Hip Replacement Needed but no pain only stiffness - doc suggests not replacing yet

Posted , 13 users are following.

Hi all

Newbie here. My sis gave me link to this forum - she's had both hips replaced now and is flying 😃

I have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in both hips and both feet. My right hip is the worse. But because I don't suffer much pain, the consultant says he will just monitor me. My job is sit down and I'm currently studying so anything from 10 to 14 hours in front of a computer a day - sitting on my posterior!

The only problem I have is incredible stiffness which has got worse over the last year. It takes me a few minutes of hobbling to get straight. I'm 52. Its becoming embarrassing now at work!! Once I get straightened I'm ok - can walk around normally. I would walk at lunch time most days just to keep some level of fitness.

Just wondering if any of you had no pain but this incredible stiffness and if you have any solutions. I'm also beginning to get very tired but that could be work and study.

Thanks for any info.

0 likes, 40 replies

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  • Posted

    I found in my case it just got worse over time. Are you in UK? Would you have your hip done privately or on the NHS? If you plan to have it done on the NHS it is worth getting in the queue before it gets too bad as it seems that it is a LONG queue nowadays. I have a friend whose hip is bone on bone but says he does not have pain as such just stiffness. He looks like Quasimodo when he is walking.

    • Posted

      Hi

      Thank you for your reply. No, I'm not in the UK. I'm in the Republic of Ireland and I have private health insurance. Because its in my family, I had made sure I had enough cover so I can get the op done within a few weeks.

      Quasimodo is a great description for me when I get up from a chair !!

    • Posted

      That is good news you have private health insurance. The UK seems to be going down hill as far as elective ops are concerned. Some people are now going to France privately. I suppose with the pound descending into the abyss this may not be a good option much longer.

    • Posted

      I saw my mum wait for an op here in Ireland for 4 years in continuous pain. So private health insurance was a no brainer for me.

  • Posted

    My doctor said the exact same thing. I waited until I could no longer do my job as a home care provider which requires a lot of bending.

    It's when you can't straighten up and walk normally, it's when those movements become painful that your doctor will think it's time.

    Really, don't rush it.I am doubtful that people are paying as much attention to your slow, perhaps awkward movements as you think they are. If you are embarrassed about hobbling be open and talk about your situation. Your colleagues will understand.

    It's great that you walk as much as you can. Being tired could be because you use more energy to get around since it's not as easy as it used to be.

    My first hip came at 58. I am now 63. I had both hips replaced about 2+ years apart from each other.

    Good luck to you.

    • Posted

      My colleagues are used to me at this stage - guess I just feel old some times!! My doc says not to rush it too. He said he would operate if I was in pain but hates to suggest going that route when I'm just stiff. Although he said he will get an x-ray each year because he doesn't want too much degradation where I would need a graft on the pelvis.

      Thanks a mill for reply.

  • Posted

    Hi Ann

    Ive had both hips replace just over 2 years,

    7 months apart when i was 48 so we are similar age

    being a self employed joiner it was akward and embarrassing trying to stand up in a customers house

    the stiffness and pain is different in everyone

    The walking will only help to loosen off for so long then its constant pain its how we all deal with it is the big problem

    Go to your doctor tell them your not sleeping at night the pain is getting you down lay it on heavy with them

    Get on the waiting list asap if its with the NHS

    best of luck

    donny

    • Posted

      Donny

      Thank you for reply. Luckily for me I'm not in pain. Hip is sore for a few mins when I'm trying to straighten up. So sometimes, I feel like a fraud as my sis suffered terrible pain! Wow, two hips done within the same year.

      Thanks for commenting. Much appreciated.

    • Posted

      Ann

      I understand what you are saying with not a lot of pain just now

      Me being the idiot i am, kept putting it off 6/7 years until both hips had fused together ended out walking like a penguin lol

      you said your sister suffered as well do you want to go down that road as well

      honestly get to your doctor tell him your in constant pain

      donny

      ps the reason I waited so long was simple I was scared lol believe me I wish I never put myself through it

  • Posted

    hi. I agree with the others esp if you're in the uk get yourself on the op waiting list. I managed fir ages with just painkillers now and again then suddenly I couldn't walk + pain much worse that needed codeine + paracetamol and ibuprofen every day 3-4x a day. I'd not gone to the drs till in that state and it took 5 months from being listed in Jan to get the OP in may. thus year.

    my daughter gave some brilliant advice always tell them what you're like at your worst not your best.

    if you can besides the walking you're doing perhaps the hip exercises we have to do post OP might help ease your stiffness for a bit. google them you'll find them easily.

    but I think the main thing is to get listed tbh.

    good luck

    • Posted

      Julie

      yes, I definitely need to do more exercise - once I finish study - 3 weeks to go. will look for does exercises.

      thanks.

    • Posted

      good luck with your studies in the meantime 😃

    • Posted

      Hi Ann, I found going to a physio quite useful. My gp suggested it, and I self referred. I had to wait about 6 weeks, and I just saw him once, and was given some good exercises to do.

      It's great that you have private health insurance, you can wait until you feel like you really need it doing, and then just get it done. My gp told me not to rush into it, I was early fifties, and I think that was good advice. I waited until I was having trouble sleeping, and was in quite a lot of pain., and also v stiff! When I was referred to a consultant he looked at my x-ray and booked me in. I was lucky and only waited a month.

  • Posted

    Glucosamine is very good for joints also maybe see a Physio who may give you some useful exercises.

    • Posted

      I was half thinking of looking for a Physio - any guidelines on what to search for?

    • Posted

      I tried this but had horrendous nightmares with it which is one of the side effects but a local pharmacist told me how good it is - she gives it to her dog as well lol.

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