1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

Osteitis pubis and hip replacement.

Posted , 5 users are following.

mishelle46654
mishelle46654

Hello everyone, I am due a thr next week, but I have some concearns.

I have suffered with osteitis pubis for almost 15 years ( only diagnosed in the last two, even then was never told how to deal with it or make it better. Good job nhs) this ongoing condition has caused pelvic imbalance, muscle degeneration and now my left hip has worn down to the point of no return.

My worry is that my recovery from the thr will be a lot more complicated and tougher than other patients due to this condition. Does anyone else suffer from this condition and have any advice or pearls of wisdom they could offer?

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • sarah1996
    sarah1996 mishelle46654

    Posted

    Im 20 and just had my lthr last monday. I had congenital issues leading to severe OA, no muscles at all around hips and in thigh, my pelvus was tilted at 5cm higher than other and many pther issues because of this issue which i have had to deal with since i was around 3 years of age. My surgery took 7 hours and was my 12th or 13th surgery ( i cant remember which)

    Its not an easy recovery, i can only walk very short distances on crutches, im no weoghtbaring for 8 weeks and find it difficult to lie in bed but i believe this surgery will be worth it in the end.

    Best of luck to you hun

    • mishelle46654
      mishelle46654 sarah1996

      Posted

      Eep! That sounds horrible!

      Just to ask, do you feel the thr will help your pelvis issues? Of course its early days for you and I wish you all the best. Would be nice to stay updated with your recovery and compare notes once im under the knife, sounds like we have similar underlying issues. I have been feeling very lonely thinking im the only hippie with extra problems sad

    • sarah1996
      sarah1996 mishelle46654

      Posted

      I think it will make it easier but it wont fix the other side or the other underlying problems. But i do think it will make a big difference to my life.
  • sue1957Geo
    sue1957Geo mishelle46654

    Posted

    Michelle,

    i had had my right hip done in November, my hip had diffused and pushed my pelvis up so my leg was about  2" shorter, didn't want it absolutely no way, then spoke to this wonderful family and said yes.  The pain leading up to the operation was really bad, then afterwards wow the difference when I woke up was amazing, and now nearly 6 months gone with physio and excersises I am walking slightest limp. All I can say is it's a journey, has ups and downs but if you do as you're surgeon, physio and nurses tell you  you can do this, ask here any time and good luck xx

    sue

    • mishelle46654
      mishelle46654 sue1957Geo

      Posted

      Thank you, I am fully expecting an interestin journey for the next year at least, its nice to hear it can all be worth it smile
  • AnnieK
    AnnieK mishelle46654

    Posted

    Hello, Mishelle! Sorry you are suffering from OP, as it can be quite painful and debilitating. I have had a few flashes of pain/weakness in the public symphisis area since my THR last July, and it scared me quite a bit. Whenever it happens, I immediately take it very easy for a good while afterwards, as I don't want any more of that pain.

    There is a good article on OP in wikipedia, and if you haven't seen it, you might want to check it out. It says there hasn't been much for treatment for it until recently, and lists some that are available now. It also says that "it remains a well-known complication of invasive procedures about the pelvis", and pregnancy and certain kinds of athletics. I assume that would include having bone-on-bone osteoarthritis or other conditions that would necessitate total hip replacement, as we often have bad pain and limping and debilitation before THR.

    It is possible that THR recovery will be harder for you. Are you currently using walking aids and/or pain meds due to the OP? How well do you get around now? You may have difficulty walking afterwards, even with aids, even if you are allowed to bear weight on your surgical leg. So you need to prepare as best as you can to make things as easy as possible for yourself during THA recovery.

    I am having hip surgery soon on gluteal tendons that will mean I have to be either totally non-weight bearing on the surgical leg or toe touch only for 6 weeks or more. I am going to a transitional rehabilitation center after my surgery until I am comfortable ambulating without using that leg. My arms are weak and sore from OA in the shoulders, and my "good" leg is also weak and painful from OA and other problems, so that will make using crutches to bear my full body weight difficult. When I do get home, my sister will help me during the day, and my husband will help me at night and on weekends. I have a fold-up wheelchair that we can use if needed, but I hope we won't need it. 

    I am sorry the NHS hasn't helped you with this. May the future be better for you!

    • mishelle46654
      mishelle46654 AnnieK

      Posted

      Thanks for being so informative smile

      Unfortunately I am one of the unlucky ones who have so far had a miserable experience with the nhs. My main fear is that my OP will be even worse than before my thr. I had a fall and fractured my pelvis a year ago and have been on crutches constantly for the past 6 months. This may sound crazy but my hip doesnt hurt that much, I have lost all range in my left hip, cant reach my left foot and cant move it more than 20° in any direction, but any discomfort has always been overshadowed by the OP. I was shocked that my surgeon had decided on a thr, but asking for a second opinion seems out of the question.

      I am considering biting the bullet, selling some things around the house to pay for private physio to help me with my recovery, because I have a feeling that with the OP, if the physiotherapists I have seen in the past have anything to go by, I may end up with more muscle damage and a much longer recovery period, which I dont think I will be able to handle.

    • AnnieK
      AnnieK mishelle46654

      Posted

      Whoa, you are having such a hard time! Yes, you must be SO CAREFUL about physical therapy. I have read many posts here and on another forum where people were hurt by PT, rather than helped. Whatever else, don't let them do anything to you that causes or increases pain. 

      Perhaps it IS possible to get a second opinion from the NHS. You do have a very special circumstance with your longstanding OP, and now the fractured pelvis. I think you DESERVE a second opinion!

    • mishelle46654
      mishelle46654 AnnieK

      Posted

      Ive not had much luck with the nhs so far. Lots of 'forgotten appointments', cancelled pre op appointments, having no luck trying to talk to anyone who can help answer any of my questions. I have so far been waiting 6 months for this surgery, even though the max waiting time in Scotland is 12 weeks apparently lol. I have talked to my gp but he just puts his hands up and says its nothing to do with him. Rather frustrating.

      I have spent a lot of time trying to understand this condition by doing a ton of research, but strangely enough theres not a lot of info on the link between OP and hip replacement and recovery complications. I suppose ill find out once I get the surgery :s

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.