Hi folks,
Looking for some advice on my situation from this great forum if I can....
I'm 35, very active/competitive in sport for all of my life, until now.
Unfortunately, I now have severe OA in both hips which is painful and very much effecting my mobility. For at least three years now. I can deal with the pain, currently take 30/500 cocodamol. I have pain getting in and out of the car, putting on socks, carrying my son etc but I can still sleep at night, so not terrible yet.
However, the terribly mobility means I am no where near as active in sport and this is truly making me miserable. I have a two year old son and it even effects my ability to play with him, carry him, and things like that.
My doctor is keen to put the surgery off as long as possible due to my age, and I understand that, but although I could continue in this way for the foreseeable future I am truly miserable and feel like a zombie.
I feel like just getting the surgery now so I can get on with my life and regain my mobility, exercise and play with my son properly. Hopefully!
Has anyone any thoughts or advice on this? Or has anyone been through a similar situation at a younger age?
Thanks!
Hi Tom,
You have a hard decision. I am 66 and had my replacement last year as I had pain increasing over 5 years. I know opinions vary as how active you can become after the surgery as some say no running or high impact. Now I just walk. At your age, you may need several more replacements. Then. Again it is nice not to be in pain and not taking any pills. At 35 you should recover pretty quick but there will be a few weeks you will wonder if you made the right decision. I suppose if I was 35 and had young kids, I would at least get a second opinion and lean to have it done. Best of luck whatever you do
Hi Tom I'm 36 ex rugby player was in the exact same boat as you always
fit fought the pain for 4 years until I couldn't even play footy with my nephew.
They gave me the same schpeel about being to young but I pushed for it.
I wanted my life back I'm currently 1 week post op already the bone on bone
Pain has gone granted its going a lot tougher than I thought. Surgeon said strong
Bones and muscle equals more pain initially but I'm already looking forward.
As for needing a revision be clever and do the correct excercise ie cycling and
Rowing defo no road running and you can get a really good life span.
Hope this helped
I thought I would reply to your post because I was in a similar situation.
I was 39 when I got a total hip replacement due to oa as well. I thought I'd rather live a good life now with the kids that not get it because I wasn't older but think hard before you get it done.
Mine is a lot better than it was but I am still on all the same medication as before and it's not like I thought it would be. It still hurts. Still have groom party son and I their hip is still sore . I manage don't get me wrong but I had a long recovery and I'm not active like u sound so may be things will be better for you.
There a lot of sports you can't do after THP anything high impact.
Only you can make the choice . If I was to make it again I would still go for it but the after feel is not what I thought. I thought I would go back to the way I was before it was sore but it didn't ans I still have oa in other hip ( and a leg longer than the other now)but I am in less pain and like I said s everyone recovers differently . You are active so might fly through it xx
You're so young to be experiencing such restrictions in your lifestyle. I know of a neighbour's relative who was given a hip replacement at 40, so it obviously does happen.
You're having such an awful time and sounds like you've already put up with it for a number of years. You're missing out on the experiences you could enjoy with your family and of course the goals you have for yourself too.
I would hope that you get your surgery and soon so you can get on with your life and become an active member of your family again.
Best wishes... Rob
Hi
Here in Uk at the hospital I had my hip done 18 days ago the youngest they did was 17 the oldest was 95.
I had mine at 55 as I too was active and the surgeon said it would give me my life back . Agree you may have to have them done again as they last about 20 yrs...
But what are your options ?? Years and years of a progressive disease ( they will get worse and that can happen very quickly ) or two new hips ? My surgeon said he has put hips in people who now re play rugby .
I cannot answer for you but I don't see what choice you have . I do know someone who has gone 20 years fighting against new hips but finally having them next month . Painful years. To me you are delaying the inevitable . Steroid injections work
But only for a while and you can't keep
Having them . My attitude was get it done to end the pain and move on .. No sentimentality or fight , just end that damn pain ! It us a brutal surgery trust me and not a walk in the park ... But what's a few weeks pain and an impressive scar against years more agony ? I would be breve and bite the bullet but only you can decide . Good luck X
I am 56 and extremeoy active. I had hip displasia. I had my first THR, Jan 2013 (posterior technique). I played hockey the night before my surgery. I was also playing tenns/raqquetball, lifting weights, and started swimming about 2 yrs ago. The level of play deteriorated for obvious reasons. I put iit off as long as I coud. I was back playing raquetball/tennis 3-4 months later & started playing hockey (some contact) 11 months later, I probably could have played sooner.
July 25, 2016 I had my other hip replaced (same technique) , I started playing tennis/raquetball, weight iliftng, swimming (6 weeks ago) this past Sunday. I might go back to hockey in Jan 2017, I have played a long time, it miight be time to quit.
So with your age, you probably can return to most things you have done previously, ;with THR.
When my hips really effected my life in a negative was when I made the decision to have my hips replaced. Obiviously, I was 18 yrs older than you.
Its going to suck going through it again in 20-25 yrs, but do you really have a choice ??
I figured at the rate I am going my new hips wont outlive me.
Don't wait to long your surgeon need good healthy bone for thr.
i waited until the pain was really interfering with my lifestyle.
was glad I did .
I'm 29 and had a thr 3 weeks ago because my life was no longer a life in spiralled into depression could no longer walk my dogs ride a bike or take my son to the park, driving was an issue as I would get pains (right leg) when braking so I could not longer drive my son to school in the last 9 months I have had to make the hardest decisions of my life.
Rehoming both my dogs and letting my sons dad have full time responsibility so my son can enjoy life.
Age is a number I have hip dysplasia and hyper mobility I had a labral repair done 2 years ago which is what made things worse. Ikeep pushing your young yes but also too young to let life be ruined bya dodgy hip if there is a chance it can improve via a thr PUSH THEM
Good luck
Hi Tom
My Surgeon cannot understand why so many Drs are against people having their joints replaced at a young age.. he was horrified when I told him that in my local hospital I would have to wait until I was 65yrs before they would consider putting me forward for hip replacements.
I had spent over 10yrs suffering at finally someone would listen and I had my hips done in August this year 10 yrs earlier than I would have done locally.
He told me that he had done THR on people as young as 25yrs as he believes quality of life is important.
Maybe look at a second opinion out of area... I can forward his details to you if you would like
Hi Tom,
warm welcome to this wonderful forum of hippies ...I am happy to see how many men responded and shared their experience with you ..
I agree with their responses -
Another thing is that usually, men seem to heal faster from this surgery than women - (sorry girls !!! like losing weight too ... grmphh)
Definitely get a second opinion if your Ortho surgeon doesn't want to do it -
big warm hug
renee
I agree. Men have testosterone to help build muscle faster.
mmmm MABE next time I can take a few pills to help build muscle .
of course wouldn't want a beard...just muscle.
Hi Tom go for it ,it's only going to get worse
I'm 63 now and have been fighting for my
lovely new hip for at least five years,kept
telling me I was to young and would need
to have hip replaced again later on.
After jumping though many hoops to even
get to see consultant when I did see him
he told me you need quality of life now
ridiculous what you've been told so 16
weeks on it's wonderful walk straight,no pain
Of bone on bone get your life back go for it
Good luck
Poor you Tom, I so feel for you and can completely understand where you are coming from. I first discovered I had severe OA in my left at age 36, when I was very active, I then went on to have a baby at 38 and it just gradually got worse and worse. The advise my surgeon gave to me was I would know when the time was right! Ambiguous! I hear you say. I managed the pain right up until the June of this year (aged 44) when after years of decreased activity and battling every day to keep up with my very active son and the general toll on your hips that brings. I just got to the point when the pain was every day all day, it affceted me at night time too, so sleep was becoming more problematic. My husband had lost empathy for my hip problems many years ago as it had affected us so much. We had made some major changes to our lives to support my arthritis, eg, changed my job, changed my car to an automatic, moved house, so it was easier for walking etc etc. Pain had become me and I was wearing it on m my face.
One of the key moments was attending my sons sports day when it was time for the mums and dads race, the teachers were trying to persuade everyone and I could see my little boys face looking at me and i knew and he knew I couldnt do it 
So as much for him I felt it was time. So I guess thats what my surgeon meant.
When he performed my THR on &th Sep, he said the ball had been worn flat, it needed to come out. I am now 7 weeks post op, and the arthritis has gone, it feels so much better, there is still lots of work to be doen before I am fully mobile, but I do feel it was the right decision for me, I can already see it in my face 
Good luck its a tough decsion but you will know when you have had enough. All the best, Tamsin x
what a great post !!!!
I hope that many pre hippies will be guided to your sharing - especially the "younger" ones -
Pretty sure many members here on the forum will take heart, darling - thank you
big warm hug
renee
Ohh my 😱 We are the same . 35 just had my first hip replacement 3 weeks ago . Got OA in both hips . Surgeon kept me hanging on as long as possible to the point I was house bound 😪. 3 kids that I was always grumpy with and couldn't take out . I'm glad I. Had it done but it's a huge op and recovery time so very long . You will need so much help for a long time after xxxx I'm looking forward to having my life back at some point xxxxx
Hi Tom, I was 40 when I had my first hip done and I had to fight for 2 years to get the specialist to agree to the surgery, but it was so worth it. I feel that you need your health to be at its best when you're younger so that you can give as much as you can to your children. I'd say go for it, you will notice a big difference, but look after them afterwards so they last longer. Good luck.
Sally x
Hi Elaine
Are you in the uk ? Here in Wales did not meet such blockages , they were more than happy to give me a new hip at 55 and I think the general consensus was quality of life foremost ... Plus they gave me the choice , it was up to
Me
Yes Hazel, I am in the Retirement Town of Eastbourne!!!! but found a lovely surgeon in Hillingdon, Buckinghamshire who said it is awful that people are allowed to suffer because their Health Authority has a policy re age for operations. My hips we bone on bone and semi dislocating each time I stretched. My knees the knee caps have holes in them through wear and tear... but they will only be done once I am fully recovered from hips.