hip replacement

I have had both hips replaced some 10 years ago -2 years apart --i
the pain i was suffering prior to the replacement was horrific to say the least -----at the time i was 65 years
I had deferred pain to my knees and to my ankle,on both occasions
I could hardly walk,--life was hell !!!
I did not have private hospital cover and was told that elective surgery at the public hospital had a 3 year waiting period--
I was at the stage of jumping off a bridge ( if i could climb up over the railing )--------My G P advised me to join a private health company and i would ''only '' have to wait 12 months with this pre -existing problem,-- I joined as advised
He then prescribed morphene for me --and administered it for the following 12 months---
I went to a private Hospital EXACTLY 12 months from the date of joining --It was Christmas time ---remember it well !!
As soon as i woke up after the operation --apart from the soreness of the op. the pain i was suffering previously WAS GONE !!
it was amazing
I did not have any problems after the replacement and was walking comfortably within 5 weeks
The other hip although not as bad as the first one was deteriorating so this one was replaced as well.
Again I did not have any major problems and am now reaping the rewards of a great surgeon --good decisions --good fortune --
I would certainly go through with it again

Some 7 years later my L/ knee was really in a bad way and after visiting my Orth.. and lots of tests I was decided to have a full knee replacement --
Having still kept on with the private health cover i was able to have it done --
I had lots of problems from day one after the op.---.uncontrolled pain --excessive bleeding --problems with some hospital staff --i knew from the beginning something was not right !!
Spoke to my surgeon and was advised ''to give it time ''
After 2 weeks at home my leg became hot--and swelling --the new knee seemed loose and very painful --I was given strong pain killers that only helped a bit --
I finally got through to my doctor that all was not well
After tests he then advised me that i had picked up a staph.infection and needed treatment
Back and forward to hospital---specialists --infec .diseases-Etc Etc home nurses coming to my home on a daily basis

I finally changed surgeons --

The new surgeon had to start all over again
Had to remove the prostheses ---fit a special packer for 3 months -fit a leg brace for that time---keep me on anti biotics --keep monitoring my blood -------finally replacing the knee prosthesis

He found that the bone structure around the knee had deteriorated so badly with the infection that he had to use long shafts in the new prostheses to reach a solid area

It was now over 6/7 months and i was still not walking,.

As a pensioner the ongoing costs were adding up as well
To top it all off -----I managed to pick up another staph.infection

Back to all the specialists and treatments ---hospitals --- home nurses ETC ETC --felt like giving up lots of times

After almost 18 months i was able to get about but have restricted use of my leg even 7 years later------my life style had to change

I am now faced with the problem of my right knee giving way and very painful -----and i cannot walk hardly at all -------

I have been faced with one of the hardest decisions of my life to have a new knee fitted or not !!

I am now 81 ---Is it all worth while ???

My doctor feels that it is ----and feels with no guarantee that the problem i had previously SHOULD not happen again

I mam having the operation in 2 weeks time on 2/6/14

Lets keep our fingers crossed

I did have a very successful knee replacement five years ago, but I'd never had hip surgery. I had traumatic arthritis and complete degeneration of the cartilage with constant pain before surgery.

Good luck to you, and I'm sure whatever decision you make will be the right one for you.