Rejection of prosthesis.Has any one experienced this?

Posted , 6 users are following.

Hi to all you amazing hippies,I salute and admire your courage .

The thing is I continue to be undecided despite following the forum for such a long time.

I have so many concerns.

This one may seem silly,but I wonder about the body rejecting the new hip.

The fact that this would be a foreign body inside my own body scares me,because once it is in there what can be done?

The reason I worry about this is that I experienced rejection of a foreign body when I was younger.

It was a coil inserted for family planning reasons which I believe my body attempted to throw out,my stomach jumped from side to side as though something alive was in there.Foolishly I persevered and kept the device in place until I became quite ill,ending up in hospital and the device was removed.

I believe it was the reason I needed a hysterectomy later on. Following this no hormone replacement was prescribed and I believe this was the cause of my osteoporosis.

The osteoporosis is another fear I have,the thought of my fragile bones being operated on is scary too .

Sorry to be such a worry wort,but would be grateful for any comments experience or advice.

Don't know what to do!

Best wishes to all of you 

Joy x

 

4 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi gloriajoy

    I don't know about the rejection worry but you should get professional opinion on that.

    More importantly you should get doctor's adcvice about the osteoporosis.

    From reading your post on here I gather that you have not been to see a doctor yet.

    You definitely should get some help with this .

    Hugs

    Shirley

  • Posted

    Are you on a calcium supplement prescribed for the osteoporosis, if not see your GP ask for a bone density test and see if you need one

    also see your GP re the hips ?

    I have heard of the coil being expelled, but a hip is a different ball game

    all the best

  • Posted

    Good morning Joy, 

    I agree with Shirley that the best answer you will get is from an orthopedic surgeon -  I think it is very rare though - it is not  live organism - 

    do you know if you are allergic to metal ?   or anything like that ?

    how far along are you with making a decision about THR surgery ?  Have you seen a specialist yet? 

    It is major surgery and there are always risks, sweetheart ..but living life is that as well ... 

    I am sure that you will make the decision when you are ready - timing is always perfect ...

    big warm hug

    renee

     

  • Posted

    I haven't had a hip transplant but I have had two toe joint transplants. My body rejected the first after 4 years and it was replaced. The second has lasted 4 years as well, and by body began rejecting it again about 4 months ago.

    My surgeon said this is only the 3rd time he's seen this is many, many years as a surgeon, so it's very rare.

    Not sure how much help this will be to you though, as hip transplants are metal and mine is a silicone-plastic. But I wanted to reassure you that things can be done in the very unlikely event of your body rejecting it.

    • Posted

      Thank you for your reply.

      Sorry I am late to respond, have been working my way through all posts from 16th Dec. as Don't want to miss anything important.

      It takes ages to read everything, but all helpful! I am learning so much.

      Everyone is so kind and willing to offer experience.

      Thank you for yours and best wishes for Christmas and New Year

      Regards

      Joy

  • Posted

    Hi Joy

    This is the reason you get a consultation with your surgeon BEFORE they do anything to you. This is the sort of thing you should bring up at that consultation and they will go through your notes.

    Having said that I also tried the coil and regected it. But so far I am fine with my hip. Maybe it is because you were allergic to the copper. Your hip will be made of titanium. There fore it is highly unlikely to be rejected by the body although it could happen just like anything else. But to put your mind at rest. Talk to your consultant it is the only way you will get your answer. Maybe they can run tests to see if you will reject it I am not sure on that but it wouldn't hurt to ask.

    • Posted

      I apologise I should have called you gloriajoy. Sorry
    • Posted

      Many thanks for your reply. What you say makes sense and I will certainly be asking those questions.

      I know I seem excessively worried but the thing about a prosthesis which is inside the body if rejected, (and after the thigh and bone have been chopped away) is the problem would be extreme.

      Sorry I am late to reply,am working my way through all posts.

      I asked the question some time ago and find it difficult to keep up to date.I was surprised and grateful to get responses to my question a while after I had asked it.

      Wishing you a lovely Christmas and Happy New Year

      Many thanks

      Joy

       

    • Posted

      Hailea

      my fault, it shows GloriaJoy on here,but I am known as Joy.

      When signing up there were so many Joys already it would not accept me as Joy, hence gloriajoy.

    • Posted

      Hi  gloriajoy

      I see no point in worrying about things that may not happen. I am sure you will be fine. I am sure if there was the slightest chance of rejection there are other ways they can deal with the issue. But like I said highly unlikely to happen. So don't stress over it. But mentioning the rejection of your coil. definitely mention this to your consultant and make him aware of your worries. There are more than one type of prosthesis out there.

  • Posted

    Hi Gloriajoy

    I have osteoporosis too and was concerned about having a hip replacement, but in the end I didn't really have any option. It was just too painful and obviously getting worse. The surgeon gave me an uncemented prosthesis so it can be replaced more easily. I think it holds in more easily the a knee because of the weight going straight down.

    I know many IUDs were rejected a while ago, but that is in a part of the body built for ejecting things, like babies! I just looked but couldn't find anything on rejecting hip prosthesis.

    • Posted

      Dear Kikeena

      Thank you for your reply. I would choose uncemented if possible,but from what I have read the surgeons prefer cemented for older patients.I am 79 but lead an active life and intend to continue so for a very long time.

      In fact compared with what I read on this site my pain is not too extreme.It only hurts when I walk and I walk awkwardly and am unable to straighten up completely.

      Sorry to be late to respond,I am working my way through all posts as there is so much to learn and everyone is generous in responding to worries.

      Nearly Christmas already so I wish you a great one and all the best for 2016

      Best wishes

      Joy

       

    • Posted

      I wish you all the best in your decision making.

      Kikeena

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