Hi
I am 57 and was diagnosed as having osteoarthritis of my left hip just over a year ago. I have had 2 cortisone injections the last one in July and had very little effect, my consultant has said i need a THR now.
My dilemma is I can still walk miles albeit with a limp, can still cycle 30 mile
Although can no longer run or play other sports due to groin pain.
So is it best to have the op now while I'm otherwise fit and healthy.
Or do I wait a bit longer and if I do will it get so bad as to near enough disable me, decisions decisions ? Would appreciate any feedback from people who have experienced a THR.
Hi Philips
I also started with hip problems around 5yrs. I still continued with normal activities but just had to deal with the pain later in day. I also had trouble when first standing after sitting a while. Pain was originally in buttock then down side of hip and then moved to groin. From that time I continued to get steadily worse and less able to do some things.
It took some time before I could get a medical person to take me seriously about the pain and I started tests, physio etc.
I had the op in July at just 61yrs. Due to deterioration I was hardly doing anything for the last year.
Now 16 weeks post op and feeling fantastic , pain free and no longer limping.
If I had the time over again I would of pushed for the op a lot sooner. Your pain and mobility is only going to get worse and YES recovery is easier the fitter you are. If In UK you may also be on long waiting list. There is no good reason to suffer and waste some of your life.
Just my opinion.
Sandra
Sorry...started problems at 57 yrs
Yes get it done ASAP - it can get worse very, very quickly and your body having to compensate can lead to lots of problems ie bad back, tendonitis, knee problems. I'm still suffering a year after the op from tendonitis in my supposed good leg due to it having to take the strain due to the bad leg ! 👣👣👣
Thanks for that Sandra I should really follow my consultants advice and have it done. My problem is I've always been so active it's the recovery time that's putting me off but suppose I would be better in the long run.
Thanks for the good advise Lisa,
I keep thinking while I can still get about I'll wait but your right that will impact my good leg.
Hi Philip,
I think your dilema is a common one. I was diagnosed at 39 with osteo in both hips due to an accident at age 25.
It's devastating being told that you have got wear and tear at a young age. I used to like dancing and gave it up after realising that taking 8 co-codamol a night was stupid. I did a lot of reading and wanted a re surfacing at age 49 but the consultants told me I was too young so after a cortisone injection started going to the gym to building the leg muscles up and swam a lot. Like you up until age 67 i was cycling 80 kms and walking 5 or 6 miles albeit with a limp.
I knew it was time to get it done when a pain in my groin started to twinge every time my right leg was fully extended rearwards and I could only sleep in one position without pain. My partner was also telling me I was leaning forward when walking due to not wanting to extend the right leg to far back. At first I thought the groin pain was due to a groin sprain but after a year it was just getting worse. I also noted the start of knee pain in the same leg which is probably not helped by me adjusting my walking gait to suit the ever stiffening hip.
Possibly when I get the op and if successful I will probably wish I had done it earlier like many others have said. But, it's all a trade off between many considerations, but at least now with ceramic hips, better plastics and better techniques there is more chance of your hip lasting a lot longer than say 20 years ago.
It's your call but if you have a consultant with a good track record then that must count for a lot.
I waited about 5 years until I could hardly walk a block. Got the Steroid shots, pain pills etc. Bone on Bone gets not better. It started affecting my knee and lower back. Had a THR posterior approach 2 years ago. Now I forget I have an artificial hip and wished I had it done several years earlier.
I had my first hip replacement 5 years ago, at 58, and my second hip last July at 63. Just know, it’s not the joint God have you. I am a physician as well, so have experienced this issue on both sides. I tell my patients, “when you can’t walk or sleep, it’s time. Nothing will happen from waiting. You will know when you cannot take it anymore. Although a very small percentage, I am having issues after my second THR. In fact, today, I had an aspiration due to abnormal CRP and Sed Rate 5 months out, after a wound debridement as well- my point, there are always down sides to everything. I hope that helps you in making your decision.
I had the same scenario at 61. I was getting around ok but with a limp. When it got to a point it was getting more difficult to sleep because of the pain and discomfort, I asked my doctor what he suggested. The x-ray and MRI showed pretty much bone on bone. So he said the surgery is optional from the perspective that I could choose when to have it done. It was just depending on how long I wanted to put up with the discomfort and limp. It wasn’t a matter of if, but when I would have the surgery. When I asked if it was better to do it now while I’m in relatively good shape and can handle the surgery and post PT and recovery, he said “Yep. You’re getting the picture!” LOL!! So I opted to go on and get it done. That was 2 years ago and glad I did.
Don't wait! The pain will just get worse and so will the arthritis! I waited and ended up crawling up my stairs every night! I tried stem cell therapy before both hips were replaced...I waisted $8,000 on the stem cell therapy and a whole year of PAIN as well waiting for the stem cells to work! Do it! Get your life back! I just turned 62 and had both done at the same time. Anterior surgery!
Dear Philip
Yep, get it done sooner than later as your recovery will be faster and easier. I have recently had a revision of my twenty year old hip and I was hardly ever aware that I had a new hip and same with the revision. Both done posterior approach.
Good luck, Richard
Hi phillip20437
The decision to have a THR depends on the serverity of your condition, this can only be determined by your body condition and your physician assessment. The fact that you could still do some of the things you like, like walking around with a limb and cycling I will advice you change your lifestyle and try using more of supplements and medications. THR should be the last resort if everything has failed.
Hi Philip. I was told I had OA about 8 yrs ago and was told if I waited about 4 yrs it would be better as I was still rather young. I’m 58 now and just had my second THR. Both sockets were worn down but the one I just had 2 weeks ago was the worst. I noticed more pain in the last 2 months prior to surgery.
I’m very pain tolerant so I guess I was used to the pain until I finally said no more. I kept putting off the surgery.
I also wondered if there was such a thing as waiting too long. I did read about someone being in a wheelchair because it was so difficult to get around prior to surgery.
You would be the one to know best. Sounds like your in pretty good shape. I used to exercise daily until about 8 years ago and I felt I was so out of shape for surgery.
As everyone says....wish I had done it sooner but I know waiting because of how long a hip replacement lasts is something to consider.
Sounds like ur getting around pretty good still.
Wishing you the best.
I am 55 year old woman and can relate to you. Last year I was in the hospital having a THR and my Surgeon cancelled it on me as he felt he could give me more time due to my age. I have had 2 cortisone injections and also Durolane Gel Injection and did not help. Also I have taken so many pain reliever's and anti inflammatory. I go to pool therapy twice a week and it is just getting worse. I am a Flight Attendant and on my feet all day and also very active and this issue has effected all aspects of my life. My x-ray shows moderate Osteoarthritis and bone spurs. My MRI showed tears also. I have been plugging away with life. I have these horrific flare-ups where I cannot walk, sleep or sit comfortably. Then it is gone and I am back to constant aching and I get something catches in my hip which are supposedly the tears catching.I am not bone on bone yet many surgeons feel that it is not bad enough. I cant live like this anymore as it is effecting my life and my work so I went to my surgeon and he agrees that he will do the Surgery December 13th. I am so ready for it even though I am young but this is the time as we are active still. I am not waiting to be in my 70s or 80s when I will not be as active anymore.
My sister has had both hips done and a few friends and everyone agrees that I cant wait any longer! It will not get any better only worse. My sister had bone on bone and she kept falling and hurting herself I am not waiting that long. I went back and forth, should I do it or wait longer. Questioning myself constantly! Once you make up your mind it feels great!!
Philip get it done now. I was 55 when I was diagnosed with severe OA in my right hip. Originally thought it was my knee. Didnt limp went to the gym but jad pain in groin and thigh. Surgeon couldnt believe how stiff my hip was. Was 56 when I had it replaced. Surgeon said if it wasnt for the fact I had holidays booked. He would have done it urgently. That was two years ago. Can dance for hours now. Had posterior and ceramic with titanium stem uncemented.
Thanks for that Shari I think I'm exactly the same as you thinking I can manage, but then I get days when my hip just gives way and I can hardly walk afterwards, think it's the fear factor of not even having had minor surgery before, surgeon has told me I need it doing now so it's just building up the courage to give him the green light. I really appreciate everyone's comments it's interesting to hear of peoples experiences with similar problems to mine.
Dear Shari
You obviously need the surgery, shame you were subjected to the wait due to age.
Reminds me of my situation twenty five years ago when I was considered too young for the surgery at 50. A chiropractor kept me going for several years until I was allowed the surgery as I had got to the point that I could no longer work. A bad situation as I was self employed!
The surgery was a great success and I was back to normality very quickly. Twenty years on I've recently had it revised through wear to the poly and made a quick recovery. Posterior both times.
Good luck, Richard
I would say to not leave it until you cannot move. The better shape you are in before the operation, the easier and faster you should recover from it. Another , younger patient, who had his hip the same day as me took much longer to get mobile.
I started getting pain in 2012, and in early 2015 my consultant said he would operate as I had managed to get my weight down. I elected to wait until after our 40th wedding anniversary celebrations, and had it done in October 2015.
Unfortunately, I had problems because my surgeon put the parts in wonky, then the hospital failed to spot the mistake on the X-Ray, so I had revision in Jan 2016. It took about 12 weeks after the revision before I was back at work - commuting about 2 hours into London - and a month of tapered hours to get back into the job.
Since then I have been doing things like gardening and a roof repair to my workshop that I just know that I could not have done before the operation.
It took me about 18 months to feel 'normal' again, at which time I decided to retire at 65. Now I feel great, despite the major setbacks I suffered - compensation case pending.
On the whole, I would say sooner than later.
Best wishes
Graham
Philip you can also have the surgery without general anesthesia. They numb you from the chest or waist down and give you something to relax in case you would rather do that.
I know it’s scary even for those that have had major surgeries as well.
I didn’t want to go that route even tho they asked as I didnt want to hear or see anything but I’ve read on here some people do well chatting with the OR people or using headphones.