anyone out there who has a fused hip (arthrodesis)?

Both my hip joints have been fused for the last about 50 years.

Sometime around 1965/66 I was offered by an orthapadic surgeon to replace the hip joints. He would donate the hip joints and I would have to bear the cost of operation.

However after discussing  with family and family doctor I decided against it. The advice was that as long as I was able to move about why take trhe risk of being immobilised as I also have a Bamboo Spine. ( Ankylosing Spondilitis).  When I am bedridden I should think about replacement. 

Hi, I see it's an old post but.... I am a 50 year old female. Had my left hip fused at the age of 24. If you are still looking to chat with someone with the same fussion please let me know.

Hi Debra, hey I'm another one !!!! Am so happy to link up with folk of a similar predicament ! 

I am 51, and hip fused at 13 after TB at 10( I know it's rare, and god knows where from)? Like you during ghat period spent much time hospitalised on traction( a full 41/2 months at one point)! Was then in a full hip spika ( yes upto armpits) for approx 18months! Not nice at all, but like most kids with stuff like this  dealt with it all really well and just got on with it! 

I remained active, and never let it stop me in anything if I could ? Obviously some things are physically impossible, but hey ho only makes you more determined and have always tried to have a good positive outlook to life! 

I worked, until having my 3 children, the pregnancies took there role on my back and hip! And just looking after them and running a home in general created many challenges! I am however extremely proud of them all! 

Now grown up and the past few years my Health has deteriorated further, excessive pain, wear n tear on joints, sleep interrupted and clumsiness is no joke lol! But you have to laugh at yourself?! I approached a surgeon last year, who gas agreed to give me a new hip! Not an easy procedure, as made clear is also without risks, but I'm young enough n old enough to take that chance for a better quality of life in my senior years! Am I scared ? Yes! But also so excited at the prospect of potentially a new me! Its a gamble I need to take as how things are at the moment are only going to get worse! I enjoy my life too much and hopefully it will all work out for the best! I mean how daft if someone is willing to give you the chance to do what most take for granted, sitting, (With a sticking out leg) bending (my heads had so many bumps), legs similar lengths, going to the loo, riding a bike , to name a few! Well if it's ok with you guys I'll keep you posted! Scheduled for 16Th Jan 2018 ! My surgeon has done 4 successfully and is optimistic and positive so let's see! Recuperating is going to be hard I know am told 12/18 months but I'm ready!! Watch this space ! And I'm happy to respond to anything you any of you hippy peeps might want to know or hear ! Wish me luck!

Julie xx

Hi, just found this site which gives me the opportunity to share/unload my experience with my tb hip.

Briefly, I'm 84 years old and was diagnosed with a tb hip when 4 years old after I started to limp, my father had just died with consumption.

Taken into Newtown Hospital in Worcester and put on a frame, I guess the idea was that if I was totally I immobilised it would clear itself by now I had abscess in my hip.

The frame was tailor made for me by placing me on a large piece of ply wood with my legs appart and the wood then cut to my shape. The wood was then padded and covered in leather from my feet to my head I was then bound like a mummy to the frame such that I could only move my arms and twist my head from side to side. No pillow. Eat sideways and drink out a cup with a spout on the side like a teapot.

And there I stayed for over 2years. As I grew bigger frame was made, also had a weight attached to my bad leg over a pulley and the bed tipped back by placing wooden.

No bath for over 2years only blanket bath between frame upgrade. Feet never touched the ground.

The PLAN did not work and I was taken into Worcester Royal to have hip fused at an angle of about 30 degrees as a compromise for standing and sitting. Had a hip spicer for about 6 months.

The result of the operation meant that the leg grew slower such that in adulthood my leg is 1.5inches shorter.

Time in hospital 2years 7 months. started school when I was 7 at an Open Air School and that's a whole new storey

Have led and am leading a great life with 6 healthy kids and masses of grandchildren, played golf for years.

writing this has been quite an experience 

With the arrival of hip replacements the doc said they could do it but I ran the risk of back problems as my posture had adjusted to the hip fixture.

 

Hi debra57

I have pretty much the same problem as you I was born with hip displasia which wasn’t picked up until my grandad noticed I wasn’t walking properly at almost 2 years old I underwent many operations had the horrible 8weeks on contraction had three or four spiked plaster casts and like you I’ve lead as much of a normal life as I could.

I also had a son, who’s 12 now.

I am a hairdresser an have done my job for 16 years but because my hip was fused inwards because the spiked cast caused my right foot to stick out I now have terrible knee pain and spend most days behind gritted teeth fighting back tears. 

I’m currently under the hospital awaiting to have a procedure done to rotate the leg back out or to either have the hip broken back down an fused in a much better position.

There’s no way I can have a hip replacement due to the muscle wastage I have from my hip being fused. I do suffer with back pain but my knee and ankle are my main pain. But I’m glad to say that you not alone I’m now 32 an I’m worried sick that I will never have a normal straight leg. 

Dear Debra

My name is Yolandi and I am 33 Years old now.When i was twelve I broke my hip so badly that the only option then was to get a fused hip.Since 1996 up until now I had eight operations.Put screws and plate in and out.But a month ago I had to remove all implants due to pain and stiffness.And all the pressure on the hip.As for now I am OK but will get an hip replacement next month.But the pain is not nice.I hope and pray that you are feeling better.

Hello I had a hip fusion 32 years ago I will be 47 in May. I have been pretty lucky not having much pain until the last 10 years and that has mostly been in my back. I had steroid shots in my lower back then and lasted  for a while. The last week though I’ve had the worst pain since my surgery. In my lower back and around my good hip. My GP gave me a steroid pack and has helped tremendously but still have the pains. My original ortho is now retired and It was hard trying to find someone that I felt I could trust. I really want a hip replacement but scared I’d be in worse shape or the results won’t be what I am expecting. 

I do want to let you know your not alone out there. I’ve often wondered if there was anyone else in the same condition as me. Mine started with finding out I was born without a hip socket. The dr tried to make me one and didn’t work and 3 years later did a hip fusion with pins and bone graft. I’m glad to have found this site to talk to others.

Hello there, 

? I have fused left hip and I was planning to have a hip replacement soon as I will see dr for consultation. I m exciting about it. Yeah it is limited hip as I m frustrated and mobility limited too. I remember very well as normal everything I did after surgery when I was 10 years old since. So I want it everything back as possible normal for movement and mobility again. 

Hi Debra - 

?I had my left hip fused in 1969 when I was 17 years old - this year will be the 49th year.  My fusion was performed at Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC.  

If you still want to talk please let me know.

John

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Has anyone done downhill skiing with a fused hip?  I do tons of exercise and am in good shape, but I've avoided this because my surgeon told me to avoid high impact sports since I have one less joint to be flexible when taking a fall; it makes it more likely that the knee or back will get tweaked in a fall.  However, my 2 children both downhill ski so I'm tempted to try.  I used to ski in high school, so I know how.  (And we do cross country ski together.)  I'm wondering how the falls have been and also how it is doing turns without the hip flexibility on one side.