Student getting a hip replacement - worried!

lemonaidangel · Oct 4, 2008

Good question. I wish I had answers for you, but I don't know what to say. My only question for you is the timing of the surgery. Are you sure you want to get it done while you are in nursing school? Expecting to be on your feet and lifting people in only 6 weeks might not be realistic. Everyone's body is different, so everyone heals differently. What if you get complications like infection or blood clot, that would make it even harder to recover. And you need to consider the months and months of physical therapy ahead of you. Is it so bad that you have to have it done right now? Can it wait a couple years until you are done with school and can take sufficient time off to recover?

I am in a similar situation as you. When I was 15 years old I got diagnosed with avascular necrosis of my right femur, and every doctor that I went to told me that I needed a total hip replacement, including the head of orthopedic surgery at University of Michigan. The only thing they could not agree on was WHEN I should get it done since I am so young (I'm only in my early 20s). It's one of those pro/cons balancing acts. Do I get it now while I am healthy, young, and able to heal well, so that I will be able to work long hours on the floor without being in pain? Or do I wait until I am in my 40s/50s so that the joint won't wear out so fast? I don't know what to do. It's been 8 years, and I am still undecided. It's a hard choice.

DDRN4me · Oct 4, 2008

My dd had her hip replaced 2 years ago at age 24..she had acetabular protrusio and had several surgeries to correct it but it kept recurring and getting worse. She had a wonderful surgeon at NE Baptist Hospital in Boston and he used a brand new computerized technique that was less invasive than typical hip surgery. She has now completely recovered but i can tell you lemonaid angel that it was greater than 6 weeks before she could tolerate alot of physical stress on the hip. I think it was close to 8 weeks before she even got rid of the crutches. You need to let the bone build up around the prosthesis before you weight bear or stress the hip. this may not be what you want to hear but i would rather be totally honest with you! mary

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2008

one of our beloved docs had bilateral hip replacements. when he was up and working again he kept saying he should have had them years ago. i have had a number of patients in nursing homes when on worked on the medicare skilled unit who were there for their physical therapy post-operative hip replacement and they all said the same. the new hips are a blessing after the years of pain and difficult ambulation. the prosthesis is done by computer guidance. you can probably see the surgery on or live (http://www.or-live.com/)

RNMom2010 · Oct 4, 2008

Haven't had one myself, but just got done with my ortho rotation and wow THA and TKA seem to heal quite fast! My pt was a THA and 1 day post op he was ambulating 150ft and was D/C on post op day 2!! At your young age, and crossing your fingers for no complications, I would say you have a great chance at being clinical ready (maybe with small limitations) by 6 weeks. Best of luck to you, let me tell ya, every replacement pt I spoke to said it was the best decision they made and that the pain was far less worse post op than what they were previously dealing with.

AtomicWoman · Oct 4, 2008

Everyone I know who has had a hip replacement felt MUCH better once they were healed and they kind of kicked themselves for delaying it. BUT, they all needed more than 6 weeks before they were able to do much lifting, standing for a long time, etc. Some were in their 40s and some were older.

One of my clients is a manager at a very large manufacturer of replacement hips. He's been in the business for years. He said the one thing people are unprepared for is that first month. In general, he said people underestimate how tough (pain-wise and otherwise) that first month can be. So if you can, arrange to have as much assistance as possible with your daily activities for the first month. (I don't know if you have kids and if you do, how young they are, but that's a consideration, too.)

If you are determined to do this, or absolutely MUST do it, think of yourself as an athlete. :) They train intensively post-surgery so they can get back to playing as fast as possible. And they are in tip-top shape when they go into surgery, which helps them get active faster post-surgery.

Also, have you posted your question in the ortho nurses' forum?

https://allnurses.com/forums/f38/

They've seen plenty of people with hip replacements, and they may have some good advice for you.

Good luck!

DroogieRN · Oct 4, 2008

I'm only a first-semester student, so I certainly have zero expertise, but I do know some folks who've had their hips replaced -- all at an older age than you are, though... Except Mary Lou Retton (remember her?) -- she had a hip replacement three years ago and talks about it on a website here:

http://maryloushipreplacement.com/now.cfm

The thing that stood out for me was that she had a three-month recovery time, and I would be willing to bet that she was in pretty good physical condition before her surgery.

OP, you have to do what you have to do. What does your doctor say? Are you in too much pain to postpone until summer or when you finish your program? Best of luck to you, whatever you decide.