This is my last year in my 60’s and I have to say, I’m feeling every one of those years. Today, I’ll give you an update on my two hip surgeries, where I am now and how hard it is to navigate health as we get older. Whew, it’s a full time job, isn’t it? That’s how it feels to me. Overall, I’m healing up fine, but I’ll get into more particulars below and maybe we can commiserate together in this aging journey we are all on. I’m grateful for the life I have, but the aging body is no joke!
{Really loving these (affiliate link) workout pants, I ordered Med Tall and they fit me perfectly. Not as tight as many spandex pants are & they are comfy!}
This is how I look a lot of days, as I’m usually trying to get in some exercise 5 days a week. I was on a good roll before my second surgery, going to the gym 3 days a week (lifting weights and riding the stationary bike) and walking 2 days a week. I’ve also got a yoga mat at home as well as 5 lb. weights, so if I’m at home and don’t get out, I can attempt to do some weight work and stretching. That plan doesn’t always happen, but I can do something. I’ve saved some simple step workouts too that I’ve found on Instagram and I’ve done those a few times. They show a full body working using stairs or moving my feet on a flat surface. I’m also trying to stretch every morning when I get up, for my back and hips. I’m walking about 3 miles when I walk, but haven’t gone too high on steps yet. I don’t adhere to the 10,000 steps a day routine, like we hear about all the time. I have no idea where that started, but if I go to the gym and work out and ride the bike or walk on the treadmill, I’m not going to worry about getting 10,000 steps in. I just do my thing and it is what it is.
I’m 4 months out from my 2nd hip surgery and it’s healing well, but I do have what seems to be sciatica in my lower back down into that buttocks. I’ve been working on it and hopefully it will calm down eventually. It’s been like this since January, although it doesn’t hurt all the time, but it eases up some and then comes back. That is definitely frustrating, as I try to keep up with my exercises and stay active. That’s important for my overall health and healing. I’ve gone back to the chiropractor, doing ice and heat, a heating/massage pad I bought to try, and got a massage last week. Epsom salts soak in the tub. Nothing has completely helped, but I won’t give up. I’m determined to get back to a mostly normal life again. Health issues can certainly take over at times and slow us down, but the healing process after surgery is definitely a thing. You can’t rush it and you just have to be patient and let it heal at its own pace.
So that’s an update on where I am now in my healing journey from hip surgeries. My doctor has told me it takes a year to completely heal from this surgery, so I can see I have a ways to go on the second one. It has taken a little longer to heal than the first. I can still feel little tweaks of pain in that leg and I can tell it’s still weaker, but I had that in the other leg too and it got much better at 6 months. Everyone is different in surgeries, so my journey might not be the same as yours or anyone else who has gone through this. If I can get this back issue feeling better, I’ll be so happy! I’ve had back issues for 30 years and it’s all been manageable for me to deal with and exercise has been key to just keep it moving and limber. I have scoliosis and also spondylolisthesis, a really long name that means lower vertebra slippage in the lumbar spine. I deal with it and I’m sure this will heal up and get better with time. I’ll go back to my doctor’s office in a few weeks and I’ll be talking to him about the sciatica. Some days I feel pretty darn good and other days it’s more painful. I’m thinking about getting a rebounder for home, as that is something I can jump on for 10 minutes when I can’t get outside or go to the gym and I’ve heard the benefits are really good for low impact on the joints. There’s also those vibration plates that are all the rage. Let me know if you use any of these and like them. There are so many gadgets out there now!
I’ve been focused on healing the last 8 months, so everything else has sort of taken a backseat. I still have high cholesterol and I’m taking supplements and eating foods to try to get that down again. I’ve done it before and I think I can do it again, but regardless, I’ll never take a statin. That is something I’ve landed on in the last few years after reading many articles from doctors who have studied it. Sometimes I wonder why I was chosen to have all these ailments, but I’m not anymore special than anyone else and God gives us trials and we have to trust that He will see us through. I’m sure this will turn out the same way. He brought me through 2 surgeries and He can help me with the rest of my health issues. I’m hypothyroid and take Synthroid to treat it, but I have no idea what that’s really doing either. I sure don’t feel like my energy is where it should be.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who is skeptical about supplements and claims for products for improved health these days. The last 5 years especially have brought so many things to the forefront that I have barely heard of, much less know what’s true or not. It’s so hard to get the whole truth these days. I mentioned that I went to a functional medicine doctor here in my town. I was still working through some issues that were found after my testings, actually 2 testings, but the many supplements I was taking and the fact that I didn’t really feel any better or different, I discontinued that plan when my surgeries happened. I still go for chiropractic treatments there at times, but I just didn’t get enough benefits from the other part to continue and it’s very expensive.
Sigh, it is really so hard to figure all this stuff out, isn’t it!? We’re supposed to drink 1/2 our body weight in water every day. My water intake has gone up tremendously in the last year, as I strive to stay hydrated. We sure didn’t talk about hydration growing up, but it sure is hawked now as a must for our health. We drank water when we were thirsty and certainly didn’t carry water bottles around with us all the time. I see kids carrying water bottles now. Not only do we need to drink water, but it needs to have electrolytes in it. I don’t know where all this surge of health information is coming from, but it’s overwhelming to me and it’s all over social media. Now we’re supposed to eat 100+ grams of protein a day and that could be a full time job too. I don’t even count my protein and I’m sure I don’t get enough, but I try to add more to my diet. Here are all the things I hear we are supposed to be looking at:
- Collagen
- Protein powder
- Creatine
- Magnesium
- Cortisol support
- Hormone support
Let me know if you take any of the things of the above and how do you know it works? I have taken Magnesium for sleep, I have protein powder I use in smoothies, and I just bought some Creatine to try, but I bet I don’t see any difference taking it. How in the world do we figure it all out without spending so much time at speciality doctor’s offices and so much money on these pricey supplements? That’s not how I want to live, I stay out of doctor’s offices as much as possible, so I’m trying to figure this all out by researching myself and talking to friends. I sure don’t have it all figured out and I bet none of you do either. I want to do all the right things for myself, but it’s so overwhelming to me. You too? What do we do? I don’t have all the answers to that, but I’ll continue to try my best to figure out what I need to take for myself, how to eat more healthy and take the supplements my body really needs.
My sleep isn’t that great either. I bought a Fitbit last year so I could track my sleep and I get between 6 and 8 hours a night. I think I’ve only hit 8 hours a couple of times in the last 9 months. Mostly it’s around 7, which I guess is adequate, but it would be nice to sleep all through the night. Sleep is illusive too with age and it’s so frustrating. I’m sure it has to do with hormone levels, cortisol, and other things. I’ve tried all sorts of sleep aids, from magnesium pills and gummies to other supplements I’ve tried. Nothing seems to work all the time. Any ideas?
That’s an update for me. This is pretty boring stuff and I don’t want to turn into the old lady who talks about her aches and pains all the time, but I think we are all in the same boat. I’ll tell you, if you don’t have joint pain, you are very blessed. Some of my friends say they don’t have much joint pain, but others tell me they do, so I know I’m not alone. Aging definitely brings changes and I wish my joints were in better shape, but I have to deal with what I have. My knees are hurting now too, not when I walk, just when I squat down and bend them. I hope this gets better too, it seems to be worse after my surgeries. See, aren’t I a joy to read? Don’t you feel better after stopping by today? Anyway, I know I like to know that I’m not alone, so if any of you relate to this, feel free to chime in.
From people I follow on Instagram, my age and even older, they seem to be flying through getting older with no problems at all, lifting those heavy weights and having the muscular bodies to show it’s working. They sure don’t seem to have joint pain. I don’t know how they got to that place, but I’ve been working out all my life and lifting weights and I sure don’t look that buff. I don’t spend hours in the gym and maybe that’s their secret. It’s hard work to get in shape. I’m trying so many things, but at this point I’m really skeptical about so much of it. I don’t believe things until I see it for myself. I see things all the time and wonder if they work, but I’m not willing to buy them all, so I try to do homework before I commit. Feel free to keep the conversation going in the comments. I know I’m not alone and maybe hearing all my issues makes you feel better about your issues! We’ve all got issues, that I know!
I had right knee replacement three weeks ago. Like you, I thought I would be able to cruise through it like any other surgery. Not so. It stopped me in my tracks with the pain, the swelling the inability to walk properly and the vulnerability. The drinking water and staying hydrated is tough for me – I’ve never been much of a drinker. I know that it helps with the swelling and cell renewal.
Hang in there – you look amazing and are doing everything right.
Thank you, Nancy, I’ll keep doing the things I know to do and if things don’t get better, I’ll get into physical therapy and see what they can do. Surgery is a big deal and it definitely takes time to heal up completely.
Same age as you Rhonda, no joint pain, being of Swedish descent, I learned many years ago I needed to take cod liver oil everyday, it sure has helped, you look great and thank you for sharing!
Maybe I should start taking that too! You are so fortunate to have no joint pain. Almost all my friends have some sort of pains.
Am in the same boat. It’s not easy sorting out all of the solutions. Movement is key. I have the SereneLife Portable & Foldable Trampoline – 40″ in-Home Mini Rebounder. Ten minutes is supposed to be the equivalent of 30-40 minutes of jogging. Nothing aggressive, it’s more like sustained bouncing. My vibration plate is a MERACH Vibration Plate Exercise Machine, Vibration Plate. Will suggest a gradual approach to vibration levels and duration. You might also want to look at your diet and see if there are inflammatory foods that could be contributing to your joint pain. Have you replaced your walking shoes since surgery? Your gait has changed and a fresh start is necessary. Would also suggest physical therapy. I was lucky enough to be near a center that not only treated me before and after surgeries, they also had a plan where you could work out. If you had a question about form, reps, or needed an adjustment in your routine, they were there and able to offer assistance. Many of the therapists have Ph.D’s in physical therapy/rehabilitation. They love a challenge and can devise a stretching plan unique to your issues that you can do at home to address your back pain and exercises for non gym days. Have personally found that skipping stretching means discomfort the following day. After 3-4 months, I graduated to a regular gym. Finally, this is a process. It really does take a year, maybe longer to recover from the surgery. I’m not pain free, but am mobile and thankful am not experiencing my pre-surgery levels of pain. Hope this is helpful.
HI Kim, thanks for the input. I am stretching my back more than ever, so will continue to do that. I’m definitely going to get a rebounder, I’ve heard good things about them from friends. I’ll keep going and hopefully the back pain will ease and get better as that left hip continues to heal. I’m sure it is because of my surgery that it’s bothering me on that side. If I need to I’ll go to physical therapy and get some help.
Sweet Rhoda, you certainly aren’t alone. I’m feeling exactly the same, minus your surgeries. While there a lot of elective surgeries I could (need?) to do, I hope to never go under anesthesia again. That alone would be difficult. I, too, have so many questions about supplements. I joke that the money you save for retirement is for the supplements you need to take. I’ve bought things that truly don’t seem to make a difference. NMN is one and astaxanthin is another. The ads say they do miracles, but I’m pretty skeptical. I will say taking collagen in my coffee in the mornings does indeed help. My nails/hair are in much better shape, so hope it is working on my joints as well. I take glucosamine chondroitin and turmeric for inflammation and they both definitely work on my knee pain. I play tennis 3/4 times a week, but need to get in the gym for sure. Working with weights is so important and I’ve been neglectful all winter long. It’s definitely having a negative effect. I think you look lovely and healthy. Hope that sciatica calms down for you, as staying active is the key for sure. Keep up the good work!
Hi Barbara, my friend! You’re so right, all the supplements are ridiculously expensive to stay on and when I don’t feel any different, I have to ask what are they doing? I just have to keep on going and get this back pain under control and I will, I’m sure. I take glucosamine too for my knees but I can’t say it’s helped that much. When I squat and bend my knees all the way back, that hurts the most. I can walk fine. My surgeon said there’s a lot more they can do for knees now besides surgery, so I’ll be looking into those things I’m sure.
I’m feeling your pain! Literally! I feel like the tin man in the Wizard of Oz. Someone handover the oil can! I’m 72 and not ready to give up so I force myself to go to the gym and pretend to like it. Good luck with your recovery and don’t let yourself get discouraged.
Hi, Janet, I describe myself like that too, the Tin Man! We can’t give up and have to keep moving and going so we will all do it together.
I’m seven months out of hip replacement and I still have a slight limp. Long story but I had spontaneous fractures in my hip that had to heal on their own and then surgery on my spine all before the head of my femur completely collapsed leading to hip replacement. I was limping, using a cane and walker for a year. I had weight gain during that year of being sedentary and boy is that hard to get off at age 70! I pray that I will have a normal gait again someday. Hang in there. It seems like it is always something! I watching the comments for suggestions. I hadn’t thought of the rebounder but I have wandered about the vibration plate.
Hi, Tracy, I hope you get improvement with your limp. My gait is fine now with my surgeries behind me, but I still feel some pain in the surgery area & that just takes time to heal. It is always something. I’m definitely going to get a rebounder, I think it would be good for my ailments.
Sweet Rhoda, you are not alone. We are all on the same journey. 5 back surgeries, 3 rotator cuff surgeries, and 3 osteoporotic fractures for me in my 60s. But now at 73 I am actually feeling really good. I quit my gym after 30 years and bought a treadmill, bike, and free weights. Now I exercise every day bc it’s so convenient. The neurosurgeon and orthopedist both told me to stay off the weight machines and use free weights. I bought a vibration plate, hated it and sent it back! I asked the doctors how I could possibly have osteoporosis after a lifetime of being a dancer/exerciser. The reply? Tall, thin, blonde! I take Prolia shots 2x/year and have reverted to mild osteopenia. I take collagen every morning and try to count my protein intake. I am trying my best not to end up on a Walker in my 80s and 90s like my mother and MIL. Happy Birthday in heaven today to my dear mother, I miss her every single day.
Hey Roxanne, I’m so glad you are feeling good now. 5 back surgeries is definitely no joke. I hope I don’t have to do that surgery down the road and can get things stabilized. I use mostly free weights now and have for many years, so I’m sure they have helped, but I don’t do really heavy. 20 lbs is the heaviest I lift. I guess I’m prone to bone issues, since I fit that mold too. We gotta keep going!
I just turned 71 and feel the aging stuff too. I have arthritis in my hips. They are not really painful most of the time. I just get very stiff if I sit for a long time. I’m dealing with the high cholesterol too. My doctor put me on a low dose statin 3x a week as I could not tolerate it every day. I’ve been reading that statins are not good for you. In addition, I also have a weak pelvic floor which causes bladder and bowel problems. TMI! 😂 It’s all so confusing. I walk but need to add some weight lifting to my routine.
I hope your sciatica eases soon.
Thank you, Darlene, we just have to keep going and try to figure things out that will help, don’t we?
Good morning….Scoliosis, osteoporosis, arthritis, and other spine issues reporting in! I’m 74, which is the new 54 right?. I lost about 30 pounds last year and found that most of my back pain lessened by about 90%. I don’t take NSAIDS now at all. I was happy about that, although my skin is hanging in lovely vertical folds on my arms, thighs, and back end. The skin on my hands looks like a loose glove. (BUT, to be mostly pain free, it’s worth it!) I’m reading what other commenters are saying about a rebound exerciser, which isn’t jarring but still helps with bone building? That’s what I need. My doctor wants to put me on whatever that medication is for bone growth. I’m not interested. I take 1/2 Losartan for BP. I started on estrogen patches and progesterone last summer, and do sleep so much better! It’s the progesterone! The estrogen may help with bone growth. I’ll have another bone scan this summer. I also take thyroid, only because my blood work said it was low. You’re not alone, give your current healing a year, and keep your sense of humor!!!
Hi Leslie, yeah they try to tell us that 70’s is the new 50’s, but I don’t buy it! I do think a rebounder would be good for me, so I’m definitely going to get one. There’s so much to figure out, but I won’t give up & yes to the sense of humor. A must!
i sympathize with your sciatica journey, I get it off and on. I usually treat with a castor oil pack (organic cold pressed hexane free) and red light therapy belt. It helps, but I also supplement with the ingredients found in sciatiease , P.E.A. is great for inflammation and alpha lipoic acid can help repair those nerves. Finally, nerve flossing exercises for the affected leg and hip help heal and protect. I found them on YouTube.
I haven’t heard of PEA, will do some research on that. Someone mentioned taking castor oil everyday, so maybe I should try that. Nerve flossing I’ve never heard either, so will look at that.
I will be turning 69 in a few months. I had both knees replaced in the past year. Not an easy recovery, but I’m getting there. Still not 100 %, but will hopefully continue to improve. At least I’m not using a cane anymore. I take medicine for blood pressure, cholesterol and hypothyroidism. I also take several supplements. Biotin to help with thinning hair, magnesium, which I started after my first knee replacement to help with sleep and muscle relaxation. I do think the magnesium helps. Not as sure about the biotin for hair. I’m thinking about trying Nutrifol. I also take turmeric for inflammation because I can’t take NSAIDs. Not sure if it helps, since my knees don’t hurt from arthritis anymore due to the knee replacements. Like you, I suffer from sciatica, but only occasionally. You are in great shape and look great as well. I wish I could say the same about myself, lol!
I take turmeric too and have for many years. It’s supposed to help with inflammation, but I’m not sure I can tell a big difference. I seem to have plenty of that in my body. We just have to keep going and encouraging each other.
I’m 78 and will be having left rotator cuff surgery in three weeks. I had the right one done 19 years ago. I have no idea how the tears have occurred. It took six months to recover from the first one; however, I’m now 19 years older…so I have very low expectations of it taking only six months. I had a left wrist trapeziectomy with suspensionplasty (fancy name for thumb arthritis surgery) last year. The PT and recovery went extremely well. I’m generally healthy (only take a couple of meds). However, ibuprofen is the only thing that lessens my arthritis pain…and I have to stop taking it 10 days for the shoulder surgery. Watch out, world. I’m not gonna be happy!
Sharon, I wish you the best with your surgery. It’s not easy to figure this all out.
I hear you! I’ve been on hypothyroid medicine for years as well as a statin for cholesterol and blood pressure medicine. I lost almost 50 pounds when I retired so I would’ve thought I could come off some of them nut no such luck. My daughter got me to start taking Vital Protein powder in my coffee in the morning. I don’t feel any different but I know I don’t get nearly enough protein so I’ll stick with that. My son got me to try monohydrate creatine but I don’t see any benefit to that so don’t think I will continue with that. My daughter put me on her Peloton account a couple of years ago and I love that! I don’t have a treadmill but they have such a wide variety of classes that you can’t possibly get bored!
My right knee is the bane of my existence. It is bone on bone. I got another cortisone shot which helps alot. But it does impact kneeling and squats. I am 70 and everything has gotten creakier this year which is so annoying. But overall, I am extremely grateful that my health is good and try not to let the aches and pains get me down. BTW, sleeping has gotten much better since I turned 70! Before that, if I had three bad nights in a row I would take a Tylenol PM which would give me a great night’s sleep.
HI, Laura, I put protein powder in my coffee too and in smoothies. I hope it’s helping with my protein intake! And I commiserate with you on knee pain. I wasn’t having much pain, but it’s gotten worse after my surgeries. Squatting kills my knees and I just hate that I can’t get up and down like I used to. It would be nice if my sleep got better after 70, I’d love that.
I just think of 9/11 and remember that those people who perished would have liked to live to my age. Then everything seems to go into perspective. As Ben Sasse says now that he knows he doesn’t have long to live, our days are numbered so let’s live like it. I want to be grateful.
You look great Rhoda! As with all things today, there is almost too much information in any given category. If someone looks buff, they are probably spending a good deal more time than I have. I want to be healthy to do things and enjoy playing with my grandchildren. Protein has always been my nemesis. I do try to eat more and add protein powder to the mix as I know that helps build the muscle. Now for supplementation. I do take several things, cuz I am such a picky eater. I take a multi vitamin and the following too -zinc, selenium, B16, vitamin D3, magnesium oxide (trial and error for that one), curcumin, probiotic, and Omega 3. All of the specific ones were at the recommendation by a health and wellness doctor after testing. The only prescriptions I take are Synthroid and progesterone (which aids with sleeping). I have always been more estrogen dominant. That Synthroid will add to the osteoporosis issues. Doc has prescribed me Ibandronate for that. I took it about 2 months and HATED it. Looked it up and that is a no go!!! It is the active ingredient in Boniva which is no longer on the market. Yea, I am not taking that stuff. My teeth would fall out. My teeth hurt as well as awful indigestion both months with it. Nope! For ages I lifted weights. Lately it has been hard on me. My recovery time is just much longer. Part of that is stress. Walking is my friend. I did try the rebounder. I am on the fence about whether is as great as YouTubers share. It kinda makes my hips hurt with a longer period of time on it. I thinking walking is better for me because I can get outside which helps with the stress. I am 65 and yes, aging is not for the faint of heart. All in all, I feel blessed and the key is moving and being grateful for another to day to get up and try. God Bless.
I question when some people state they have exercised for 20, 30 years and then wonder why they are having some of the issues you talk about, hips, knees, etc. Could that be related? I believe being too sedentary is not good but is normal living and moving what our bodies are made for…..not excessive exercise, hours spent in a gym on different machines, etc. Just my opinion….. I take meds. for cholesterol, high blood pressure, osteoporosis but no extreme problems. I hesitate to take meds but not sure all the supplements recommended are the answer either. Agree we all just have to do what we think is best for us and realize our bodies wear out…….we are not made to live forever!
HI, Judy, we do wear out eventually. I’ve always exercised moderately and not hard core on the joints. Everything I do now is low impact on my joints and I do think exercise and moving the body is key. I’ll continue to do what I’m doing because I do feel better when I exercise and don’t sit too much.
Hi Rhoda, been reading your blog for years but not sure I’ve ever commented til now. I’m 74 yrs. I’ve had both hips done but was concerned about your possible use of a rebounder. I would caution you from one of those and jumping on your new hips, plus sciatica plus occasional knee pain doesn’t sound good and very hard on all your ailments. Maybe advice from your Dr or research? Perhaps a vibration platform would be a better option, I don’t know. But the rebounder sounds like you might set yourself back instead of forward. A rebounder isn’t something I would want to use.
Best, Vicki
HI, Vicki, from what I hear it’s good for low impact on joints, but I’ll check with my surgeon too.
I’ve heard that aging isn’t for sissies! So true. Overall, I am fortunate to be reasonably healthy and to also have my hair. I broke my foot in 2024 and my elbow in 2025. My bones are fine, but I fall more often, so I’m going to start some classes for balance. I have taken Synthroid all my life and it is very important. I am also on HRT. It helps my sleep, my bones and my heart. I also take a multivitamin and calcium supplements, and I try to walk every day. I also have some daily devotionals I read and I’m part of a women’s Bible study. I see more and more how important it is to have women friends.
I am at peace about having to add additional medicines because my body needs help in different ways. I am thankful that there is medical technology to help me stay active longer
My husband has sciatica last year and I definitely don’t want to minimize any of the problems you are having. Any surgery affects our overall health both mental and physical.
I hope you will be out and about soon. Prayers. 🙏🏻
You are doing great! Aging gracefully takes work. I take two exercise classes a week and have done so for 30 years. Nonetheless, I started having sciatica last year. At the first twinge, I take ibuprofen. Ice only for 72 hours—no heat. Sciatica means that the nerve is on fire and you don’t want to add heat. See the chiropractor/massage therapist if the flare ups come too often.
There’s a great video series on YouTube called “Senior Fitness with Meredith.” She offers instructions on seated sciatica stretches and another with gentle hip stretches. I take a Super B vitamin for nerve health, glucosamine chondroitin for joints and Calcium citrate with Vitamin D for bones. Like you, I’m not into taking extra medications/supplements as there a plus and minus to everything we ingest. Good luck, we are all in this together!
Hey Cathy, thanks for the info. I’ll check that out. I am doing several stretching exercises for my back every morning and it does seem to help.
Hi Rhoda: I thought I would chime in on the vibrating machine, I work out at home five days a week; 5 lb. Weights, stretching exercises,
planks etc., recumbent bike, treadmill, AND a Hyper Vibe vibrating machine for 10 minutes. My husband uses it after working out at a gym and so does my daughter after running. I find it loosens you up and it is not hard on the joints. I have been using it for four years and really like it. FYI I am 74 . By the way, I think you look wonderful, be patient and give yourself some grace, at our age it takes time.
Thanks, Deborah, that is good to know. I’ve seen those vibrating plates and wonder if they really do anything. I’m definitely considering a rebounder though, I think I would enjoy that.