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Scared witless about hip op

Posted , 22 users are following.

heather78265
heather78265

Hi I'm about to have a hip replacement 15th Jan 2018.  I'm 56 and scared stiff and feel emotionally unprepared for it.  I was diagnosed about 10 years ago and until a few months ago managed with steroid injections.  Sadly they are not as effective anymore so consequently the op was offered very quickly and I've only had about a month to get my head around it and it still isn't!

My dilemma is sometimes I'm in pain, I tend to suffer with spasms in my thigh when at rest and think I need it!  The next day I could be not so bad .  My family say I've just got used to it and I don't realise how it has affected my life?

Guess I'm worried about my mobility after it has healed as at the moment mobility isnt too bad apart from the spasms and I do have limited range of movement in my leg .  I dance now as a hobby when I'm upto it and anxious i won't be able to dance again.   Quite frankly everything worries me, even down to sitting correctly and laying flat on my back sleeping !

0 likes, 52 replies

52 Replies

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  • Ducksoup
    Ducksoup heather78265

    Posted

    Talk with your surgeon before you decide.  Due to so many bicycle falls, I finally started to have spinal issues that kicked me off the road bicycle I loved.  I changed to swimming.  Now waiting for recovery after five weeks THR to return to the pool.  Chances are you will still be able to dance but, talk to your surgeon and learn to be more flexible.  The post surgical pain is nothing compared to pre surgical
    • heather78265
      heather78265 Ducksoup

      Posted

      Thankyou for taking time to reply but I've just taken call

      That they have cancelled it due to he crisis on he nhs.  So guess I'm playing the waiting game 

  • auntiebeanie
    auntiebeanie heather78265

    Posted

    Heather, Like you I had my hip replacement at 56, although I could move fairly well and didn't use any walking aids, the pain especially from the spasms in my thigh and groin and how stiff the hip was, was my deciding factor. I have not regretted it, that was over two years ago now. . As for dancing, you will get back to it but you have to wait till your healed. 2 years post op, I danced all night at a party with no side effects and it was great to be moving so well.  People who didn't know me could not believe i have had a hip replacement.  I was fine till it was time to go for the op then i was thinking have i done the right thing. Check what type of hip you are getting. Mine is ceramic with a titanium stem. I was petrified of dislocation for the first 3 months and think I was over cautious, plus sleeping on my back for 6 weeks for no fun, but all through it all i did my exercises, religiously no matter what and that helped me. I can run around with the grandchildren and live life to the full. 

    Good luck on the 15th xx

    • heather78265
      heather78265 auntiebeanie

      Posted

      Thankyou so much that was the kind of reply I needed as very similar to my condition.  However I sad to say hey have just cancelled my op so looks like I'm waiting till the nhs crisis settles down.  

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen heather78265

      Posted

      Dear Heather

      I'm sorry to hear that. I suspect that for the same reason my ankle revision has been set back from mid Jan to mid March if I'm lucky. Just hoping that the ankle holds up until then.

      Cheers Richard

    • judith12644
      judith12644 RichardKen

      Posted

      Hi Richard, really sorry to hear that your ankle op has been postponed again. 
    • RichardKen
      RichardKen judith12644

      Posted

      Dear Judith

      Thanks for that. Yes so frustrating....

      It goes on and on and all the time the osteolysis gets worse which potentially compromises the success if the ankle revision.

      All the best. Richard

  • heather78265
    heather78265

    Posted

    Hi everyone just want to say Thankyou to everyone for replying to my worries and it helped a great deal.  I've just take. A call from the admissions and they have cancelled he op due to the NHS crisis were having so no idea now when it will happen.  But I'm going to take the time to ask the questions I didn't get time to ask x

  • M1954
    M1954 heather78265

    Posted

    I was so scared, it's all I thought about because I knew I had no other option.  I had extremely severe o/a in my left hip.  I was in pain, walking with a cane.  I knew I had to get my quality of life back not only for me but my children and my granddaughter.  It is by far the best thing I ever did.  I had it done in 2016 when I was 63.  I had a great surgeon in Orlando Fl and I had the anterior approach.  Literally when I stood up the next morning there was no pain.  It was a great experience and it fills me with joy everyday that I have my life back.  As afraid as I was (and I'm afraid of everything) I knew It just had to be done.  What have the Orthopedic doctors told you?  I was told that was my only choice,  injections would never work on bone on bone.  Good luck in whatever you do!

    • heather78265
      heather78265 M1954

      Posted

      Hi thanks for your reply.   It's been taken out of my hands for the time being as they have cancelled the op just this morning. Our NHS is in a dreadful state and operations being cancelled all over the country 

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy heather78265

      Posted

      Hi Heather, I am so sorry to hear your op has been cancelled. I was worried silly my THR would be as I was in so much pain. I have two hospital visits this month for other things so hope they are not cancelled. 
    • judith12644
      judith12644 heather78265

      Posted

      Hi Heather, really sorry that your op has been cancelled. Hope you don’t have to wait too long. On the upside, spring is a better time for getting out on your crutches. I had my right hip replaced about 18 months ago, was worried beforehand, probably like everyone, but my whole experience was overwhelmingly positive. Straight away the bone on bone pain had gone, and it was such a relief. Whereabouts will you be having your op? (I’m in north London and a company came and raised up our bed, sofa, toilet seats etc.)

       All the best, Judith 

  • debbie19185
    debbie19185 heather78265

    Posted

    Hi I had my first surgery last Tuesday the 2nd. While I am hurting a bit it is NOTHING like the pain of bone on bone I was experiencing before. I may have over done it a bit in my first couple of days. I'm already walking without the walker but generally feel better. You will be happy you did this stop worrying the anxiety isn't healthy for you. Good luck!

    • heather78265
      heather78265 debbie19185

      Posted

      Well done that's great news and inspiring! My op was cancelled today re all the NHS troubles so on hold for now 

  • ann67105
    ann67105 heather78265

    Posted

    Hi Heather I feel for you as I was exactly the same really really scared. I couldn't come to terms with the operation and recovery. I had bilateral surgery one year ago and it was the best thing I ever did. The first couple of weeks after the operation was a bit tough but that awful pain had gone. I am completely back to normal now . Good luck you will be absolutely fine.

    Love Ann

    • heather78265
      heather78265 ann67105

      Posted

      So pleased you're pain free now.  Unfortunately my op has been cancelled today and no date given as yet for one.  So will have to wait 

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