Who's had a recent hip replacement?
Contributors to this thread:Elk
From: Mossyhorn
26-Dec-24
I'm 42 and looking to have both my hips replaced. I did not get to hunt this year and I want to make sure I'm in the mountains, hopefully chasing elk this next September. I'll be getting a Mako hip and am in pretty good shape so I would like to think I can recover fairly quickly. I'm 5'7 and 185 lbs. I just want to make sure I have enough time between surgery and climbing mountains and hopefully packing meat. How much time did it take you before you felt good enough to do this?
From: Robear
26-Dec-24
I had both mine done in 2023. The first one at the end of August the second at the end of October. They were done with the posterior method, so it is apple and oranges to what you are having done. Having said that, it was a solid year before I could do things like hang stands and climb pain free and with confidence. I feel great now, and considering how I was before, I’m like new man.
From: t-roy
26-Dec-24
I’ve no experience with hip replacement, but I’m curious (if you’re willing to share) as to why you are needing hip replacement for BOTH hips at 42 years of age?!! Wow!
From: Norseman
26-Dec-24
Based on my hip replacement experience, left full hip anterior method in Late June 2023.
I felt i could have been ready for mountain hiking in six months. Packing out meat would be a different story. Im 56 yo, 6’2” 190 and was in good shape prior to surgery. I was walking 1/2 mile 4 days after surgery.
Anterior procedure is a faster turnaround to get back on your feet and working out. Walk walk walk walk and walk some more and your hip will let you know.
From: Mossyhorn
26-Dec-24
T-roy, I have what's called FAI. The way my hips were built caused them to wear out really fast. I wrestled all through high school and a couple years in college. Now my hip mobility is really bad, my labrums are shredded, a lot of arthritis and bone spurs, areas of bone on bone, reaching my feet to tie my shoes is getting more difficult, and is even causing me some back problems. I had a hip specialist tell me 12 years ago that I needed a hip resurfacing. I opted not to and now I think it's time.
From: Norseman
26-Dec-24
Yep! Best thing about about my hip replacement was curing all my lower back problems. 10 years of sciatica…gone
From: drycreek
26-Dec-24
Not me, but my wife. She slipped and broke her hip in June and she has been fully recovered from the replacement for a couple months now. She is 61 and pretty active. She was in the hospital for four days, in therapy for six, and on her own after that. A couple days with a walker, a week or so on a cane, and then back to her usual pace. She’s the high school librarian and she’s hardly ever still, either at work or home. I expect you will be fine.
From: Jaquomo
26-Dec-24
I'm right there with Norseman. Had it done in February, carrying a pack in the mountains with no restrictions by early July. I was hiking with a day-hunt weight pack in early May. Do your PT religiously, push yourself a little, and walk,.walk.
I did the PT exercises for a month prior to my surgery. The surgeon said that would strengthen everything and speed up recovery. I was walking that night, could have gone home.
From: Paul@thefort
26-Dec-24
Will have my right hip replacement done Feb 10th, at the age of 85. We seem to be outliving our parts, thus replacements. Looking forward to the operation so I can get back to my normal.
From: Bou'bound
27-Dec-24
Not be but others. These days this is fast and easy. Amazing how they run people through the procedure like an assembly line and get them up the same day. A doctor doing ,5-6 a day is the norm from what I am being told
From: Billyvanness
27-Dec-24
Mossyhorn…I’m two weeks out as of yesterday from full right hip. I was bone on bone since 2020 and this fall it became unbearable. I researched surgeons within driving distance of me and found through friends Dr William Howarth of Common Spirit Orthopedic in Colorado Springs. Anterior method…walking two hours after surgery with no pain. Yesterday I was on my feet all day. It’s a magic wand of feeling better.
From: Billyvanness
27-Dec-24
From: Billyvanness
27-Dec-24
Someone will dig this body up and be like dang he hammered it. Screws, parts, etc. Wringing it out. Paul, look into Dr Howarth if you have any questions regarding who you already picked. He’s an ace…he leaves the room and I say to myself “WTF did I do with my life”.
From: Billyvanness
27-Dec-24
From: Billyvanness
27-Dec-24
Before X-ray
From: Zebrakiller
27-Dec-24
If all goes well you will be good to go!
From: greenmountain
27-Dec-24
I had my left hip done six years ago. I chose the Anterior approach. I did my PT before and after the surgery . It pays off. When I went to my six week appointment the nurse commented I was progressing well. She said I was way ahead of many folks at six months. Jaquomo summed it up nicely . Push yourself within limits and you can continue to enjoy life.
From: butcherboy
27-Dec-24
No more X-ray pics from hip replacements! I still can’t unsee the one from a certain well known bowsiter from a few years ago. You know who are. Lol
From: Bowboy
27-Dec-24
Butcherboy now that person is going to post his X-ray for sure.
From: midwest
27-Dec-24
Don't do it, Lou! I almost lost my girlfriend the last time you posted that x-ray!
Wishing you a speedy recovery, Mossyhorn!
From: SteveB
27-Dec-24
My wife just had hers on 10/28. Bone on bone and could barely stand or walk prior to surgery. Anterior. Walked within 2 hours and climbed 7 steps up and down. Her recovery first two weeks seemed a bit slow but improved dramatically following that. Two months in and although it's still causing pain at some times, is sooooo much better and well worth it. Get anterior method if you can. Will improve even more once we get to florida for the winter next week and she can take walks safely. Moves about freely now. Amazing procedure.
From: Jaquomo
27-Dec-24
Amazing that they can saw your leg and pelvis off, replace it with metal, and you can walk a few hours later. They gave me a walker and I picked it up and carried it down the hall. Can't believe anyone still submits to the old posterior method, with the slow, uncomfortable recovery.
From: Stx&strings
27-Dec-24
From: Stx&strings
27-Dec-24
Febuary this year full rh hip. Best decisdion ever
From: DS
27-Dec-24
Had both hips replaced in 2018. I was 59 at the time. First in June and second in November. Was farming and had to fit it in between planting and harvest. Did all the farming myself except neighbor mowed the road ditches. I was on a tractor mowing grass in July. Didn't hunt that year. Normal recovery time. They want you up and walking as soon as you can with full weight on it. No problems since and back to normal. I tell people if you need a hip replacement get it done as soon as you can. Why put up with the pain for years and let it keep getting worse.
From: Mpdh
27-Dec-24
Both hips replaced, one at 55, the other at 63. I was mostly back to normal after 3 months.
From: jons
27-Dec-24
All I have to say when I get cremated there will be a lot of metal left over. Do your PT and do not twist your body post surgery. Got a reverse shoulder replacement coming in Feb, more metal to add and more PT, rust never sleep.
From: sundowner
27-Dec-24
Had my left hip replaced in '99 due to a car crash. It dislocated 6 times over the next 5 years. Finally learned how not to move and how to keep it in place, but was constantly painful. Got a revision done two years ago.....a titanium ball in a polyethylene cup.....and couldn't be happier with it. No more pain. No more dislocation. I believe I had a bad surgeon the first time. Surgeons are not created equal.
From: TonyBear
27-Dec-24
Birmingham re-surfacing is another option. Retains a lot of bone, especially important if you are younger when you have it done. Helps make it possible to perform additional surgeries later in life, including total hip replacement.
I was climbing trees two months after the first one, downhill skiing 10 weeks after the second one.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/birmingham-hip-resurfacing-system-189866#:~:text=The%20%EE%80%80Birmingham%20Hip%20Resurfacing
From: TonyBear
27-Dec-24
TonyBear's Link
From: Norseman
28-Dec-24
Yep! Best thing about about my hip replacement was curing all my lower back problems. 10 years of sciatica…gone
From: Mossyhorn
28-Dec-24
Thanks everyone for your stories. I’m definitely going with the mako hip. The nice thing about it when I need a revision, they just swap the liner and the head out. No need to pull the stem out with these newer ones.
I got some dates yesterday from the surgeons office. The soonest would put me 7 weeks post op for a planned road trip to Arizona, from Washington. Anyone see any issues with that? My wife thinks I should wait til April to do it. But I’m worried that’s cutting recovery time too close to September!
From: Jaquomo
28-Dec-24
Why 7 weeks to delay a road trip? You can do your PT anywhere. I was hiking in the mountains in snow four weeks after my replacement. I just looked at my Bowsite live hip replacement thread to confirm that timeline. Get it done, go on the road trip, be ready for September.
From: Norseman
28-Dec-24
You’ll be fine. You will be sore from sitting so long in the car just 7 weeks out. 2 months out after surgery i remember my hip ache on car rides longer than a few hours. Different pains come and go with recovery, even after a year.
From: mooseslayer
28-Dec-24
I had both hips done full replacement late August (right) and 8 weeks later (left). Both done the posterior method. Was told by the Surgeon this is still the Cadillac way to go. However the recovery time will be significantly longer. I worked very hard in physical therapy, too hard as I had some setbacks by tearing the inner stitching on the quite large incisions. One of the disadvantages of the posterior method. No bowhunting at all this past fall. Still have some pain but have 2 bear hunts planned for Spring and Fall 2025. Obviously nothing very physical. I'm 72 and Pryor to the surgeries there was ALOT of pain. So glad I had them both replaced.
From: jcneng
29-Dec-24
Get it done! Anterior method for me on right hip Nov. 25th. Walked almost 4 miles the last 2 days pheasant hunting (4.5 weeks post surgery), no issues or pain!
From: TonyBear
29-Dec-24
Oh yeah! Helps the back and feet a lot. The doc who did it was one of the pioneers in the industry. Retired now but he was thinking 30+ years or maybe lifetime without revision.
Any pain I have now is easily resolved with the Turmeric Gummies. Ibuprofen isn't good for you anyway and I rarely need them now.
From: Mossyhorn
30-Dec-24
This is great stuff, definitely encouraging! Anyone have any recommendations on anything that was helpful to have around the house after surgery?
From: Robear
30-Dec-24
Those plastic sleeves with a rope attached to help put on socks. A sponge with a long handle on it to help you reach different areas when you are able to take showers. A comfy recliner to sleep in when you have trouble sleeping in bed.
From: Billyvanness
30-Dec-24
For sure regarding socks etc. Hard to reach your toes on side of repaired hip the first couple weeks. Mild stretches help. The toilet seat process can be a challenge first couple days too. Overall improvement comes fast with anterior approach because no muscles cut. Best of luck it’ll go great!
From: Norseman
30-Dec-24
Extra large blue gel icepacks (2) Wide Velcro straps 20” long. Compression leggings. Comfy slippers with traction soles. Bell to call the wife Get an adjustable cane, I ditched the walker on day 2 More bother than it helps. Make sure you have someone help you in the middle of the night if you get up. With the drugs and potential blood pressure drop, you might find yourself passing out and going ass over tea kettle like i did the first night home.
From: mooseslayer
30-Dec-24
Has anyone that had the anterior surgery method have any problems long term down the road. I'm talking about guys that had it done over 5 years ago?
From: bowwild
31-Dec-24
I had anterior right hip replaced Jan 7, 2022. I could barely get around the 60 days before surgery. I was pretty much 100% at about 4 months. No walker at all and a cane for only couple of days. A very good thing for me. I am 70 now. I am now recovering for right partial knee 3 weeks ago tomorrow. Much more painful recovery than the hip. I know the left knee has some issues but at least not bone on bone. Finally, I have some issues in both shoulders, but unless I can't do everyday activities I'm not having shoulders worked on. I'm not really good at rehab. I go to PT 2-3 times per week, but I'm a slacker for exercises at home. I know the shoulder surgeries won't tolerate that kind of attitude.
My compound is more difficult to shoot (bow arm is right) than my recurves.
Good luck with your hip surgery. I would have little concern about it. You'll be glad. Main thing is to be very careful about lifting much for several weeks. I waited at least 6 months before picking up and moving 60-90 pound drill press, planer, and such. I'm sure my doctor would have preferred I never lifted such again.
From: Bob Rowlands
31-Dec-24
#1. You need to follow what your doc/therapist tell you. Not advice of strangers online.
That said, I had my left hip replaced with a cobalt steel prosthesis in June 2008 when I was 54. I resumed very light no weight packing carpentry work in a couple months. Back to packing heavy materails in ~ about 4 months. But it was a FULL YEAR to where I was packing anything without thinking about my hip.
From: Mossyhorn
04-Jan-25
How long before you guys were able to drive? I’m getting my right side done first and then the left probably 8-9 weeks later. My wife is not excited about me not driving for 4+ weeks, which is what the doc is saying?
My doc for some reason wants to do a posterior approach. I’m not sure why?
From: Robear
04-Jan-25
There are a couple of reasons for the driving restriction. You are having the right side done first. Your ability to operate the foot pedals will be restricted because of the surgery. Also, you will be on pain meds (don’t be a hero, use them) . Your surgeon wants to use the posterior approach because in his experience, in the long run, he has had more success than the anterior method. My surgeon was the same way.
From: Norseman
05-Jan-25
Most likely your surgeon is proposing the posterior approach because that is how he is trained to do it.
If you are in good shape and not overweight and want a quicker recovery time i would highly recommend getting a surgeon that specializes in anterior approach.
With anterior. I was off meds and driving no problem in a week. Might be longer with right hip. Using hip flexors, used in working the pedals back and forth, may be painful to drive 2 weeks out.
From: Zebrakiller
05-Jan-25
I wouldn't base everything on a time line, I had both mine done in 2022 first went smooth and was ready for second about 7 weeks later, had second done and was doing awesome, two weeks into second, I got a major infection in second hip, Had to have emergency surgery , I missed 46 weeks of work after that, The infection was hell couldn't walk had a pic line in for almost 18 weeks, still on meds to this day, I am doing what I love again, but just let the healing take place . I tell you I have hundreds of hours in rehab and the gym to get back to where I'm at today. good luck, for most the surgery goes very smooth.
From: Mossyhorn
05-Jan-25
Zebrakilller, that’s scary. Sorry you went thru that. Post op infections are terrible and it’s crossed my mind.
From: Zebrakiller
06-Jan-25
Mossyhorn I wish you all the luck in the world and hope you are doing good in just a few months
From: bigwied
07-Jan-25
I had my left hip replaced sept 23 anterior surgery. Two days after surgery I walked a 1/2 mile started physical therapy 4 days after surgery and went twice a week for 3 weeks. I was driving after a week and started bowhunting oct 18 and climbed up my tree ladder 25 ft. Shot my biggest bow buck oct 19 and today 3 1/2 months later have no pain and no restrictions. Best thing I ever did having the surgery.
From: Jaquomo
08-Jan-25
I asked my surgeon why some doctors still do posterior, and he said it's because they haven't put in the effort to be trained in anterior.
My neighbor had posterior about the same time as I had anterior. I was hiking in the mountains while she was still toddling around the house in a walker.
