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Hip Replacement alternatives

Posted , 21 users are following.

vivb
vivb

I was due for a hip replacement at the end of January but.....yes, Black Alert and not likely to get a date until later in the year.  The alternative could be a 'deep' injection of Cortisone into the joint.  Has anyone had experience of this please and did it last very long?  I booked a long-haul flight in October which, you would have thought, would be plenty of time to allow the 6 month period when you should not fly long-haul.  I also have my 40th W.A in August so what can I do?  

3 likes, 42 replies

42 Replies

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  • cindy48619
    cindy48619 vivb

    Posted

    Good morning. I have had 2 cortisone shot. one blind which didn't help at all and one untlra sound which was amazing for 2 weeks. I was so happy to be normal. But again, it only lasted 2 weeks. I am now looking forward to surgery March 22nd in the U.S.
  • DawnDedee
    DawnDedee vivb

    Posted

    Hi Vivb,

    I have had several injections into my hip and the process is not so bad and it is a very effective tool for pain managment.  How long it lasts is very specific to each individual.

    Sorry you have to wait for your THR and I hope the timeing works out for you with regards to your trip.

    Hang in there!

    Dawn, USA

    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee

      Posted

      Forgot to say that the injections did help me.  My hip joints were not bone on bone but rather, they were dead.  Avascular Necrosis.
  • AnnieK
    AnnieK vivb

    Posted

    What exactly do you mean by a long-haul flight? How long? Was it your orthopedic surgeon who told you that you couldn't fly long-haul until 6 months after hip replacement. I would want the reasons for that spelled out to me so that I could make informed decisions.

    Regarding steroid injections into joints, there is a wealth of info about this on the web. Personally, I was ordered a sacroiliac joint injection recently to see if it would help with my inability to balance on my surgical leg and the pain in my hip/thigh. Had it done 5 months post THR. It did no good at all, since that was not the source of my problems. I have a new orthopedist now!

    My sister had a steroid injection into her knee for OA pain, but her OA is not fully bone-on-bone and she may never need a knee replacement. It did help her with pain. It is my understanding that the pain relief (if you get any) is temporary, and they can repeat the injections a couple of times per year. I doubt very much that the shots would be of much use for bone-on-bone pain.

    If I were you, I would investigate the possibilty of having your surgery whenever they are willing to schedule it, and finding out what, if any, are the true restrictions for long flights post-op. I don't know why, if you don't have any surgical complications, you wouldn't be able to fly any distance a couple of months post-op. Careful questioning of your surgeon might be in order! Of course, you might not feel up to a big trip for other reasons. At 8 weeks, for example, I could not have done it. 

    • vivb
      vivb AnnieK

      Posted

      Hi AnnieK,  the advice at the seminar for joint replacements stated that up to a 4 hour flight you should wait for 3 months and any further you should wait 6 months.  This is due to a real danger of DVT but as someone on this thread mentioned......walk around in the plane and wear compression stockings.  I have looked and researched pain relieving injections but there is nothing like personal experience which is why I started the thread.  As said at the start of the thread, I left plenty of time for recovery and the 6 month complication.  I was due to have a date at the end of January but have been told I will not get a date by beginning of April - 6 months before going to Thailand.
    • AnnieK
      AnnieK vivb

      Posted

      Of course, it is a great idea to ask forum members for personal experience, and I wasn't meaning to suggest that you shouldn't. Sorry if I gave that impression!

      As far as the flying after surgery, I googled around and found some sites suggesting as early as 3 - 4 weeks is ok, most of the ones I checked said 6 - 8 weeks, and a few said 12 weeks. You can probably find justification for whatever you would most like to do! Surgeons, hospital seminars and physical therapists all give conflicting information about restrictions post-surgery, as those of us who have been on these forums for awhile well know. You must follow the advice of those whom you trust the most.

      I personally would have been unable to undertake a big trip (or even a short trip) at 6 months. I am 7 months post-op with a complication that limits my mobility and gives me pain. I need another surgery. I know that most people are out and about much sooner than me, and could travel with joy at a much earlier date. You never know how you will be feeling post-op. I certainly thought I would feel better than I do now!

      Best of luck to you with your THR!

    • vivb
      vivb AnnieK

      Posted

      Oh poor you AnnieK!  You didn't give me that impression, I promise you!  I do hope everything is resolved for you, best of luck!

       

  • helen56309
    helen56309 vivb

    Posted

    Hi there I had the injection guided by the radiographer and watched it on

    the screen it did work for me for about 3 days but then back to normal

    after that but the doctor said they give this injection sometimes to check that all of the pain is coming from the hip as sometimes it could be from your spine but I am now 3 months post op and no pain whatsoever and

    the last two nights I have slept for over six hours so happy as the first I

    have slept so long for nearly 2 years so things do settle with time

    Good luck to you when you do get your op

    • vivb
      vivb helen56309

      Posted

      Thanks Helen56309.

      I must say.......the positive replies I have had from my thread have been fewer than the negatives which is very disappointing.  Thanks everyone who gave their views/experiences.......I wish everyone well!

  • Snowgirl79
    Snowgirl79 vivb

    Posted

    I had the Cortizone shot to my hip ...it lasted 3 days...that's it!! And I had to wait at least 3 months for it to be out of my system to get the surgery!
    • vivb
      vivb Snowgirl79

      Posted

      This is a new one!  I had no idea.  
    • renee01952
      renee01952 vivb

      Posted

      Actually true Viv --- Rose here had her surgery cancelled/postponed because of that !!!!!  so be aware of that -

      Well,as you can see, it is personal experience of course -Ultimately it will be you who makes the decision - 

       

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