Hip Issues - General Discussion Thread

My absolute recommendation is Lovran🙏🙏🙏 The hospital interior is pretty much in shambles, I guess, but the medical side of things is perfect. My doctor is probably the best in the world. The nurses on the ward are great too—everything was just super, super, super. So yeah, Lovran again🙏🙏🙏

Hey there! So, my husband is 32, and honestly, he’s been dealing with this like a kid—four surgeries on his right hip and all that mess. He was limping his way through life until about five months ago when he just couldn't move anymore, so we finally dragged him to see a specialist. We got him an appointment at the Salad clinic with Dr. Delimar, and within three months, he'd gone through all five procedures. Right now, he’s recovering at the VŽ Spa and oh man, it is incredible!! (For the first time ever, his legs are perfectly straight and he isn't even limping!!! Neither his hip nor his knee hurts at all!!) Everything has been totally standard, no shady business or under-the-table payments involved!! Huge props to the orthopedic team—seriously, thank you guys to heaven and back!!!!!!!! If you have any other questions, just ask, we're still pretty fresh out of all this.

Hey steelcobra15,
My husband is actually staying at the same Spa as you—he’s in room 101 too! Honestly, everything has been great... the accommodations, the room, even the staff. Huge thumbs up to everyone there!!
I mean, sure, the food isn't exactly five-star gourmet or anything, but hey, he's there to recover, not to pack on the pounds (hahah)!
Did they end up extending your stay at the Spa, or did they just give you the three weeks?
By the way, have they been checking his bloodwork? I'm asking because of Marivarina... he can't even make it to his therapy tomorrow because his results weren't looking good at all!!
Are you still taking Marivarina? If so, how many pills a day are you on?

SO, IF YOU’RE ASKING ME... my husband was actually at the VŽ Spa—yeah, the Spa!!—and they basically did a total overhaul on him. They had to reposition his entire pelvic bone, put in a hip replacement, and add an extension just to level out his legs (he had like a 6-7 cm difference before, can you believe that?). And honestly? F***, they did an AMAZING job. Delimar and Bojanić performed the surgery at the Salad facility, then he spent 10 days in the hospital followed by 14 days recovering at home, and now he’s hitting up the VŽ Spa and SUPAČ! We have no clue how long the full recovery will take, and honestly, he’s pretty much over being stuck in hospitals and dealing with all this crap... but I really think it’s just a passing bout of depression. Everything is going to be totally fine, it just needs some time to settle...

To qualify for those disability discounts on tolls, bridges, tunnels, and highways, you basically need an 80 percent disability rating for your lower extremities—and I mean we aren't just talking about being a little unsteady, I mean permanent, life-altering stuff, maybe even using a wheelchair or crutches indefinitely. I suspect a hip replacement doesn't quite hit that high of a percentage, though—who knows, really?—but it’s always worth a shot to find out. Look, your disability itself isn't up for debate, it's strictly a matter of hitting that specific numerical threshold. My advice? Just file the application for a medical assessment; there's no harm in trying, and it won't cost you a dime 🤷

Awesome. They shaved 4 cm off mine and I’m honestly thrilled. I know he’s getting up there in age, but hey, it’s all part of the service, right? I guess those Spas can be deathly boring, but he'll manage. Grab a drink afterward and you're basically brand new. Personally, I felt great after my check-up, and I always tell people who are on the fence about surgery to just go for it—life is much smoother afterward. Though, staying on top of physical therapy is pretty crucial. I'll admit, I slacked a bit; I lost that initial burst of motivation, and sometimes I just don't have the time with work, which isn't ideal. Anyway, I think I was entitled to two or three weeks at the Spa every year for maintenance. Of course, hardly anyone can afford that nowadays, at least not those of us working for private companies. Cheers to my fellow patient, cheers to Termi, and have fun at Minerva. Are those musicians still playing there?🙂 And is that doctor still showing up to dance with his wife? 🙂

Sorry, I just saw this question. If I recall correctly, they did some blood work, but maybe only once or twice. I was taking Andole 100 for a few months after surgery, then slowly tapered off. You probably shouldn't quit cold turkey. Personally, my iron levels were tanked right after the operation, but I managed to fix that with some blackberry wine. Anyway, the therapy phase is pretty short after the procedure. I had my surgery back in 2004, so that’s all ancient history to me now. Regarding the food at the Spa, I know the portions aren't exactly huge, but I think you can sneak a little extra if you try. I know some of the guys figured out how to do that—you just have to be a bit charming with the ladies working the buffet. They didn't keep me for more than three weeks, though I didn't ask for longer because you honestly just wither away from boredom by then. After I left, I did some dry physical therapy exercises at the local clinic; basically, you're left to your own devices. To start, once you've regained some strength, I'd recommend getting those Velcro ankle weights for exercising, or maybe an exercise ball. Later on, hitting the gym would be great, just take it easy. Or, if you have the space, I love having a weight bench at home. Cheers 😍

I am 55 years old and I will soon be undergoing bilateral hip replacement surgery—both hips—at a clinic in Lovran... I am curious to know if anyone here has been there before? What were your experiences like regarding the actual procedure and the subsequent recovery process? Also, does one typically have both replaced at once, or is it more common to do one first and then wait a few months before the second? Any information at all would be greatly appreciated!

I’m feeling a little down because they merged my thread—and I have this nagging suspicion I won't actually get an answer since most of the conversation here tends to drift toward discussions about Salad and disability percentages... but I suppose I should still hold onto a bit of hope. Please, everyone, if anyone has any information at all...

hey rustyhound83, I was wondering where exactly I'm supposed to file the paperwork to get my disability status sorted out... we live out near the outskirts of Chicago, so everything around here is just a massive headache. Honestly, even just trying to ask a simple question feels like running an obstacle course, let alone actually getting anything done...
thanks in advance

For brightwolf16!
If you read through some of the posts above, I think I already mentioned that I had surgery in San Francisco back in 2004. I heard they did some renovations in the last couple of years, but I assume they just modernized the operating rooms, which is what actually matters, right? As far as the wards go—at least when I was there—the bathrooms were pretty mediocre. I doubt they’ve fixed that, so expect the same situation. I don't know which ward you'll end up on, but I suspect it's all the same unless you pay for a private suite. Basically, you have two wards on a floor connected by a hallway; one faces the street and the other faces the ocean. Each has ONE unisex restroom with two or three stalls, plus another unisex one in the middle for both wards. There’s a shower room with about three showers, but only one actually works. Then again, you can't really shower right after surgery anyway. I managed my hygiene post-op like this: I’d walk myself to the showers, lock the door, and then do a quick wash at the sink using a washcloth. I'm not recommending this because it isn't exactly smart. You have to balance on one leg since you aren't supposed to put weight on the operated side. If something happens while you're locked in, nobody can get to you, and people might get annoyed. But I couldn't just stand there without washing up, at least a little bit, and I felt awkward in those communal areas; I mean, you can't exactly strip down... I brought a small backpack, which I'd suggest—stuff it with soap, a washcloth, and everything else you need to clean up. A backpack is handy because you can wear it on your back so it doesn't get in the way of your crutches. Otherwise, there is NOTHING. No soap, no toilet paper... nothing. You have to bring everything yourself. They sell stuff in the lobby downstairs, but the prices are highway robbery, so I recommend bringing your own supplies from home. There are no closets in the room, just a nightstand. I organized mine by putting my suitcase next to the bed, then placing a smaller bag on top of it (so everything is high enough to reach), and keeping clean underwear and laundry bags inside. You can't bend over to the nightstand, so this way you can grab what you need without having to ask anyone. For the first two or three days, you won't be able to get to the bathroom alone, and until you find your footing, you won't even be able to pull on your underwear. After that, we managed to dress ourselves using our crutches. Maybe you could come up with some kind of hack for that. It might be a good idea to bring thongs or something with a high cut so they don't rub against the incision. And if you can't manage to wash, maybe bring some pantyliners. You just toss the liner and the underwear is fine. As for water, I used one of those bottles with a straw—like cyclists use—so I could drink without struggling or waiting for someone. Again, a backpack is great for carrying that. On the balcony, since I was on the ocean side, we rigged up a clothesline; someone brought one and we hung our towels on it. Bring some clothespins, and maybe a clothesline just in case. We asked the staff if they could make us some coffee. You know how it goes—give them a little something extra and they're happy to help. The women are usually willing to make it. So, that's the gist of what's missing. Otherwise, the nurses, doctors, and everything regarding the medical and human side is suuuuuuuuper. Everyone is incredibly kind and helpful. Sure, the nurses are a bit overwhelmed and can't always get to you instantly, but you won't have any real trouble. So, while the other conditions are a bit pathetic, it's worth putting up with a crappy bathroom for everything else. You're usually there for about two weeks post-op. Hip replacements are usually done one at a time, spaced out by a few months or even up to a year. Sorry for being so long-winded, but I wanted to include as many details as possible so you know what to expect. For me, San Francisco is the gold standard. Maybe we'll run into each other at a follow-up appointment sometime. Good luck, hang in there. If you have more questions, I'm here.😛

For vividwalker10! I did a little brainstorming on some advice for brightwolf16, so here’s a second post. To apply for a determination of physical impairment (basically, your disability rating), you submit everything to Medicare at their corporate office. That covers everyone from Chicago and the surrounding County. You just fill out the form—you can grab one at a local bookstore or just download it from their website—attach all your medical records, and hand it all in at the service window on the ground floor. Then, I guess you just wait until they call you in for the commission. Please let me know what percentage they assign once it's done.

Does anyone else have any more experiences from Lovran??

Hey... It took me three whole hours just to track down this thread! 🙏

So, I’m dealing with almost the exact same issue... except I'm 25, not 15. Everything was perfectly fine until a few months ago, when my left hip started killing me after any decent walk—now both sides are acting up. Turns out, it's hip dysplasia. I've been bouncing between specialists and honestly, I'm losing track of who is who anymore. One doctor is pushing for a prosthetic, but there's a catch: those things have a shelf life of maybe 20 years. That means by the time I'm 40, I'll be facing another surgery, and it won't be nearly as simple as the first one. But I can't just sit around waiting indefinitely either; the pain is constant, and I just want to live a normal life—to be able to take my dog for a walk without wanting to scream from the agony 😢

Last week, I went to Akromion at the Krapina Spa; they're supposedly the top dogs for this stuff now with their Salad approach... I saw Dr. Čičak, and he actually recommended Dr. Hašpl, who is meant to be the absolute expert in this field. Long story short, they’re suggesting a triple pelvic osteotomy. They basically cut the pelvis into three pieces, rotate them, and then secure everything back together with rods. Has anyone here actually gone through this??? I am absolutely terrified and I have no idea where to turn next 😲

Ryan Murphy68 said:Hey... It took me three whole hours just to track down this thread! 🙏

So, I’m dealing with almost the exact same issue... except I'm 25, not 15. Everything was perfectly fine until a few months ago, when my left hip started killing me after any decent walk—now both sides are acting up. Turns out, it's hip dysplasia. I've been bouncing between specialists and honestly, I'm losing track of who is who anymore. One doctor is pushing for a prosthetic, but there's a catch: those things have a shelf life of maybe 20 years. That means by the time I'm 40, I'll be facing another surgery, and it won't be nearly as simple as the first one. But I can't just sit around waiting indefinitely either; the pain is constant, and I just want to live a normal life—to be able to take my dog for a walk without wanting to scream from the agony 😢

Last week, I went to Akromion at the Krapina Spa; they're supposedly the top dogs for this stuff now with their Salad approach... I saw Dr. Čičak, and he actually recommended Dr. Hašpl, who is meant to be the absolute expert in this field. Long story short, they’re suggesting a triple pelvic osteotomy. They basically cut the pelvis into three pieces, rotate them, and then secure everything back together with rods. Has anyone here actually gone through this??? I am absolutely terrified and I have no idea where to turn next 😲

Let me ask you: did you wear Pavlik straps as a child? Did anyone in your family tree deal with this, or perhaps an ancestor walked with a limp?
The lifespan of a cementless prosthesis implanted in someone as young as you is, at best, twenty years—and that's assuming you stay light on your feet and have incredible luck. Honestly, opting for an osteotomy would be a much more sustainable, long-term solution. You are far too young for a prosthetic; getting one now essentially signs you up for a lifetime of physical limitations—you won't be able to cross your legs, squat, sit in low chairs, or jump off a curb without consequence.

I never wore any kind of braces, and honestly, nobody else in my family ever dealt with this kind of mess... My mom was absolutely floored by all of this because I was such a healthy baby. My primary care doctor even went digging through my old medical records from back in '85, only to find out they cleared my hips as perfectly fine when I was just a month old... 😵

I’ll see what the doctor has to say on the 31st—he’s performed plenty of these osteotomies before. I’m just at a loss for where to find another hip specialist who won't immediately start pushing prosthetics on me... because that is absolutely off the table right now. I want to be able to run around with my dog one day and have a normal pregnancy and everything else... I actually stumbled upon an article about athletes returning to their sports after an osteotomy 👍 Look, I’m realistic enough to know a prosthetic might be in my future, but if I can dodge it for another 15 years or so, why wouldn't I?

You’ve grasped the core of the matter; I can see you have a sharp mind for these things!
Back when you were just a little thing, they performed those hip ultrasounds a bit prematurely—strictly speaking, three months is the sweet spot where the clinical picture truly clarifies—but as for now, that window of opportunity has long since slammed shut.
The Velcro approach and the Hašpl method are perfectly adequate; there is really no need to go chasing more exotic options. As far as giving birth with a prosthesis goes, that isn't the real headache; the true complication lies in ensuring the physical activities leading up to labor remain comfortable and manageable.😉)))
One can never say for certain, of course—you might dodge the need for a prosthesis entirely depending on how your specific case unfolds—but regardless of the outcome, maintaining a lower body weight will be absolutely paramount for you!

Taylor Mendoza3 said:So, here’s the deal...
First off, thanks to everyone who’s actually taking the time to read this thread..
Lately, I’ve been dealing with this weird pain in my lower back, and when I walk, my right leg kind of rotates inward—it feels totally off. My knee and everything else just feels... strange? I went to the clinic, and they told me my right hip is sitting further out than my left. So, I went to see my regular doctor, and he gave me a referral for an orthopedist. We did some imaging on my hips, and it turns out I was born with hip dysplasia—basically, my hip socket isn't fully developed, so it only partially covers the bone instead of the whole thing. My doctor suggested I should really get into swimming, but since we don't have any indoor pools around here in our County, I’m feeling a bit stuck. He mentioned that if I had caught this earlier, there might have been more treatment options, but now... I don't know. I'm not supposed to gain weight or lift anything heavy. Honestly, I got a little spooked because he said if I were to gain a lot of weight during pregnancy (like, 15–16 lbs), it could be dangerous for my hip. Does anyone know if there are specific exercises or something similar that could help correct this even just a little bit? Maybe it's too late since I'm already 15..

If you don't have access to a pool, just hit the gym or wait for it to rain
then just jump in a puddle

I see you’ve all been chiming in—some from Lovran, some from Chicago—but nobody has mentioned anything about the West Coast, where I truly believe the orthopedic surgeons are the best in the country. I actually had my surgery about three months ago in Miami, and for my rehab, I went to KALOS Vela Luka over on Corfu. Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about the whole Kalos team; everyone was just wonderful to us patients, absolutely top-notch. I'm 41, and they performed a total cementless prosthesis replacement on me. The surgery itself took place at Split Hospital right in the heart of the city, performed by Dr. Luetić. I’m just so incredibly grateful to everyone there—they were amazing both before and after the procedure. Thank God everything went smoothly, and I feel like I'm recovering really well. I guess there's really no need to travel halfway across the country when you have access to the best surgeons and staff right here at home. Best,

I can see that many of you are experts in this field, so if I may ask a few questions... 🙂

I didn't really have any issues with my hips growing up, but for nearly six months now, I've been dealing with a persistent, dull sensation in my right hip. For a couple of weeks, the pain was actually quite intense, but now it has settled into this constant, dull ache that is incredibly bothersome. I haven't gone in for imaging yet because I am waiting on some other test results, which I assume will lead me to request those scans myself later, but I did receive a positive Rheumatism factor Latex result. What could this potentially indicate? Thank you...