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Need some encouragement! :-)

Posted , 19 users are following.

sportsw4
sportsw4

Hi folks. Have been a member of this community for a while now, reading about everyone's journeys and admiring the supportive environment as I've pondered my own need for a hip replacement. I'm sports mad and always have been, playing competitive squash for 20 years (probably the cause of my hip degeneration), followed by many years of rowing and subsequently cycling - which I still do with a passion. I was diagnosed with arthritis about 6 years ago (at 52) and have lived with it since then. Mine's been odd - I've never had the excruciating pain that most people seem to complain of - pain, yes - but bearable. My main issue has been with a gradual loss of range of movement. At this stage, I can barely tie a shoe on my right foot, putting a sock on is a nightmare - and cutting toe nails on that foot is pretty much impossible. But in the absence of severe pain and being still able to cycle with relatively little discomfort, I've never really known what to do about getting it fixed. That being said, I did decide to do something about it this year - and it looks as if I may actually be going in to get it done next week!! As I'm sure most of you did pre-op, I'm feeling pretty apprehensive - and still questioning whether I'm doing the right thing, even though I know I'm having many more 'bad days' and that the constant lack of a full quality of life is getting me down. So I guess I'm curious as to whether anyone has been in a similar position - and whether all you experienced hippies think I'm doing the right thing. Sorry for the ramble - but any thoughts would be much appreciated. Just need the courage to push myself over the edge towards what I hope will be a place where I can cut my toe nails again! Cheers, Mark.

6 likes, 41 replies

41 Replies

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  • tony30891
    tony30891 sportsw4

    Posted

    The quality of my life has improved since my op. My surgeon took into consideration my love of sport and my new hip has a bigger ball so that my golf swing can cope. I too played squash for 27 years until  injury forced me to retire. Good luck. Tony
    • sportsw4
      sportsw4 tony30891

      Posted

      Thanks Tony - and really pleased the op has worked so well for you :-) May I ask what technique you had? Posterior or anterior? Cemented or uncemented?
  • bridie000
    bridie000 sportsw4

    Posted

    Hi Mark, I have always been fairly fit, up until 3 months prior to my AMIS anterior RTHR I was still lifting weights, walking for miles and riding my bike nearly every day, despite pain - eventually had to get an electric bike (pedal assist) and continued riding a usual 50 kilometres a day, until one day BAM! I had some kind of catastrophic event, gardening I think. After that so much pain trying to turn a pedal, as well as just walking. It took 3 months to get a diagnosis and a visit to the ortho surgeon.

    I've no regrets after 2 weeks, recovering well. My surgeon said I could probably be back on my bike after my 4 week check up with him.

    Best of luck to you.

    • sportsw4
      sportsw4 bridie000

      Posted

      Thanks Bridie - and really hope you do get back on that bike at 4 weeks. I guess the 'catastrophic event' is what I'm afraid of - limited pain now, but who knows when that could suddenly change completely? Best to avoid!
  • Kate53CornUK
    Kate53CornUK sportsw4

    Posted

    Hi Mark, I was the 'condensed' version, a speedy deterioration from physical job and a lifetime of sport to hardly being able to walk. The pain appeared almost overnight 18 months ago but looking back I know that my mobility was getting worse before that and I was getting tired.

    Arthritis makes bony spurs in the joint in some people which are the things that seriously reduce mobility. The big pain comes when you wear away the cartilage go to bone on bone (I can feel most of the forum shuddering).

    Get it done before you get to this stage.

    I am 4 weeks post op from my 2nd hip and am eyeling up my toenails already!

     

    • sportsw4
      sportsw4 Kate53CornUK

      Posted

      LOL Kate - hope you're going from strength to strength :-) My x-rays show my right hip is about 40% bone on bone - which is why I can't understand why I'm not in more pain!!! Weird...
    • renee01952
      renee01952 sportsw4

      Posted

      Funny you mention this - When GP looked at x-ray of right hip, it showed  bone-on-bone and he asked me why I was not in more pain !!!!!

      trust me Mark, I found out and it ain't fun ... 

    • MichaelTN1UK
      MichaelTN1UK sportsw4

      Posted

      It also helps the surgeon as he has to do less sanding :-) to clean up the mess.

      Michael

  • josh55
    josh55 sportsw4

    Posted

    Greetingso. I think I am in n much the same place as you. My hip hurts but not too bad. I don't do some things I love like ride my Harley but I still train judo,jujitsu and aikijutsu

    Actualy. Taking a break fall does bother me but not too bad. I'm pretty good at it and have been training since 1973. I w as soon told I may not be able to do this anymore. And I really am wondering if I'm ready to give up grappling

    It's been really nice to teach the young guys a little respect. Still it would be nice to go for walks again with my wife and such.

    • sportsw4
      sportsw4 josh55

      Posted

      Good luck with making the decision Josh. it's taken me 7 years - and I'm still not sure about it, as my pain generally is not bad. But I'm getting more days lately that are completely ruined - and I suppose I've decided to do this before that becomes the norm. Tomorrow's the day and feeling very apprehensive right now!
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