I had my RH done in Aug 2023 and LH done that Dec. I was 58. Both anterior and both in & out the same day.

Everyone recovers differently. If you aren't able to get an ice machine - get some gel packs so you can swap them out. Icing was recommended by everyone I spoke with.

There is a great forum called BoneSmart that has several moderators that are retired orthopedic nurses. Lots of good pre-read info and also you can get all your questions answered quickly.

Recovery for the first was surprisingly smooth. The second one was a bit rougher but still very quick.

You'll want to watch some videos about getting in & out of bed with the assistance of a leg strap thing. There are also videos about getting on & off the toilet - probably not something you've had to think about before - but it probably will be for the first few days/weeks after surgery.

As far as driving - it depends on your recovery and what your Doctor feels is appropriate.

I was probably an outlier since I flew on a business trip and rented a car about 16 days after my first surgery - and went on an Alaskan cruise 5 weeks post surgery. But I was in & out of the ODIC (Over Do It Club) for the first hip a lot, so on hip #2 I didn't push nearly as hard.

As far as Physical Therapy - I didn't have formal PT. I was given a phone app and customized routine with basic strengthening and flexibility exercises. No one was jamming my new hip around. My Dr told me just to walk.

After Hip #2, I did get real PT to regain strength & flexibility - was very happy with the results. I had to break down scar tissue so that is a downside of waiting.

Good Luck - be sure to update us all.

J3E,
How did your surgery go if you don’t mind me asking? My mom is staring this right down the barrel and she’s reluctant to do it.

Had mine done early May of this year. I couldn’t be more pleased. The pain was never at a level I’d prepared myself for, if I wasn’t moving around it really didn’t hurt. Once I started moving it hurt for a minute or three then subsided a bunch. That continued for about 3 weeks. From day 4 till 2 months in every day was noticeable improvement. I’m at 4 months and rarely think about it.


I’ll be elk hunting in October, that was off the table in April. 2 years ago I knew I’d done my last back country hunt. It comes on so slowly you don’t realize what all you’ve given up on.

You’ll need a walker, a cane or maybe even crutches. You’ll want a raised toilet seat with the arm rest/handles to help get up. Icing is pretty important too. I found during the first week I was better off either laying flat in bed or walking. Sitting seemed to aggravate the swelling, and the swelling made PT more difficult than necessary.

At day 6 I climbed the stairs to the 3rd floor came back down and declared myself fit for independent living. Drove the 60 miles home and haven’t looked back. With your right hip being the issue, driving will be more problematic. While you might be good sooner, I would not make driving plans for at least 2-3 weeks.

Residual pain in my right knee and thigh muscle makes sleepinguncomfortable, but Bio freeze really helps. Cleared to drive at 2 1/2 weeks if pain wasn't an issue, Switched to a cane at 4 days post op. Only pain medication I was given was Extra Strength Tylenol, no Oxy or Tramidol. No Prednisone, Gabapentin or Meloxicam after 3 weeks. I was home day of surgery, but was difficult as my wife was recovering from her urgent Gall Bladder surgery. I walk as much as I can. Daughter was a big help for both of us.

Thank you.
I’ll try and encourage her.

Mil had it done probably about 5 weeks ago. Overnight at the hospital. Came home the next day. Wife spent about a week with her. Mostly to get her on a schedule for meds. Up every 90 mins or so. Doing the exercises on schedule. The first three days where the toughest. Mangaged pretty well with the help. In her mid eighties.
Scheduled to do the other one in a few weeks

She will do fine. If she is pretty elderly someone there that can help her will be very helpful. They have a tendency to want to sit. Which is tough, because they need to get up and move.

You can protect your joints by drinking bone broth. Dr. Axe's site on bone broth and he also is on PBS at times:

https://draxe.com/?s=bone+broth

I buy bone broth at Aldi's every week:

https://shop.aldi.us/store/ald...eef-bone-broth-32-oz

I had a full hip replacement done a bit over 2 years ago, and it was by far the best surgery I've ever had! Surgery was done first thing in the morning, and that afternoon I walked up my steps and into my house without any assistance of any kind. Pain levels were minimal and the hip worked perfectly! I did start PT about 2 days later which wasn't too bad, and during the whole recovery process I never needed the crutches or walker that I had on standby.

The only downside I can think of is the incision site was numb where nerves were cut, and it took well over a year before the feeling was fully restored in that spot, but it was no big deal. I'm getting ready now to have the other hip done... hopefully before Christmas.