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Only 20 and I'm Waiting for total hip replacement- Need advice please?

Posted , 9 users are following.

LaurenA4494
LaurenA4494

Hello, I'm Lauren and I'm 20 years old I was born with Left DDH and I have had 10 operations to try and fix this but nothing has worked, I am currently waiting to have my total hip replacement on the 4th September 2014 and I cannot wait! Unfortunately I have not managed to get in contact with anyone that is around my age that has had to have a hip replacement or have similar operations? I have heard THR is great for older people but I have not spoken to anyone under the ages of 40 that has had to have one, I'm excited but very scared at the same time! Can anyone give me some information on what it is like after the total hip replacement? Thank you x

1 like, 38 replies

38 Replies

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  • Tech78
    Tech78 LaurenA4494

    Posted

    Hi Lauren, 

    I had my first hip replacement for my 30th birthday! Like you I found it very difficult to find anyone my age who had gone through a similar experience. 

    Any questions I'm happy to answer, at 36 I am now on my third THR so bit of an expert ;0) 

    • LaurenA4494
      LaurenA4494 Tech78

      Posted

      Oh really? 3 and your only 36?! Why haven't they lasted you long at all ?

      The main questions I would like answered is does it genuinely help a lot with the pain? 

      How long did it take you to recover so u was walking a normal distance without being in pain ect?

      Thank you! X

  • jackie56101
    jackie56101 LaurenA4494

    Posted

    Hi Lauren,

    I was born with hip dysplasia This was not caught at birth so i had surgery when i was little girl i was in cast for ever . Later when i was 24 years I had to have total hip replacement which was for me the best thing that ever happened to me, I felt great .

    My advise would be do your reserch on the surgeons get second and third opinions if you can, I say that because i just had second revised total hip replacement and this one didnt havethe same out come . I just wished i would of done more investgating.

    Good luck

    Jackie

    • LaurenA4494
      LaurenA4494 jackie56101

      Posted

      Hello, thank you for replying! So are you in less pain now and has it stopped you doing anything in day to day life?

      I've done research and luckily I have one of the top surgeons in the UK but it's been an option for a good few years so I know I'm ready and if I don't have it soon then I will loose my ability to walk as my hip is dislocated. 

      I'm glad your operation went well! 

      Thanks again x

    • jackie56101
      jackie56101 LaurenA4494

      Posted

      My first hip replacement went very well That was 21 years ago !!! I had to have another which they call revised hip replacement about 8 months ago didnt go as well having alot of pain. I didnt know revised are not as succcesful as your first hip replacements are . I do believe your you will feel better good luck to you let me know the out come

      Jackie

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure jackie56101

      Posted

      It's never a question of research. That's the surgeons job and we have no choice but to trust him. There was nothet any different u could have done. In UR case or mine..

      as difficult as it is we just have to find Peace in our hearts thru all the pain and disappoint to find the joy in our lives again.

      {{GENTLE HUGS}}

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure LaurenA4494

      Posted

      My hip is loose and I have pseudo tumors and necrosis tissue and corrosion from the 3 rd THR. PLZ BE SURE THERE ARE no metal on metal implants and that the hip device UR receiving has a long...long term track record with patients. Ck online for the manufacturer model of UR device and find out the time it's been on the market.. 

      Be sure it's not the STRYKER OR ZIMMER HIP DEVICE recall ?

      my other hip is 14 and counting...

    • ros007
      ros007 jackie56101

      Posted

      Don't get too depressed - yes statistically revisions do less well but I know of people who have 20 years after a revision with the possibility of another one.  It's bigger surgery with a tougher rehab but the results can be very good depending on how much damage was done to the bone and the skill of the surgeon.

      My way of dealing with medical prognoses - if it is good I remind myself of how much training the doctor has and believe it, if it is bad then I make contingency plans and remind myself of the idiots I have met whose names are on the Medical Register and proceed to get on with life. I was told that my knee would give out before I was 30 - I've got nearly 40 more years out of it with a few compromises!

      Keep on with rehab and keep smiling.

    • LaurenA4494
      LaurenA4494 hope4cure

      Posted

      Yeah I agree I have to trust my surgeon and believe what he is saying! I know everyone's pain is different and everyone has had them for different reasons but I'm daily in a lot of pain so I cannot wait to have this operation done! I would like to know if it really helped with your pain and how long it took you to recover? Xxx
    • hope4cure
      hope4cure LaurenA4494

      Posted

      It is a great way to improve UR quality of life. U will have UR own journey to travel thru with all of us here to help u thru the pain.. Do UR exercises... Eat well.. Walk .. Sit .. Laugh and most of all know that we all do really care...

      (( hugs))

      HOPE

  • ros007
    ros007 LaurenA4494

    Posted

    The youngest I've met was 2 years younger than you when she had both hips replaced. She was able to live a reasonably active life for some years although, because the bone had not developed, she was warned that the lifetime of the implant was likely to be shorter than usual.

    I know of a woman who had one in her 30s who has had an active life for some 20 years but is now facing revision. A nurse in her 20s had one at the same time as me and was doing  very well in hospital although her mother was coming to stay with them to help with looking after her baby.

    You will need at least one revision but if all goes well you should have 15 years plus where you can go walking, swimming, cycling, low impact gym work etc. You shouldn't plan to start running marathons or take up parachute jumping but there are lots of activities which should be accessible after a few months of hard work on the rehab.

    • LaurenA4494
      LaurenA4494 ros007

      Posted

      Thank you for replying, I have heard that the types of replacements they use have come so far that they should last at least 15-25 years and considering I'm very limited now I am hoping that I will be fine as I defiantly do not plan to start running marathons and to parachuting! 

      I originally was told THP only last 10 years so I was relived to hear they could last 25 years. Did it help with your pain?

      I am glad yours went well though and I hope when you have it revised that all goes well too! X

    • ros007
      ros007 LaurenA4494

      Posted

      Mine has a median life of 23 years and rising BUT with hip dysplasia the geometry of your own joint isn't good so it can limit the lifetime of the prosthesis.  I managed to put mine off until I qualify for a bus pass and have a realistic hope that I may get away with just this one (unless I qualify for the telegram from the Palace).

      Pain relief so far has been excellent. No breakthrough pain in hospital and just the occasional ache, usually after I've pushed my luck with the type or amount of activity. So far the ache has subsided fairly quickly and once I get my knee replaced the world will be my oyster! I've had an easier time than some and the advice I will pass on is to get your muscles, especially the abductors, in the best shape you can before the op as this will give you a good start for rehab.

      Good luck

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure ros007

      Posted

      If you get a telegram from the palace call me.lol

      great sence oh humor... 5 votes for this post...

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