Terrified of hip replacement surgery

Hi I also have severe OA in the spine,hip, hands and feet. I have just had a hip replacement and I was fine with the op.

Good Luck Brenda C

I have gone from being crippled by both hips, specilaist when he saw me was completly shocked and asked what was my GP doing, and then when he read the GP's letter on my file asking for an appointment, this patient has OA, no comments on severity, told me in no uncertain terms to get rid of my GP before he kills you. Then he tried to find me a bed that day, booked for surgery 10 days later. I had a ball and socket the ball part was no longer a ball, imagine a egg with the yolk gone, certre of that ball was missing due to cystic action, and pointy on the top end where it was also punching a hole through my pelvis as well, told not to step down on that hip until after surgery. Stood up following day after surgery, and was in less pain than when I had walked?? in the front door of the hospital for surgery the day previous. couldn;t believe how much better I felt generally, no pain from hip joint, yes pain from incision, and wrenched muscles but just amazing difference. By day two walking length of ward, very slowly, from front entrance to day room at far end of ward, sent home after they got nausea/vomitting, biggest problem, caused by painkillers under control.

I am ten days out from hip replacement.  Doc said it was one of the worst hips he has ever seen.   There was a lot of pain for the first two days but now I am walking with a walker, am off of the narcotics and have almost no pain.   My advice is have the surgery.   The OA will never get better on its own

dear m1954, 

like many here on the forum I also had severe OA - very severe in Right hip and then going from mild to severe within 6 months in Left hip 

Linda is right you know - we share our personal experiences and stories on this forum , usually when we are worried about something ...

let us know where you are on this road of THR .... you are not alone anymore, okay ...

big warm hug

renee

I had severe OA pain before surgery, and no OA pain since !

See my website for common complications and tips from people on thie forum, the address is in my personal info here ...

   https://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025

and on the moderator's "useful resources" page at

   https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147

Best wishes

Graham - 🚀💃

Hi M1954,

I hope these replies have helped you.

The thing is - i know it is a scary decision to consider this operation.

But the way I see it ... you get rid of the bone on bone pain immediately (thank you God)! Sure it is a tough operation and recovery takes a while, but the longer you walk around in pain, the worse your posture will get and the harder it gets on other joints which are trying to compensate for all this. And guess what .... uneven wear will wear out their cartilage too.

I am getting my second hip done shortly even though I am still recovering from the first surgery. It is a good thing.

Recovery from the first operation really underscored two points - the second hip has been getting even worse while the first was recovering (duh - bearing the weight of both) and as I have increased intensity of activity, I have literally felt all the other joints starting to readjust and realign to my new posture (I can walker much taller again - no longer as stooped over and my gait is getting much smoother). Someone in our form reported that about 20 sets of muscles and other connective tissues are affected by this condition and surgery and all of these are trying to compensate for the pain and awkward posture developing from it. Far, far better in my mind to deal with this sooner rather than later to avoid more secondary problems.

Good luck M - let us know how you are doing.

L

Hi there, my hip problem flared up out of the blue in March, after the sudden death of my husband in february. Firstly treated for groin strain but doc sent me for physio after examenng me and said they would know very soon should I need a thr. I couldn't believe what he was saying as had no problems before. On second visit physio told me injections wouldn't help and op would be necessary. Had my op 10days ago by spinal injection and sedation, was told this would rapidly improve recovery. Was back in ward in 2hours having tea and biscuits. My family couldn't believe. Now no pain. Only draw back loss of appetite, can't sleep , even though I I feel tired and in and out of bed alnight. Small price to pay though. I'm sure you will be absolutely fine, I'm 80 by the way, I expect you are quite a bit younger going by some of the people on this forum. Please don't be too worried, you will be absolutely fine. Go for it girl.