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Do i really need a full Hip Replacement??, i was bone on bone but now it is fusing ..

Posted , 8 users are following.

audrey70783
audrey70783

surgeon  said but i feel lot less pain & wonder what if i just leave my hip alone? as i am 63 & couldn't walk far even if i did have a successful Operation,

i have other probs anyway & manage.

And people in the past didn't have hip replacements, don't know how they got on? Does anyone??

There's only 2 Antibiotics left now as well..

What do others think?

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • AlexandriaGizmo
    AlexandriaGizmo audrey70783

    Posted

    Hi Audrey, can I ask the reason your not keen on a HR and what are your other conditions that cause you mobility issues.

    I have limited mobility due to a fractured hip and pelvis so I can see your possible reasoning.

    Are you able to use crutches or some kind of walking aid.

    • audrey70783
      audrey70783 AlexandriaGizmo

      Posted

      Hi, sorry taken so long to answer, I am not always online, Thanku for your reply. I was bone on bone & used a cane (had pain) but was told by surgeon my bones are fusing but i have been feeling lot better last 3 mths & dont use cane, I need Full Hip Replacement, I also have limited mobility anyway from a broken heel & 2 old spinal vertebrae & did not have surgery on any of them & they have healed themselves enough for me to live my limited life, cant walk far anymore or dance haha so that is why i think maybe my hip can do its own thing too, hahah, just wonder what fusing might end up like..I am staying on surgery list as long as poss in case i have no choice one day, but i read so many people have lots prob's, its all a risk eh! So what happened to U ? Did U have an Op?? I will look out for your emails. Cheers for now, Audrey.

  • john18999
    john18999 audrey70783

    Posted

    Hi Audrey I'm 72 and 6 weeks post opp. I was in a lot of pain and couldn't walk far before my hip joint replacement. Now 6 weeks on so far so good. I hope this is of some help.

  • Pippyj
    Pippyj audrey70783

    Posted

    Hi.  I wondered if I really needed it too.  8 weeks later and I cycled for the first time on Saturday.  I’m 72 and glad I’ve had it done.
  • jen86183
    jen86183 audrey70783

    Posted

    Audery,

    If you can manage and not in pain, you are probably best leaving it, as you do not sound sure you want an operation yet.

    Most people on here will disagree with me I appreciate and understand that but, it is not easy to recover from and can cause problems. I would not have another one done.

    • audrey70783
      audrey70783 jen86183

      Posted

      Hi Jen, thanku for your understanding, u say u would not have another hip op?? My specialist surgeon told me my Oesteoarthritic left hip bones r fusing & felt sorry for me but i am in lot less pain & dont need a cane (& still can bend leg back as well as wen bone on bone without pain) etc, I have a broken heel from 5 yrs ago & was told an Op if i got an infection i would lose my foot so i live with that, & same with 2 old spinal injuries, (1 prolapsed disc, & 1 fractured) they have healed enough for me to live with too, so i am not keen on a full hip Op with the metal down leg etc etc. I just dont want to go thru all that if i will end up worse, its all a risk & their are only 2 antibiotics left in the cupboard.  I just trying to find out what happened to people who's bones fused completely. or didn't have Op? I cant walk far anyway or dance ha ha & Frankly if i can manage, it is our own choice, hoping to get am informed one.. my GP said i have to do the Op,!? I am staying on surgical list as long as poss. Reading about peoples hip Op probs is an eye opener..A Sydney orthopedic surgeon Dr Ian Harris book "Surgery, The Ultimate Placebo" , talks about many un-effective surgeries, so what happened to U?? Cheers Audrey

    • jen86183
      jen86183 audrey70783

      Posted

      Audrey, before op I searched the net for peoples experiences but could only find old forums. I found this site a week after op, it would have made me think about whether to go through with it to be honest.

      I was unlucky as between week 7/8 I got blood clots in the lungs. Doctors only focus on getting clots in the legs, I did not, just had a strange pain in the stomach. I was fit and healthy prior to op so, this has coloured my judgement somewhat.

      I am at week 16 the hip itself audrey is fine, I had zero pain after thr, I am walking without support and I have level legs for the first time in years, so not all bad.

      Yes, I am worried about what I can do, I was active prior to op, doing pilates, aerobics, walking and would like to return to these activities. I think it helped to managed the pain by being active but I am not sure how much I can do without causing problem to the hip as I have had no guidance from hospital, physios were not much help.

      Think hard and do what feels right for you.

    • audrey70783
      audrey70783 jen86183

      Posted

      Thanks Jen, but sounds like your hip op worked, great, cause it is scary, even without finding this site..blood clots in lungs must be very frighting i assume they have gone? Maybe just try do things gently & push your boundaries a bit at a time.My surgeons secretary who i rang other day, he said he would be thinking like me for sure & said only do Op if no choice left...& worst thing would happen is i probably end up in more pain & wheelchair?? He agreed there are many risks, so that was good feedback! It is very hard to get information u need i agree but i am like a ferret, haha 

  • maggie93798
    maggie93798 audrey70783

    Posted

    The average of a hip replacement patient in the UK is 67, with a very large age range undergoing the op. The oldest patient was a couple of years ago over 100. So 63 is in itself no reason to decide against surgery. 

    it depends on your other problems and individual circumstances. I should have a couple of opinions from different medics before making up your mind.

    Most of us who have had the surgery are very pleased with the result and it is a joy to be able to walk even a couple of miles pain free

    Historically I expect most people did not live long enough to need a THR as until the middle of the last century life expectancy was well under 55 for most people. If they did survive I think they used crutches to move.

    you mention antibiotics and only 2 left. Is this because of allergies or having had a multiresistant organism isolated in the past. If so this will be on your notes and needs to be a point of discussion between you and the medical team. The great majority of ops do not need antibiotics post surgery although some cover is given for a couple of days to avoid colonisation and/ or infection with MRSA. 

    MRSA carriage is screened for at  pre op appointment and dealt with if present

  • doughammer
    doughammer audrey70783

    Posted

    Hi Audrey.    I had my first (left) THR in the UK at the age of 50.  I was very happy with the outcome and resumed playing tennis and other activities.

    Now, at age 69 and living in Cyprus my right hip deteriorated to the point of giving me huge discomfort.  I had no hesitation about arranging for THR for the right leg under the Cyprus NHS.  I had my op about 14 weeks ago and obviously, 20 years down the line, it is taking a bit longer to get over but do not regret it at all.  Prior to the op I had constant back ache from walking badly but that disappeared immediately the op had been done.  So - well worth having it done. Hope this helps. 

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