Hello - 41 and need a hip replacement

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi brave people out there, I have been following your posts for a long while. Thank you for sharing all that you have. After 3 years of having burning groin pain when walking, limping, not being able to walk and 3 years of repeatedly being sent to NHS physio for them to tell me nothing us wrong, just muscle weakness - when I struggled to lift my foot onto a footpath, I went private and in one week was told I had labrum tear, hip osteoarthritis both right and left, more pronounced in right. I was told I am a candidate for hip replacement now. That was aged 40. I have always been into fitness and being a yoga teacher, used to moving deeply into my body and hips.

My private physio told me to stop the yoga and work on strengthening exercises. Walking has improved but not reasonable distances, slow pace and am unable to carry any weight eg.light hand bag.

It's taken me a long while to come to terms with this but I have also dealt with it by stopping moving. I hardly move or go anywhere. It feels like life is over. Two years ago i went hiking climbing Scarfel Pike and the year before Snowdon. My physio who is very good told me to try and work with my natural hip for as long as I can due to risks of revision surgery.

My question is, with a fully functioning and well integrated hip replacement how does it feel and function differently to when your natural hip worked well with no issues? I would like to hear from everyone especially those around my age group and who are partake in sport and fitness.

Thank you and I wish you very well with your hip, movement and no pain.

2

Hi Amber, I'm a lot older than you, at 58. I had my hip replaced last July when I was 57, but I just wanted to say that I had a very straight forward recovery, and now I hardly think about my hip.

I walk, ride my bike, and hopefully next week I'll be skiing. My hip doesn't really feel very different. The only thing I don't do is running. Previously I ran a lot, but my surgeon is not keen, particularly not road running. ( Having said that, I'm sure I've read about people who do run post hip op.)

I wish you all the best, Judith

3

Hi amber. I am 42 prior to having my hip replacement in September I did 8 to 9 fitness classes a week. Now at the min I can't walk any distance with out hobbling. I'm still in constant pain. The surgeon said I have great movement and he is well pleased. Told me it would take a year to recover. I never can see me able to run or do a class in the near future. It's v hard even simple tasks like carrying shopping taking washing upstairs etc is painful. It's hard to keep spirits up. There's not one day that someone doesn't comment about my limp. I had my leg lengthened by 2 inches also so mine op was more complex. I'm hoping to recover full. But at the min the last 6 months have been horrible

4

Hello Amber

If you have been following many of the hip replacement treads over the past five or so weeks you may have read some of my posts and hopefully some of what I have written has given you courage to move forward with surgery.

I was 55 when I had my total hip replacement and after a very swift and easy recovery I was doing much of what I was doing a couple of years earlier but without the pain!

A year after the surgery as far as I recall I fairly remembered that I had had hip surgery. There would be odd days after for example after hours of carrying stuff up ladders when I would be aware of a little discomfort from my hip. This would be gone the next day. After five years I do not think I ever felt I had pushed myself too hard.

I hope this answers some of your concerns.

Cheers Richard

5

Hi amber

I am 58 but suffered for the last 5 years and the last 12 months have been dreadful. I am now 16 weeks post op and now so glad I had it done. Im still a way off normal and still have some pain in my groin but the hip grinding pain and lower back pain I had before has gone it wasn't immediate for me like some others but it's great and I don't squeal anymore when I stand or getting in and out of the car I'm sure you know what I mean. If you have hdvebit done do it now! They say they can last 20 years + and it's about quality of life. Everyone says I look better not constantly contorted with the pain face! My neighbour is older than me is very agile now cycles walks loads pretty normal functions.

Good luck it's tough in the beginning but oh do worth it

Julie

6

Hi Amber,

I was 60 when I had mine done and I went back to doing almost everything I had done before. In fact I cycled a lot more. Unfortunately thanks to an infection in my hip I am now in the process of having revision surgery. But my bike is still oiled  and and ready and I'm expecting to be back cycling before the end of the summer.

Not everyone has such a good outcome and I agree continuing with your natural hip as long as possible is a good idea. But you sound like the hip is making your life a misery and a new one may well be a huge improvement. Being younger and fitter makes the recovery process quicker and easier.

Good luck

Mike

7

Dear Karen

Please can you remind me where you are experiencing the pain.

Cheers Richard

8

Amber, have you considered Hip Resurfacing?

Its aimed at younger more active people who want to continue the activities they enjoy such as contact sport and badminton, tennis etc... (Not to say you can't with aTHR) but contact sport is deemed a no-no.

There are drawbacks such as a shorter lifespan compared to a full THR but as above it allows you to continue doing all of the things you did previously (in theory).

I just got this done 3 weeks ago after undergoing a lot of research and speaking to various experts.

 

9

Karen - have you considered orthotics for the difference in length?

10

Hello Amber I'm older than you at 53 but like you were fobbed off on numerous occasions with pulled muscles etc. Three years later I was referred to a consultant who immediately told me I needed a hip replacement. 7 weeks later it was done. I'm only 2 weeks post op but feel fantastic, I'm walking on 1 crutch and it just gets stronger each day. I too can't wait to get back to excercise but I'm following instructions and won't go back until I have the all clear. Think about your quality of life now and focus on getting that back. You are very young so hopefully you can get back to all the things you love following your surgery. Stay focussed and keep visiting us all here I have found these wonderful people and their comments so inspiring. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress

11

hi amber, 

officially warm welcome to the best hippy forum ... it is a shock, isn't it ?

I was in denial for a while (and I am much older than you) and could not believe that i was diagnosed with severe OA ... does not run in the family, went to the gym and worked out 3-5 days a week, long walks and hikes - but slowly it stopped - pain in groin, decreasing mobility and so on ...

at some point the pain was so bad and THR surgery was the only option (or be in a wheelchair) - 

I think that this is what you can focus on ... right now you feel as if your life is over - after you have a hip replacement your life will start again - 

It is tough and overwhelming, sweetheart - come here anytime okay - we all have been there, done it and are happy to support you ...

big warm hug

renee

 

12

Hi Amber,

I was 48 when my right hip went out.  I tried physical therapy, but that made the pain worse.  x-rays showed that my hip was bone on bone.  When the specialist said I needed a FHR I was devastated.  I didn't know anyone else my age that needed to have a FHR, so it was 'why me'?  Come to find out that I was born with hip dysplasia in both hips.  For some reason the left hip was still functional, but the right was worse. 

I was 49 when I went in for surgery last July 2016.  I'm happy to tell you that the entire experience was very positive.  I had the posterior approach.  Just a small 4-5 inch scars (dissolvable stitches).  I was up and walking very quickly and after 8 months I sometimes forget that I'd ever had it done.

As far as a difference with my other leg, that was a great concern of mine.  I thought, how can they possibly get the length right when the other hip has dysplasia too?  I'm not sure how it works, but I can tell you not to worry.  It's really amazing what they can do these days in the medical field.  I don't limp at all and those who don't know that I had a FRHR can't tell a difference.  If fact they seem amazed when the subject comes up that I had it done.

Wishing you the very best!  My advice to you is don't wait if you want quality of life.  I didn't and I'm so happy with the results

13

Hi Amber, all I can say is go for it.  Like all the previous posts say, it takes time.  If you are in pain now it can only get better.

 I'm a lot older than you, 70, and it's 14 months since I had mine.  The hip pain has gone completely but I'm having problems with my foot.  This is a long term problem.

 I'm not as fit as you, but my big achievement was walking up ingleborough.  I'm a member of the ramblers and you can understand my frustration not being able to go with them.

Because you are fit and young you shouldn't have any problems with a hip replacement.

Keep us informed on your progress Brenda C

14

That's wonderful news Judith, thank you for sharing that and wish you lots of fun skiing. Xxx

15

Hi Karen, i am so sorry to hear how painful and difficult recovery has been for you. On the positive, there is still plenty of time to heal from your doctors 12 month guideline. I really hope things improve. Sending you lots of love and good wishes and thank you for sharing honestly about your experiences. Xxx

16

Thank you Richard, great to hear you made such a good recovery and the thought of climbing ladders again...wow....seems impossible! I will check more of your posts. What type of approach and prosthetic did you have? Take care

17

Dear Amber

This is what my surgeon's secretary wrote to my a few weeks ago.  It was uncemented but that's all I know apart from that he was highly regarded and did an exceellent job twenty years ago. Some time before he did my hip he trained the surgeon who is going to be doing my revision.   Total chance as I picked my new surgeon on his records as I've moved 180miles to another country but still in the UK.   Surgeon's email follows.

Cheers Richard

Apologies for delay, i’ve just seen Mr Mackie has looked through your notes and unfortunately cant find the operation note but he has said prosthesis would have been:

 

1.       Acetabular component – Mallory ringloc (Biomet-Zimmer is the Company)

2.       Femoral component – Taperloc (Biomet-Zimmer)

 Because the operation note doesn’t seem to be in your notes he cannot give the acetabular or femoral size but has said the acetabular size would be between 50-58 mm.

18

HI Amber

I am so sorry to hear your news, it takes a long while for the news to sink in, and longer still for acceptance. I remember feeling just like you, my life did stop too, for a while as I battled with the same dilemma as you.

I was forty when I had a full hip replacement (15 months ago) after ten years of pain and the last two being really quite life limiting I finally gave in when I couldn't walk (like you) and needed morphine patches to survive the day and night. Enough was enough. I won't lie to you I was terrified. Truly petrified of the surgery even having had many operations before on other part of my body. Honestly the fear is much worse than the surgery. Once it was over I felt so much better, and knew it was a case for just getting on with the recovery (which takes longer than you imagine but is worth it)

Today I am just back from the Maldives (I took three planes and a boat to get there - 29 hours of travelling and the same on the way home, not to mention the miles of walking in Heathrow and in transit) and we spent the entire time sailing, snorkelling and at the gym. I could not ever have imagined doing such a trip before my replacement. It was truly a wonderful moment to arrive there again. 

Your new hip once recovered will feel no different to your other one. I can not feel the difference or even see it now (my scar is the faintest of lines) It has not stopped me doing anything I want to do, swimming, horse riding, dancing, wearing heels and living life to the full. I am immeasurably grateful for the tremendous life giving surgery that a THP is for most people. 

The only differences I can detect having a hip replacement for me is being more careful on wet surfaces (I never want to fall) and I used to be indifferent to wet weather, snow, whatever. Now I take more care in icy weather, on stairs and in bad weather. I also notice that I don't always feel comfortable with yoga and pilates moves, but this could be my cautious approach more than anything. I look after my hip with real care, so am cautious compared to others that I know whom will happily do black runs and the like. I can feel after two days of travelling that I am a little stiff this morning after a marathon long haul journey home, but then so was my husband and he hasn't had any kind of surgery!

I do all of the sports I did before, and enjoy walking the most. I do not regret having this operation whatsoever, quite the reverse, I am so happy I just booked it and found some courage. The longer you leave it the worse it is in my experience, the result is the same too - you will need it done whatever happens, so best to enjoy your younger and fitter years. It has really given me my life back.

If you have any other questions Amber, please do get in touch or keep posting on here. You will meet the kindest people on the forum all in various stages and it is an incredibly helpful source of information and support.

Wishing you well x

19

Glad to hear you are doing so well Rose. Sounds like a brilliant holiday! I'm 8 months post op, and doing fine.

20

eight months is a turning point, as is one year. I am glad you are recovering so well....it only gets better from here on out. I need a second hip replacement (my right hip is as good as anything and really highlights how 'solid' and 'strong' the new one actually is) so at some point when I can't manage anymore we will be doing it all over again  

The good thing is at least we know what to expect this time! Which is better than last time for sure x