Hemiarthroplasty
Posted , 3 users are following.
when I broke my femur a couple of months ago I was given a hemiarthroplasty. I have MS and they didn't give me a total hip replacement as the risk of dislocation is apparently too great. I've heard that this doesn't last as long as a THR as the unipolar implant I have might erode what's left of my own hip. Has anyone else had this op. And how long can it last as I really don't want to go through another op. My MS seems to have levelled off and I'm hoping to live another 15 years. This forum has been really helpful so I'd be grateful for any info.
1 like, 7 replies
AlexandriaGizmo carol19895
Posted
Hi Carol really glad your MS is relatively stable at the moment, if your careful with your hip, no heavy jogging etc it will last, can I ask how old u are, this is usually reservered for younger people to make sure the hip can have a full one if nescassary, they would have done mine the same if I had been diagnosed earlier but I'm following a conservative route at the moment, what they have done is just replaced the head/ball instead of inner cup as well, was it a ceramic or metal head
carol19895 AlexandriaGizmo
Posted
Thanks for replying. I turned 55 this week but am worried that because of the MS I won't be healthy enough to go through another op. in 10 or so years time. Or that it will become painful because I'll be walking far less. If I can get 15 years out of it might last as long as me! Not sure if it's ceramic or metal. Does it make a difference? I will ask if I see surgeon again.
carol19895 AlexandriaGizmo
Posted
Hi Alexandria, you seem to be one of the few on this site who's had a hemiarthroplasty. You say a THR is often done in years to come but isn't that a much more complicated op. when you've already had a hemiarthroplasty? Also wanted to ask you if you had groin pain after your op.? I'm in a lot of pain with it 12 wks. after op. and wondered if this was common after this type of op? Did you have it too and how long did it last?
AlexandriaGizmo carol19895
Posted
Hi Carol, actually I haven't had it done I just know a bit about it due to my fractures, it would have been the option for me if they had diagnosed my fractures on day of fall, they didn't so as I said its been left to heal conservatively which it hasn't!! I have an impacted hip fracture and a pelvic fracture which is over the cup so like you may need a HR in the future but not getting any younger LOL I was told by consultant that it would last well, remember that it will heal round the hip and then remodel and shouldnt cause the same sort of problems that could occur after full one.
renee01952 carol19895
Posted
dear Carol,
It all depends .... I hop our surgeon explained to you why they opted for hemiarthroplasty and why the risk of dislocation is greater than with total hip replacement.
Were you full weightbearing right away ?
How long it will last I don't know either - again, I think it depends -
I am happy for you that your MS had levelled off -
Perhaps for now, focus on getting stronger and not worry about it too much ..
I know .. easy for me to say, right ...
how are you doing otherwise? please let us know, okay
big warm hug
know that all is well
renee
carol19895 renee01952
Posted
Thanks Renee, I was upset when I found they hadn't given me the THR as no one asked me how mobile I was. Felt I'd been short changed! It was my weaker leg that had the broken femur but I was still weight bearing very quickly on it. You're quite right though, I can't worry about it for years and I'm not but I would like to contact someone who's had it done to find out how long they got out of it. Still waiting for MRI to find out about this wretched groin pain. Apart from that, recovering fine.
renee01952 carol19895
Posted
I hope the MRI will be giving insight and perhaps some treatment ...
can you stretch your legs comfortably when lying down ?
maybe having a massage might help lenghtening the muscle a bit ...
angel blessings,carol