They say “hindsight is 20/20”, so we asked hundreds of real people “what they wish they knew” before their hip or knee replacement. Here are the top answers we received from joint replacement recipients.
What I Wish I Knew Before My Joint Replacement…
I wish I knew…
“That I should have gotten scripts filled a day before discharge.”
“That I needed to ask for supplies to be sent home with me (like dressing for my incision).”
“How much I would need a raised toilet seat!”
“To prepare at least 2 weeks worth of easy-to-warm meals.”
“How awesome the constant ice machine was!!!”
“To bring sweatpants and underwear that are 2 sizes larger to change into after surgery!”
“That fatigue would be as severe as it is…”
“How common insomnia really is.”
“That I would feel so run down for weeks after.”
“That I’d need help around-the-clock…When your undies fall to your ankles while on the potty and you forget your grabber, you know the struggle is real!
“That recovery is not fast like a rocket, but meanders through a maze.”
“That my replacement would mess with me mentally and I’d need a support group to deal with the mental issues that arise.”
“That I’d have bouts of depression and days that I’d cry.”
“That my stomach would be an unhappy bystander for weeks.”
“That I wouldn’t be able to reach my toenails for months.”
“How constipated I would be.”
“That the benefits still outweighed everything…”
“How good it would feel afterwards!”
“How quickly that awful, constant hip pain vanished and I felt like I was almost new again.”
“How pain-free I would be! If I knew, I would have done it sooner.”
“How positive the experience would be…the procedure has come a lonnnnng way.”
“How much PreHab before surgery would help with my recovery.”
“That having PeerWell was like having a physical therapist, nutritionist, occupational therapist and support group visit you everyday before and after surgery.”
Are you having a hip or knee replacement? Use PeerWell for a speedier, safer recovery.
I have been in the unfortunate position of Waitin for hip surgery for 47 days and in really terrible pain 13 days till surgery and hopefully all will go well it can’t be worse than it is now I literally sit on a chair all day I cannot walk I can’t wait it is very encouraging to read the comments of other people experiencing the same fears and surprises so this article was extremely helpful to me..I have advocated for my own pain management so that is in control, however I am worried about addiction
Thanks for writing in, Sandi. Sorry to hear about your hip pain. Glad you’re advocating for your pain and health. It’s normal to have fears before surgery, and the more information and support you have, the better. All the Best!
My chemo eliminated my ability to exercise for 6 months. This aggravated my hip pain. Then docs wanted to wait for better health(?) before arthoplasty.
This circumstance would encourage one to have arthoplasty sooner than later.
So, if you are a candidate for arthoplasty and in good health get it done, before something else runs amuck. My 2 cents.
Thank you for sharing your personal experience, Andrew. Real life, personal experiences like yours are helpful to fellow patients as well as doctors. We invite you to join our Knee and Hip Replacement Group on Facebook. It’s a warm group, full of great information. Here’s the link to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jointreplacementsupport
In constant pain from hip – have tried steroid injections and Durolane. However, consultant cannot understand why I am in so much pain when the x ray doesn’t show that much damage. Has any one had this?
lh
Hi Linda, we’re sorry to hear that you’re in pain. We encourage you to join our Knee and Hip Replacement Community on Facebook. You’ll be able to ask your questions, and you’ll find tons of helpful experiences from other members, along with lots of great information. Here’s that link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jointreplacementsupport
I’m going to see a hip surgeon on Friday. It’s been a long wait. I’ve had epidural injection, MRI, more injections, eeg, etc. This has been going on for 2 years. I’m back to sleeping in my recliner, because my bed is too high and it’s just uncomfortable now. So I hope and pray that we get this surgery scheduled so I can start to live again.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Toni. While we’re sorry to hear that you’ve been dealing with pain for 2 long years, we’re glad to hear you’re going in to see a hip surgeon on Friday. If you’d like extra support from an experienced community, feel free to join our Knee and Hip replacement Group on Facebook. I’ll link it here for you! https://www.facebook.com/groups/jointreplacementsupport
I am preparing for a bilateral hip replacement in October. This has come as a surprise. I didn’t realize how bad I was until I saw the films and the doctor pointed things out. How do you actually use a toilet if BOTH are done? Do people go into a rehab facility for a few days to help acclimate? My bedroom is upstairs, so I will have to bring in a hospital bed into the first floor of my house and I don’t have a full bathroom only a small powder room down here. Can you tell I am starting to freak out???
Hi Catherine, and thank you for sharing a bit about your upcoming bilateral hip replacement. It’s perfectly normal and understandable to feel nervous before surgery. You’re asking all the right questions, which is wonderful – and the best people to ask will be your care team and your surgeon. Each case is unique, so you want to be sure you’re getting the best guidance for you. However, we do have a warm and wonderful hip and knee replacement group on Facebook that we encourage you to join! You’ll find tons of great information and real experiences from other hip replacement patients. Here’s the link for you! https://www.facebook.com/groups/jointreplacementsupport