I had my hip replaced a year ago at age 56. And if you’re thinking, “Hey, she’s way too young for that!” I’ll blush and say thank you.
Age aside, the reality is that I had Osteoarthritis in my left hip, which caused fluid, benign cysts, and bone spurs to develop, despite – or maybe exacerbated by – my active lifestyle. I was in intermittent, and sometimes excruciating, pain every day.
I was no fan of the idea of surgery, but I knew I had to do something, so on July 1, 2025, I had a full hip replacement.
I know I wasn’t alone in dealing with an injury and surgery, so I wanted to share some of the products that made – and continue to make – my life more enjoyable.
TopJob AnyDesk Fold ($209, value $299, Tobjob.co)
Sitting for long periods of time is not good for any of us, especially those of us with arthritis!
Using a standing desk throughout the day can have myriad benefits, so I was excited to find this stylish one. It quickly converts from a sitting to a standing desk – 28” to 45”– with the press of a button, thanks to its pneumatic lift function. I can switch between sitting and standing in seconds.
The desk also tilts to any angle, so it does double duty as a laptop stand when I do virtual TV segments. It’s made with high-density engineered wood and eco-friendly, waterproof powdered coating, so it’s easy to clean and looks brand new. It’s easy to assemble, and you can choose between lockable casters or fixed feet. Available in four colors.
Silver Jeans Highly Desirable High Rise Trouser Leg Jeans ($94, Silverjeans.com)
Jeans in an article about injury and surgery? Yep.
In the weeks leading up to my surgery, these jeans from Silver Jeans allowed me to look and feel stylish while providing the amount of stretch and comfort I needed.
These jeans look chic, with a flattering high waist, ample length, and trouser leg (similar to a boot cut, IMHO), but I swear they are as comfortable as joggers.
OKA Active Recovery Slide Sandals ($49.95, Okarecovery.com)
I discovered these unisex slides at a press preview, and I regularly wear them around the house – sometimes I even wear them around town.
They are designed for all sorts of folks; those experiencing plantar fasciitis and other foot issues, athletes recovering from a tough workout or game, people who stand for many hours at a time, and anyone preparing for and recovering from surgery.
The slides are made with 34C Durometer Recovery Foam, which is 30 percent softer than the foam in most running shoes. They have a textured footbed to promote circulation and prevent slipping or tipping, a supportive deep heel cup, a wide toe box, and a comfortable arch contour. The slides can be worn with or without socks, indoors and outdoors, and are available in several colors. They are also 100 percent recyclable, and the brand uses a HEYLO zero-waste, closed-loop manufacturing system that upcycles your old shoes.
OmegaXL Joint Support Supplement ($48.99, Amazon)
I’d taken Turmeric supplements for years to help with menopausal/age-related joint pain, but after a while, it stopped offering relief. I switched to OmegaXL after reading that omega-3s can be helpful for joint aches and within a few days, I felt noticeably better. Note that my results were faster than indicated by the brand.
OmegaXL offers the EPA and DHA that other omega-3 supplements do, but this sustainably farmed New Zealand green-lipped mussel oil provides an additional 28 free fatty acids. AND no fishy aftertaste that fish oils often have. The supplements are free from gluten, allergenic levels of shellfish protein, artificial ingredients, milk, yeast, and corn.
If OmegaXL is too pricey, I’ve also had good luck with this comparable product from Swanson.
supregear Collapsible Portable Travel Cane with Wrist Strap ($12.97, Amazon)
A cane? Yes, it came to that. I first used one when my husband, daughter, and I were in Mexico City in April before my surgery and walking 8+ miles a day.
My hip felt terrible, and I knew a cane could help, so we bought a folding one at Walmart. My daughter covered it in stickers, and we laughed about the fact that I needed a cane.
Laughs aside, it was a lifesaver. And then, just like that, I left it on the plane at the end of our trip.
I got the black floral one on Amazon as a replacement. It folded up small enough to fit in my purse, and I only took it out when my hip bothered me. I stopped needing it about 8 weeks post-surgery.
Covacure Collapsible Trekking Poles
While the cane is a thing of the past, these trekking poles aren’t.
When I started doing long walks again post surgery, I started to feel a dull ache in my right hip…NOT the surgery hip. WTH?
My surgeon took a look at the Xray and confirmed that yes, there is arthritis and it might become a problem, but there are things I could do to delay (prevent??) another surgery.
So, here’s what I do:
1. I walk in the grass or dirt when I can. Pavement is tough on the joints.
2. Take shorter strides, which are less stressful on the body than longer strides (thank you to my sports physical therapist brother-in-law for that one.)
3. Use trekking poles, like these from Covacure. Now, you might feel a bit silly using hiking poles on a regular walk, but trust me – I feel the difference when I use them vs. when I don’t. Now I don’t even care when someone says, “Wow – my grandmother has those!” What’s good for grandma is good for me if it prevents another surgery.
ComfySure Store Wedge Car Height Booster Seat Cushion ($32.99, Amazon)
When I told a physical therapist that I experienced hip pain after sitting for long periods, he recommended this cushion. He also recommended standing periodically, hence the aforementioned standing desk.
The cushion is quite comfortable and supportive, and I became accustomed to it quickly.
It tips the pelvis forward a bit, which helps me maintain better posture as I sit, which has been good all around.
The velvety cushion cover is machine washable and has a nonslip surface on the bottom, which means you can use it pretty much anywhere, from the office to the couch to the car.
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