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Urgent advise

Posted , 7 users are following.

Trixybelle
Trixybelle

I have told my story here before, bit I'll tell it again as I have a second opinion and could use some advise.

I have been told I have osteoarthritis in my right hip. There is zero cartilage left, so it's just bone on bone. The consultant said the only option is a hip replacement but I would need to wait or be in a lot more pain.

I am 38 years old and have a one year old. Do you think I should push for a hip replacement?

I'm currently taking naproxen, Co codomal and a daily sachet of revive.

Does anyone have any questions I should ask the specialist. I really want another child but can no longer put on my sock without an aid, I can't cross my right leg and I'm not able to run.

Thanks for your help.

Triona.

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • susan67756
    susan67756 Trixybelle

    Posted

    Triona,

    I was diagnosed with hip OA at age 42 - I'm now 52.

    For nearly 10 years I was unable to pick things up off the floor, put on shoes or socks, couldn't cross my right leg over my left. I *could* run, but like a car with square wheels.

    I'm 100% fine now.  My point being that those symptoms alone aren't indicative of a serious problem. It's *possible* that with physical therapy it could be put right.

    I don't know what my hip joints look like. 10 years ago I was told 'degenerative changes in both hips' but no detail was given. In 2012 a physiotherapist told me that, based upon her examination, I had bone on bone restriction and at most a year before I'd need a hip replacement.

    I think at 38 you should try very, very hard to see if you can put things right - or improve things - through physical therapy. At your age - if you can afford it - a personal trainer that has good experience of correcting muscle imbalances could be just what you need. It would cost about £30 a week though. Which I appreciate might be out of the question when you have a young baby.

    Susan

    • Trixybelle
      Trixybelle susan67756

      Posted

      Did you have to take pain killers, I hate taking them. I'm trying to watch my diet and want to get more active but I always end up in bits.
    • susan67756
      susan67756 Trixybelle

      Posted

      I went through a period of several months when I had constant, uncontrollable pain. I had to take pain killers then and I hated it - they didn't even work!

      Most of the time though I managed to stay pain free by using trigger point therapy. Which is essentially self-massage. It really can work miracles in dealing with pain.

      Where is your pain? Can you describe it a little?

    • Trixybelle
      Trixybelle susan67756

      Posted

      It's most painful after I've walked for note than twenty minutes. It's more my inner leg and around my bum when I'm going up hill. It's like a tired, sore pain.
    • susan67756
      susan67756 Trixybelle

      Posted

      That's mainly the type of pain I had. Mainly down to overworked muscles getting sore and tired. I think you'd get a lot of relief from trigger point massage. The ideal would be to get the muscle imbalances sorted out so that the muscles aren't getting overworked but that's a lot easier said than done. What I will say though is if you can get fitter your tollerance will build and you'll be able to do much, much more before you get sore.

      For less than £20 you can get a great book on Amazon called "Trigger Point Therapy Workbook". It will teach you how to use self massage to ease off those sore, tired muscles. Normally it will also loosen off some muscles too so that you can move more easily. You have to keep doing it or the tightness and soreness comes back. However, you may find that it gives you enough relief to enable you to up your activity levels which will get you fitter, stronger and give you yet more pain relief.

      I don't know how you feel about exercise, but if it's hard for you then even trying to build up how far you walk each day can help. What about getting a pedometer and trying to gradually increase the number of steps you take each day? Exercise IS the best thing you can do for OA if you can control the pain enough to be ABLE to do it! The fitter and stronger you get the better your chances of being able to stake steps to become pain free.

       

    • Trixybelle
      Trixybelle susan67756

      Posted

      Yes I have been talking to a personal trainer whom I hope to start with soon. Thank you for your advise.
  • flatfluff
    flatfluff Trixybelle

    Posted

    I have had right hip problems since birth, I had a procedure when I was in my late 30s to stop the joint falling out and 10 years ago had a total hip replacement. An awful lot of my pain and continuing hip problems before the final op was down to leg length difference which wasn't that well addressed. The problem with surgeons is that rarely think outside of the box, it's just an operative procedure to them. You are very young for a replacement although bone on bone sounds like a definitive diagnosis for one to me. I suggest that you ask your personal trainer if they think you should get your feet and/or potential leg length discrepancy checked out. I have at long last found a wonderful podiatrist who has made me some really comfortable orthotics for my right shoe. Not only has my foot pain gone but my back pain has improved and both my hips are much freer. My walking gait is unrecognisable to friends! Good luck and watch the co codamol as it plays havoc with your system.
  • Leni75
    Leni75 Trixybelle

    Posted

    Hi Trixybelle

    How did you find out you had OA in the hip? I mean what are the best tests for that? The reason I asked is because I too think I have OA on my right hip and maybe also on my left. I starred having symptoms at the age of 38 almost 39 after I gave birth to my baby in 2014. Now The pain is worse, some days it's so painful I can't pick my baby up, in fact I avoid any kind of strain on my hips because it causes much more pain. I've not seen any doctor about this yet but OA runs on my family ( mother has had several body replacements) and In my case I was at risk of developing it at such young age. The pregnancy hormones play a huge part on that unfortunately.  I don't take any painkillers yet  but I rub in some voltarol on those days that pain is too much to bear. 

    I feel sorry for us so young and with this already. I hope that one day we will wake up and there's a possibility of a cure for this disabling disease. I just want to be able to enjoy the rest of my life with my child and do things together without much pain and so do you I believe. I think if a hip replacement is the only way to achieve that don't think twice. I wish you all the best luck . Keep posting xx

     

  • sparkle1
    sparkle1 Trixybelle

    Posted

    I believe you shoudl get a 2nd opinion from a Rheumatlogist.  This sounds like RA not OA to me and it would be very important to know.  Childbirth is a known trigger for RA and this is an autoimmune disease in which case you would be on biologic drugs for the immune system.  It is unusual to get OA so young and after childbirth. 

    I'd get another opinion and push for it - Biologics work best if caught very early. 

  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK Trixybelle

    Posted

    I can only guess that the reason they are reluctant to operate is because a total hip replacement (THR) does not last forever - usually 20-25 years i believe.

    I am now 2 weeks post THR, and starting to walk with 1 stick now.  It is a VERY long healing process - it is MAJOR surgery, despite what the doctors say when trying to 'sell' it to you.  (when they prefer to say 'procedure' instead of 'operation', we do loads of them, good outcome, etc.)

    I have been told not to bend, or even put my own socks on for 3 months!

    I suggest you take alook at the 'Hip Replacement' forum on here.

    Graham

  • Kikeena
    Kikeena Trixybelle

    Posted

    Hi Trixybelle

    I am on the hip replacement forum on this site and it is marvelous. So many friendly helpful wise people who have been where you are.

    I think they would all say to have the hip replacement. It is a really successful operation and people get their lives back. Everyone has suffered as you are suffering. In fact many people are pre op, or considering the op.

    This is no way to live, especially so young. And you need to be at the top of your game for your child, and any other child you might have.

    I had my hip replaced 8 weeks ago, and although the recovery is tough, I am so glad I did it.

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