Morz------thanks so much for the Zimmer information----I'm pretty sure that is what my surgeon will be using----- We didn't learn too much today---It was basically just a talk about what to expect after surgery ---- each case is different so the instructions were pretty general. Carla---I remember when you had your hip done------As I recall you didn't have any problems. Are you still OK ?? My surgery date is Sept. 17------- I've been told that most people who have hip replacement usually need the other hip done. However I have a friend who had THR a few years before I did and so far she has no pain in the other hip---- She is 81 and looks about 60------and moves great. Hopefully this will be a "piece of cake"----LOL I would just as soon never go in a hospital but thank goodness they have all these surgeries ( I had successful back surgery in Nov 2005 ) or I would be in a wheelchair ----- Take Care, Florence

I totally blew my knee out 20 months ago and had an MRI within a week and arthroscopic surgery the next week. It was considered non-elective, *almost* emergency surgery. I did it doing what else - gardening. Long story short, because I could go on and on, the surgery was not a success and I have been left with a knee that does not fully bend or straighten and I have a definite limp. I'm now 48 - I was 46 when it happened. The orth. doctor I originally saw, a friend that is retired from surgery, told me I needed a knee replacement. The doctor that did the surgery thought it could be repaired. He told me that he doesn't do any replacements until 55. (Gee, a bit better than 60). Long term prognosis - I need a knee replacement but he will not do it until 55 or I get such bad arthritis that the joint is almost gone. I think I'm getting there. But, meanwhile, my back and hips are taking such a beating. Problem with seeing another doctor is that it's months and months to get in to see someone else and you are risking being told the same thing. I get so frustrated. Fortunately, we have had such a nice winter that I haven't had to use my cane much except when I do long walks. I fell twice on ice last winter and the doc just said "You can't fall anymore. Everytime you fall, you hurt it worse." Gee - like I fall on purpose!! Grrrrrr........ Don't get me started on the health system right now. We have Ralph to deal with here. Shauna

I've had both hips replaced. A neighbor has had both hips and both knees replaced. My surgeon said I should have had mine done 20 years ago and I wish I would have been able to but no way could that have happened. Knee replacement and hip replacement are very different. The knee moves differently so in theory, the knee is worse. Talking to people who've had it done, it really depends a lot on the person. Both are MAJOR surgeries. The issue with the hip is the implant ball is much smaller than the body's natural ball. Hence they put a "filler" liner in there to take up the space. One warning made several times to me is that a hip can dislocate much more easily than the body's natural ball. As you heal, the muscles and other stuff will settle back in and help protect it. Ask your doctor about riding the horse, I'd assume it should be no problem but if you get thrown, it'll likely be far more risky than for someone who has not had replacements. Best advice I can give is the advice I was given from a good friend who had her knee done - do the exercises they suggest before surgery. It'll make things a lot smoother. And it does. I was in therapy for my back and the therapy was most of the exercises they recommended so I did a crash course and pushed myself hard. Everyone was amazed how well I did. I wasn't expected to do well after the surgery but I surprised all of them. For me, I was well prepared for the surgeries. My surgeon was fantastic and his MA was also amazing. Was there pain? You bet. A lot? Yeah but that's relative. For some it would be excruciating. For me it wasn't simply because I've had such incredible pain for the last 25 years I've effectively become numb to a lot of the pain. My GF needs both knees replaced and she's scared to death to do it and keeps putting it off. But that's another story. I was given the choice on having a spinal or general anesthesia. No brainer for me, I took general even though some claim the spinal lasts longer. There's problems with spinal in that it doesn't always work for one thing. They've had people where it quit in the middle of surgery so they had to use general. With mine, since mine were so bad, what was normally expected to be 2 - 2.5 hours took 6.5 hours the first time and 8.5 hours the second time around. No way would a spinal have lasted that long! But I was given the choice. And there's of course risks with any anesthesia to consider too. The doctor(s), therapists, nurses, etc were all amazed with my recovery, how well I did so soon. However a walker was ordered for a period of time immediately following surgery more for safety than necessity. With a hip replacement you're basically learning to walk again. Not a big deal but it's a bit different for a bit. Most adjust quickly. Good luck. And you're wise to go with a surgeon you trust. Makes a big difference. Plus they know you and I think that's a big advantage.

Have lots of books, movies, puzzles and games available to keep him occupied. Make some meals ahead that can be frozen and reheated so that you don't have to worry about cooking those first few days. You might be surprised though. My neighbor has had both hips replaced and her recovery was remarkable. She spent the first few days taking it easy, but within a week she was feeling well enough to be up and doing light tasks around the house. She used a walker for the first couple of weeks, but she didn't really feel like she needed it. Best of luck to you both!