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Topic: Hip Replacement Recovery Period (Read 506 times) previous topic - next topic
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Hip Replacement Recovery Period
Slightly off topic here, but I am curious about the duration of the recovery period of a hip replacement before getting into and out of, as well as traveling in, our Lazy Daze will be doable for me.  I don't know any active RV'ers to query, so am taking this venue to gather information. 

Any advice, tips, or personal experiences will be gratefully received.

If not appropriate for cluttering the list, you are invited to reply to me personally at:

judieashford@earthlink.net

   Virtual hugs,

   Judie
Re: Hip Replacement Recovery Period
Reply #1 –
Quote from: Judie Ashford  - 
Slightly off topic here, but I am curious about the duration of the recovery period of a hip replacement before getting into and out of, as well as traveling in, our Lazy Daze will be doable for me.  I don't know any active RV'ers to query, so am taking this venue to gather information. 

Any advice, tips, or personal experiences will be gratefully received.

If not appropriate for cluttering the list, you are invited to reply to me personally at:

judieashford@earthlink.net

 Virtual hugs,

 Judie


Don't know about an RVers, but our neighbor's daughter just had hip replacement and I'm remembering a couple months of a lot of PT. She has to have both hips replaced and they're waiting 6 months between operations.

Not sure if that helps, but best of luck!
2018 Mid-Bath Beatrix (bringer of joy)
Re: Hip Replacement Recovery Period
Reply #2 –
I can only add that I’ve heard hip replacement surgery recovery time is much less, and easier than, knee replacement surgery.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Hip Replacement Recovery Period
Reply #3 –
A friend of mine had a hip replacement about a year ago. She was pain free after three months but not completely recovered, started hour-long hikes shortly after that and was pretty much back to normal six months after the surgery. She is about 60 years old.

Another friend of mine also had a hip replacement about half a year ago, waited three months before flying over here from Europe - and the flight was in a way too early and caused her to be in pain and not being able to walk normal for several weeks. Now, three months later, she is almost good but has not yet started to play tennis again (which she did before several times a week since decades). She is about 70 years old.

I wish you all the best. It's very likely that it will turn out well. I would just be careful before starting again driving a heavy truck for long times.

Klaus
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Hip Replacement Recovery Period
Reply #4 –
Judie, I think your question is very appropriate.  The range of subjects about LD maintenance should include driver, passenger and pets.

I've been toying the the idea of a grab bar in the shower myself.
joel
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Hip Replacement Recovery Period
Reply #5 –
Anyone speak with Lorna??? I think she had hip-replacement surgery not all that long ago.....
2005 RB
Re: Hip Replacement Recovery Period
Reply #6 –
Hi Judie,  Many factors go into recovery after hip replacement.  How healthy is one going into surgery, ie. active lifestyle before? other health issue?  The healthier one is, the better the outcome will be.  Are you having an anterior hip replacement as opposed to posterior hip replacement.  Anterior approach has a faster post-surgical recovery.  You may want to speak with Dr. and PT and tell them your lifestyle and ask them what you can expect post surgery.  Best to you.  Robin
2006 31' IB Anniversary Edition; Tow 97' Wrangler
Re: Hip Replacement Recovery Period
Reply #7 –
My husband had one hip replaced in January 2017, and the other one replaced two months later in March. He did physical therapy for about two months.

He was 65 and in good physical shape when he had his hips replaced. His doctor and physical therapist were wonderful.

We took one very short trip that spring that was about a two hour drive from home. And, then, in July of 2017, we headed out for a five week trip out West, where we did hiking, etc.

Hope this helps.
2002 RB
Re: Hip Replacement Recovery Period
Reply #8 –
Quote from: Lisa T.  - 
Anyone speak with Lorna??? I think she had hip-replacement surgery not all that long ago.....

Lorna is walking well and apparently pain free. We celebrated her (hmm, perhaps I shouldn’t say) birthday a few days ago at the SoCal Caravan Club outing at Lake Cachuma.  She wasn’t walking quite as well as the evening progressed.  😜— Jon
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
Re: Hip Replacement Recovery Period
Reply #9 –
Oh, Jon & Loni....

Did you guys let Lorna have a bit too much of the "grape"????
2005 RB
Re: Hip Replacement Recovery Period
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Lisa T.  - 
Oh, Jon & Loni....
Did you guys let Lorna have a bit too much of the "grape"????

More like a few too many Cosmopolitans.
It was a lovely evening and we all had a good time.
Lorna has lots of good friends in the LD community .

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Hip Replacement Recovery Period
Reply #11 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
More like a few too many Cosmopolitans.
It was a lovely evening and we all had a good time.
Lorna has lots of good friends in the LD community .

Larry
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
Re: Hip Replacement Recovery Period
Reply #12 –
My wife Tery and I have owned our MB since taking delivery in April 2015.  This past July, at age 64,  I had my right hip replaced.

Three weeks after surgery, we took a two hour trip (110 miles) to visit our daughter and her family, and to test the hip in the LD.  We travelled with the dinette down in the bed position in case sitting in the passenger seat was too uncomfortable (I did sit on a foam pillow to absorb road bumps and vibration).  We made one 20 minute stop to walk (I was using a cane by then) and stretch the new joint.  We did the return trip two days later with one stop.  I did not use the bed.

 At week four, we took a 12 hour trip (555 miles) to Ohio to visit our other daughter and her family.  It included stops every 1 1/2 hours or so, and we camped overnight both going and returning. Towards the end of each leg of the trip, after several hours on the road, I did use the dinette bed for 15-30 minute periods to stretch out my legs.  Entering and exiting the rig, either by the cab door or the coach door, was not an issue.  Sleeping in the back bed was no problem (we use a 2 inch foam topper), and using the bathroom/shower was not a problem.  I was not cleared to drive at that point; I was cleared two weeks later.

For both trips, we would say that the new hip performed very well with very little discomfort.  The hip pain I had endured with the LD for the 3 years prior to the surgery was gone.  The key is getting out to move around every hour to and an hour and a half.  Otherwise the new joint tends to get stiff and soreness sets in. Since then, we have made the trip to to Ohio twice, travelled to Louisville (5 hours) and camped in the LD four times with no problems at all.

Additionally, we would offer the following:
1.  If at all possible use a surgeon who will use the anterior approach. It has better outcomes generally and quicker recovery times.  It also should have no restrictions for leg position and movements.
2.  6-8 weeks prior to survey, get physical therapy (pre-hab) prescribed to strengthen and stretch the muscles in the leg and hip. Or have your surgeon give you a therapy exercise plan.
3.  The first two weeks after surgery are more for rest than re-hab therapy-walking is the most important thing to do (most likely, you will have a walker for the first few weeks, which is for proper mechanics and to hold you back from over doing it). You will most likely have one or two PT sessions in the first two weeks. The rest is needed to allow the prosthesis and the femur to fuse.
4.  Once you go to multiple PT sessions each week, use the time between sessions to do assigned exercises at home.  At this point, PT and the right exercises will speed your recovery.

If you have questions, feel free to ask.  We can tell you two things.  First, immediately after surgery, the only pain you feel (and it is mild) is from the incision.  The joint pain is gone.  Secondly, after the surgery, no one says "I wish I would have waited longer".
Don & Tery
2022 MB 27.5 towing a 2017 Wrangler
Re: Hip Replacement Recovery Period
Reply #13 –
Quote from: Jon & Loni  - 

Goodness, I didn't give her credit for that number of candles.  Like a good mashup (what do you get when you combine a Timex with the Energizer Bunny...Lorna).  Glad to hear this piece of news.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Judie, with your procedure.  And I think this was an excellent place to pose the question...those like me (who know nothing) gain from the shared knowledge & experience.

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
 
Re: Hip Replacement Recovery Period
Reply #14 –
Quote from: Lynne Broyles-Greenwood  - 
Like a good mashup (what do you get when you combine a Timex with the Energizer Bunny...Lorna). 

Ha Ha Lynne!  I'm going to pass that one on...cute!

And while I'm responding to this thread, I want to give a shout out to Jon and Loni Calhoun who, by the way, have been awarded "Members of the Year" by the Lazy Daze Caravan Club.  Our Past Tents group is the primary recipient of their organizing abilities.  And I don't mean just keeping track of the cats and crickets.  The Calhouns' imagination and detailed itineraries make every outing FUN, as in memorable and joyous!

Y'all should come to a Caravan Club outing some time!

2003 RB