Hi, I'm new to this site so thank you for any advice.
i have my pre op assessment in January and wondered if anyone could reply to a few queries. Following many months of pain and inability to walk, I was finally diagnosed with severe OA in both hips (no cartilage and bones flattened) in November. After my pre op, I'm hoping to get the replacement a few weeks after. I'm in Scotland and going to the Golden Jubilee hospital (anyone been?). I'd like to know what kind of joint I can expect, what approach is commonly used and what anaesthetic is prescribed.
ive seen lots on here about posterior, anterior....spinal and ga and I'm totally ignorant!
well I had mine done at the jubilee in november, firstly as far as the approach is concerned it depends which surgeon you get, I had mr roberts, he prefers the posterior approach, as for the anaesthetic again this depends on your state of health and your own personal choice, I had a spinal block which numbs you entire lower body for three hours, the opp. takes around 40 mins, so when you wake up your still nimb, I also had a I.V. sedative, I didn't feel a thing just went to sleep and next thing I knew the Dr was saying all done, the benifits of this type of anaesthesia is there are no nasty after affects at all it's just like waking up in the morning, I was in the recovery room for 30 mins , and then taken to my room, as it was late in the day I didn't have to get up untill the morning, then they have you up and walking, the hospital was great staff good, apart from some dosey night nurse lol, I was out on the friday had my opp on the tuesday, hope this helps, anything else I can tell you please get in touch, good luck,
You should expect ceramic fitting usually no metal on metal they've been withdrawn for safety reasons. Don't know anything about that hospital. You should ask your surgeon everything....your pre op should only be done a week or so before surgery not months! They do ECG of your heart, blood work, sound your chest, etc. you should have been told what to expect before, during and after your surgery and ask about your physio after you are up. You need to ask what procedure anterior or posterior as recovery time is different for both. You need to know how many ops your surgeon has done....it might be National Health but you still need to know. You are your own advocate for finding this out from your surgeon before it's taken out of your hands. Good luck.
From my experience, I would say, since you're 'starting from scratch', do some factual research online re causes, diagnoses and various types of surgical approaches and devices etc. Take notes, keep them all in one place.
Only then would I be looking at sites/forums such as this, as they're, by definition, heavily loaded towards issues/problems: not a good mindset with which to go into your first op.
You will, I'm sure, be given the opportunity to discuss your particular condition with your surgeon beforehand. Take with you a list of questions you have and get all details of what s/he proposes. Also, if possible, take someone with you: you'll almost certainly forget some of the information. If that's not possible, ask if you could record the session for future reference. (I explain that I have problems with my memory.) If you're not given that chance, actively set up a consultation, expressly for that purpose. If you're in the UK, you'll almost certainly go through a set process, whereby you're given much of the information and advice that you need.
Please don't focus on the stories of surgical failures. It's a negative waste of energy. Time for that if/when you have a bad experience. Heaven forbid.
I'm in the North East and have had 2 thr's and have no idea about the difference in anterior, posterior etc LOL
The anaesthetic {GA} is usually the choice of your surgeon but if you have any objections bring them up at the preassess appointment.
I had a spinal block, Sat on the threatre table, legs hanging, injection in your back and a slight sedation and that was it......didnt hear a thing. I wasnt completely out but you hear all sorts of horror stories....dont believe them.
That is much better than a GA {general anaesthetic} you come round much quicker and recover much quicker.
In Scotland......you should have a pre assessment you should also have a physio appointment.....{I think the Americans call it the hip clinic???} The fist time Iwent into a room with a lot of other people due to have a replacement and a physio who told us what would happen and gave us exercises pre op and post op.
Second time was slightly different. {first time we sat around a table} this time we were in rows and were shown a video, then a very young physio told us a little bit about it.
The first time after the physio appt we went into a mock bathroom and kitchen and they showed us what equipment we could have...eg raised toilet seat, perch stool etc.
This didnt happen the 2nd time????Lack of funding???
Hope you're well. Just felt I should respond to your comment about sensory experiences with spinal block. Had one with first of my 3 (soon to be 4) THRs. Heard every blow of the hammer and had nightmares about it for months.
Had general anaesthetic for next 2 and recovered v well and quickly.
Guess it just goes to show how incredibly individual all these experiences are. Makes it v difficult to offer advice, doesn't it?
I had spinal block too and was told i would go to sleep with the sedation.I heard every blow of the hammer too and watched the clock on the wall tick down.I was really scared beforehand of being awake as had also heard horror stories but i must say i was really calm and though i heard everything i didnt feel a thing.
Thanks for your reply Lynne09047, really appreciate it. I have my pre op, ortho consult and joint pain clinic consultations all on the same day as I was transferred from the ERI waiting list due to lack of slots. I really hope my op is done in a few weeks from then as I'm so sore-and at 41yrs old I need to get my life back! My consultant ortho appt is with a Mr Ohly so I've no idea who he is yet. At the ERI it was Mr Patton who had done both of my mums hip ops, he was amazing...
I'm really quite scared but looking forward to recovering from being so immobile. I'm going to try and beat the timescales (safely) for sure lol xx
Thanks Carol, do NHS hospitals carry out ceramic replacements now? I thought they were too expensive...I do hope that my op occurs a week or two after my pre op but will wait and see ( I was transferred from Edinburgh RI to the Golden Jubilee due to slot availability). I. Only 41yo and really want to walk, function and live normally again. Thanks for your reply x
Firstly we were all scared about having the surgery and this forum literally saved me from going crazy. What everyone said was true, the surgery really is the easy part. I can honestly say I would have it done again in a heartbeat. I had an epidural with light sedation and it was marvellous. Recovery varies so much from person to person, my own expereince has been unremarkable with no hic ups but not as fast as I would have liked. Now 4 months later I am so looking forward to the New Year. Good luck and keep in touch.
Thanks edarlingb, much appreciated... My hubby will be with me at the pre op (as he was at my initial surgical consult and asked lots of questions that I never thought of or was able to!) I just wanted a wee bit of a heads up as to what to expect. I'll get there, and am concentrating on being better xx
Thank you Lorraine46575, really appreciate your response x I will wait to see what my pre op consult says and not concentrate on negative answers. I know I'm going to be ok :0) at 41 yrs old I am going to claim my life back and enjoy life again, for me, my hubby and our gorgeous pup! xx
Thank you Paulus1949, I totally understand your approach. I am trying to concentrate on the end result and perfect outcome; my surgery will go well and I will overcome all the exercises, tests etc to get home and get back to my self. It's easy to say and harder to not concentrate on negative stories but I will try. I WILL be a success! x
Elaines post has reminded me........any time you go to see anyone ...Consultant physio {if you are going to be asking questions} get your husband to sit down with you a few days before hand and comile questions.......you ask....let him remember the answers. My consultantcalls Peter my memory
Another good thing I found was asking to be copied into all the letters.
That means when your consultant writes to your GP you get a copy of it. Its handy to have because they dont always tell you everything or if the GP is asked to do something like prescribe meds....you know she has got the letter and if you dont hear in a few days you can get in touch with her/him.
That positivity is exactly the way to approach things..
I wouldn't get over involved with the op details..knowing them won't make any difference to your treatment anyway...have faith in your surgeon and take things as they come..just research the stuff you need to do after the op for your recovery..I had no physio,but did do lots of gradually increased walking,and it worked well for me.
Being young as you are is a massive bonus to a quick recovery,and many years of pain free life ahead.
All you need to know beforehand is things like tips on how to cope, what you need from your OT and things like that....not the surgical questions {although I have answered on this thread before} One of the things I was told was to buy some larger pants than normal because of the swelling.As it happened I didnt have swelling but that was handy enough to know.