Is Total Hip Replacement worth it?
Posted , 10 users are following.
I have advanced AVN in left hip. All orthopedic surgeons say I will need a THR right now or eventually. I have some pain, use a cane sometimes, but drive, do everything, just a little more slowly. Cannot believe this happened - I've been a hot yoga devotee in a very hard class for over 8 years, will lose that. What should I do? Do cortisone shots, electrical stimulation, exercise, diet, physical therapy buy you months or years or forever before you cannot walk and have excruciating pain? Doctors say THR is easy and wonderful, real people sound like the pain after surgery is worse. Is there anyone out there that wishes they didn't do it? THR surgery is irreversible, you can't get your live bone back. What to do?
0 likes, 29 replies
edarlingb dallasjody
Posted
In my case - one disastrous experience with one side: brilliant experience on the other (7 yrs apart and different surgeon).
Wish I could help further but there are just so many variables to this.
Best of luck.
Elaine
jackie56101 dallasjody
Posted
Hope you feel better soon
Jackie
dallasjody jackie56101
Posted
Yes, I think diet is pretty important and I haven eaten so much fatty, unhealthy food for years. My chiropractor suggested the Paleo Diet - no dairy, sugar, red meat, mostly eggs and veggies. I don't smoke and weigh only 95 lbs, at 5 1'', (usually 110 lbs) so I need to gain weight to be stronger. But then an orthopedic said if I was overweight I would be in "excruciating pain" - they love that phrase, so now I'm afraid to eat too much. Are injections bad? I'm scheduled for one next week. My ex said you can only have them 3 times a year but they feel good for a few months. But then, of course, another orthopedic said it softens your bone and is bad. Maybe I'm suffering from TMI (too much information). I wish my bone would jjust grow back, then I could race down the stairs and run to the mailbox like 2 months ago. With a THR they said I could NEVER run Is that true?
jackie56101 dallasjody
Posted
julie73914 dallasjody
Posted
ginger47520 dallasjody
Posted
Read this site then make ur decision.best off luck ginger
eileen64__UK dallasjody
Posted
Sorry this isnt much help but you have to make your own decision.....you can possibly do it after readling all the various posts to do with it on this site
I had a great first THR not so good 2nd one....still on crutches 9 months later and like to be for a long time....but still manage to drive, go to yoga {not a hard one} seated zumba, volunteer for arthritis care etc etc
So its your decision
Good Luck
Love
Eileen UK
beachbum1957 dallasjody
Posted
if your doctor says you need THA then listen and go for it.
there is a rule you need to practice religiously.
especially the first 4 weeks post-op.
alexis_a_5 dallasjody
Posted
I will be honest the pain is horrible for the first 2 weeks, depending on the person. But it doesn't or shouldn't last forever. Mine is now gone. Once I hit 4 weeks post op, I hit a turning point, I wasn't limping as much, I wasn't on any medication, I was pain free.
It does vary by person.
Yes a THR is irreversible but I think it's better than having a hip bone with AVN. The hip replacement is in perfect shape and has absolutely nothing wrong with it because it is not a live bone. In the end this hip replacement was so much better for me. Hope this helps!
alexis
dallasjody alexis_a_5
Posted
jilliboss123 dallasjody
Posted
Mine hurt so bad some days my leg would just drag behind me and I couldn't bend to tie my shoe or put my sock on.
Now I still can't bend but will get there although many surgeons say to never go past 90 degrees. Many people stay like that, but you're young you will probably be able to get there I will for sure.
As far as running- that's a tough one... you'll have to think low impact. The implant is like having a peg leg stuck down inside your thigh bone. You don't want to crack that open, maybe after a yr or two of healing I'll feel like doing that but I kinda doubt it.
The thing is right before I had my surgery I had good days that my hip felt great because I had rested and I really didn't want to slow down, I thought of this surgery as something that would keep me in the game. Boy was I wrong. I might have been better off had I just opted to work less and rest my hip more. I wanted to hike and enjoy my life outside of work when all I could do was work 8 hrs and come home and take Advil or something stronger so I could sleep because I'd be in so much pain.
I'm still in pain and limping. The scar tissue on the side of my hip from being cut in the same area for two surgeries is causing me problems now so I'm having a little set back. Icing and rest when all I want to do is get up and get back to life. It's a bit depressing but I'll get there. I enjoy food unfortunately too much so have gained 20 is pounds. .. so there's that. Hey maybe you'll gain some weight :D.
I hope the best for you, just know this surgery doesn't make us bionic women, it actually knocks you in the dirt for a bit most times :D
beachbum1957 dallasjody
Posted
how healthy we eat.
alexis_a_5 dallasjody
Posted
beachbum1957 alexis_a_5
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how long ago since your THA?
alexis_a_5 beachbum1957
Posted
beachbum1957 alexis_a_5
Posted
Exercise, eat right foods for protein intake.
Best
Desi NYC
beachbum1957 alexis_a_5
Posted
Exercise, eat right foods for protein intake.
Best
Desi NYC