<p>I am posting under a new id for privacy reasons. Anybody have any experience with hip resurfacing/replacement under the age of 50 ? Interested in recovery time, out of work time, activity restrictions, caregiver suggestions.</p>
<p>I have an acquaintance who had a hip replacement in her mid-40s, and it went extremely well. She is a dancer, and she was back to dancing just a few weeks after the surgery.</p>
<p>My FIL was quite a bit older (69, I believe) when he had his hip replaced, and he says it feels like new, five years later. Hips are easier to recover from then knees, from what I’ve heard anecdotally.</p>
<p>My mother had her hips replaced in her late-50s and they’re still working okay now 25 years later. They were the cemented type. She’s not real active though (no dancing, sports, etc.) due to other issues.</p>
<p>At the time she decided to have them replaced she was in a lot of pain and probably not too far from not walking. Once they were replaced the pain was gone. She was up and walking in the hospital quite quickly (a day or two). Her knee replacements were a longer recovery period.</p>
<p>I think the actual recovery time and back to work time will vary a lot depending on the individual. I suggest discussing it with your doctor since they might be able to give a reasonable estimate based on the individual’s own conditions.</p>
<p>Total hip replacement (ball & socket) is a well established surgery today. A cementless procedure is usually used on younger pt’s as these have longer wear & stability in a more active person and the chance of the cement cracking over time with subsequent loosening of the hardware is avoided and thus a second replacement surgery. The initial recovery with a cementless is only affected in as much as you must maintain partial weight bearing for the first few weeks depending on the protocol whereas with a cemented procedure the pt is full weight bearing right off the operating table. Do your homework and find a good orthopedist who does a lot of surgeries preferably at a larger teaching hospital and make sure they explain which procedure they recommend and why. Get good rehab after the surgery to strengthen all the supporting musculature of your hip and you will be good to go.</p>
<p>My DH has his first total hip replacement done at age 52 and his second done at age 57. I agree: Go to the best hospital in your area for orthopedics. They do this routinely. It’s only partly about the surgeon; it’s also about the physical therapy and nurses at the hospital where you have it.</p>
<p>Both times, DH was walking by Day Two and climbing stairs by Day Three. He was home on Day Four.</p>
<p>The only major restriction is that you can’t cross your legs or bend your hip joint more than 90 degrees – hence the high toilet seat. Walking is the best therapy, and DH was up to six miles a day (with Walkman), having a ball.</p>
<p>There aren’t any restrictions for the minimally invasive form of hip replacement where the muscles are not cut. I had that done at age 51 and there were not restrictions given with regard to bending, crossing legs, etc. With the newer procedure, the muscles don’t loosen so the joint is just as stable as the original. It is very important to choose a doctor who has done the procedure many, many times.</p>
<p>I would do some research about how much difference in length you will have in your two legs after the replacement. I was surprised to learn that if they get it within about a half inch the doctors are happy. Apparently there are different ideas about how to get the length accurate and I have had relatives that limped because of too much difference in the length of legs after the procedure.</p>