Decided to go for it

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I posted on the forum a while ago after getting my initial diagnosis and advice for surgery in February here I am again several months later.

Just to recap....diagnosis last year of OA due to hip dysplasia since birth (which I didn't know about) and advice this Feb that I needed a hip replacement. So after re visiting my surgeon in May I have finally come to accept the inevitable and am currently on the waiting list. Op due early September.

I'm 42 years old (mum of 4) and in my own mind, way too young for this surgery but I know things are only going to get worse. Despite having made the decision I'm still finding it hard to rationalise. I can still walk, I walk my dog every day (5 km) although it's hard work and I have a dreadful limp now. I used to run but can't manage that at all now and having been on my feet all day at work I'm struggling with knee pain and back pain and a aching hip. I can't actually believe how things have deteriorated in the last 12 months and yet I still don't quite feel 'bad enough' to warrant surgery.

The whole recovery process fills me with dread. I'm a very active, physical person that doesn't like to sit for too long so I'm worried I won't deal with that very well. However, I'm trying to prepare myself, keeping fit by swimming 50 lengths twice a week and even practising the dreaded sleeping on my back (which I hate).

Any other advice from fellow hippies??

2

Just schedule it and get it over with!  I wanted to put off surgery but about 6 months after diagnosis I was just dying from pain. I'm 46 with a 9 year old and walking her to school, commuting to city and working all day was getting so hard. I was trying not to walk to much but still clocking about 7000 steps a day. I was just beat down tired from the struggle. I had anterior RTHR 11 days ago. I'm doing pretty good getting around house on a cane and leave the house once a day if someone will drive me to store or out to lunch. I don't feel guilty about getting nothing done because I'm too tired to care!  It's going to be a long 4 weeks until I can return to work and start resuming my life. But that goes by pretty quick. At least the pain I feel now is for recovery- not just further deterioration. 

3

Hi Kimberley!

Yes you are too young for hip replacement but that's just how OA works. It doesn't care how old you are or how active you've been.

I'm 2 years out from my surgery and even though I still have a little pain now and then, I would do it all over again!

You won't have to sit for long periods of time in fact my surgeon suggested after my physical therapy (which was 3x a week for 4 weeks) that I do as much walking as I comfortably can.

And I didn't have to sleep on my back either. I had the anterior lateral approach which was less invasive and I was allowed to sleep on my unoperated side as long as I kept a pillow between my legs.

I also neeed to get the other hip done but I'm also weighing the possibility of other surgeries I may need to get first because of OA.

Don't let the pain get to the point that it's in your groin because THAT'S what made up my mind to get it done!

Good luck to you! You'll be fine! Just listen to your doc and physical therapist and do the exercises faithfully!

 

4

Hi Kimberley, I'm 36, 2 young children and 1 week post THR! I was also born with DDH diagnosed very late and corrected but pain has been getting worse over the last 2 year, similar to you, I could still walk, but the pain was crippling.

I can honestly say that recovery so far is 1000% better than I thought it would be.

I came out of hospital on Friday, and I can now manage short distances with just 1 stick! I have been able to prepare meals with a little help from my 6 year old.

I took a walk out side yesterday, and got up my steep drive on my sticks quicker than I did last week with my poorly hip, I actually shed a tear at the thought that soon I'll be walking with no pain.

Good luck x

5

Hi Kimberley

i had the same questions as you as I kept thinking I wasn't that bad for the surgery.  I was still doing 5 spinning classes a week and the cross trainer for 45 mins daily right up to my surgery.  I even managed a 3 k run a few weeks before.  Not quite the half marathons I had been doing but still able to.  I had good days and bad days and was limping quite a bit toward the end.  My consultant said to me I had probably adjusted to the pain and was limiting what I was doing without realising it.  The issue for me was worrying if I had it too early (I'm 49) then I was likely to need revision surgery assuming an average 20 year life for the implant.  The question simply was when did I want my best 20 years i.e. now or at a later date.  I had the surgery on 22 June and am doing really well.  I was also worried about doing nothing but actually apart from the first few days have been pretty mobile and am focussing on the exercises the physio gave me so I can get stronger each day.  It seems being young, fit and determined really helps your recovery.  

I hope you come to the right decision.  

6

Dear Kimberley

It's quite natural to feel apprehension about any big surgery but you will be in a far better place getting it done now whilst you are still reasonably fit rather than at the end of your feather.

When I had my primary total hip operation at 55 I was fit and active and walked out of hospital with two stick on their in distance and goats on on getting home. Was walking a mile a day in the first day or so with my dogs and no pain. I was lucky and so can you be. Just think positive and get it done now.

Cheers Richard

7

hi kimberley, 

I am joining the "go-for-it" choir here ... 

this surgery is sort of confrontational ...to be dependent and not in control was very challenging for me ...

congratulations on making this decision - it is a BIG one ...

please keep us posted on how you are getting on

big warm hug

renee

8

Hi Kimberley,

You sound just like me I'm 42 I have four children and hip dysplasia I didn't know about until 2 years ago, I was considered for a PAO and could of had one but there was a big risk of impingement thus leading to further operations and I did not want to go through all that, so last week I had a LTHR.

I am finding it hard to be dependent on my family but in the grand scheme of life this is a blip, I am looking forward to walking any distance I like, going to the cinema and being able to sit down instead of lying on the seats, joining in with the children's activities that I have been unable to do and of course going back to work.

You won't be off your feet for long I walked half my street and back today and every day I can do a bit more, and you will too being fit now will stand you in good stead. 

Take Care Lulu.

9

Wow we do sound similar and your post op story is very encouraging. Thank you. I know I have to get on with it and I am positive that the outcome will be absolutely worth it. Thanks

10

Hi Kimerley

You sound just like me...a mum of 4 and aswel feel far to young (33) for a hip replacement..I am always on the go with the kids and can stand the thought of sitting still...but i hope it cganges my life for the better...good luck with everything xx

 

11

Hi Kimberley i know how you are feeling i too was born with hip dysplasmia and was a keen runner who trained five six tmes a week usually two time a day and was a keen hill walker. A couple of years ago I gave up running and had to change my job, but by december last year i was struggling to walk my dog and do basic chores and had to start walking with a stick and was even unable to swim. I am 51 and thought i too was to young but realised  i had to get it done. I had my left hip replaced 3rd febuarary this year and am know back walking normally  with no pain I will never run again but am back swimming and working out in the gym. I even managed to a bit of hill walking last weekend. Like you I was a very active person and hated not being to do it. I am glad i got it done and feel like i have gone back 6 years I approached the recovery by listening to my body and doing what i was told yes i found it hard to hold back sometimes when things started to get better but i found this forum really helpful. The best advice i can give you is go for it  it does get fustrating but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Although I still have to watch what I am doing it feels great to be able do things again that i used to love doing. Sorry to have rambled if i can help with anything please give me a shout

12

kimberley,

I am 46 and had my right hip done in dec 2016, I will have my left done in dec 2017.  You will be fine.  Stay active it really helps with recovery.  you will be so glad you had it done.

13

That's really encouraging thank you. I know it's the right decision, just good to be able to vent to people who properly understand and who've been there. My husband is so very supportive but he doesn't quite understand as it won't be him going through it.

Roll on September.

14

Staying active is definitely in my plan. It it's just taking more pain relief to be able to do it.

15

Thanks for the support.

I'm certain I'll be posting again with updates and 101 questions post op 😂😂😂.

I have a pre- op assessment and hip workshop to attend in August which will hopefully answer lots of my concerns too.

16

I will keep my fingers crossed for you and hope it all goes well keep in touch and take care of yourself I dont know where you live but i self referred myself for extra physio and found this a great help. Keep in touch 

17

Hi Kimberley, I too couldn't believe I needed a hip op.....but was in more and more pain. I tried to keep mobile, had some physio exercises. I was dreading it all, but I had a great recovery. Straight away the horrible bone on bone pain has gone.

Now, nearly a year post op, I hardly think about my hip. I swim regularly, bike to work, it's all very comfortable. (Just not meant to be running.)

All the best, Judith

18

Hi Kimberley, I was in a similar position to you.  I was born with hip dysplasia , it was not picked up at birth, but then noticed when I was three and I had a large operaratio. to fix it I believe I had a osteotomy operation then.  It was successful in that I had no limp and could do most things, other than sports which I had no stamina in as my hip would get sore/tired. but other than that I managed fine.  

However in my early forties I began to have hip pain and my problems started, I could not walk as far, and began to limp, this just got worse and worse.  I started to have cortisone injections as I had a lot of pain in my outer hip, it eased it slightly but not enough to make a vast difference, I then got Hyaluronic Acid injected deep between my hip joint done in theatre by X-ray, again this helped for a few months but  didn't last.  My Dr said that I could have a hip replacement about five years ago, as I was bone on bone  but I kept thinking I could put it off and if I was just more careful went for more Phisio, got more cortisone etc I could avoid it.  However, all that happened was the pain increased the distance I could walk before I was in pain was less and less, I cancelled a lot of things because I could not walk far or was in pain.  I  worried and worried about a total hip replacement and what if it went wrong or I was worse than I was before, but to be honest I began to see that I was so restricted in what I could do now that a hip replacement could only improve things.  I walked about all lopsided and you would have thought I was in my 80s !  I told my consultant I wanted to go ahead and I had my Left THR 3 weeks ago.

 I have fretted and worried about this operation for years and now I can't believed why I waited so long.   Yes I still have some pain from the operation but the hip pain is gone, the grinding and clicking and cracking in my hip is gone, and the biggest thing I have went for a walk and did not have to stop for a rest every few minutes like I used to, oh and I'm actually standing straight now albeit with crutches., and  my husband says he can't believe how straight I am standing now.

I was not scared about the operation but like you the recovery process worried me a lot, but it's been ok and as I say apart from the operation pain which is different to the hip pain I had , it's been bearable.  I'm amazed that each day or every other day there is an improvement in my mobility and I can move my leg a bit more and a bit more.  

Well done on practicing sleeping on your back, I hate sleeping on my back and have to say for me it's the worst thing about this operation as I'm not getting the sound sleep I'd have if I was curled up on my side.  However I know it's not forever so I am counting down the weeks till I see my consultant and get the restrictions lifted and I can sleep on my side again.  Who would have thought such a simple thing would be so important.

This forum is great and the information and encouragement from everyone helped me a great deal.

best of luck to you .... lizbet 😁

19

Hi John, I noticed you need your 2nd hip replacing, I also need both doing my 1st one is next Tuesday, was your recovery hampered by your bad hip as both my hips are as bad as each other and I'm concerned I will be putting to much pressure on my new one. X

20

Hi Kimberley, I'm a young (in my mind) 63 year old, I've had severe OAP in my right hip for over 5 years and in my left for 3 ish, I'm now at a complete standstill ,I've not worked since last October and can only manage to walk around the house with the aid of a stick, so go for it now whilst your still in good shape and don't let it take over your life you have 4 children who deserve to have their mum at her best. I am having my op next Tuesday and it can't come quick enough, go for it X