.

So how much / how little can you use your new hip in the recovery period?

[jourdain2]

I've had both hips replaced, 1st in 20004 and 2nd in 2014. I was living in France at the time so it may not be the same. The 2nd, whilst not 'keyhole' has left me with a 3" scar instead of a very long one of about a foot. I recovered much faster from the 2nd, which was my left hip. I had full anaesthesia.

My husband and a friend each had theirs done by epidural. He was offered a video link so that he could watch - but declined that one!
Recovery - a lot depends on the physio offered, my advice is to do all the exercises and more if you can. I walked a mile a month later and, once all stitches and drains were out, was pretty mobile - say a week? I walked up the steps to our house from the ambulance which brought me home after 6 or 7 days, can't remember exactly.

Hope this helps. :)

[jourdain2]

^^^ err 2004, sorry! It's the isolation I tell you!

[allenlondon]

jourdain. Yes, it helps, thanks. I’ll work hard to avoid the surgery!

[margarettom]

I had a hip replacement in February 2019. It was brilliant. No, it was not keyhole surgery and I had a spinal anaesthetic, but I know people who have had a general anaesthetic. Not heard of local anaesthetic. Some people do remain conscious with the spinal anaesthetic, although you are given a sedative, but I was unconscious most of the time and only woke up when they were putting the stitches in.

[Peter Pedant]

it is straightforward - I think the recommendation is a spinal and then other modalities if considered unsiuitable

this is a very common operation and the surgeon will have done many before he is unleashed on you

this is not a big deal
something like 94% grade the result of the operation as life changing - i had rest pain night pain and pain on walking and it certainly changed my life stayle

[allenlondon]

Thanks PP.

In my case it’s my absent leg and my toileting habits that worry me more.

A

[jourdain2]

You could work hard at training your maximus gluteous (bottom) and the remaining muscles you have (on both sides and abdominal) before surgery in order to be as mobile as possible. Also some mobility exercises for the good bits of you? My experience in 2014 meant that there was minimum disturbance to the muscles - stretched, but not damaged. Good luck - and let us know how you get on and if you have any other queries. We'll always try …. even if we get down to sacrificing cockerels at midnight whilst chanting! :)