Anyone familiar with modern hip surgery?

So just got word, the surgery is scheduled for next month, on the 4th- my mom is having hip surgery. She's had pain for a few months now, finally went to the doctor (yeah, she's one of those people- don't go unless you're dying, like me) and he took x-rays and said it's bone-on-bone and she needs her hip to be operated on at the young age of 63. So looks like I'll be first in line to take care of her post-op, and probably drive her to the hospital for the operation which requires her to stay overnight. Anyone know anything about rod-hip replacement? How long will she be outta the game? What's the recovery like? Any idea if I'll need more than 2 days off to care for her, and how mobile she'll be? Not too worried about her getting through the operation as this guy has done so many he lost count, but would like some kind of idea as to how much TLC she'll need, as I'm prepared to have her bed ridden and non-ambulatory for a couple days and thus break out some of my recipes she loves for me to cook.

I know three friends who have hip replacement surgery and have gotten mersa (bad shit) and have had to be opened up, the infection cleaned up and will be on antibiotics for the rest of their lives. One has had two replacements due to infection. My wife, who was in the medical field, needs a knee replacement but refuses to have it done due to the risk. Contrarily my father-in-law had it done with no problems.

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Originally Posted by Richard K

I know three friends who have hip replacement surgery and have gotten mersa (bad shit) and have had to be opened up, the infection cleaned up and will be on antibiotics for the rest of their lives. One has had two replacements due to infection. My wife, who was in the medical field, needs a knee replacement but refuses to have it done due to the risk. Contrarily my father-in-law had it done with no problems.

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I've had two spinal surgeries since July (both fusions plus other stuff) at Sky Ridge in Lone Tree. Did pre-op mersa prevention for both and had no issues. A lot depends on pre-op precautions, where it's done and post-op care.

Don't know have personal experience with hip joint, but bone on bone needs to be taken care of. I would definately do both of mine again as I was in a lot of pain before they were done. my 2 cents worth...

A lot depends on her. They will have her up and walking pretty quick after the surgery. I would plan on a min of 2 days. If you can take more time off just to keep her from falling etc. it would be ideal. The more she walks the quicker the muscles will repair themselves. Sitting around doing nothing is not a good thing.

A good surgeon is key along with the post-op exercise. The latter may seem harsh you have to get mobile.

50% of my patients are fresh post-op hips. I've taken care of literally hundreds.... will post a brief write-up later.

My old lady had a hip replacement. Didn't follow the docs orders afterwards, didn't do most of her follow up physical therapy. She is in worse pain now than before she had it done. Dumbass

A buddy of mine got his replaced a year ago and was back to work in 2-3 weeks. He has to get it replaced again due to manufacturer flaw in this particular model. I will verify the implant model and report back.

Mother-in-law has had (3) in 25+/- years (last one 2 yrs ago), and aside from a good surgeon PHYSICAL THERAPY is the key.

And hope for a week of "babysitting", expect a month or two- dependant on her condition.

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Originally Posted by hghclsswhitetrsh

A buddy of mine got his replaced a year ago and was back to work in 2-3 weeks. He has to get it replaced again due to manufacturer flaw in this particular model. I will verify the implant model and report back.

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Striker is the brand.

I've had my right hip replaced and need to have my left one done soon. I was up and around the next day. Didn't want to be, but did it anyway. I agree with physical therapy. And maybe even some exercise before the surgery to strengthen the hip muscles. If I remember correctly I was walking by myself a couple of days afterward. Now I was in my mid 40s so it'll be different with her, but she should be okay if she does the exercise.

Awesome- she read through this huge packet this weekend of all the dos and don'ts and it seems like 6 weeks of limited ROM and strict ways of sitting, laying down and what not, but other than that I'll push her to move around and build muscle- but not over do it. Thanks!
And Dingo- what exactly do you do? I'd love to hear some advice and dos and don'ts and what not. [Beer]

Ok, first off - she's 63, so that's definitely in her favor. She should bounce back from this pretty quickly. Since it seems everybody else hit on the main talking points, I'll just jump in and say that getting moving as soon as the doctor clears you (most of them say you can stand on it as soon as you're awake enough to bear weight) is crucial. Inactivity, coupled with heavy meds (anesthesia, pain killers etc) is a recipe for pneumonia and other issues like clots. Most people under the age of 70 should be up and on their feet within 2-3 days, barring any complications. The incisions typically heal quickly, and the pain becomes manageable after a day or two. Hip surgeries are really one of the easier, less complicated orthopedic surgeries to bounce back from. Just make sure she gets an anti-biotic before and after the surgery. (I know that seems like common sense, but I've taken care of people who had permanent, lifelong infections eating at their bones because the surgeon forgot to set up antibiotic prophylaxis.)

Just saw your post... I'm an RN, on a busy post-op floor.

They'll teach you a few motions to avoid for a while, like crossing the legs, fetal position, internal rotataion etc. Other than that, and making sure she gets moving as soon as possible, this should be a pretty straight-forward procedure.

You'll want to keep an eye on the incision for a week or two, making sure it stays approximated (sealed and edges intact), with no drainage (small amounts of blood are expected, but nothing yellow/green/whiteish), and no extra warmth or redness around it. Some bruising is to be expected - don't worry about that. And it wouldn't hurt to check the affected foot/toes once or twice a day - you can squeeze the toenail and count the seconds it takes to refill with blood. Somebody with good circulation should have it return in <5 seconds. That's a rare, but potential issue with surgery on a limb - every once in a blue moon, a clot forms or the swelling in the tissue can occlude a vessel. Rare, but good to keep an eye out for.

Wow... Dingo the super nurse! That's awesome, thanks! Yeah she's a pretty active 63 year old- she does yoga, in home, and walks the dogs almost every day... The packet also showed the sitting positions she can and can't do, and how to sleep and all that. 6 week recovery from start to finish... And yes, I know about cap refill, didn't even think about watching for a clot.

Cue the Nurse Focker jokes............ ;-)

I've got nipples. Can you milk me, Focker?

For the record, it's MRSA.

I believe the implants that had problems were Stryker and DePuy.

Sent from my tactical android.

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Originally Posted by Gman

I've got nipples. Can you milk me, Focker?

For the record, it's MRSA.

I believe the implants that had problems were Stryker and DePuy.

Sent from my tactical android.

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BAHAHAHAHAHA! "Wait a minute, so your name is Gay Focker?"
We made sure that the implants aren't the ones that are involved in that lawsuit. [Coffee]