1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

Any advice on how long to wait before a THR.

Posted , 15 users are following.

philip20437
philip20437

Hi

I am 57 and was diagnosed as having osteoarthritis of my left hip just over a year ago. I have had 2 cortisone injections the last one in July and had very little effect, my consultant has said i need a THR now.

My dilemma is I can still walk miles albeit with a limp, can still cycle 30 mile

Although can no longer run or play other sports due to groin pain.

So is it best to have the op now while I'm otherwise fit and healthy.

Or do I wait a bit longer and if I do will it get so bad as to near enough disable me, decisions decisions ? Would appreciate any feedback from people who have experienced a THR.

0 likes, 24 replies

24 Replies

Prev
  • auntiebeanie
    auntiebeanie philip20437

    Posted

    Philip get it done now. I was 55 when I was diagnosed with severe OA in my right hip. Originally thought it was my knee. Didnt limp went to the gym but jad pain in groin and thigh. Surgeon couldnt believe how stiff my hip was. Was 56 when I had it replaced. Surgeon said if it wasnt for the fact I had holidays booked. He would have done it urgently. That was two years ago. Can dance for hours now. Had posterior and ceramic with titanium stem uncemented.

  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK philip20437

    Posted

    I would say to not leave it until you cannot move.  The better shape you are in before the operation, the easier and faster you should recover from it.  Another , younger patient, who had his hip the same day as me took much longer to get mobile.

    I started getting pain in 2012, and in early 2015 my consultant said he would operate as I had managed to get my weight down.  I elected to wait until after our 40th wedding anniversary celebrations, and had it done in October 2015.  

    Unfortunately, I had problems because my surgeon put the parts in wonky, then the hospital failed to spot the mistake on the X-Ray, so I had revision in Jan 2016.  It took about 12 weeks after the revision before I was back at work - commuting about 2 hours into London - and a month of tapered hours to get back into the job.

    Since then I have been doing things like gardening and a roof repair to my workshop that I just know that I could not have done before the operation.

    It took me about 18 months to feel 'normal' again, at which time I decided to retire at 65.  Now I feel great, despite the major setbacks I suffered - compensation case pending.

    On the whole, I would say sooner than later.

    Best wishes

    Graham

  • judith12644
    judith12644 philip20437

    Posted

    Hi, It’s a difficult decision. I waited about 4 years from my initial X-ray and diagnosis because I was hoping to avoid having to have a revision. Eventually I was in more pain, limping more, and finding it hard to sleep. Met my surgeon, and he operated a month later. I was 57, so probably will still need a revision at some point!
    • RichardKen
      RichardKen judith12644

      Posted

      Dear Judith

      I think we all agree that it is a hard decision but of course at some point it needs to be done if one is going to have a decent quality of life and sooner really is best.

      I had a revision of my twenty year old hip a few months ago and have no pain and have excellent range of movement in the hip. I doubt if anyone could tell if they saw me walking that I had bad hip surgery.

      I went to see my chiropractor this afternoon to check out an occasional back pain that I have had to cope with for many years. The chiropractor checked the range of both hips and was amazed with my revised one. He also commented on the sidewise power of the hip muscles so all those exercise and walking has worked!

      So Judith please do not be too concerned as it is very possible that revisions will become more successful than at present. For the record both my surgeries were done posterior.

      Cheers Richard

    • judith12644
      judith12644 RichardKen

      Posted

      That’s true Richard, your revision was very successful, and that’s good to know. 
  • jools2512
    jools2512 philip20437

    Posted

    Hi Philip,

    ?I'm 52 and 9 weeks post LTHR (posterior) My life pretty much had ground to a halt, albeit quite dramatically in the last year from an original diagnosis of around 4 years ago. I had probably already suffered pain for another 4 years before even seeing anyone. My point is, is that although I am doing incredibly well now and feel pretty amazing, the recovery is harder and longer because of the poor state of the weakened muscles in my affected leg. Besides the horrific pain I was in, I was barely coping with daily life, could not sleep and was becoming more and more reliant on my family. The shock alone of not having the wearing pain for every minute of the day is stunning! As you are fit and well, just give yourself the best chance of an excellent outcome and don't hold back, get it done as soon as you can. Severe joint osteoarthritis insidious, you don't realise what has been taken away from you until you start getting it back  biggrin

Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.