hello! I am new to this board. I injured my left hip last December. Took some time to diagnosis but an X-ray and MRI found a Labral tear, bone spurs and cam pincer impingement. Also to my surprise severe arthritis. Had arthoscopy surgery in June and haven't been able to recover. Still on crutches and am told I now need THR. I am very discouraged to say the least. I have been in constant pain since December and even more so since my surgery. I don't see my new surgeon until next week and probably am looking at the end of Oct for my hip replacement. End of my rope! I am 59 and USED to be active. I can't do a thing and am gaining weight from inactivity. Any advice on how to cope?
G'Day GGAZ
I'm also 59 and am coming up to week 6 after a posterior THR. I too was very fit and active until struck down by injury which caused OA in the right hip. Was so shocked when the Dr said I needed a hip replacement actually bordering on depressed. I'm too young! LOL!
Anyhow suggestions. Firstly do a lot of home work so you can have a discussion with your new surgeon. I needed to be confident in who was opening me up and he also appreciated that I was informed and aware of complications etc.
Next I would really push (politely) for surgery to be as soon as possible. I explained my life situation e.g. work, pain level and having a young girlfriend!! LOL
Once a date was set I actually lost weight as I subconsciously was preparing for the surgery. Cut back on booze etc and maybe keep up upper body (and your good leg) exercise. That has really paid off for me as I was slack on the exercises given to me by the OT but once walking with a stick I took off as the muscles were ready to go.
One last thing is keep your mind in check. The Drs don't warn you about the shock to the system that surgery can cause. Emotions are up and down for the first few weeks (at least). Sometimes it feels like life will never get better but by looking back, say to the previous week you will see progress. Oh and take it easy too. Us fit people want to be back to "normal" immediately. It doesn't work that way I'm afraid. Nothing wrong with putting the feet up after a big day.
Good luck!
Hi GGAZ,
It sounds like you have been thru a lot of pain. I hope the THR will finally help. It helped me a great deal.
I have had 3 thr and after the recovery process and therapy the pain is livable. I rest and do things differently. But the surgery was the only alternative I had with bone on bone in the joints from Osteoarthritis.
HOPExxxxxxx
Hi Andy,
Great ck list before dr. appt. I have had 3 THR due to osteoarthritis first in in my early 40'.
Once you get thru the whole process it's really over in a flash and your life is back! Staying positive and mindfulness helped me a lot.
Hope xxxx
Thank you for your quick response! I'm laying in bed trying to sleep but in pain and feeling extremely frustrated and sorry for myself😁. Not feelings I'm proud of. I'm going on 10 months of not being able to walk. I'd kick myself if I could (lol) for not getting the hip replacement in June. My Doctor felt the arthoscopy surgery I did have might put off the THR by a few years. If I had listened to my gut I'd be well on my way to recovery. I appreciate your tips. I think it's a very good idea to try and get in the best shape possible before instead of waiting until it's over. Thanks for listening to me vent! I actually feel a bit better. No one can understand this unless they are going through it.
Thanks again!
Hello,
It is a big shock having to face this surgery. I struggled in pain while I waited and was also working full time on crutches.
My GP helped me through the wait. She put me on a norspan patch for pain and endone for night. I cut back on any unnecessary walking so was forced to change how I worked. I had to stop making home visits etc to patients and if they couldn't come to clinic I couldn't see them. I basically stopped anything where I would be standing such as teaching.
My friend is an OT and gave me a perching stool for the kitchen although I mainly used it in my bathroom for my hair!! She also gave me a sock aid to get my socks on.
My GP also authorised a disabled parking ticket so I could park close to everything. I had to reduce my driving because it was too painful.
It was difficult with three young children but I got there. Now, seven weeks after anterior RTHR I have just returned to work and have no regrets.
I am am swimming again and soon to be cycling again. There is light at he end of the tunnel.
All the best.
🌈🌈💌🌈🌈
I'm 53 and almost EXACTLY mirror your circumstances. I too had hip arthroscopy that failed and left me in more pain than previously. I was becoming depressed with the forced changes I was having to make to my normally active lifestyle.
4 weeks ago I had a ceramic left hip fitted.
You will be pleased to know that just a day after the surgery, the eureka moment arrives! When you take your first few steps on your new hip, albeit on crutches, you realise that ALL of the pain you've been suffering for years is gone. Yes, there is discomfort from the surgical wound and your mobility is limited, but you realise that actually all you need to do is recover from the operation and you'll have your life back.
This is truly life changing surgery!
As I mentioned, I am 4 weeks post-op, still on one crutch in the house, and 2 crutches when walking (I do an hour a day of fast paced walking, and the only pain I have is in the palms of my hands from the crutches). Every day is a little easier than the last, and I'm closing in on the 6 week review when I'm expecting the all-clear from the surgeon. I'm feeling great, and already have a new zest for life.
I've been in the dark depths that you're in now, stay positive life after your THR is brilliant!
Thank you for your response. It is a relief to know I'm not alone! Good luck in your continuing recovery.
GGAZ😊
Hello and thank you! You must be a youngster with 3 little ones. I am amazed the more I research this, how many people are faced with this condition at much younger ages. I really thought at 59 I was too young!
Thanks for the encouraging words and all the best to you!
🌞🌍☀️
And you thought you were on your own? I'll echo more or less everything and eventually had my first THR on 30th June. I am 52, was super fit, labral tears, arthritis, misery, moaning, weight gain, end of tether........surgery!!!
All fine now, can't believe the difference and realise that I was in more of a state than I thought before. The doc even offered me anti-depressants to get me through.
Get through it I did and 7 weeks later life has changed dramatically. I am seeing my consultant for my check today and will be hounding him to do the other one asap.
Go for it GGaz. It is life changing - there will be things you won't be able to do after and the first few weeks are tough but you'll cope, you really will
Hi Ggaz,
Greetings from Exeter - sounds like you have really been in the wars - sorry you are thus in such pain. sounds like the injury and the arthritis together make for a horrible combination....
All I can say is that the THR I had five months ago, like my earlier hip resurfacing on the other hip a decade ago (which may be an alternative op?) have both reallly saved my life- so I have a life>
i'm now back at gym, swim, jog, and feeling pain free and happy. Yes, tis a big op; and exercise and rest, BOTH, after in recovery, do make it all worth while. I fought against the recent op, in the end really had to have it. and NO REGRETS.
paix
Mic
Oh my!! How uplifting to hear! It's wonderful you have your life back after this horrible experience. I pray for that day to come. I can't even remember how it feels to walk like a normal person. The one thing that does worry me is how long do you have restrictions on being able to bend over? I read about the danger of dislocating the new hip and it freaks me out!!!
Thanks for for your thoughts and encouragement !
🌎
Thanks! Wow 52 and I thought being 59 was "too young". Well at least that's what my Doctors kept saying! You sound like you are doing great. Good luck with the next one👍
Restrictions run for 6 weeks, but you soon become used to them. I had my surgery at Spire Yate in Wrexham. I too was concerned about the prospect of dislocation, so asked the nursing staff how frequently dislocations occurred. In the 9 years that they've been performing this particular procedure, there have been a total of NO dislocations.
Don't worry!
Thank you for your encouraging words. I am actually getting excited rather than depressed to get this over with. Wish it could be done tomorrow! I think I may be able to sleep a bit better tonight.
Wishing you a great recovery😀
I
That's a relief to hear. Thank you😀
Yay, we are on the 'younger' side. I just like to think that I was so fit that I wore them out quicker. Being 'young' you still want some quality of life and I would rather be mobile and active now. I will be happy to sink into a wheelchair when I am 80!
I sympathise with your need to get it over with now and would suggest emailing your consultants secretary once you have seen the surgeon, and ask for a cancellation.
Good luck
Sorry to hear about all your pain GGAZ, I understand like we all do here! I'm 44 and had my LTHR in January ... I was in a bad old way, but now, no more grinding OA pain thank you very much! THR is the way to get an active (or any lifestyle back) if your hip is worn out... A miracle really!
Also I put on a lot of weight due to inactivity through pain and have lost a fair bit post surgery .... Through just being able to be more active now and the desire to eat more healthily to combat all the toxins etc from 'cocktail' of drugs that I've had to take over last couple of years.
You too will be active again, don't despair!
Juliet x
Hi GGAZ --
well, aren't these the best friends you can have !!!!! loving, supporting and funny too ...we will be here all the way and you will be one of us after your surgery ... I promise -
take care, relax and know that all will be well....
warm hug
renee
Thank you Juliet!! It is wonderful to hear all of these success stories. After my failed labral teat surgery I was beginning to think things may never get better. Thanks for your kind words!
😄