Hip Op

Hi, has anyone had a partial hip replacement at the Costa del Sol Hospital? I had one in September and all went well. I was told I would not need physio but I needed a walker and high loo seat. 4 months on I am still having difficulty walking - can manage with a walking stick for short distances but need my walker for things like supermarkets. Just been for a check-up and x-rays at the Hospital and all was well but I was told that I could never again sit on a low seat and always had use the high loo seat ???? People who have had hip replacements in the UK seem to be back to normal AND driving again after a short while - is this just a Spanish thing? 

Is this because you had a partial hip replacement instead of a full hip replacement, they are different and maybe the recovery and time is different with both, I have a couple of friends who have had both hips fully done and you wouldn't know it, others don't fair so well at all.

My wife had a full replacement to her left hip 12 years ago (cementless) it went well and she has had no problems with it. Walking with no aid after about 3 months.

On the 2 Dec last she had the right hip replaced (full replacement cemented). when she started physio the cup moved round rather then the ball moving in the cup and she had to have the whole lot replaced on the 11th Dec. We have had all sorts of problems with the wound (due to being opened twice?) She is partially weight-bearing until next week and my guess is it will be several months before she is walking without aid.

In the UK physiotherapy to restore the function of the muscles is seen as an important part of the post operative programme.

A freind of mine had his done last year and recons he was cycling after two months.

It seems there are a whole galaxy of experiences.

Here in Oxford we always give physio starting the day after the op. Its essential to gain as much mobility and retain as much tone as possible to aid with a faster recovery with reduced pain.

The partial procedure is usually undertaken for trauma patients and a full replacement for patients with disease.

The OP does not give a reason for the replacement but if through trauma there may be other factors which need to be taken into account for the period of recovery.

In general hip replacement recovery varies with patients, age fitness weight and deterination being some factors; this can be from a time frame of 4 weeks to 6 months.

My wife as a consultant surgeon is suprised that no physio was involved, and gives the above info based on the local protocols and patient outcomes in her specialist ortho Hospital.

Suggest the OP goes to another specialist centre as with time it becomes more difficult to put right.

Best of luck.

Rossetti

Hi Rosetti, thanks for the info. I had a partial replacement due to a fall so no arthritis etc., in the bones and I am an elderly lady. Also the operation was in Spain so maybe they have different ideas here??

Regards

Wondering if there was a mis understanding due to language problems, southernbelle, because in my area of Spain such operations are always followed up with physio. Difference being it is done in a local clinic and sometimes organised by ones local surgery. 

There are many brilliant and inexpensive private physio's in Spain so perhaps they could help improve your quality of life.