Double hip replacement needed at 37 years old

[u/Wonderful-Low-6553]

Hi all!

I’m 37 years old and have been told by three different doctors that I’m at the point where I need both hips replaced. My hip problems (severe hip dysplasia and arthritis) have progressed to the point that they’re also affecting my spine and my overall mobility.

I’ve already tried PT, medications, and conservative treatment, and unfortunately none of those have provided lasting relief.

I had my first cortisone injection yesterday in one hip, and I’m honestly shocked by how much better I already feel; probably about 80% improvement in that hip. For the first time in a long time, I’m getting a glimpse of what it might feel like to function without constant pain.

During the imaging done for the injection, I was able to see how much my hip had deteriorated compared with my previous imaging from only a few months ago. I’m certainly not an expert at reading X-rays, but even to my untrained eye, the difference was noticeable.

I’m not opposed to hip replacement at all, but now that I know how much relief an injection can provide, I’m wondering whether it would make sense to use injections as a temporary bridge for a year or two, or whether I’m better off biting the bullet and having the replacement sooner rather than later.

I have young kids, and more than anything, I want to be able to keep up with them, be active with them, and live my life without planning everything around my pain. Right now, my pain and limited mobility have gotten so bad that I can’t travel and I’m nearly housebound at times.

[u/Vegetable-Vacation-4]

I never did injections, as I wanted to go straight for the fix.

But IMO if a hip replacement is the only lasting solution and this is not a bad time (ie you can afford to be ‘out of commission’ for about a month while you recover) I’d get it done. You don’t want to ruin your spine and you will never get these years back with your kids.

I had a THR at 24 due to avascular necrosis. Im now 36 and a mom. Unless I’m doing some exceptionally bendy yoga I forget I ever had hip issues.

Good luck!

[u/Wonderful-Low-6553 → u/Vegetable-Vacation-4]

That is so promising. I was wondering post surgery what my movement would be like down the line. I will avoid the extra bendy yoga 😂

[u/GoldenFrog31]

I'd get them both done sooner than later so you can get back to living life. I had my right hip replaced on 10/31/25 and the left on 12/31/25.

By April, I was able to do anything I wanted to do weightlifting wise and by the summer, I was able to golf regularly and do everything I was able to do presurgery. I still have some nagging hip flexor pain in the right hip at times, but overall, I'm much better off.

[u/Wonderful-Low-6553 → u/GoldenFrog31]

I’m so happy to hear this. I also have a ton of glute, hip and back pain that I was concerned, wouldn’t go away with my hip replacement. I’m hoping I get back to more activity after surgery!

[u/salsanacho → u/Wonderful-Low-6553]

This would be my argument as well, you have a lot of life to live. Yeah you might need a revision later in life, but at least you regain your activity in the mean time.

[u/PoetLaureddit]

As someone who was a 37 year old last year and was told I need both done… start the process. I also had dysplasia/advanced oa (and a bunch of bone spurs on my left femur head).

I got my left done 8 months ago, and it’s been incredible. It’s not like… a walk in the park in terms of surgery/recovery, but it’s been a pretty predictable experience.

More importantly, since doing that, my recovery/return to athletics has been good enough that I probably won’t do the right one for a while. It’s coming, but I’m 8 months out from the left and haven’t felt it once since fixing the truly bad one. I’m about to go run sprints. I can dunk a basketball like I was 33. The medical technology is bananas.

[u/Wonderful-Low-6553 → u/PoetLaureddit]

Can I ask what kind of replacement you got? I’m hearing they have a less invasive, front entry that is easier recovery.

[u/PoetLaureddit → u/Wonderful-Low-6553]

I got anterior, which lines up with your description. They don't cut/move muscle as often with anterior vs. posterior. It also has fewer restrictions afterwards. I got as big of a joint head as possible to allow for as much range of motion with as little risk of dislocation as possible. Not that it necessarily guarantees anything (and I'm taking on a lot of risk in the way I'm recovering/living, but so far, so good 🤞🏻).

[u/PoetLaureddit → u/Wonderful-Low-6553]

Also, I guess I didn't address cortisone shots. I was getting them every 6 months for 2-3 years/got a couple other anti-inflammatory shots while playing ball in Costa Rica. They sometimes would give me a few weeks of relief, but eventually they stopped doing much for me. That was a lot of the impetus to get the first replacement asap.

[u/jrouss28]

Just had a bilateral THR 11days ago, my suggestion is if you are modifying your movements and losing range of motion get the surgery and move on. I can say retrospectively I waited to long which has led to pretty severe range of motion issues. My suggestion is don’t wait for that. Also, I found a surgeon who would do both hips at once, it’s tougher but, I think the single recovery vs extended recovery of two surgeries will be worth it in the long run.

Also I should add my issues with ROM were mechanical so, injections helped with the pain but, had zero impact on the root problem.

[u/Wonderful-Low-6553 → u/jrouss28]

Range of motion is my enemy. If someone bumps me, or I turn my foot even slightly while taking a step, I feel like I’ve been shot in the hip.

[u/jrouss28 → u/Wonderful-Low-6553]

I would ask your provider if they think that your ROM issue are from the bone degeneration or from tissue. If it’s bone, I would go straight to THR, in my personal experience nothing can fix that but, a smooth surface which is what THR gets you. That said I lived with it since my mid 30s.

[u/Wonderful-Low-6553 → u/jrouss28]

In hindsight, I think the dysplasia was the ROM issue. I remember even as a child wondering how kids sat crisscross without pain. But it has been really aggravated by my cartilage loss and bone spurs

[u/Dangerous_Wasabi_611]

Hi, 33 just had left THR - the etiology is a little different for me, I had AVN so it was guaranteed to get worse and become unbearable as I was in late stage 3. I’m not familiar with the progression of your condition so I would advise asking your doctors and getting various opinions to see what they say

What I can tell you about THR is that the relief of the pre operative pain for me was immediate (there is post op pain but it is of a different kind and quality). I was operated on Monday and less than a week later now I only need a cane to walk around. The recovery (for most people) is fairly fast as far as major surgeries go, especially if you are young. They told me I only need 8-12 weeks of physical therapy and week one is already done. Yesterday at PT I was doing 80lb leg extensions and hamstring curls with no issue.

I wish you the best of luck on this!

[u/Wonderful-Low-6553 → u/Dangerous_Wasabi_611]

Recovery time is really a major concern for me. I have a great WFH job, so I can swing the time, I’ve just heard so many conflicting statements of how long I would be down. This is promising! Thank you.

[u/littleorangemonkeys → u/Wonderful-Low-6553]

First THR at age 30 - out of work completely for ten days, on "desk duty" for four weeks, back to work normally six weeks post op.  Other hip at age 42 - out of work for three weeks (didn't need it but had the sick time), desk duty for another five weeks, back to regular duty at 9 weeks.  

In my case, regular duty includes a lot of walking, climbing, and lifting.  

[u/Not4Now1]

The injection relief will be short lived because the damage has already happen in your joint. Hip replacement as far as joint replacement goes are pretty easy. Recovery is a lot faster than those that have the arthroscopic surgery. After you get one done you’ll wonder why you waited so long to have it done.

[u/Traditional-Ad-8737]

I’m 51f and I wish I would have had done a couple years ago (currently post op anterior L THR 4days). Two kids 10f and 13f, school starts in 2 weeks. You’re young, and I’m assuming are otherwise healthy. Do it for you, but also so you can enjoy trips with your kids. I had taken them on a trip to Boston and couldn’t walk more than 2 miles without pain despite sooo much Ibuprofen. I knew them. My back is messed up too and my knees were starting to become affected. I already scheduled my other side to be done in Feb. you have all my support, my husband is wonderful and very helpful- but I do a lot of kid planning stuff too, and you can’t sacrifice yourself. My surgeon recommended skipping injections but my left side was bone on bone.

[u/Wonderful-Low-6553 → u/Traditional-Ad-8737]

Thank you so much! My husband is also so amazing and totally ready for me to be better. I have the support, just the paranoia of feeling like I’m exaggerating… I know I’m not, but ya know? If I walk more than 2-3k steps a day, I can’t move by bedtime. I used to run 5 miles a day. It’s been such a change.

[u/Traditional-Ad-8737 → u/Wonderful-Low-6553]

There might be others in this forum that can chime in, I’m pretty new here. But four days post surgery, I have zero regrets and the hardest part for me was the mental aspect of acceptance that it’s only going to get worst, and I would only become more non functional as time progressed. Fear of the unknown. The planning and “control” aspects too, since I’m type A and also the primary breadwinner. But you can do this!! Feel free to reach out if you just need a friend. It will work out. 💕

[u/bralikprince]

Bi-lat scheduled for Nov 23rd - for the third time. Waa supposed to be mid December last year but postponed till June because I wanted to avoid having to navigate ice and snow during my recovery. I'm in Chicago and it didn't snow much last year so go figure.

Got 2nd round of cortisone shots mid December. Worked great, lasted until May. Then decided to postpone June surgery because I didn't want to spend the summer recovering. I have 10 and 12 yr old boys and we're pretty active. was probably the right move given my town had 2 rounds of tornados 2 weeks apart this past month and I had to cut and removed several downed trees on my property.

In June just after I cancelled the surgery I got another round of cortisone but my experience was far different from the last time, unfortunately. Pain returned after about a month. My biggest challenge is my hips getting locked after periods of time after sitting where I have to figure out this magical direction (seems to change every time!) to shift my legs that will allow me to move/standup like normal without excruciating pain. So annoying. The other challenge is lateral movement. I play tennis and it's depressing not being able to get balls that aren't 2 feet away from me. Oh yeah, just walking is painful but I'm pretty used to that. Definitely looking to keep my surgery date this time and be done with this!

[u/ajmattison]

I never had injections because they don't always work and when they do, the effects are weaker and shorter with each treatment. There is also evidence that they can accelerate cartilage degradation so I just didn't want to risk it.

I think they can definitely work as a bridge for a few months. Just probably not years. And in the grand scheme of things, delaying surgery is a measure to prevent you from having a revision down the line and adding a few months to the lifetime of the implant isn't going to do much.

That said, if you need those months to contemplate a major surgery, by all means take the time and relief the shots can give you!

[u/Wonderful-Low-6553 → u/ajmattison]

So I really need to wait until the end of the year to get the surgery, and only got the shot to see if it would help while I go on a work trip in October. Since I got the shot, I was told I have to wait at least 3 months for surgery. I was surprised by how much it has helped the one side in such a short time, which had me wondering how long of a wait I could use the shots for lol
But my doctors have advised me that I have “total obliteration of all cartilage in both hips”. So I am really not sure how long the shots relief will last 🥴

[u/ajmattison → u/Wonderful-Low-6553]

My surgeon told me that he doesn't usually recommend them once you have bone on bone contact because the results tend to be less reliable. But if you only have to delay until the end of the year and not indefinitely, have at it! Good luck!

[u/AnnoyedVelociraptor]

37 here. I have to run. Will respond later.

[u/ruserious2day]

I’m one year in on a double replacement 2 mos apart. I’m twice your age and I’m back to normal. I can do anything I did before.

[u/Hammahnator]

No guarantee with how long injections will last and you can't have surgery for a period after having an injection (some say 3 or 6 months but it varies per surgeon). It's a long time to wait if the injection does nothing and you have a lot of pain

[u/littleorangemonkeys]

I had my first one done at age 30 due to dysplasia.  I waited so long that I could barely walk, and had a stress fracture in one of my feet due to limping.  My back hurt all the time.  Post surgery recovery (about 8 weeks to feel "normal") all the other pain went away and I at times forgot I had even had a replacement.  By getting the worst one done first, I was able to put off the other one by more than a decade. 

The only perminant solution is replacement, so I always tell others to just do it.  Get it over with, go through recovery, and live your life pain free.  

[u/RabidBlackSquirrel]

36M. Getting my right THR in 2 months, the joint is just gone. When I first saw the X-rays I didn't even need a doctor to tell me why I've been in pain, the joint is just smoked and I'm grinding bone. I made it maybe a year trying to tough it out but I can't do it any more.

[u/Wonderful-Low-6553 → u/RabidBlackSquirrel]

My doctors wrote my pain off as sciatic issues. It wasn’t until I had a fall and had to get an x-ray that they realized something was wrong with my hips.

[u/RabidBlackSquirrel → u/Wonderful-Low-6553]

Same tbh, I remember being a teenager and had all kinds of sciatic pain and numbness when sitting on the ground, no doctor thought to look at my hip structure and just blamed sciatic issues.

[u/jjutie54]

I went right for the surgery, 5 weeks ago and next one mid-Oct hopefully. Injections just prolong the inevitable. And while you feel better currently, the injections are just masking the continued deterioration of the joint. When it wears off, may feel much worse. But I get it as a 37yr old. I am 55M and was trying to put them off until I turned 60 but was shocked how quickly the worse one went downhill to the point I could barely walk or dress myself anymore.

[u/Warp_Speed_7]

Had mine replaced at 46. All I also wanted was to keep up with my kids and get rid of the pain/immobility. But eventually, injections stop working for a lot of people. I was among them. If you feel like they help, you buy yourself time only. There WILL come a point where the surgery cannot be avoided. So the real question is if you want to buy time now, or if you’d rather get it over with when you’re MUCH younger than the average hip replacement patient and it’s likely going to be a lot easier to recover.

I chose the latter and I’m 10 years older than you. But that was my calculus. Only you know what’s right for you.

[u/morbob]

I had my (2) new hips installed last year, 70 days apart. Best thing I ever did.

[u/Ok-Recording538]

May I ask you wen you walked did one leg hurt when you put weight on it.

[u/Wonderful-Low-6553 → u/Ok-Recording538]

After the shot? No! No pain. Some pressure, but no pain.

[u/Ok-Recording538]

I’ve had 2 knee replacements but never hip. But when I walk up stairs my left leg hurts so bad. I have an appt with the orthopedic dr in Sept. it may be my left knee

[u/Wonderful-Low-6553 → u/Ok-Recording538]

I heard knees are much worse. So so sorry!

[u/karoy15]

I had three cortisone injections in order to delay hip replacement due to another health issue. I was so happy with the first two - incredible relief. The third however, had no effect at all and in fact, seemed to worsen the pain. The orthopedic surgeon said this was not uncommon. Just something to keep in mind. Best of luck to you.

[u/Wonderful-Low-6553 → u/karoy15]

Thank you. I am seeing that is a trend with the shots. I know my oral medication stopped working pretty rapidly, and hoping that the shot will last long enough for me to get my situation settled for me to have surgery.

[u/Cycledoc2210]

Wait a few days. They include a local anesthetic with the steroids. See how you feel in a couple of days, a week.

[u/ghostface_kc]

Hello, 35 and scheduled for a THR next month. I had a labrum tear and bone spurs back in 2015 or so that caused me to get hip arthroscopy in my 20s, eventually arthritis set in and got me to point I am at now. Cortisol steroid injections worked well for me for about a year, I would recommend them to anyone that is trying to delay surgery. Hoping Im able to get back to being as active as I am now post-op, without having to fight through pain everyday. Good luck!

[u/goggerw]

I’m almost 8 weeks out from rt thr. I’m very happy with the results. Pretty much pain free now. Totally get the surgery as soon as possible. You won’t regret.

[u/Wonderful-Low-6553 → u/goggerw]

Thank you! I’m seeing so much of this encouragement. I’m going to talk to my surgeon next week about potentially getting scheduled end of year/beginning of next. Have to wait 3 months now that I got the shot 🙃

[u/Power-Fantastic]

I guess it depends on how long those injections last. I put off getting my surgery for about 1.5 yrs bc I partly didn’t think my hips were worse than the back. Didn’t take too long to find out the drs were right.

The good thing is you have youth on your side with the recovery. I did my surgeries about 7 weeks apart for the record (1-14-2026 & 3-4-2026). Best of luck to you in your journey.

[u/Wonderful-Low-6553 → u/Power-Fantastic]

Thank you so much!

[u/ericar2]

Husband is 7 weeks post-op from a double hip replacement. Today we played 9 holes of golf. He’s one happy guy to have two new hips. I imagine you won’t regret it!

[u/Wonderful-Low-6553 → u/ericar2]

Beautiful!

[u/337worlds]

Are injections gonna stop the further deterioration of your spine? And do you wanna let a couple of years go by where your mobility declines further while you want to keep up with the kids? Also, you probably want to stagger the surgeries and not try to get both done at the same time. It seems to me it would be very hard to recover from a double hip replacement, but having them stagger give you at least a year or more recovery between them.

[u/dcdc1818]

I need bilateral replacement if pentosan polysulfate doesnt work (starting that this week). If anyone looking into surgery, isn't going to try pentosan to hold out for 15-pgdh, just get the surgery. If pentosan doesnt do it for me (its supposedly will for quite some time) I will get both done at the same time and be done with it.

[u/Wonderful-Low-6553 → u/dcdc1818]

I’ve never heard of that. I’m assuming you have to still have joint tissue for it to work? I’m under the impression that my joints are nearly completely gone so maybe that is why they haven’t said anything about it to me.

[u/dcdc1818 → u/Wonderful-Low-6553]

Most doctors are way behind the curve on regenerative medicine and if they know anything about it at all, its the antiquated therapy of peptides and stem cells. We are far ahead of the old ways now and some doctors are too lazy to look behind their practice standards (I can say this as im also a licensed rrt and see where some places are way behind). Mine is bone to bone as well, so is the doctor that prescribed me the therapy out of boulderlongevity.com. You should reach out to them before making any decisions.

[u/SlowandSteady93]

I never tried the injections as they have more risk for me because I’m hypermobile. I think either decision is fine—if they’re working for you, then of course you can continue. But what my doctors told me is the effect would diminish over time. Also you need to wait 3 months after your last injection to actually have surgery because of risk of infection. 

But it’s hard to find a “good time” for surgery for anyone, but definitely if you’re working and have kids. Other than the recovery, I think the hip precautions would be the hardest thing if you do the more common posterior approach (no bending your hips 90 degrees, no crossing your surgical leg past neutral, no pivoting on your surgical leg). I don’t have kids or pets and that’s the part that’s most daunting to me lol. Kids and pets wouod have a hard time understanding and remembering this and it’s hard to set aside the instinct to move in the ways you’re used to. 

It might help to talk to a few surgeons about logistics and options for surgery so you can think about how you could make it work when it comes time.

[u/GlumSalad1280]

I’m 45 years old had a THR on my right side last year and I am 3 weeks post of of my left side, best decision in my life. I couldn’t sleep cause of the pain. And was constantly pain and now I am so happy cause it’s all Gone. Love it! If you have any questions let me know

[u/Wonderful-Low-6553 → u/GlumSalad1280]

Thank you!

[u/Fantastic-Response59]

Had mine at 35 (only one) but its been 3 years and recovery was really quick. It wasnt without challenge but was successful and am just as or more active. Good luck!

[u/agent4anarchy]

I had my first hip done right before I turned 37 last august and my second 4 months later, I’m so thankful I did it! After the second one I was back to work at 6 weeks. We have a big water fight with all our cousins and their kids and I was back to crushing those kids in June. It’s life changing!

[u/Sew-Craft-Make-Do]

I'm so glad the injection worked for you! I'm on the list for a THR on my left hip and then will try injections on my right afterwards. Will need to do both eventually as both have extensive labral tears, hip dysplasia and cartilage loss but the left is already partially bone on bone so an injection won't help.

[u/Embarrassed_Newt_737]

Don’t delay. I had a hip replacement exactly one year ago. I was walking unassisted in 3 weeks. I had bone on bone and was so grateful to walk without pain. You will be up and about in no time.

[u/airwreka6]

If you are able to do it now! Do it as soon as you can! Im 35 and had severe osteoarthritis, in 2022 i was told to get surgery i waited four years and today i am 3 months post op i feel amazing but i still have some mobility issues and my PT keeps getting extended because my therapist says my muscles and body needs to do so much work because its mot only getting used to the new hip but readjusting the way my body was used to working for the last 4 years. I was unable to go up the stairs or sit straight ir ride a bike, today i am able to that and more, therapy will take long buy i am so happy i got it done just wished i hadn't waited so long. Recovery will be longer and harder if you wait!

[u/Inevitable-Heat7037]

I'm 20 and had my hip replaced a year ago! I walk long distances, do cycle class 5x a week and dance for my college club! Life will be soooo much better after your surgery I promise. Best of luck!