Lessons from My Hip Replacement Journey

Living with sickle cell comes with many complications. At 17, I was diagnosed with AVN and by 23 I was begging for a hip replacement as I was unable to walk and taking an unimaginable number of drugs. Now, almost 10 years later and having navigated through this unique experience, I discovered invaluable insights that I hope will benefit others who may be about to have hip replacement surgery. Here are four interesting lessons I learned from having a hip replacement.

Epidural preferred for sickle cell

When I first heard that I needed a hip replacement, I assumed it would involve being put to sleep under general anesthetic. However, due to the complexities of sickle cell, it is routine to use an epidural instead. Despite being sedated, I became conscious during the surgery and heard the unsettling sound of bones. This moment was terrifying and since then I have refused to be awake in any future surgeries. Although the experience I had was traumatic, the benefit of the epidural did make the recovery process a lot quicker. I was walking with a Zimmer frame the same evening I had my surgery and was home on crutches the next day. Even though I was sore after the surgery, I felt the relief from the chronic hip pain I was so used to feeling almost instantly. So, it was worth it overall.

Power of physiotherapy

My biggest concern about having a hip replacement was regaining my mobility afterwards. My surgeon told me that how serious I took my recovery would be the deciding factor; so, I was very strict and very resilient. The recovery process was a tiring one. Physiotherapy was the main reason for this as I knew this was the most important part of the journey. Exercising became a regular part of my daily routine. The physiotherapist gave me tailored exercises that I did four times a day and I also went for walks every day too. Although it was very exhausting, I set myself milestones every day to mark my improvements and rested as much as I could in between. I learned to be patient and kind to myself throughout this process, reminding myself that progress may be gradual, but the results would be worth the effort.

When and how to start having sex again

After undergoing my hip replacement surgery, this was a burning question I had. I also found it very awkward to bring up since my parents were with me at most of my appointments. I eventually reminded myself that I was an adult, and this was an important question to ask so that I didn’t negatively impact my recovery. I was told which position would be the safest for the leg I had the surgery on. But, I also had to consider my healing progress, pain levels, and overall well-being. My advice is to have an open and honest discussion with your surgeon as this could be different for everyone. Also, communicate openly with your partner during the process so you can be comfortable. This was how I eventually found what worked best for me.

Adapting to my new body

I thought swimming was like riding a bike; something you never forget how to do. However, after my hip replacement I faced an unexpected challenge. The metal components in my hip made swimming feel entirely different. The increased weight and restriction to my movements was completely new to me. Adapting to this change was frustrating at first. An activity I used to enjoy became impossible for me to do. I ultimately had to re-learn how to swim again! The focus has been on strengthening my leg muscles to accommodate my new hip. Gradually, I am re-learning how to navigate the water and adapting my technique to suit my abilities. This is still a new lesson for me, but I am enjoying the process.

Facing a hip replacement journey has taught me valuable lessons. It hasn’t been easy but as always, I got through it. I hope sharing my experiences will help others in similar situations.