A Patient's Guide to Knee and Hip Replacement: Everything You Need to Know

by Irwin Silber

Book Overview

Written by a patient for other patients and in consultation with an Orthopedic Surgeon and a Physical Therapist, A Patient's Guide to Knee and Hip Replacement takes readers through the complete joint-replacement process, from the decision whether to have Surgery and the Preop Preparations, through the operation itself, the hospital stay, and the recovery period. Irwin Silber has had both knees and one hip replaced. Like hundreds of thousands of other...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684839202
• ISBN13: 9780684839202
• Release Date: March 1999
• Publisher: Touchstone Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Informative and reassuring

The very notion of hip replacement surgery can be frightening to the patient who is not emotionally and mentally prepared for the event. Having had both of my hips replaced within a five-month period, I was lucky to have found Silber's helpful guide ahead of time. It answered many of my questions, educated me on issues I had not considered, and also made me feel less alone and frightened. I have recommended it to other hip replacement patients as one of the best books out on this topic. Arming yourself with knowledge helps ease the fear and paves the way for quicker recovery.

Works for me!

In my quest to educate myself before my hip replacement, this was the first book I selected. The fact that the book addresses knee replacement as well is a plus, as I suspect that many who need hip replacement will at some time also need knee replacement. I enjoyed the detail of what to expect, the enthusiasm of the writer and the resulting feeling of "I can DO this!" Since I'll be recovering at my mom's, I sent a copy to her so she'll know what's going on.

Totally Hip Founder rates this book as EXCELLENT

Though I am only half way through this book, it is wonderfullywritten from the patient's point of view. The author had the samequestions, and the same fears that I did going into my own hip surgeries. He also gives a very detailed account of the entire process from deciding when to have the surgery through the recovery. I recommend this book HIGHLY to anyone who needs or has already had joint replacement surgery!Linda May-Bowser Founder, Totally Hip Support Group

I wouldn't have had the operation without this book

I am a 72-year-old man who lives in Upstate New York. My daughter who resides in Dallas sent me this book in May, 1999.Prior to reading the book, I was walking around limping with severe pain in my right hip for 13 months. I took pain killers, most recently, Celebrex.Frankly, I was afriad to have the operation, even though I hated taking pills for pain. I glanced through the book after I received it and put it aside. Our summer was very warm and I felt better.Early in September, 1999, the weather turned damp and cool and the hip pain returned with a vengeance. Finally, I picked up the book and read it cover to cover. I was amazed.Every aspect of the hip operation is covered, including preparing yourself for it. The book covers the pre-op requirements, the risks, the final decision, what will be needed at home after the operation and finally a blow-by-blow account of the author's feelings up to the day of the operation.After reading the book a second time, I was prepared to go ahead with the operation with confidence.The operation was scheduled for Oct. 7. Today is Oct. 23.Following the operation, I had no hip pain at all. The incision pain was quite severe but gradually subsided after a week or so. On Oct. 18, my dressing was removed and Oct. 20, the staples were removed.Four days after my operation, I started what I considered to be a cruel physical therapy workout, including 45 minutes of hip exercises, climbing stairs and weak feeling moments, nothing that is mentioned in the book. I cannot stress how important daily physical therapy is to the success of this operation. I have completed 45 minutes of exercizing in the morning and 45 minutes in the afternoon, seven days a week, since Day 6 after the operation. I'm presently in Day 16.Finally, my thanks go out to the author Irwin Silber for writing this book and to my daughter Linda for sending it to me. I must admit that if I had not read this book, I would probably be still limping around in pain.

Answers Most Questions Everyone Asks... and Doesn't Ask!

This book would have been very helpful for me to read prior to my own two knee replacements and one hip replacement. As a long-time member of the online support group that Irwin Silber references in the book, I get lots of the questions this book addresses on a daily basis. It makes me happy to see the information now available to people who do not know about the resources for support and information available on the Internet. And I must admit, it was flattering to find a couple of quotations from me included (with permission). I recommend this book to anyone considering a knee or hip replacement.