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Is a Hip Replacement Advisable at my Age when my Main Issue is Lack of Mobility/Range of Motion

Posted , 18 users are following.

AdamCurtis
AdamCurtis

HI all,

I'm a 27-year-old male suffering with hip issues. I don't have a diagnosis of arthritis but an x-ray of my hip has shown that the ball of the joint is greatly misshapen and enlarged on the left-hand side and that there is virtually no space between the bone.

Most of the pain I experience is from standing for too long or from resting on it in an inappropriate position. However, at rest pain isn't really an issue. The pain is located in the groin area and at the bottom of my kneecap. however, the pain is by no means unbearable, I do not take medication for the most part (other than the occasional ibuprofen when it gets bad) and I wouldn't say the pain interferes with my day to day activities.

The main issue is that I have a serious lack of mobility and range of motion in that leg. I cant squat or lunge to save my life and when I try to bring my knee up towards my torso the leg externally rotates and can only get up to about parallel with my hip. I also walk with a limp which i am quite self-conscious about. The limp is worse on some days than others but I am still able to walk without assistance. I cannot run without pain or at least discomfort. 

My doctor has told me my condition is only going to get worse, which really bothers me because I enjoy going to the gym and want to remain as active as I can (I enjoy weightlifting and cycling). My doctor has also said I am inevitably going to need a hip replacement, however, I live in Britain and have heard that the NHS will only consider hip replacements "for those in so much pain they can't sleep". 

I really don't want to wait for my health to deteriorate that much and till I become essentially crippled and in chronic pain before having the hip replacement. So, I have been considering starting to save money so that, providing a doctor thinks it is appropriate, I could have the procedure done privately sometime in my 30's.

I was wondering whether people think it is a good idea to have the procedure done at that sort of age and whether doing it despite a major lack of pain is a wise choice?

 

1 like, 30 replies

30 Replies

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  • teresa12105
    teresa12105 AdamCurtis

    Posted

    Hi Adam

    I hope I can help with an alternative. look up on the internet hip osteoarthritis can be cured. Learn what you can about muscle imbalance and see if you can relate. I have done this as I had the same issues as you but do not want a hip replacement. I run and rollerbalde and many other actuvities. I hope you look into other alternatives before surgery.

    Teresa

  • lynne43902
    lynne43902 AdamCurtis

    Posted

    Hi Adam 

    I am 50 and gave just had my second hip replaced in one year.  

    My symptoms were very similar to yours .... 

    I actually complained of lower back pain for 5 years with limited movement but no pain in my right leg ...

    After a few .. as it turns out , unnecessary back injections it was discovered that my right hip was bone on bone due to hip displasia and I needed a hip replacement to ensure I lived a full and active life while young enough to enjoy it !!

    Although successful, the bad posture and overcompensating I’d become used to had taken its toll on my left hip and it degenerated very quickly 

    I am now 7 weeks post op and doing well .....

    Adam....   you only have one body ! You need to live well now not keep it for when your older!! Your consultant will be able to refer you to a specialist that deals with young people’s orthopaedic problems and the new ceramic hips wear very well and should see you well past middle age...

    Take care 

    Lynne x

    • millie37185
      millie37185 lynne43902

      Posted

      Hi Lynne, just wondering... did you experience tingling and partial numbness of the operated leg and foot.  I’m 4 weeks post op and it’s bothering me everyday. Thanks!

      Millie

    • lynne43902
      lynne43902 millie37185

      Posted

      Hi Millie 

      I’m sorry to hear that you have those side effects post surgery.  No I haven’t experienced that except a few days of tingling and sensitivity at the scar site a couple of weeks after surgery 

      I am 7 weeks post now and my main problem is stiffness especially in the morning   I just can’t seem to get moving and I’ve had some blood tests done because every muscle seems to be aching .... my arms and legs and shoulders and back are all terribly sore and aching and even my ankles and wrists hurt 

      My blood tests show raised plasma viscosity and inflammatory markers so I have had some more done ....

      I’m hoping the surgery trauma and the massive life stresses I’ve had in the last few years haven’t kicked off something auto immune .......

      I hope that you improve with your symptoms and have a good recovery 

      Much love 

      Lynne xxxx

    • millie37185
      millie37185 lynne43902

      Posted

      Hi Lynne,

      Sorry to know all the complications with you.  I hope you will feel better soon.  As for me, i’m Trying acupuncture as I live in Taiwan.  Doesn’t hurt... it can probably speed up healing.  I’m quite worried about the numbness in my foot but I hope things will get back to normal soon.  Good luck to both of us !

      Millie

  • ptolemy
    ptolemy AdamCurtis

    Posted

    Hi Adam, I heard on the radio recently the possibility of keyhole surgery for misshapen joint hip ball. I am not sure if it is available generally yet, the doctor involved was talking about it and was very enthusiastic. He was really involved with athletes who have this problem mainly footballers and so it was totally destroying their ability to play. I don’t know if your hip falls into this category.
  • Yabut
    Yabut AdamCurtis

    Posted

    Hi Adam. I suffered for MOST of my life. I finally got the op at 52. My quality of life suffered greatly and I really regret not doing it sooner. Im 9 weeks past surgery now and it is life changing. My range of motion has returned, I have NO pain (aside from a few small zings and op pains- but they are NOTHING compared to original hip pain) I still walk with a cane but keep leaving it behind by accident so wont need it for long.

    Im putting my two cents in and saying don't suffer any longer. You have a long life to live awesomely!!?

  • RichardKen
    RichardKen AdamCurtis

    Posted

    Dear Adam

    In your situation I would find a way to have the replacement as soon as you can so that you can enjoy a decent quality of life and avoid damage to your back and knock on problems.

    Make sure that you pick an excellent surgeon.

    Cheers Richard

  • Moone
    Moone AdamCurtis

    Posted

    Im 26 and found out id need a hip replacement surgery when I was about 23 but none of the surgeon were willing to operate on me cause my blood was unstable. The pain has been controlled with alot of meds and I walk with a heavy limp. But one week I ran out of one of my 10 tablets and caused a flare up to a point where I couldn't even put my socks on and needed my brother to come to work with me. Last October I was told they would be willing to put me up for surgery and I've decided to go ahead and do it. Lucky the meds were able to control the pain . Speak with your doctor about getting on something on a daily basis to prevent the pain rather then have something when it's bad

    • jen86183
      jen86183 Moone

      Posted

      Sorry to hear you are in so much pain, taking that amount of tablets per day especially at your age is not good for your overall health. I really hope they operate soon. Good luck for the future.
  • carol19895
    carol19895 AdamCurtis

    Posted

    Really sorry to read your post.  I’m in my 50s and thought that was young.  Won’t bore you with my problems as not relevant but I’ve had a not very successful half hip replacement by NHS in Stirling and will face a revision as, like you, I have varying degrees of pain which will get worse.  I’ve done so much reading about hip replacements and have found this site really helpful.  We’re not experts but for what it’s worth here’s my advice.  There’s so much progress being made on longevity of hip replacements and maybe even other options in future for you.  Like you, I’m very worried about state of NHS but am also worried about after care (and cost) of going private.  My revision is up at £10000 but first time hip probably closer to 2 or 3.  I’m saving hard!  A consultation with a private surgeon is probably about £200.  Why not research top surgeons.  I’ve heard good things about Dominic Meek but he’s Glasgow area.  Once you’ve found one list ALL your questions and speak to them.  Maybe if you can hold on, there will be better options.  Concrete/non concrete/unipolar/bi polar/ceramic/metal/scaffolding for cartilage etc etc!  Good luck.

    • AlexandriaGizmo
      AlexandriaGizmo carol19895

      Posted

      Hi carol I know this is not your thread but I'm wondering why you are needing to go private for your revision?? Is it because the original surgeon is refusing to do the op or is he saying it's not necessary, their are many excellent surgeons in the NHS in my area, are they not so good in yours

    • carol19895
      carol19895 AlexandriaGizmo

      Posted

      Hi, think we’ve spoken before.  I don’t have to go private but I’m the one who was given a half hip replacement because of MS.  No consultation and they assumed as I “use” a wheelchair that I couldn’t walk.  I can’t balance so use a treadmill.  I CAN walk and am expected to live into my 70’s so I could have got full op.  Hemiarthroplasty eroding cartilage hence revision surgery looming.  Bad experience of NHS so probably biased!
    • AlexandriaGizmo
      AlexandriaGizmo carol19895

      Posted

      Yes I remember, misguided by their thoughts on MS, why do people presume that MS is always 100% debilitating and that some people manage to live a moderately normal life, I hope you can get revision surgery that can give you a better quality of life
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