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Physiotherapy for hop OA

Posted , 17 users are following.

CelsB
CelsB

Hi, I'm 66 and been suffering from hip OA for some years.  It was diagnosed by xray (moderate wear and tear) and I have been through the painkillers/creams and gels/walking aids route.  My GP told me that we both knew I needed a THR but has to send me to physio first as the NHS has a 'tick-list' system.  I'm wondering if this could actually work though as I'll do anything to avoid a hip replacement.  Has anyone else tried it and what was the outcome please? Thanks smile

0 likes, 29 replies

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  • renee01952
    renee01952 CelsB

    Posted

    Hi cels ... Welcome to this wonderful forum ... I am currently 9 weeks R THR post op - like you, I was avoiding hip replacement surgery for a  long time - even when the x-ray showed bone-on-bone - first xray did show some wear and there, but setoriation was really major within 6 months ... pain was getting worse, but still trying to postpone it - Also did go to physical therapy which, in my case, I think made it worse .... so ... Noooo - it will not get better - knowing what I know now, I would get the ball rolling and schedule hip surgery ....it might still take time so you can get used to the idea .... and please come back here - amazing, loving, caring and funny people here who have helped me and still are - take care - big hug
  • laurenceof
    laurenceof CelsB

    Posted

    My hip xray showed bone on bone. It was obvious that no amount of physio was going to help.

    The only solution was thr. So I had that done three weeks ago and the pain and agony of the previous months is now a distant memory. Whilst I am not sprinting down the steet, I am pain free.

    Have the op !

    I am 64 btw.

    good luck.

  • Mary8610
    Mary8610 CelsB

    Posted

    Sorry but it will not get better . Do everything they tell you to get on list ASAP . I had to wait 15 months in wales !

    the op is fine getting over it is hard work but well worth it . 

    Good luck 

    mary

  • rose0000
    rose0000 CelsB

    Posted

    CelsB in my experience the physio did not work either. In fact it made it far more painful, although you should try and do as much exercise as you can, things that are not sore so that you do not stiffen up or the muscles waste away. I think you are spot on about the tick boxing, as they try and leave it as long as possible.

    If you are still able to live a normal life and the pain is mild, perhaps some swimming and gentle walking and mild pain relief will help and you could keep going for a good while longer. It will also help you to be stronger and fitter for when/if you do have a hip replacement. 

    It is worth telling you my auntie had the same results on the xray but she could barely walk and was in agony it was really horrible watch, the two did not match, and the consultant refused to replace her hip, she insisted and he did it. After the operation he told her it was far worse than he thought or could see by xray and he apologised. So if you are in severe pain, and given the waiting time, I would consider all options. 

    I hope that helps!

     

    • CelsB
      CelsB rose0000

      Posted

      Hi Rose, I have long thought that the amount of wear and tear bears no relation to the amount of pain you feel.  I will go through the physio, if that's what it takes.  Building up my muscles will be good I'm sure.  I've been to my first session and am doing the exercises but it bloomin' hurts!
    • rose0000
      rose0000 CelsB

      Posted

      I had one session quite a few years back, and it was awful! I stopped going after that, as I was worried she was doing more harm than good. At the end of the day it isn't going to restore cartiledge so the benefits are very limited if not completely pointless. It is a chronic waste of money really. I have bone on bone so definitely couldn't consider it now. I like you am still not wanting the operation even now! I do think keeping up as much exercise as is possible is a good idea, and will aid your recovery. Good luck!
    • karen50048
      karen50048 CelsB

      Posted

      I agree with you there. My pain is quite moderate I think but xray showed bone on bone and limp causing issues in other leg. My mobility is reduced, I look a bit of a slacker in Pilate's class lol, as only 44 decided to go for it. I am determined to be mobile and fit again afterwards.
  • crissy_wissy
    crissy_wissy CelsB

    Posted

    Don't avoid a THR if thats what you need...beliebe the people on here absolutely nothing works long term if at all.....I tried everything for years but wish I'd had the THR in the first place...best thing ever...pain free and 100% return to normal!
  • laurenceof
    laurenceof CelsB

    Posted

    Why are you putting the op off ? May I ask ?
    • CelsB
      CelsB laurenceof

      Posted

      Hi Lauren, I'm not really putting it off as such, I realise that I'll be having a THR at some point but I live on my own and although my friends and family are great I don't want to be a nuisance.  I also wondered what other people's experience of physio was and if it was actually helpful or if I was being fobbed off wink

       

  • margaret08277
    margaret08277 CelsB

    Posted

    HelloCelsB,

    I am 77, had  TLHR five weeks ago, and doing fine. I don't think physio will do any good really,  as it is the bone which has worn and no amount of exercise will put that right. Get going with the op, the first week afterwards it miserable, but after that things improve so much and being pain free is marvellous. I am walking with just one stick, live alone and can look after myself ( and the cats ) fine! I keep finding myself somewhere and thinking where the heck did I leave the stick, so that shows you how I have come on. Before the op it was getting a real struggle to walk. Keep coming back to the forum, the people on here are lovely, you will always find someone who has had the same symptom as you have, and what they did that helped. It's a wonderful resource, the people are so kind.

    • CelsB
      CelsB margaret08277

      Posted

      Hi Margaret, I live alone too and that was one of my worries but I'm sure I'll cope as and when the big day comes smile
    • margaret08277
      margaret08277 CelsB

      Posted

      If you can have some help for the first two weeks you will be fine. Stock up on ready meals and shop online for groceries. Let the housework go hang, it will still be there another day and a bit of dust on the furniture never killed anyone. Get yourself organised with everything within reach if possible, and have books etc to read. TV remote by your side, sleep in the day if you feel like it, that's when your body repairs itself. It's surprising what you can do with a walking stick, both ends of it, besides walk! And when you hit a low just think this too will pass. It's so worth it in the end.
  • pam031060
    pam031060 CelsB

    Posted

    Morning Cels,

    I can't believe how much of a post code lottery there is in the UK, I went to doctors just before Christmas because I have a lot of pain in my thigh, he suspected hip problem and sent me for an x-ray, this showed quite bad damage and he immediately referred me to hospital consultant.  Got the appointment to see consultant early March, he advised that no amount of injections, physio or tablets would help and encouraged me to have the operation a.s.a.p.  I had surgery on April 30th! No time to get worked up and anxious ...... Try to push your GP for referral and get the op done.  Like everyone else, not a piece of cake but so much better after just a couple of weeks.

    take care

    • CelsB
      CelsB pam031060

      Posted

      Wow, that was fast Pam.  I feel duty bound to try the physio.  I'll give it my best shot and do as I'm told but as most people on here have said (in so many words), hip damage is hip damage and no amount of therapy is going to make it better, which is logical.  I'll try it for a couple of months so I can go back to my GP with my head held high.  

      Thanks x

    • pam031060
      pam031060 CelsB

      Posted

      Yes, I was amazed at how quickly the process was.  Better for me though because I think I would have prolonged the agony given half the chance.  As it happened, by the time I had my op the pain had increased to a level I was extremely uncomfortable with so I was grateful to all who made it happen so quickly ..... Good luck but please don't suffer too much!
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