Hip Issues - General Discussion Thread

So, after six weeks of pure misery, I finally went through with it—and now I can finally catch my breath. Honestly? Anyone claiming this procedure is "painless" is a complete and utter liar. The three days following the surgery were absolutely brutal; everything felt wrong, and between the pain and the nausea, it was a struggle just to exist. But looking back, despite the rough patch, I truly believe it was worth it. Dealing with three days of intense recovery is nothing compared to the three years of daily agony I endured before this. To anyone currently sitting there in constant pain: go ahead and do it, but please, be mentally prepared for that inevitable post-op soreness. Now, I’m just focusing on recovery and hoping for a much smoother life ahead.

SUPAČ. Look, I don't know who you are—but stay safe out there. Here’s some of those 👍👍👍 plus a few more 👍👍👍 alright, let's go, even more 👍👍👍 just one more 👍 yupiyayeehoo

🙂Bravo!!!🙏

Hehe, haha, hehe, haha... you all are just too sweet. I’m still quite a young woman—which makes this whole recovery process feel a bit surreal and overwhelming—but I suppose it is what it is. Dealing with skin issues like this is simply not an option for me. Sending my love to everyone out there facing similar struggles, and even to those who aren't going through it but are offering their support and empathy... it truly means the world. If anyone is feeling stuck or has questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. Since I am so fresh into this entire experience, I can get information straight from the source regarding everything—from the surgical procedure itself (I was fully aware of the risks, though the numbness afterward was quite unexpected) to the hospital, the doctors, and the rehabilitation process...

Dennis Diaz36 said:Hehe, haha, hehe, haha... you all are just too sweet. I’m still quite a young woman—which makes this whole recovery process feel a bit surreal and overwhelming—but I suppose it is what it is. Dealing with skin issues like this is simply not an option for me. Sending my love to everyone out there facing similar struggles, and even to those who aren't going through it but are offering their support and empathy... it truly means the world. If anyone is feeling stuck or has questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. Since I am so fresh into this entire experience, I can get information straight from the source regarding everything—from the surgical procedure itself (I was fully aware of the risks, though the numbness afterward was quite unexpected) to the hospital, the doctors, and the rehabilitation process...

So, how are you feeling now that it's been six months?

Dennis Diaz36 said:So, after six weeks of pure misery, I finally went through with it—and now I can finally catch my breath. Honestly? Anyone claiming this procedure is "painless" is a complete and utter liar. The three days following the surgery were absolutely brutal; everything felt wrong, and between the pain and the nausea, it was a struggle just to exist. But looking back, despite the rough patch, I truly believe it was worth it. Dealing with three days of intense recovery is nothing compared to the three years of daily agony I endured before this. To anyone currently sitting there in constant pain: go ahead and do it, but please, be mentally prepared for that inevitable post-op soreness. Now, I’m just focusing on recovery and hoping for a much smoother life ahead.

Dear Dennis Diaz36, I am so glad to hear you're doing okay!👍 Honestly, I actually had hip surgery myself about four months ago over at the Salad clinic. My recovery has been absolutely perfect, and I've been going to therapy sessions at the Mihanović center, which have been great. Thank you so much for starting this thread—there aren't really many of us younger folks out there dealing with artificial hips. Did you get a chance to visit any Spas? If I were you, I'd definitely recommend checking out the ones in Krapina. Since I've been through the post-op process just a little bit longer than you, if there is anything at all I can do to help, just reach out to Pusa🎉

Aw, man, once I read that you're from San Francisco, I like you even more,
I realized we're actually the same age, but I totally messed up my "post-op seniority" calculation,
because I completely missed the date on the post—oops!
It doesn't matter though, just hang in there and keep pushing forward!

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..

🙂Is anyone else here dealing with hip issues in their early 30s? I'm currently between 30 and 35, and I've been wondering if anyone else has gone through this at such a young age. I'm really curious to know if you've had to undergo surgery and, if so, what that experience was actually like here in the States.😕

Hey, is there anyone out there who can help me out with an answer? I really need some insight on this.

Alright, here goes... I’m giving you a yellow card for all that unnecessary drama!

If you aren't feeling particularly patient for an answer, just scroll through the older threads...

Scott Allen10, thank you so much, you've been a huge help to me. I went back and spent some time scrolling through the older threads to get more context... and I'm really sorry if it seemed like I was shouting at you earlier. Take care.

I'm only 27, but I've been dealing with hip issues my entire life. I actually had surgeries back when I was just a kid—so, honestly, I don't think I'm in any position to offer you much help or answer your specific questions—but I am looking at having surgery myself sometime in the next year. It would be incredibly helpful if anyone here could share their experiences or write a little something about what to expect, because I'm sure there are plenty of others out there just like us who are searching for answers.

Hey everyone, I'm 32 and just had a new right hip replacement... I was wondering, is there any realistic shot at getting a 60% disability rating so I can dodge paying those highway tolls!!
Is there even a chance I qualify for any kind of disability status at all?? Even if I do, I feel like Kosor won't give me the time of day!

Look, disability isn't exactly my area of expertise, but from what I can see, you definitely qualify for some kind of coverage. You likely fractured your femoral neck, but that’s secondary to the process itself right now.
What actually matters is how you navigate the bureaucracy: your primary care physician needs to fill out the referral forms to get you in front of the disability evaluation board. To make that application stick, you'll need medical reports and assessments from the specialist who performed your surgery—likely a trauma surgeon or an orthopedist—as well as a formal evaluation and opinion from a physiatrist following your physical therapy and rehab (which I assume took place at a specialized Spa).
Here's the deal: based on the specific details in those specialist reports and your application, the disability board determines your percentage of disability or physical impairment.
Unfortunately, these boards are often staffed by all sorts of questionable characters (just look at the scandals where officials ended up in federal prison after auditing veteran disability claims).
In short, if you want to start fighting for the benefits you deserve, your first stop should be your family doctor.

Hey everyone!
My husband just had hip surgery on a Salad implant and now he’s heading off to the Varaždin Spa for some recovery time—he actually scored a full 3 weeks there!! I was wondering if anyone knows what the recovery process is like at the Spa... and also, once he's done with the treatments, what does the road ahead look like? Any advice on next steps would be awesome, thanks!

So, I've been dealing with a hip dislocation since basically day one, plus a few surgeries back when I was just a kid... and now here I am again, facing hip surgery and getting my legs aligned down to the millimeter. But hey, life happens, right? Recovery is a total grind, so I’m planning to head to the Spa to recuperate. My insurance coverage expires at the end of the month, so I'm trying to get my ducks in a row early. Thanks for any info you guys can toss my way!

vividwalker10 said:So, I've been dealing with a hip dislocation since basically day one, plus a few surgeries back when I was just a kid... and now here I am again, facing hip surgery and getting my legs aligned down to the millimeter. But hey, life happens, right? Recovery is a total grind, so I’m planning to head to the Spa to recuperate. My insurance coverage expires at the end of the month, so I'm trying to get my ducks in a row early. Thanks for any info you guys can toss my way!

Your registration status doesn't have anything to do with your disability status (unless there's some sort of discount involved, though I can't say for sure). You can always get your placard later on, which is what actually grants you the toll exemptions.

Hey there. I was born with a hip deformity, so I eventually had to get a total hip replacement. Here’s the deal: before this last surgery, I went through the disability assessment process. Back then, my mobility was pretty much shot and one leg was shorter than the other, so it felt like a major issue. I tried to follow up when things got worse, but right before the prosthesis was implanted, a woman on the commission told me I wouldn't get more than 50% for one leg. That’s just how it goes according to the current disability guidelines. You can look it up online—just search for the federal disability schedules or check the Social Security Administration website. It might be worth trying to push for a higher percentage, though. As Hannah Williams5 suggested, you should fill out the necessary forms (you can download them from the SSA site) and attach your medical records. Maybe you'll get lucky and land a higher rating. Good luck!
Regarding those car benefits, I think you need at least an 80% rating now to qualify. The only thing you definitely get with a disability rating is an increased standard deduction on your income tax... If you're working, you'll need to update your W-4 with the IRS (just attach a copy of your disability determination). If you aren't working, you'll handle it when you file your taxes. By the way, did you get a total hip replacement? Where did you have the surgery, if you don't mind me asking?🎉?

Hey there!
I just finished posting in the artificial hip thread, but I couldn't resist dropping in here too. I'm guessing your husband has already headed off to the Varaždin Spa. I actually did the same thing a few years back, though I didn't go to the Salad facility right away. I waited about a month before hitting the Spa, which I think was a much better call. I had more mobility by then, so I could actually get in the pool. My doctor even cleared me to go for a quick 15-minute swim solo before the group sessions started—that’s how far along I was. I stayed at the Varaždin location in the social wing (since they didn't have a spot for Minerva, and three weeks is a long time anyway), but not in the strictly clinical section—I think they call that Terma. It worked fine for me.
Give your husband my best, and wishing your partner a smooth recovery. Honestly, the pain wasn't a massive deal for me. Just a little bit the first day, and then it was mostly SUPAČ. I actually nagged my doctor to make sure I was knocked out during the surgery so I wouldn't have to listen to the bone sawing. It wasn't full general anesthesia—it was an epidural—but they definitely gave me something to ensure I was sleeping through it. 👋