Have you ever had a hip replacement?

I have had 2 hip replacements. I was 35 years old when I had the first one on my right hip and that was 16-17 years ago on my right hip went well and within 3 months I was ready to go back to work. I had to make sure not to bend farther than doctors said and still need to watch how I bend at the hip so I do not overextend or dislocate the hip. I am able to do low impact exercises, walking and swimming is good too. I had the second hip replacement over 1 year ago on the left hip and have not been able to walk well since. I use crutches or canes, and I need to still watch how I bend. I also had an infection develope 4 weeks after the left hip replacement. The infection seemed to only affect the surgery site and not the joint itself. They are now getting ready to do a revision on my right hip and I am not sure I want to do this. The hope is that by revising the right hip I will be able to walk better-right hip does stay in socket well as it is wearing. I am afraid of infections, waking up during surgery, doctors not responding well or at all to questions about surgery site, all those things that went wrong during left hip replacement.

I have not had it done personally but a close family member of mine has and she swears by swimming, and in water exercise classes. Most local YMCA, and YWCA's have such classes. It helps keep the joints lubricated and provides resistance, but it does not put any stress on the joints. You could also get some of Leslie Sanson'e standard walk aerobic DVD's.

I have never had a hip replacement. I am sorry that you had to go through that and am hoping that you are doing well with it... I wonder if something like swimming would be good as it would be low impact on the joints especially if the water is heated and if you take it easy. I think that walking would be good. You might also be able to exercise the upper body and develop more arm and back and chest strength. You might want to see if you are entitled to a consultation from a physical therapist to discuss the range of motion exercises that he or she might recommend.

Hi there. I am 54, and had a total right hip replacement back at the end of january of this year. It really made a lot of difference in my life and mobility. Best exercise is walking, swimming, most anything else you did before. Check with your doctor though, if you have specific exercises you want to participate in, like running and such. Since you are several years younger than me, you may have more potential to be more active than me.