Hip replacement - how long before being able to ride

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Oriel

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I'm going to need a hip replacement at some point and am just wondering what the best time of year it is to have it done.

Has anyone had or know anyone who has had a hip replaced?

What I'd like to know is how long the recovery is...

How long before:
- being up and about generally
- driving
- yard work
- riding

Like a lot of people, our 3 horses are out 24/7 in the summer so the workload for me is considerably less. During winter they're in at night and out every day. During winter we also have our main holiday ski-ing.

I'm thinking about having it done in the end of spring/early summer next year but wonder how long I'm likely to be unable to ride........ ohhh decisions!!!
 
My father had an elective hip replacement at the end of March aged 81, he spent about four days in hospital (a private one on the NHS) and was able to move reasonably well with the aid of a zimmer frame by the time he was sent home. He could drive after six weeks and by Fathers Day he could walk a couple of miles on reasonably flat even ground. The key to his success was going his exercises religously and following the doctors instructions to the letter.

On the other hand my mother broke hers in an accident last August and had it done in an NHS hospital, got bed sores and very serious infection, had virtually no aftercare and now can barely walk. Mother also largely ingored the doctors advice and over did things at the critical early stage.

In the early days your zimmer frame is your key to freedom but they will want you to use crutches as soon as you can howeverthey are much harder work and you will hate tham for taking the zimmer off you!
 
I had a hip replacement in July 2009 aged 44. At this point I hadn't ridden for a year as too painful. I started riding the Feb afterwards and jumping that summer. Haven't xcountry/hunt but I didn't beforehand. Any questions pm me.
 
Oh - I hadn't even thought of needing a zimmer frame! :eek:

I'm quite a bit younger than your parents - I'm 57. I wonder if recovery is quicker for someone my age? I know I should have asked the consultant all this but for some reason I got tongue tied.

Thanks for your reply
 
I had a hip replacement in July 2009 aged 44. At this point I hadn't ridden for a year as too painful. I started riding the Feb afterwards and jumping that summer. Haven't xcountry/hunt but I didn't beforehand. I was out of hospital in 4. Days on crutches - zimmer was only for first day.
 
Honestly when your legs are buggered a zimmer frame is a god send - I had a riding accident and smashed both legs (aged 45) and having a zimmer was bliss, gives you so much security to move when yours legs can't be trusted or aren't able to support you.
 
Oriel said:
I'm going to need a hip replacement at some point and am just wondering what the best time of year it is to have it done.

Has anyone had or know anyone who has had a hip replaced?

What I'd like to know is how long the recovery is...

How long before:
- being up and about generally
- driving
- yard work
- riding

Like a lot of people, our 3 horses are out 24/7 in the summer so the workload for me is considerably less. During winter they're in at night and out every day. During winter we also have our main holiday ski-ing.

I'm thinking about having it done in the end of spring/early summer next year but wonder how long I'm likely to be unable to ride........ ohhh decisions!!!
Click to expand...

I was walking the day after on crutches , left hospital the day after that .
I was pottering around at home from then i was looking after myself after two days at homeat ten days I walked two miles onmy crutches I found sitting very sore so only sat short times I would sit on the bed to rest as that was comfortable. My friend who had hers done ten days after me found so difficult to walk but could sit so it seems to be a bit personal.
I was looking after myself two days after I came home but had help with shopping and housework .
I was driving an automatic ( right hip done ) just after my two week check but I was very confident and comfortable and the surgeon was happy for me to do it realistically I drove no further than five miles for six weeks.
I rode at five weeks four days it was fine I knew the horse well and was careful .
It took longer to get my confidence round them .
I flew to the US at six wheels alone and managed fine but I took a folding stick and used it during journey but did not fly economy.
I have grooms seven days a week so was very lucky I did what I was happy with and they did round me.
Three months later I was up for anything it was like getting my life back . I am hunting ,jumping ,doing all sorts I can hike for miles do sitting trot .
 
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Wow Goldenstar that sounds fantastic!

Do you mind me asking if you're a similar age to me? (I'm 57)

What you've described would fit with my plan to have it done in the spring/early summer so that it would have time to heal before the hard work at the yard begins and also my ski holiday.

Thanks for your reply - twas very encouraging! :)
 
I am 51 I was 49 when I had the replacement.
I prepared for the op by giving up wine for four months before going to a private physio and doing exercises before hand I dieted and lost a stone .
Rehab after was walking walking walking really easy .
 
I got a list from the physio you will find then if you search on line it's things like lying with your knees raised then lifting your torso / thighs up off the ground with the shoulders still on the ground nothing to difficult .
You need good pain relief at first that's I think why my friend had a harder time her pain relief was not well managed I had been injured seriously in the past and knew exactly what I wanted to take ,so saw the GP and took all my pain relief with me into hospital .
I am used to surgery know it hurts but does not kill you so was able to just get on with it I think it was more of a shock for my friend.
I had a morphine pump the night after the op so had an easy night she did not
It does hurt of course but it is manageable .
I was also very good with crutches so I mobilised very easily but even though the op site was of course very painful the moment I moved after i stood on it for the first time I could feel the lack of joint pain it was the most wonderful moment .
 
OP-can I ask why you are having a hip replacement and what treatment you had previously.

Asking as I have been diagnosed with an arthritic left hip and have had physio and drug therapy and now being told I might be going down the resurfacing route and worst case a replacement.

I'm 34!!!!!
 
WoopsiiD said:
OP-can I ask why you are having a hip replacement and what treatment you had previously.

Asking as I have been diagnosed with an arthritic left hip and have had physio and drug therapy and now being told I might be going down the resurfacing route and worst case a replacement.

I'm 34!!!!!
Click to expand...

Research resurfacing very carefully there's data coming through now showing women who have under gone resurfacing having abnormal amount of metal in their system that they are absorbing from the resurfaced joints for that reason my surgeon stopped resurfacing women some time ago.
 
Hi Woopsi - 34 is very young, poor you..

I have arthritis in my hands for a few years now, in my hip for the last couple of years and my shoulders have now followed suit - basically I'm falling to bits!!!! ;)

I take anti-inflammatory tablets (Naproxen) and I have physio on my shoulders and have had a chiropractor try to sort out my hip but it didn't help.

I'm finding it quite painful to ride now hence deciding to go the replacement route. I wasn't offered any alternative such as resurfacing. The specialist I saw recommended a ceramic (pink large ball) replacement. Apparently they're better than the steel ones and last longer.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to have the op next spring.
 
My mum had hers done 4 years ago, and has had to give up riding... But she met an old friend riding this week who had her hip done a few months ago. There is a specialist in Wrexham who does them from inside the groin, meaning no muscles or tendons need to be cut. The scar is smaller, and her friend was on her feet within a day, without crutches in a week and now fully mobile. Might be worth investigating as it sounded a lot less intrusive than a ' traditional' hip replacement.
 
i had my first one done when i was 60, had the birmingham resufacing op then had second one done 18months later, also birmingham resurfacing op and yes i have metal ions in my system. i am checked annually and have had an mri scan to check that all is ok...i am now 66. before the op i was walking/limping and could hardly manage to walk the dog for 20 mins at a time,now i can walk easily for over an hour. before the op i was in terrible pain and could hardly ride at all, now i can ride as long as i like. i have also managed to fall off a couple of times and havent damaged my hips so even though there is a slight problem due to the metal ions i havent regretted having the ops once.(it was NHS)

also was only on crutches the first afternoon, they measured me for sticks and took the crutches away the next morning,went home after 3 days, i was on one stick by the end of 2 weeks and completely mobile by end of 5 weeks, allowed to drive after 6 weeks and started riding after 12 weeks. could have started before but my horse is not a quiet plod so i was careful.
 
HAven't had hip replacement but had a hip fracture last year (am 35 now) and diagnosed with osteopania (the precursor to osteoporosis). Have two screws in where fracture was.

Had op in September - got back on end Jan. Started doing cross country in July (horse was also off cos of fracture at same time as me (a week before in fact - his a splint, mine was courtesy of the kitchen floor!!) Doing first B.E this week.
 
Friend had double hip replacements last year (ie both hips), got infection in one, was hospitalised for weeks over xmas, this year back doing 160km (100 mile) endurance races, including FEI 3*. Rides better than before she had them done.
 
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