I was reminded by a post on here about a BBC article to when I asked my surgeon why we weren't offered injectables a into hip joint to cushion the friction of bone against bone. Not necessarily stem cell (expensive) but something more like Hyaluronate. This is fairly cheap and inert and already is used in differing viscosities in butt lifts, breasts, facial cheekbones enhancement. I knew it decades ago in artificial tear drops. Also some soft contact lenses were made after discovery that heart valve implants could have other uses. HA is hydrophilic, attracts moisture and theoretically can be as thick (viscous) as hard gelatine (derived from bone). Just think of a simple incision for that; no sawing of femoral head off, no long steel shaft right into the femur marrow, no lodging of that ghastly heavy metal socket (usually too big). Of course it wd depend on catching the erosion early and there being some space in the joint. I would certainly offer myself up as guinea pig on my other side where there remains a minute space still but where pain is now equal to the operated side. Of course the manufacturers wd lobby like hell as what cd be easier than their income flow from steel parts. Easily available cheek implants, why not try out an implant which cd be custom made to size, inserted folded just as the eye lens implant in cataract surgery, when it would open out and fill the given space. Even with frequent replacement (or not). It's gotta be an idea, non? Anything other than the draconian barbarity that is THR
very intersesting, I did have an injection into my hip but I think it had gone too far, had mine done on 22nd July here in france
My friend and I have been wondering about this kind of technique as an alternative, for years! Yes; good socialist that I am, capitalism is always the reason, while we continue to pay the price in pain.
It is good to hear about other choices. So informative you are!. I appreciate it. In my case, I do not believe there was anything that could have helped my dead joints so to avoid THR.
Dawn
Some techniques like this were trialled in the 70s as I remember. I think it was the University of leeds. Results were promising but patchy and not long lived. As the lifetime and reliability of THR improved I think it fell out of favour for hips but I think some places still use it for knees where the access is easier.
What did your surgeon say when you asked him the question about injections..
I had 2 series of the HA injections in my knee and no help...I've heard this from many and the insurance pays but pharma makes a lot of money on this simple injections.
Capitalism is alive and thriving sadly....in the U.S. for sure.
Sometimes I think the Hip area is too far gone for injections...people do cortisone but that is not good for longterm if any relief is gotten.
MANY try to make it thru life and NOT do replacements and even back surgeries which are huge issues after the surgeries...
He mumbled something about it too far gone...(in my case). It's timing I guess as as long as there's joint space I believe there's hope. It is moving very quickly with HA, it being a natural large hydrophilic molecule. I believe in time that's where it will go. And it's cheap; comes from turkey wattle but can be made synthetically. I guess big PHARMA is on to it with patents etc. I wonder if trials have been conducted. Although natural, the procedure is still invasive with all the risks that entails. If it ain't broke don't mend it, but hey with all the complications, failures, and future long term miseries rife, there has to be another way. Big PHARMA will only get involved if big profits can be made, so it won't be cheap whatever comes of it. HA itself cheap but I thought about the products inserted as solid mass also. I wonder if vets have carried out anything on canines! I just had a session with a Chinese dr who advocates no surgery by getting to the problem before it's too advanced. Oh that hindsight is a bitch!
While he was conducting highly invasive and excruciatingly painful injections in my 'failed' hip area, my Pain Management Consultant announced that he would never have an artificial device inserted in his body. Very comforting: great bedside manner.
Also joy, interested to read u tried HA in knees. They must be using liquid but it is being marketed in ever more viscous concentrations. Surely they must be researching synthetic cartilage or gelatinous fillers. I feel like getting onto a lab myself! What about donor hips! Now I go too far.......
I may have inserted something artificial into him at that point! (Joking!)
He was a total mental case. Fired after several months as a result of patient complaints. But, I understand, still practising somewhere in Jersey.
Joy, I thank God that you are on here sharing all of your knowledge!
Oh my, that attitude bites! My only solace when faced with the God like mentality of doctors who are "practicing" on us and making millions off of us, is that , here in the US after the baby boomers begin to dwindle, they will have less work. (probably not really, but I like to think of it like this)
I use HA externally, but loads of supplements including curcumin an anti inflammatory. My bone enhancer has boron, manganese entre autres and I take sublingual d3 with k2. Have acupuncture for circulation and herbal formula made up inc Californian poppy at night. I juice celery (alkalises) and take acai and pomegranate powder. Gingko for circulation too. I have a gd friend who was former homeopath to royalty so got well informed. Luckily my pain after 11 months has alleviated now just misaligned pelvis (is that ALL.! You cannot be SERIOUS). And a feeling of being violated as was in shock for 6mnths losing over 20lbs and being skinny before (110lbs originally). Starved in hospital at crucial healing and lost another 10lbs. OA now diagnosed in shoulder but thank God I can manage Pilates and a bit of yoga. I try to ignore the hips as get queasy thinking about it. Can't lie on operated side as prosthesis sticks out side and butt areas...too big for my skeleton. Guess they ran out of sizes! But still my probs pale into insignificance compared to yours and many on this forum....
Forgot to mention MSM. That is one thing I wdnt do without... 1/4tspoon daily......
You touch on nutrition significantly. My body's first and immediate response to pain is to stop eating. Crazy. Nothing I can do about it. At times, have been under 6 st = 84lbs. Dreadful for purposes of recovery, but no medical professional over the past 7 yrs has addressed it.
Pain killers curb appetite for sure. But we need to be relaxed to eat. Stress makes me use the bathroom with mad frequency. A dr mentioned on here amitriptyline. I hear it puts weight on. Low dose, say starting 10mg at night which is way below the anti depressant dose of 25mg 3 times p.d. Whatever it takes I say. Bottle of wine v calorific!
Oh. Certainly not my experience. Been on Amitryptaline for 7 yrs. YEY - all for bottle of red wine a night. Keeps me sane and relatively comfortable. Nay- sayers can - well - say nay. I swear by it!
I deal with OA I learned from a man with RA that he takes over 3 tspoons per day of MSM in 3 doses, I've been doing that now for years....
The first tsp in my MSM drink when I get out of bed, I can feel my body releaseing some pain....I use fresh lemon and a tad of stevia in that first drink and some collagen powder too, and a couple squirts of aloe vera juice.....
Doctors orders! Cataract surgeon told me I couldn't drink too much of it. Only prob I prefer white but make up for it by starting my day with..... Organic beetroot juice oyesiree those anthocyanadins must be good for something....