Hi, I'm 37 and due to have my THR at the Spire in Harpenden on Tuesday 26th of Jan so not long. I am so totally dreading it I cannot tell you. From reading this and another forum I've gradually got more and more freaked out and anxious about it and what's to come. It all seems tales of hell, pain, limping and using walking aids even months down the line and I can't bear that thought. And the lack of sleep! I am so tempted to cancel it or run away at the last minute.
My hip is sometimes really bad and sometimes fine. For example I am currently in Cape Town on holiday and this morning I climbed a mountain for a hour with no bother at all. Last month I was in Italy and couldn't even walk around Verona without a heavy limp in total agony. I'm stressed out about the scar which makes me feel really vain when I'm normally not at all.
Anyoen my age able to reassure me this is worth it and I'll be able to walk ok without an aid pretty soonish?
Firstly, great that u are going to the spire! I had my rthr there on 7th dec. I found the staff very caring and efficient.
What consultant do you have? I had mr parmar. While his "bedside manner" could be improved, I have no complaints about his expertise!
Yes there is pain, but it can be managed. Mobility is very dependent on strength prior to surgery. The longer you put it off, the more your muscles will atrophy and recovery takes longer.
Recovery is different for every one. Please bear in mind that the majority of people who find this site do so because they have problems or worries that they want to discuss. I would imagine That this gives a somewhat skewed picture of the recovery process.
When you consider the amount of thr ops done on a daily basis, it is only a tiny minority of us who are on here with concerns!
And bear in mind Tha while there is some pain, discomfort, sleep deprivation etc, this is to be expected. However, the recovery process is just that - recovery. It will improve rapidly. Without the op there is only degeneration.
So focus on the positives, there are many! The negatives will pass, and you will have your old self back!
Firstly l will say please don't take all the stories as horror stories. I am 42 and had my left full hip replacement in Spire Edinburgh 6 weeks ago and l will say its been so worth it. I to was terrified as l was told l needed both hips replaced last year. I only thought l had pulled a tendon at first with the pain and it just got worse and worse and when l went for xray discovered l had OA in both hips and it was bone to bone. My experience was not a horror story. I went in got it done and at night time l was ok for visitors as they give u an epidural during operation so you are still numb from it. Day 2 l can't lie was agony l cried the full day they did everything they could to make me feel better diffrent painkillers a morhine injection was the only thing that calmed me down for a few hours. They kept telling me tommorow will be better. And it was l was up with the physio learning to walk it just got better from then on.
I got out hospital on day 4 and came home made sure l did my physio everyday and from the day l came home l never used sticks or cruches to help l walked on my own just kept walking around the house and doing the stairs a couple of times. It does affect your sleep as you can't lie on your wound or on the other side its quite sore so u have to sleep on your back which l found quite hard.
6 weeks on l would say its the best thing l have done as there is no pain on left side at all the leg is now fully weight bearing and l actually use it more to take the weight of my bad leg.
I was at hospital yesterday begging to get my right done as l am ready and just want my life back so it can"t be that bad if l am begging for other side to be done.
Please don't be scared you will get through it and your age makes your recovery go quicker l think although everyones experience is diffrent.
If you would like to ask anything else please do l will be happy to answer you as like you l was terrified before l went in. But its worth it 100%.
Hi Amy, I'm 45 and felt just like you before the op. I'd been putting the op off since my late 30's and kept very active. The bad days got more frequent until over the last 12 months I really struggled to walk anywhere. My op wasn't straightforward due to a childhood problem but I'm recovering well. I wish I hadn't put it off so long and struggled so badly for so long. Your young and fit so you should recover really well. Don't be scared, as my surgeon told me why put off something that will give you a better quality of life. You'll be fine.
We live not far from each other! I'm in Shenley, Radlett. I had mine done at Spire Bushey. Who's your Surgeon??
The actual op isn't bad at all in my opinion. Recovery is what it is and does take time! The first 6 weeks are a challenge, especially the tiredness! It's epic!
I'm older than you, but even so.
Ivan only advise prepare beforehand to have things you use all the time at waist level! Re arrange temporarily things in your kitchen, your clothes , shoes etc that you can reach!
Long handled gripper/ grabber ( invaluable) long shoehorn, sock puller on, raised loo seat( depending on your insurance they pay for it) Spire will give it to you. They also have the grabber/ shoehorn.
Make sure you have a comfy chair the right height!
I've had no issue with The Hip 12 weeks PO
Unfortunately I injured my knee on other leg due to strain from hip and that has caused me massive problems!!! Housebound for 10 weeks!!
Only I could have a hip done and end up with a knee problem!!
If you want to know any more re hip/spire etc PM me.
Good news, the pain from the OA disappears, and the pain that you do have post-op gets better.
We were in Sicily in September last year - and I had no problem with the hip,but it was just too hot at 42 degrees C.
The scar - that slowly disappears too - mine was quite a neat job, until I had my second op to re-open the same scar. but that is slowly merging into the background now too.
I'm in Herts too, had mine done at Pinehill in Hitchin.
I absolutely agree with Gertie ... We all found this forum because we had major concerns, or questions or just something that nobody seems to be able to explain - or we were not listened to, thought we were doing poorly etc --- Sometimes we just want to moan or rant or feel sorry for ourselves and this is THE place to come to, to find comfort, be supported, understood and loved --
Your hip is not getting better but will get worse - What is the diagnosis?
Are you not limping right now? How about sleeping and pain you are having?
Maybe you can get an anterior procedure - the scar will be smaller and in the front instead on the side of your hip ....
There are many your age and younger here on the forum ...
Sorry to ask, but what is the alternative? wheelchair bound?
It is scary, no question about it and to cancel the surgery last minute is soooo normal ....
That is why this forum, this Hippies family is so valuable ... you are not alone -
You sound like a very active and fit girl .... it will only get better !
So come back here any time ... there is a lot of support and love out here !
Do you have everything you need at home for after your surgery?
i have recently had a mishap that's why I'm using this site, but until then I had ten years of almost normal living, I was out of hospital after 2 days each time had one at Christmas and one the following Easter, like you worried about the scars worried about everything.
just do the excercises do the six weeks precautions, I went home with one stick and was'nt using at hone after the surgical pain had healed, it is worth it,
Has anyone actually explained to you why your hips are worn out?
I'm 42 and still really confused why this is happening to younger people.
Im seeing a consultant next week and hoping he will be able to answer some of my questions.
Like you my hip is fine one minute and then another time it constantly aches.
From what ive been reading on here its definately worth taking the risk of having the operation. It seems if you delay other problems occur with lower back, knees etc.
Try not to feel sorry for yourself as there is always someone worse off (thats what i try to keep telling myself) and dont worry about the scar 😉....
Hey. Im 19 and 4th on the list kw for my op so should be 20 when its my go 😊 its my 12 op so i should be calm but honestly i am scared. If you werent scared i would be worried yoir not human.
Its fantastic you managed to walk up a mountain today, i cant even walk to the shops. But if you cancel and things take a turn for the worse you may have to wait for a year in pain which will limit your life and ultimetly will make things worse for you.
Maybe because your young and you follow your instructions from hospital and try not to rush you should make a full recovery.
Sorry if i made that sound scary, but in reality your far better by going in for the op then fleeing 😊 best of luck
Hi, firstly thank you so much for all trying to make me feel better, I'm touched and it's helped already. Just had to come back to hotel as was limping around the town in agony and the pain has gone all down my left leg so after this morning and my mountain climbing confidence I have just been reminded why I'm going on Tuesday
To answer questions: I have shallow hip sockets apparently, hip dysplasia, and they only found this out for sure last year. It's caused OA on left down to bone and is present on right which I am told will need doing but currently gives me no bother. Incidentally back in April last year my surgeon tried an injection thing to delay this inevitability. Has anyone else had it? It's injecting some acid or another that's present in the fluid between your cartilage and the socket. He said they use it on knees and it works well but it doesn't often work on hips but he thought it worth trying. Anyway, it didn't work. So this THR is the last resort. My consultant is Brian Bradnock. He's done loads apparently and says mine will be a plastic one. He won't do metal as he said they cause too many problems. Mine will also be cemented in rather than the other option and it won't be done via the front worse luck. I was told at pre-op on Monday that he uses staples rather than stitches which again made me feel freaked out as I hate that idea. Doesn't that make the scar worse?
I live alone so that is another reason I am worried. My mum will begrudgingly stay with me the first 2-3 days. I don't have any suitable high seated chair either! Didn't realise it was necessary until the last couple of days and now it's pretty much too late to sort out prior to op. Aghhhhh!
I used to have very strong leg muscles from the squats and leg presses I used to do in the gym, which used to be very heavy but don't know how much being a virtual potato over the past 7/8 months has affected that.
I am a doom monger at best of times and a born pessimist so I am just having great difficulty seeing the positive in this situation like so many can. I should be thinking oh goody I can have my life back but all I am thinking is oh god I'll never be able to run/squat/yoga climb a tree, lark about or whatever ever again. I'll always be thinking, can't do that, mustn't do that, that might dislocate it etc etc. Oh and I'll get even fatter sat on my sofa for four months recovering! 😰
I'm a half empty girl too lol. I got a brilliant chair I found on FB selling page in my area. Perfect brand new £35 so when I'm done I can re sell it lol, I also left it to three days before op to find it!!
Amy, i've been seeing a physio recently and she mentioned it is likely i have adult hip dyplasia as well but dont know for sure yet.
I know exactly how your feeling. I see people doing normal daily things, walking, running etc that you normally just take for granted and i think to myself...why is this happenning to me now!! You then realise how difficult things are going to get going through the op and recovery. Yes It is really easy to feel sorry for ourselves but it does really help knowing your not alone.
It does help getting it off your chest ...go on have a good old moan, you will feel better after 😉
Any you sound so much like me pre-op. I was doing body pump, spin etc until the pain and stiffness became too much. I'm hoping to return to it once recovered. My hip isn't metal and it's cemented. Staples usually leave a nice scar and although look grim you'll have a dressing on. Don't stress about the scar, they fade so much and people don't generally notice anyway. You should be provided with a chair and other things by the occupational therapy dept.
Vicki
Don't let it get you down. Onwards and upwards, it's just an inconvenient glitch!
Hi Amy. I am 54 so a little older than you but I too have hip displasia and had all your fears - I will get fat etc I won't be able to do my Pilates ever again etc etc etc. I had my right hip done last February at the orthopaedic hospital in Stanmore. I was petrified and almost walked (limped) out on the day. I am SO glad I didn't. I won't lie it was hard to start with and the staples were bleugh and you have to put the work in post op. But so worth it.
I can now squat, lunge, do Pilates etc and because of all the walking I have LOST weight! Although I am careful about what I eat. Honestly you will get your life back. I did have help from other half and daughters but I did become very ingenious at doing things
I did use crutches for some time but as they are sort of obvious I didn't mind - people thought I had an injury. My scar is well healed a faint white line and I wear it with pride - how strong my body is.
I was born with congenital hip dysplasia, so u fortanetly i havent really missed out on anything because iv never been able to do it. I was the kid who had to sit on a chair in primary school whilst everyone else sat on the floor 😂
I wear my scar with pride because iv had it for aslong as i can remember and when i get my thr scar i will wear that one with pride.
Everyone on this forum has and will overcome some scary and amazing things. Im so proud of everyone 😊
Yes Sarah I too was born with it although very mild so fortunately I didn't know about it till my mid forties - actually didn't know until I saw the last consultant but I had pain from mid 40s. I hope you get sorted soon and yes this forum is a life saver.
Ok I'm a it too old to count (54) but like you fit and terrified. Was still playing tennis doubles and mountain biking until two days before the thr surgery - but could not sit or sleep pain free. Lots of quite good days but more and more bad ones and a 'no can do' list getting longer and longer. I was in the exact same agony of 'what the hell am I doing'. ..
Checked into the hospital on last Sunday and spent 3 hours in the bathroom bawling my eyes out. Surgery was first thing on Monday morning. Ok Monday was hell. Tuesday was not much better and I managed to cause a panic by passing out after taking four baby steps. But Wednesday I sat in a chair and for the first time in years - none of 'that' pain!
It truly felt like a miracle.
Cant comment on the rest as of course I'm still at the very start of that long road to recovery, but for me I have to say it's already worth it.
You're a lounger than I am this may aid your recovery as long as you're sensible Pre-op they measure your leg and make sure you have a chair the right height so you sit properly, perhaps you can hire on maye worth asking?
We're all built differently so your recovery will depend a lot on how you behave (do I sound like your mom) especailly if you live alone. Do take care and don't do anything unnecessary, like dusting I managed to shower keeping my hip as far away from the water as possible but never had a problem with the dessing. I healed well and my scar is quite neat not that anyone ever sees it!
It took me year to walk with more confidence, I actually forgot how to walk! Leaned far too heavily on my walking stick but am now gaining the confidence to walk 'properly' more upright with a lighter stick. I had very little help after my 6 week check up but am now trying 'light' aerobics and enjoying them (so far!) take care and all will be well, patience is the key!