Hip arthroscopy or hip resurfacing
Posted , 7 users are following.
hello folks,
first want to thank you all for the encouraging info and tips that get posted. Truly a great community.
i have been advised to do a hip arthroscopy by one orthopedic surgeon, buy a second suggested that an anterior hip replacement would be appropriate.
By MRI I have a torn labrum, tears in the gluts, trochNteric bursitis, femoral cysts. Few other things. Have had physical therapy, which was torture but was stopped after the MRI results. I had bursa injections, injection into the joint under fluoro.
from what I read elsewhere the recovery from a hip arthroscopy is crutches 6 plus weeks, and lengthy physical therapy after but the Anterior replacement is a simpler recovery. Also it appears that the anterior approach probably in not possible after an arthroscopy.
I am an active 69 and having spent the last 18 months dealing with 4 surgeries from a rotator cuff repair, I can't fathom spending the better part of another year recovering from a procedure that I still will need a replacement in a few years when I'm older and in maybe not so great shape. I just want to be done with this hippain and lack of mobility.
I'm looking for any information or suggestions or advice from our hippy family that will help me make the right decision. Thank you all
1 like, 12 replies
dorothy04749 maryboo
Posted
I am not aware of hip arthroscopy but felt must comment on your penultimate paragraph, had a forced THR (sheered my femur away very neatly from the hip joint thingy!) and I am 66, I got my fingers out and counted minimum 10 years - 76 and feel I could still take on major surgery, then got out my pinkies and toes and counted 15 years (the average) and found that brought me to 81 (if I am still alive I shall think about it then pros and cons, is it keyhole surgery, new technique less invasive and so on. Then I thought about 20 years (which some hipsters state their hips have lasted and decided at 86 years who cares .............. Go for a hip replacement, yes at our ages, first three months is not a doddle exactly, but the sixth month you are wondering what all the fuss was about. I have, unfortunately, also had nerve damage and since that concentrates my attention far more (paralysis in same leg from knee down - but really getting there with physio) I still would advocate a full hip replacement everytime. The artho - in my ignorance - seems like a little tune up till the next service, why not have the deluxe service now while you are young and really (with all the other surgery you have) have a realistic idea of how it is going to go - but just for six months .........
Regards Dot
maryboo dorothy04749
Posted
Thank you. You and I think alike. I would rather get it done and move on. I'll worry about the THR 20 years from now. Arthroscopy in the US is a resurfacing technique to repair torn labrum as I read about it. Seems like lots of complications and long recovery.
jenny03900 maryboo
Posted
Hi Mary. Not quite the same but I had arthroscopy and a shaving down of cam and pincer extra bony growth plus labrum debridement in March last year. It was a failure in that it exacerbated my arthritis and I ended up with bone on bone in that hip. I had THR 6 weeks ago and the experience is totally different!
I didn't have a single day without pain for the first op and with this I haven't had any pain bar the odd ache since the first week. I'm walking normally, no cane or crutches, climbing stairs normally... it's amazing! I'm 66 and expect my hip to last until I'm too old to care! I'm going to use it fully and go back to doing all the things i used to do including running and horse riding. My physio and my surgeon have no problem with that so I'm just waiting until I know I'm ready.
hope4cure dorothy04749
Posted
jenny03900 maryboo
Posted
Oh and forgot to say, I had a posterior approach THR partially because the first op had left scar tissue anteriorly. It's still been fine though.
erin1956 maryboo
Posted
Maryboo:
i'm going to be 63 in a few weeks (day after Christmas). I just had a THR on my left hip done four weeks this coming Monday using the Anterior approach. I also explored the hip rersurfacing procedure because I had such great results with my right shoulder using a biologic resurfacing technique.
I found the same thing you did researching THR procedures and in discussions with orthopedic surgeons.The hip resurfacing technique, while less invasive, will require, in a few years, that you go to a THR. The joint is different than the shoulder in that it is weight bearing (more wear n tear). I reasoned the same way you did. I only want to do this once. I choose the Anterior THR procedure.
I am walking wo a cane less than 4 weeks post-op! Just came back from a walk with the dog. I need to temper myself but I can tell you I am estatic with the results using the Anterior approach. I had minimal pain in the first 2 weeks, a hematoma over the incision site and some numbness on the skin surface around the incision area. The surface skin nerves will take some time to heal and with time that will go away (as it did with my shoiulder surgery). The hematoma is mostly gone (icing and compression took care of that).
I had an out-patient surgery...! Back home the same day! With the anterior procedure there are no movement limitations (other than hip extension and hip lateral rotation); muscles are not cut (the capsule around the joint is cut and that needs to heal to secure the new joint). Dislocation occurences are rare (i.e. revision surgery). I am sleeping on my surgery side comfortably.
I researched the surgeon i choose to make sure they were experinced enough in this technique which is the key point to make here. The Anterior appraoch takes a special table /equipment (called a HANA table, not available everywhere) and is done though a smaller incision in the upper thigh near the groin. Most hip orthopedic surgeons will use the lateral or posterior approach for the THR. While it is an easier/shorter surgery for them, not so much for the patient (us). Additionally, an xray device is used in real-time during the surgery to assure issues with leg length differences (one leg shorter or longer than the other) do not occur. Mine are the same length
The joint is manipulated through a path around the thigh muscles (intervals between the muscles) vs. having to cut them. Muscles are stretched and moved apart and the joint is popped out through this interval.
Quite frankly, in my opinion, everyone should select this procedure for THR.
My surgeon does only Anterior approach THRs. He has done hundreds of them. There is also a longer learning curve for the surgeon to get the technique down pat/ correct. Some try but go back to the more traditional procedures (lateral, posterior) because they can't master the technique. Don't select someon who is just learning...
.
Good luck with your future surgery!
hope4cure erin1956
Posted
pixie6 erin1956
Posted
Was interested to here your experiences. So glad you are doing so well.
Am having my op on Monday but posterior! Wish had read your post before. May I ask who your surgeon was just in case need otherone doing and where you had the hip done. That would be so helpful.
erin1956 pixie6
Posted
pixie6:
I am in the US, Columbus, Ohio. The name of my surgeon is Dr Thomas Ellis. He is part of an orthopedic surgeon consortium here in Columbus called OrthopedicOne
If you are in the UK, not sure this is helpful or not. I am sure there are orthopedic hip surgeons located somewhere in the UK who specialize in the Anterior THR procedure.
You will be fine. Hip replacement surgery is pretty routine and has been done for over 50 years (or more). Just follow closely the guidelines your doctor provides and you will have a successful recovery. it just will take a little longer with some additional rerstrictions.
godspeed!
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hope4cure maryboo
Posted
Hi maryboo,
Boy oh oh boy do I get what your expressing in your post. Age recovery from one surgery another proceedure in hip it all takes a terrible toll on our bodies not to mention our lives , lifestyle and our spirits.
I hope that you can make the decision that is right for you. If you need more time to heel before surgery especially shoulder take the time to cope and ask for PT. to get the whole body in a little better shape especially core muscles just baby step at a time. A good PT will help teach you how to move without injuring areas that need surgery or had surgery.
Taking one thing at a time. Slowly get PT Water PT is easier on the body water resistance exercise is gentle. Set a time to get back into shape, as best you can considering your current health issues. Eat better drink protien shakes for energy level to take care of the muscles and gain strength. If you can manage to, you will recover better from THR mich better with better muscle tone post surgery,and good family support.
I have had had two THR and in Jan go in for revision. It's all how we chose to cope. Sometimes it help to see a pain shrink and pain management program to set you in a better frane of mind meds to help you thru the pain and depression. Sometimes it's wears us down so low, we need ways to lift us back up.
Especially a better whole foods diet. Just make your goals realistic and support team you put together will get you thru this and back on your feet by next summer.
I am am only sharing my experience with my recovery with back hip and shoulder issues.
Peace & Heeling Blessings sent your way.👼🏼
Hopexxx🙏🏽😀
erin1956 hope4cure
Posted
hope4cure:
Good advice. Question: are both hips needing revision?
I will be starting the water PT after the 14th (one month post-op timeframe). Power of positive thinking, and all the good natural chemicals it produces, go a long away to a successful healing process and a proper state of mind. Sometimes, though, pain meds are needed to get through some rough patches.
I am just taking a prescription asprin twice daily now as a preventitive blood clot measure.
Think back pre-surgery and compare to where you are now.... a much better place. I couldn't walk but a short distance pre-surgery wo experiencing debilitating pain. The pain is now gone less the normal healing aches which are definitely " a walk in the park" comparatively speaking... which reminds me, my dog is telling me she wants to go for a walk
renee01952 maryboo
Posted
You might have answered your own question .... go with your inner guidance and get the anterior approach to Hip replacement surgery ...
you will get a new hip joint that will last for a long time vs a repair ...
please let us know how you will decide... love to have you here ...
big warm hug
renee