Simultaneous Bi-Lateral Hip Resurfacing

Vansteve · August 23, 2012, 09:11:44 AM

I'm interested if anyone can share their experiences of how they dealt with having Both hips resurfaced on the same day and recovering thereafter. I've had to wait for my hospital insurance to kick in, so still have another 2 mths to wait. I think this is a great site that gives a lot of support.

Torontogirl · August 23, 2012, 11:01:53 AM

Hi Vansteve,

I just had Bi-lateral July 3rd in Belgium and I wondered same thing before surgery. Dr. had us up and walking on walker 2 days after surgery-no problem and 3rd day on 2 crutches( elbow). You can adjust the amount of weight you place on hips with crutches and increase accordingly. I am a 58 yr old woman, not as fit as I would have liked due to OA -restricting ROM and a terrible limp for 3 yrs prior. Surprisingly, one manages well with Bi-lateral surgery-perhaps stays on 2 crutches a little longer than singles, as no good hip, but they both feel great once you are up and crutching. As posted on other topics the main healing is the soft tissue and building back muscle strength. Hope this helps!

bilateralbliss · August 23, 2012, 09:42:13 PM

Hi Steve, had both mine done last Dec. Was up the same as Torontogirl says, frame, then crutches. I begged for mine to be done simultaneously- after all had no good leg to support anyway! Wasn`t bad at all, blessed relief to be out of agony in one go and on the healing path. Suppose it takes longer to get upstairs etc intitially, but well worth it :) Advantage is the muscles can start working equally. Any other questions feel free to ask or pm me

Vansteve · August 24, 2012, 04:14:47 AM

Hi Guys, I appreciate your comments. It was my first post, and already it feels like a bit of a family here. One other thing the surgeon operating on me uses the posterior approach. By the way I'm from Melbourne, Australia. How do you manage lying on your back? I have a lot of questions, the surgeons answered some, but it's good to hear from people that have gone through it.

Steve

double trouble · August 24, 2012, 10:20:28 AM

I had Bilateral BHR in September 2010 at Hospital for Joint Diseases in NYC by Dr Scott Marwin.
There are a limited amount of surgeons that are willing to do the bilateral procedure.
I chose Bilateral because I was Bone on Bone on both hips and did not want two surgeries and two hospital stays.
The rehab is difficult, but dependent on weight, age, physical condition and committment to rehab the results and length of recovery vary.
I would highly recommend that you speak to your doctor prior to surgery and plan and arrange to go into Acute Rehab following the surgery as this will jump start your recovery.

bilateralbliss · August 25, 2012, 04:10:34 AM

I also chose bilateral for the same reasons as Double trouble, also as reckoned had no good side to support anyway!
Found it relatively easy sleeping on my back with the help of about 6 pillows:) Makes it far more comfortable with knees bent! Believe me it`s such a relief to be out of the agonizing pain, at least you know you`er on the upward path:) Any other questions just ask:)
Suze

Woodstock Hippy · August 27, 2012, 04:24:46 AM

Hey DT, how are you doing?

Vansteve, I'm also bilateral patient of Dr Scott Marwin and I also had my surgeries at "the Joint",the old Hospital for Joint Disease and Rusk Rehab Hospital. Both are now in a new part of the main NYU hospital. My recovery was nothing short of miraculous. I was on the surgical floor for three days with PT twice a day and a short walk the day after surgery. Then I was moved, walked with a walker, to the rehab floor for six days with PT three times a day for six days. They worked me gently like an old mule. Had me on the stairs with one crutch, on an exercise bike a seven days, kicking a soccer ball, no holding on, at eight days and learned how to get in and out of the bathtub, the car, up and down on the toilet without needing a raised seat. On the morning of the ninth day, I walked out of there using only one cane. Dr Marwin and the staff at Joint Disease/Rusk did an amazing job at keeping me comfortable and getting me to work at the beginning of my recovery that now feels fully complete at eight months.

It seems like more doctors are now doing bilaterals, but without a plan for recovery. They just sent the patient home in three days like a single HR patient. A lot of single HR patients have a hard time in the first week. A bilateral patient can have it twice as bad. As DT has said, make sure that your doctor has a plan for your rehab and it should be a stay in a acute rehab hospital to get you started.

Good luck with your surgery. Let us know how it goes.

emaxwell · October 05, 2012, 01:47:54 PM

I had bilateral done 3 years ago, (actually 2 days apart). I went home after 3 days and while the rehab is tough, it is not impossible. The first couple of weeks I definitely needed help getting out of bed and such but I was back at work after 3 weeks, (sitting with my lgs elevated). Prior to my 6 week followup I was out walking a mile or so and able to get out and cut the grass with a self propelled machine.
I worked pretty hard to be in as good condition as possible prior to surgery.
A good pain management plan is a must, but depending on age/overal health/etc.. I don't know that acute rehab is necessary.

6 weeks out I was very glad I had them done at the same time versus facing another rehab period

tedroberts · October 15, 2012, 11:12:32 PM

VanSteve, I had bi-lat resurfacing in 2009. If you are fit and have good upper body strength I would recommend it. It does drag you down a bit more than one at at time. I needed two units of blood after surgery. I think the overall recovery lags a few days behind if you only had one side done.
Sleeping on your back only is a bummer. I rented a hospital bed and slept on that in the living room for a month. Less pain for me (could adjust the bed) less snoring for my wife.
Good luck.