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Upcoming left THR

Posted , 17 users are following.

christine60415
christine60415

I'm new to this site, found only by accident but so glad I did find it! I'm going to need a left THR in the coming months (was hoping years but think that is unlikely), or whenever the pain gets to a point that I decide to have the surgery.

I'm struggling most with when to have the surgery. I'm 42 years old, never had surgery/ labor so I'm not sure I know when enough is enough. I don't want to get to a place where the pain causes tears or that quality of life is degraded completely.

I've switched my exercise to cycling and swimming mainly.... sometimes an elliptical if it feels ok. I've been limping since December, but even that fluctuates. My surgeon said the surgery timing is my call, but am unsure when is right. If you'd be willing to share some insights into what made you decide to have the surgery, I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks!

Christine

3 likes, 24 replies

24 Replies

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  • lori88984
    lori88984 christine60415

    Posted

    Hi Christine,

    I'm 52 and had left THR just over 10 weeks ago. Like you, I struggled with the same question when to have surgery as I was not having much pain. I had hip dysplasia, as did my older sister who had her THR about 10 years ago. She was in brutal pain for years before her surgery, so I knew what was in store down the road.

    My surgeon also said it was up to me when but it would need to be done some day. When I went back to him in Oct 2017 and said I can no longer put my socks on, we agreed it was time.

    So while I did not have much pain prior to surgery, I had a very bad limp for several years. I think it was about 5 years ago when someone first commented on it. I had extreme lack of flexibility and range of motion. I did ache that ibruprophen relieved. Mostly the hip just fatigued after about 30 mins of being on it. So the past year I did not do much besides work, short grocery jaunts and necessary errands, as I would get very fatigued and limp very bad. It was really just a few weeks prior to surgery when I started to get jabs of pain radiating down my thigh to knee. Also, about 5 years ago I had a herniated disc that I believe was a symptom of the hip problem.

    So it was mainly a quality of life issue. I was unable to do the things I enjoyed like hiking and photography. I am also wanting to change my employment and thought, limping in and out of interviews would not make a good impression unfortunately. So there was that factor too. I really just wanted to get on with life (and put my socks on)!

    On last thing. While I was waiting for surgery date to come around I did struggle with the thought of being in more pain coming out of surgery then going in. But that worry was all for naught as I have had minimal pain post op. The usual stiffness and sensitivity at incision site but overall minimal pain. It is a long recovery though building up strength and flexibility. But so well worth it!

    Good luck and best wishes.

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen lori88984

      Posted

      Dear Lori

      I'm so glad that you had a good outcome but when you say that is a long recovery I think you should have said that for you it was a long recovery because for a number of people here it was not a long recovery.

      For some people sadly for various reasons their outcomes did not go as well as they had hoped and they are struggling in various ways even a year or more after their surgery.

      I'm just trying to ensure that we are putting forward information here that is correct.

      All the best, Richard

  • Guest
    Guest christine60415

    Posted

    The longer you wait, the worse the pain and limp get.  When the limping gets very bad, your muscles start moving and getting used to being a certain way.  All this makes the recovery worse and longer. 

    I wish I had been able to get my hip done 10 years ago. 

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen Guest

      Posted

      Spot on. The need for surgery is not going to go away and the longer it is left the more it will harm your quality of life and will be on a downward slope to a desperate situationThe recovery after the inevitable hip surgery is likely to be more contracted and less successful and longer and more uncomfortable.

      Cheers, Richard

    • christine60415
      christine60415 Guest

      Posted

      Your words ring true to me, which is why I went ahead and started the surgery procedure. Hopefully, I'll be having the surgery by mid June. Thank you for sharing your experience!

  • jen86183
    jen86183 christine60415

    Posted

    Hello Christine60415,

    I am 61 was very scared to have an operation, I do not take any medications, been doing Pilates, aeriobics, using my elliptical walker. I left my THR far too long, it started with the pain in the groin 8 years ago after a fall 10 months earlier, over the last 3 years it had been very bad, I walk with a limp well like a penguin actually.

    I had my operation last Wednesday a posterior THR and came home on Friday. They gave my oxycontin pain killers which made me and others feel sick/constipated, I refused all tablets except paracetamol as a precaution when I left hospital and to be honest I have not had any pain, brusing and only minimal swelling.

    After all the years of pain and limping I would say do not leave it too long if the pain starts to interfere with everyday life get it, done again I have been lucky as I did not have a long wait. Good luck.

    • christine60415
      christine60415 jen86183

      Posted

      Thank You!! I'm glad to hear you are having few complications and/or pain because of the surgery. I hope your healing continues to progress positively!!

  • Three_timer
    Three_timer christine60415

    Posted

    Hi Christine,

    One week ago I had a THR on my left hip due to advanced osteoarthritis.  18 weeks earlier I had a THR as a result of a hip resurfacing procedure 8 years earlier that was failing.  I've run into many people through the years who had been asking themselves the same question you are.  It is a universal issue we all face when it comes to hip replacement.  My advice is simple...DO IT NOW!! 

    The reality of your situation is also simple.  Your hip isn't going to get better.  The pain isn't going to go away.  You can put off the inevitable, but why?  Take control of the situation!!  Why live with the pain when you'll only end up having surgery in the end anyway?  That is the one regret I had with my first hip replacement.  I subjected myself to pain for a long time that I didn't have to, and also prolonged getting back to a normal, pain free lifestyle.

    Christine...Don't be afraid...you can do it.   Do it now !!!

  • melody39324
    melody39324 christine60415

    Posted

    Hi Christine

    Have you investigated a resurfacing rather than a replacement? I had my right hip resurfaced 10 years ago as I was considered too young and active to have a replacement (and I was 60!). My right hip will probably outlast me. I’ve just had a THR on my left hip. Both ops gave me my life back and I had minimal pain afterwards and a quick recovery. Don’t put it off.

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