Posted , 13 users are following.
Hi, I'm after some guidance and opinions for those of you pre and post op. I'm 43 and awaiting my date for op. I have been trying to delay having a THR as long as I can, I really wanted to be sure there were no other other options.
The thing I'm battling with inside is when is enough pain and stiffness enough. Saw my surgeon yesterday and he, like all the other consultants and Dr's I've seen, didn't want to offer an opinion about whether he agrees now is the right time. Everyone keeps saying I'm younger than most who need THR but it almost feels like they're subtley saying ' why are you in here? '.
The pain from my hip depends on how I'm standing or sitting, so there are certain positions where I feel very little or no pain. but I've realised over the years I'm not putting my body in those really painful positions very much. So, in my head I keep thinking I can somehow persevere and maybe I should be manning-up to leave a THR as long as I can.
Anyone else gone through this, particularly the absence of anyone professional actually giving their candid, honest opinion?
0 likes, 19 replies
Lilylou1 Mart76
Posted
Hi rhere, i was in my 30s when i started having issues...at 45 December 2018 I had a hip replacement. I could barely walk to the letterbox and had hung in there due to being seriously scared. It got to the point where the specialist rung me and said we have to act now and he was concerned it would be complex surgery due to things getting so bad....if i had known that mechanically it was at the point where it would be harder to do i would have had it done sooner. 9 months on im wearing heels again and working out!! Feel amazing now!!! Recovery took time but im excited to be doing life normally.
Mart76 Lilylou1
Posted
thanks for sharing your experience, it's really helping me to think more positively! 😁
Martyn
john49662 Mart76
Posted
Ho ObiMart, I know how you feel, I was exactly the same. After an active life my hip pain came on quickly and I tried to convince myself that I only needed something from the chemist to put it right. It only hurt when I walked or sat in a certain position, but after six months I realised it was getting worse and affecting my enjoyment of life. So after a lot of persuasive nagging from my wife I had the THR, and I am so glad I did. The operation was trouble free, and the first few weeks after were, at most, inconvenient. Now, eight months later, life is totally normal, and I forget that I ever had the operation apart from a slowly fading scar. I can drive, walk, swim, cycle - the only thing I cannot do is go through airport security without setting off the alarm.
Mart76 john49662
Posted
thanks John, it's great to get everyone's experiences on here. Hearing positive experiences really helps.
Martyn
AnnR52 Mart76
Posted
Hi
I'm 52 and like you playing a waiting game. It took me a while before I got diagnosed - had a GP who kept telling me my stiffness was "old age" - I was only in my early 40s then. I changed GP and got to see a consultant. He is monitoring me each year and when the degradation is bad enough, he will operate. He said he would have operated by now if I was in severe pain. But like you, I know how to avoid pain. Stiffness is my real problem. I'm now going to a physio and doing exercises which I think are helping. He said that one of the key things before surgery is to build up the muscle in my legs and around the glutes (your posterior - I had to ask!!).
I do feel like a fraud sometimes because I'm not in pain most of the time but I have seen the x-rays so I do know there is a problem. And I have a lovely consultant who will answer all my stupid questions!
Just don't wait too long - my doctor said if the pelvis degrades too much, that's a more severe op because you could need a graft and it could cause problems later on if you need another replacement which could be possible at your age.
If you are not happy with your doctor, can you change. I listened to my GP tell me I was old for years and changed. It was the best decision I ever made. At least I knew I wasn't imagining my stiffness - there was a root cause.
Best of luck.
Mart76 AnnR52
Posted
thanks for your insight 😃
Margy70 Mart76
Posted
for me the pain and stiffness and restrictions on my life became unbearable I was heading for a wheelchair every day was difficult I'm 70 glad I had it done, I knew I would not improve with out surgery, I put it off as long as possible, it was affecting my family and making life miserable, only you know what you are going through the xrays should confirm the amount of wear and I don't think the surgeon would operate if it wasn't necessary I would discuss it with your doctor 43 is young as they only last 15 yrs. and then need replacing again I hope this
Mart76 Margy70
Posted
thank you
Lilylou1 Mart76
Posted
They have used material in me that they dont know how long it will last as its new and everyone else who has the same as me are still ticking along nicely. Its hard to know how long they will last for. The longest replacement was still going strong at 40 years i kid you not!! My husbands cousin had her second replacement in her late 20s! Her specialist has apparently told her it will last her lifetime!!!! Im a little disbelieving but who knows! I sincerely hope it does.
Mart76 Lilylou1
Posted
thanks Lily, value your point of view 😃
john43580 Mart76
Posted
Here in Antigua we don't have a ortho surgeon and the slightly weird physio I was seeing thought I wasn't bad enough, and should put it off until I couldn't deal with the pain anymore. After 6 months like this I finally booked up with a good surgeon in Florida and he could fit me in within a week. Like most people , I now see I should have done this 18 months ago.
I believe it's important that the surgeon has done plenty of the procedure you want. Mine has done nearly 2000 anteriors and hasn't had a serious complication in 9 years. The surgeons in Florida have their track records up on independent web sites
judith12644 Mart76
Posted
I waited about 5 years I think, until I was 57. (Because I was hoping not to then need a revision later.) I had some good exercises from a physio which helped, and I gradually took more pain meds.
In the end I was limping a lot, and everything was getting harder, going upstairs, putting on socks etc. I was also v uncomfortable in bed, and I found it really hard to sleep.
My operation was v successful, and I can do everything that I used to do (swimming, cycling, skiing) , except for running. My surgeon said that my hip should outlast me, so here's hoping!
I wish you all the best, Judith
KeithMcC Mart76
Posted
Obi
I am 52 and had my THR 8 weeks ago tomorrow. I was diagnosed with arthritis a few years back and though life was over however I kept on running and as other have said I felt like a fraud going to see about what could be done about pain . I was see through BUPA and I had an MRI right away and when I saw surgeon it was straight out you need a new hip. I could not contemplate at all suffering for 10 years just to make sure I would not need a new one. I immediately said can I run after the op and it was a resounding yes and I am running since week 4. There is so much scare mongering on old google . Remember the stats are there to see that only 1% of people will need a replacement in 15 years . you only hear the bad and never the good. Dont delay get it done and keep as fit as you can before going in as it will help in the long run .
Mart76
Posted
thanks Keith, I was a keen runner for many years and managed to complete my first marathon a few years ago then the pain really started to kick in and had to give up the running. Have been cycling OK but the pain is starting to affect that now. Due to the impact I assumed running post-op was not a good idea, but I do really miss the open road, Dawn runs...
KeithMcC Mart76
Posted
Obi
The materials for the THR have moved on and statistics sparse for running and surgeons will tell you that . If you haven't been running before and conditioned body then they will say no way . it's like anything too much food will kill you and you could get knocked down tomorrow . Live life to the full and I would say mental health is crucial too . my surgeon had no issues at all with me running again .
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