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Hip Replacement at the Age of 21

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CRM
CRM

I’m super nervous and will be seeing a specialist consultant soon in London to talk about having my right hip replaced. I have had hip problems since the Age of 8 and to be able to gain a better quality of life I need to have a hip replacement. I would just like any advice or information bearing in my mind terrified of needles. Thank you 

1 like, 33 replies

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  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK CRM

    Posted

    As Richard says, if you do need it, then go for it.

    You have already done the best things, sought advice, and posted on this forum.

    This website has loads of useful information (see the moderator's "useful resources" page), for even more real-life tips go to my website, the address is in my personal info here ...

       https://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025

    and at the bottom of the moderator's "useful resources" page at

       https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147

    Best wishes

    Graham - 🚀💃 🤸    ¯\_(?)_/¯

  • hannah69391
    hannah69391 CRM

    Posted

    I had my first op on my hip age 1, then 2, then 13, then 17 and then last year at 35. I can say with all honesty that the hip replacement last year was the best thing that could have happened. If your surgeon says you need it you will find your life change so much for the better. I am not great with needles either, but all these things become so small in comparison to the vast improvement in your life and well being. Most of the needles used are tiny and can be done out of your eyeline. Ask for numbing cream first if you are worried, and tell your nurse you are frightened of needles too. The worst bit is the last 3 hours before the op. Just breathe and try not to worry. x
    • CRM
      CRM hannah69391

      Posted

      Bloody hell you have been through it. At the age of 8 it all kicked off for me. Both my hips slipped (SCFE) however the right hip failed which is the reason I am having a hip replacement. I have got a long wait yet as still need to see the specialist in London. Thank you for your advice and story smile
    • hannah69391
      hannah69391 CRM

      Posted

      If you are having it in London there is something you could try to speed up the process but it is expensive. My consultant had a waiting list of 9 months but was the one I was told by various doctors I should wait for. I managed to book an appointment to see him privately (just a consult) and was then put on the list for urgent surgery as my hip was fully without cartilage and degenerating fast at that point. I think it saved me about 4 or 5 months. It cost £250 for the private appointment with him. I have also had a ceramic implant and have had no issues. Apparently for younger patients this is seen as the best type as they last the longest. My doctor has said that he hopes I won’t need it replaced at all and that it last my life time. They haven’t been putting them in long enough yet to know how long they last, but he said that the ones he’d implanted 20 years ago show no wear at all. 

    • hannah69391
      hannah69391

      Posted

      Just to clarify the above. The op was through the NHS but I went for a private app with a consultant who works in both private practise and the NHS. Also: like me you won’t remember what it’s like to be without pain, or to be managing your pain, or making calculations on how far you can walk or how you cover up you pain so you don’t worry other people. It’s so strange and amazing to be without pain. It’s scary, yes, but it’s worth it x
    • judith12644
      judith12644 hannah69391

      Posted

      My sister did the same. Paid to see the consultant privately, then had the op on  the NHS. She was in a lot of pain, and had it done much more quickly. 
  • Tommy_Electric
    Tommy_Electric CRM

    Posted

    I had Bi lateral hip replacement done at the same time. It’s important to have the anterior approach which is a small 3 to 4 inch incision on front of hip. They then pull muscles to sides to access the hip joint. They don’t cut muscle.  I am male 60 yrs young and in great shape. It’s also important to know you will be fine. I was walking same day, very medicated. Started PT the next day. Was on pain Meds for 8 days. Meds make it possible to do PT with minimum pain. PT is most important.  Was back to work in 7 weeks during electrical work. Be positive and make sure your surgeon has many hip replacements completed by Anterior approach.  Good luck🙂

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen Tommy_Electric

      Posted

      Dear Tommy

      Glad that you are doing well however there are many who would disagree with your assertion the the anterior approach is the way to go.

      There is a fair amount of evidence to suggest that this approach can often result in nerve damage that can cause long term distressing symptoms.

      A number of surgeons have given up on the interior approach and have returned to the posterior approach. This is because it gives them a less restricted view of the surgical site which allows them to work with greater certainty and removes the danger of nerve damage.

      There are benefits and downsides with all approaches. I had the posterior twenty one years ago and had,a fantastic recovery walking the morning after the surgery, only needed one walking stick to walk out of hospital and was basically back at work within a couple of weeks and returned to farming and demanding building work quite soon after.

      I did not have any physio apart from some exercises in hospital, but I did do lots of walking. Due to me wearing out the poly cup after twenty years I had a revision, again the posterior approach and again a swift pain free recover at 76years old.

      Cheers Richard

    • jen86183
      jen86183 Tommy_Electric

      Posted

      Hi,

      I think it is outdated thinking about cutting muscles with the posterior approach. I had the posterior in april and the surgeon did not cut the muscle. Also, I did not have any pain after the operation and therefore did not need painkillers with all the nasty side effects. I was a fit 61 year old who has always done exercises, aerobics, pilates, walking, using my elliptical walker. I really believe exercise is the key to controlling pain.

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy Tommy_Electric

      Posted

      Hi Tommy, I had the posterior approach as my surgeon had stopped doing the anterior approach due to suspected nerve and other problems. He also reckoned that there is less muscle damage, as they have to be pushed around a lot for anterior due to the limited access space. Was walking virtually immediately after the op. Stopped pain meds two days later. Did not have any crutches etc inside at home just furniture surfed. I totally agree the most important thing is to choose a good surgeon and secondly to try and be as fit as possible before the op.
  • jools2512
    jools2512 CRM

    Posted

    Of course you are nervous - it;s a big thing to go through, especially at your age. You will be fine. Apart from pre - op blood tests, any needles inserted were placed in the anaesthetic room after i had gone to sleep. I'm sure they can do that for you if you ask. You can ask for numbing gel to be put in places they might try to site a needle too. I was due to have spinal anesthesia with a 'light' anaesthetic, but they were unable to site it, so went for general. I am 53 and had a ceramic implant - it's fabulous! Good luck, just think of how much better you will be afterwards biggrin

  • mitnedob
    mitnedob CRM

    Posted

    Hello, I was 48 when I had my first total hip replacement. I had what is called Legg Calve Perthes disease. Between the age of 3 to 8 years old,you lose blood flow to the femur,and there the degeneration begins. Really started feeling it at age 14,.so they had me on crutches for awhile,actually wore a leg brace. Neither one seemed to help,and I limped around for 34 years before I couldn't take it anymore. By then,my left leg was an inch and a quarter shorter than my right. You start losing muscle mass,and weight gain comes with it from inactivity.The materials they use have a porous surface,so the bone grows right into it. Just had my second one done 4 days ago,and I had spinal anesthesia before the surgery.When I came to in recovery room,I was still numb from the waist down,which is a good thing..no pain. Was wiggling my toe by the time they brought me to my room,and still didn't feel much pain. I'm still recovering from the latest one,but the results from the first one were amazing. Not to have to deal with that pain day in day out. There are some exercises to do prior to surgery, do them. The latest one I had done is called Unrestricted Weight Bearing, meaning you can put full weight on that new hip. Ask all these question so you know what procedure they are doing. Hope some of this helps you out. Take Care

  • catherine_snedd
    catherine_snedd CRM

    Posted

    I am also terrified of needles but really amazed myself the only needle I had was the anesthetic sedative. But afterwards I had to inject my tummy for 30 days with blood thinning drugs and the injections were pain free
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy catherine_snedd

      Posted

      It is strange, I have no fear of needles and have had dozens of blood tests, but the thought of injecting myself for blood thinners leaves me shivering. In my case I had one of the new anti coagulants, rivaroxaban.
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