Hip replacements

[bobg]

  How many hip replacement can a person have on the same hip? In the last 17 years i have had two right hip replacements. The last one was a total replacement 12 years ago. Just left the doctors office an hour ago. He said no doubt in his mind i needed another replacement. I think i am going to pass on having it done again.

[Old Syko]

Not sure how many you can have or if there's any limit but I did know a local gentleman who had a total of 6 before he died.  He was crushed while rolling a dozer down a steep hill.  He lived the life of a tough customer.  I remember him saying he had told his doctor if he would just put in a zipper he'd change the *&^%^&# things himself.  I still believe he would have tried.

[littlecanoe]

bobg,

Sorry to hear that you are having this trouble.
Are you having pain or instability with your hip?
When the ortho did the second surgery did he put in a deeper cup?

I worked on a lady about 10 years ago who had had 3-4 revisions on each side.
Too many steroid injections in the hips for pain had deteriorated the neck and ball of the femur.
Unfortunately, the lady was in her late 40's and was very non-compliant.  I'd be surprised if she isn't in a wheelchair by now.

lc

[bilmac]

I was sure I was going to have to get one last winter, hurt like crazy, and I could barely bend it enough to put on my boots. I went to see a joint man, and he talked me into just taking pain medicine. Said I was too young, 65, and if I could hold off for a few years it would be better. I was still miserable last winter, but then summer came and I am glad I listened to him, I have been fine this summer and will be more careful to avoid chilling myself this winter.

[mcbammer]

I  had   a  total  hip  replaced   in  june   of   1999  .   the surgeon    told   me   it   should   last  20  years  .     No  major   problems  yet ;   I  still  cant   tye   my   shoes.  Thank  goodness   for    slipons.

[littlecanoe]

I was sure I was going to have to get one last winter, hurt like crazy, and I could barely bend it enough to put on my boots. I went to see a joint man, and he talked me into just taking pain medicine. Said I was too young, 65, and if I could hold off for a few years it would be better. I was still miserable last winter, but then summer came and I am glad I listened to him, I have been fine this summer and will be more careful to avoid chilling myself this winter.

Are you taking Glucosamine or Glucosamine/Condroitin?   along with the pain meds?

lc

[bobg]

  My first one was cemented in. The cement never hardened. Was sent to a different doctor. He said the ball and socket were completly wore out. He replaced everything with one with the holes in it for the bone to grow into. bilmac, what kind of pain meds?  Yesterday my family doctor put me on acetaminophen with codeine.
   littlecanoe, both pain and instability. When i first get up in the morning i can hardly stand up. I have to hold on to the wall with one hand and my cane in the other. Usually after i have hobbled around for an hour or so i am able to walk with just the cane.

[mcbammer]

I hopped  around  like   Chester   on   The  old   TV  Show    Gunsmoke   for   10 years   .   I  Put  surgery  off   as   long   as    possible.   Only  you   know   your   pain   tolerance   .    I   tried   steroids   , non  stroids   , painkllers,  all   just   postpone   surgery.     When   I  had   to   have   help   getting   out   of   bed   in   the   mornings   ,I knew   it   was   time  . I  dont   look  forward   to   haveing   2nd   replacement  but   at   age   55   ,   its   possible. Technogy   has   came   along   way   since   my   surgery   .  Thats  something   to  consider also.

[littlecanoe]

  My first one was cemented in. The cement never hardened. Was sent to a different doctor. He said the ball and socket were completly wore out. He replaced everything with one with the holes in it for the bone to grow into. bilmac, what kind of pain meds?  Yesterday my family doctor put me on acetaminophen with codeine.
   littlecanoe, both pain and instability. When i first get up in the morning i can hardly stand up. I have to hold on to the wall with one hand and my cane in the other. Usually after i have hobbled around for an hour or so i am able to walk with just the cane.

Does the ortho think that the present prosthesis is stable within the bone?  Bone hasn't let go?

Where is your pain specifically?  Does it start in a certain area and spread?  I'm assuming that a good bit of your AM difficulty is stiffness along with pain.  Any pain up into the low back and around the dimple above the butt cheek on that same side?

lc

[littlecanoe]

I hopped  around  like   Chester   on   The  old   TV  Show    Gunsmoke   for   10 years   .   I  Put  surgery  off   as   long   as    possible.   Only  you   know   your   pain   tolerance   .    I   tried   steroids   , non  stroids   , painkllers,  all   just   postpone   surgery.     When   I  had   to   have   help   getting   out   of   bed   in   the   mornings   ,I knew   it   was   time  . I  dont   look  forward   to   haveing   2nd   replacement  but   at   age   55   ,   its   possible. Technogy   has   came   along   way   since   my   surgery   .  Thats  something   to  consider also.

Yep.  I believe that the hips components are made from much stronger and durable components than just 15 years ago. 

That sure is some serious pain too!  You doing well now?  Can you still forecast weather with the hip or has that calmed down?

lc

[bilmac]

I took naproxin and acetaminophen last winter, I quit when I got better through the summer. Mine is very tied to the weather, I'm going to stay warmer this winter.

[mcbammer]

I hopped  around  like   Chester   on   The  old   TV  Show    Gunsmoke   for   10 years   .   I  Put  surgery  off   as   long   as    possible.   Only  you   know   your   pain   tolerance   .    I   tried   steroids   , non  stroids   , painkllers,  all   just   postpone   surgery.     When   I  had   to   have   help   getting   out   of   bed   in   the   mornings   ,I knew   it   was   time  . I  dont   look  forward   to   haveing   2nd   replacement  but   at   age   55   ,   its   possible. Technogy   has   came   along   way   since   my   surgery   .  Thats  something   to  consider also.

Yep.  I believe that the hips components are made from much stronger and durable components than just 15 years ago. 

That sure is some serious pain too!  You doing well now?  Can you still forecast weather with the hip or has that calmed down?

lc

Doing   good   now .    Cold  weather  not   too   much  of   a  problem  , Until  it  drops  below  freezing.

[littlecanoe]

Glad to hear that.
Some say that they have ongoing stiffness and aching when the weather is changing but not so bad as before the replacement.
Some get over it totally and sum still suffer a good bit.  Not sure what the underlying factor is but it must be frustrating to have that part of the symptoms hang around.

lc