Total Hip Replacement and SSDI?

In 1999, I was diagnosed with avascular necrosis in my right hip. I have been on SSDI since 2000, and have had to wait 7 years for a hip replacement. My ortho says now I should have a hip replacement even though I am 36. Since I first went on SSDI, my left hip now presents AVN, due to favoring my right hip, although not as bad as my right hip. The doctor says that I will have to have that hip replaced in the next few years also. Will Social Security cut off my benefits once my surgery is over?

The longer you wait, the worse your disability becomes and the more difficulty you may have in recovering. However, based on my own experience with having both of my hips replaced, I would expect that you may eventually be able to get back into the work force and be productive again and will no longer be considered "disabled". This is certainly not an unreasonable expectation.

I'm no expert on SSDI and cannot speculate about what they will or won't do until you are back on your feet.

PS: it's really a shame that you have had to postpone this needed procedure so long. I understand that hip replacements don't last forever and that the younger one is when the hip is replaced, the more likely that the patient will outlive their hip and need revision surgery (or surgeries). There are patients younger than you are who get their hips replaced, usually either because of AVN (like you) or hip dysplasia. My view is that you only have one life to live and to live years of it in pain and disabled is really not necessary because I have seen what THR has done for me. I waited so long that I was close to needing a wheelchair and could not take a step without a cane. That is too long and I regret now that I waited even an extra 4 years. Believe it or not, my Dr. said I was too young for THR and I was already 56 yrs. old!

Furthermore, with the newer bearing materials available today (ceramic or metal) the life of the replaced hip may be longer than the traditional metal/poly bearing. The latter is fine for the less-active older patients, i.e. those over 65-70. They probably won't outlive their fake hips. But for younger, more active patients, who tend to beat up their fake hips, these new materials may be at least a partial answer. The reason is that they generate far fewer small particles than m/p. It's these small particles that cause osteolysis of the bone and loosening of the prosthesis (called aseptic loosening) which is one reason that revision surgeries may be needed. The more active one is, the more particles that are generated. Do inquire about what kind of prosthesis you are getting.

Good luck to you

Go oversesas and have your hip replaced
My aunt went to india through a website called vacationoperations.com and saved about $15,000 having her knee fixed.

The US medical system needs some serious competition to control these crazy costs. Report It

I would talk to an Attorney that handles SSI cases with your concerns. That would be the best hour or half hour you could spend. I would not go directly to Social Security as their info will be biased and who knows the attitude you might encounter or just how helpful or knowledgeable that person might be. At least an SSI Attorney is someone who is familiar with this subject.


Good luck.

I think that will depend on if your docotr releases you to go back to work or decides to do the other hip replacement, you should talk to the doctor and ask him what he recommends or will recommend to SSDI, plus I would also call SSDI and ask them how this will work if you have to have the other hip replaced and how soon it will have to be done.....you will be amazed how well you will do with the hip replacement, I have a friend that is older than you that has had three hip replacements and she is now in her late 60's and she always amazes me on her recovery time. I don't know how long the doctor will recommend that you not return to work, I think alot of it will depend on your doctors report and how long he says it will take you to recover.