How long was your process?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I am being nosey because our processes towards THR all seem to be totally different. I would love to compare. I am 53 and here is my history, I have tried to be brief, hmmm....

 In August 2014 I was snorkelling off a boat in Turkey, tried to climb onboard and found I couldn't.

In Sept 14 I couldn't get up off the floor at work and had to go off on long term sick from my job working with small children.

I saw a consultant in Oct 14 who shook his head and said x-rays were inconclusive.. He offered cortisone injections 3 weeks later which didn't work. In Jan 15 he tried the cortisone again (failure) although I liked the pain free 24 hours from the local anaesthetic.

Dec - off to pain clinic - no help but booked in for hydrotherapy 

Feb - six weeks of hydrotherapy (liked floating!)

March 15, still off sick, by now hardly able to walk at all, using two crutches and hooked on tramadol. I saw surgeon number two who also shook his head and booked me in for MRI scan

March15 - MRI scan, probably the worst experience of my life.

April - back to consultant this time taking partner in with me. Diagnosis OA in lower spine and hips. Replacement offered for right side first.

30th June 15 - RTHR

Immediate relief in right side!!

Dismissed from my job of 34 years for long term absence.

Left side complaining badly and secong hip scheduled for six months later. Very wonky but no pain in right hip

Feb 12th 16 - LTHR - Yippee, all done.

Apparently I had mild hip dysplasia which might account for early wearing out of cartilage (there was none left which is why the cortisone injections didn't work.).

I played county standard netball for 20 years, took exercise classes twice a week and had a physical job.I now have OA in fingers, shoulders as well as lower spine.

Being in that shocking pain so very quickly I considered my process to surgery to be very long but would like to hear your story. Does it compare?

2

I don't think your process is that long, but probably feels that way! This experience seems to go on forever! I am sorry you lost your job because of the situation ~ could they not have found you something else? Or offered part time? Not sure that is even legal to dismiss you for this reason?! Shame on them and definitely their loss.

My right hip problems started ten years ago with the birth of my first child, managed all the way through to last year. Once the the deterioation started though, February 2015 I could run along the beach by August I could not even go for a picnic because I couldn't walk  from the car park to picnic spot (which was such a short walk) and I couldn't actually get down to the floor! My experience is when the hip starts to go down hill it goes so quickly, you can quickly end up completely disabled (by the autumn I couldnt do anything) I have an xray trail that reflects the huge downward spiral, probably because my active life style  hurried it to its demise according to consultant! 

3

Hah, it felt like time had reversed!

My work did it by the book as there was no diagnosis, my absence could not be covered. My job was specialised so no re-deployment to a sedentary job - I am now fighting for my pension.

Think you are right, Rose, about the rapid deterioration, unbelieveable. Although looking back on it I was so tired the year before and had bouts of back ache for years.

There is a BBC article that shows that THR is being offered to younger and younger people - why are we wearing out so quickly?

4

(All dates approximate)

September 2012 - Practically did the splits whilst bowling on wet grass.  Thought I'd pulled something so didn't see GP until much later.

May 2013 - Saw GP who sent me for Xray.  Mild OA.  Told to take paracetamol, glucosamine and cod liver oil.

Perservered until 2014 as pain was very much up and down.  Had good days with hardly any pain and bad days where I limped quite badly.

2014 - Saw GP.  Pain medication increased to cocodamol 15/500.

May 2015 - Saw GP again and asked about hip replacement.  Told OA was mild (not given a second Xray).  Referred to Physio and participated in hip class for 6 weeks with post op patients to build up muscles.  Told I would be back bowling by next season 

July 2015 - Referred to superphysio.  Offered steroid injections and possible hip replacement.  Sent for 2nd Xray.  Told I would be contacted within 2 weeks.  DIdn't hear anything.  Despite phone calls and visits no-one knew anything about it and by September found out my 2nd Xrays had been lost. 

November 2015 - Went back to GP in tears.  Referred for Xray.  Told I had severe OA with no space in joint.  Given cocodamol 30/500 and referred to consultant.

December 2015 - Saw consultant who immediately offered me THR.

February 2015 - Offered THR on 3 March (tomorrow )

So over 3 1/2 years from start to finish.

Here endeth the lesson.

Cels xxx 

  

5

Thanks, Cels, my x-rays also didn't show the extent of the OA but was told after op that it was 'a mess in there'.

It appears that when you start making a noise that something gets done. I know they can't just do THR willy nilly but I wonder how many people are struggling on thinking that it is all normal.

6

Quick question Kate...

now on that you've had both hips done, how much of your overall  (ie whole body) pain has been relieved?

my journey was ....

mild stiffness in in right hip after birth of my 2nd child 5 years ago. Nothing terrible.... Eventually stopped me doing yoga, but again nothing dreadful. 

Lower back lack pain started around 2014. Stopped going to the gym.

osteopathy exercises helped a lot, but couldn't do anything load bearing beyond waking. By May 2015 was struggling to drive and back In Excruciating pain. Hip still just stiff and not especially painful.

treatment on back improved the pain there (non surgical). Eventually referred to hip specialist in sept/October 2015. He told me I needed hip replacement. 

We tried injection first in Nov but made things worse. 

Since being told of need for op in sept, things spiralled downhill very fast. By time of op (3 weeks tomorrow), moving had become a real struggle.

from an X-ray in May 2015 which showed mild OA in right hip, I was bone on bone by the time the surgeon did the op in Feb 2016

Left hip is a bit dodgy, but surgeon tells me there is a 50% chance the issues will be relieved once new hip is bedded in. Apparently the X Ray he took on day of op suggested I am a few years away from needing surgery on that side (but that's what my right hip said in May 2015!)

i can def feel that the OA pain is gone from the right side, but I have some issues with tight psoas and pain in my lower back on op side due to tilted pelvis. Apparently it's walking that will help rectify this, but too much walking aggravates it. I find I can easily become discouraged, which isn't good when on this journey.

as a fellow hippie Michael is fond of saying - you don't know you're overdoing it until you've overdone it. Very true.

hope this answers your question.

L xx

 

7

Forgot to add that in May 2015 I was told told I was very young.  I was 66.  I think the man problem and the cause of my long wait was not being given that 2nd Xray earlier.  Everyone was looking at the one done in 2013 and wouldn't believe I was in so much pain.  It's awful being made to feel that you're making a fuss over nothing.   

8

Mine was a very long slow progression to total hip failure.

1978 - fell off boat, and badly bruised femur, hit wharf on way down, I was about 27.

1978-1990 - lots on iintermittent physio, told I had tight tendons in leg, needed stretching, could never get big toe on right leg past my heel, developed own swing gait to be able to walk.

1990 - 2000 - progessive detioration of hip joint, increasion diffuculty walking, when seated for any length of time, couldn't get up and move without extreme pain, taking panadol on a regular basis, did still have some good days.

2000- 2003 - An x-ray taken by GP showed OA of hip joint. more painkillers

2005 - Dec 24, Mum died had been travelling 5 times in the previous 18 months back to NZ from australia, helping with her care when I could, sister who is senior director of nursing pinged me on my hip, and said for gods sake get something done about that hip, never went back to work after this. Husbands earning enough, not eligible for any pension.

2006 - Back to Dr, sent to physio for exercises, he wouldn't touch me and wrote Dr a nasty letter, saying do something, patient in alot of pain, same year diagnosed with rheumotoid arthritis sero negative, may be porasis arthiritis, also come back negative to genetic tests for that as well.

2007 - 2012 - further x-ray showed now severe deteriotation of hip joints. more panadol. Refereral to hospital with very wishy washy letter. rated not urgent.

2014 - Mar - more x-rays showed contining detioration, confronted Dr, and demanded to see specialist, in alot of pain, no more leaving the house, specailist examined me, and told me I needed a hip replacement, apparently my hips felt like a bucket of bolts, his words, I made a joke and said tell me something I don't know, he also did MRI which showed ball of hip no longer ball, and like egg with yoke gone, also told me I was going to have to come up with $10,000.00 if I wanted to be seen as a private patient, in public hospital bed. Did find out I had been upgraded to Category one in April 2014, cat 1, also includes cancer patients.

Aug 2014 - still waiting, pain completely hopeless, on granny walker, and crying out in pain if I had to move, regular GP Dr not available so saw his locum, he looked at my file and MRI, said you have had a hip replacement done, I replied if I had it was news to me, to was shocked picked up the phone and rang the hospital and asked for me to be seen urgently, 10 days later appt.

Aug 26 2014 - Saw specialist, at outpatients, again on granny walker, he looked at my MRI's and x-rays and said we should have seen you 5 years ago, we are going to admit you now, turned to my husband and said she needs to be in the hospital, couldn't get a bed, operation booked for 9 days later in Sep 2014.

Four days before surgery popped a clot in my lower leg, GP bvery concerned and put me on xarelto, surgery cancelled, finally had first surgery 30 Oct 2014,

Could then rotate hip enough to get my big toe past my heel, tryied the first time I stood up.

Specialist came and saw me day 2 in hospital after THR, and said did you have a car accident when you were younger, you had dead bone in your hip joint., only a small patch, but it would have affected the rotation of your hip joint. refer back to boasting accident in 1970's

12 week check up x-ray done to check all was well, and told that I would need the other hip doing as well proabably a couple of years time, week 14 tore the cartledge when walking, by about 20 weeks seen, by outpatients, x-ray, and told they could see significant less space between bones of joint compared to  x-rays taken during surgery some months previous. booked for surgery Feb 2015. THR done, first time standing up identified I had a problem with leg length discrepany, have been battling ever since, but getting there.

 

9

I am winning and not winning.

The last few days I have found out I should have at least 5 CAT Scans, in the last 10 years, none have been done, apparently the amount of Metrotrextate I am on to help my arthritis leaves me vunerable to any number of infections, incl various cancer.

Apparently the Cat scans are a precaution to pick up anything nasty before it gets too far advanced, told to not worry, they probably won't find anything.

Well we can always hope they don't find anything, if they do I will be asking questions about why these CAT Scans have not been done.

10

I am not sure when it started. I recall sitting in the car and feeling my wallet in my back pocket causing me a huge amount of pain. So I started putting it in my front pocket.

In my 30s my hip would have that same feeling, but only on cold, wet days. As I worked indoors, this was not an issue. Thought a copper bracelet was the way forward.

In my late 40s I started a new job – outside and walking. Walking a lot!! In the summer it was fine, but oh, the wet, rainy day. Once again, the same pain I felt when I was in my 20s. Thought a copper bracelet and the determination of going through the wet days kept me going.

At 54, I decided that I must get some physio, so went to the GP. He sent me for an X-Ray and was told (by a surgeon) that I would be fast tracked as I was bone on bone. BUT, the GP thought I was too young. I struggled for another 6 months but had had enough. I could not even tie my boot laces at this stage – let alone pick anything up from the floor. Saw another GP who sent me straight back to the surgeon in Oct 2015 and I had the operation in Jan 2016. My 6 weeks is this Friday!

The surgeon has told me that the structure of my hip means that the other will need doing within the next 10 years.  

Up to now, I had been as strong as an ox having played a power-forward in basketball all my life. At 6’ 4” (no longer) and (sadly, still) about 18.5 stone (250Lbs /113 Kg) I am not used to being hindered.

And it sucks.

11

I think that the technology and techniques are advancing so much that they are doing less damage when operating.

I had been told that the main part to wear out was the shaft in the femur. And they could only scrape out the cement so many times and insert a new one before they ran out of bone. It was for this reason that they used to delay the surgery.

There is a report from Australia that they are now using stem cell technology which means that the days of hip and knee operation in some cases are numbered. Check it out by searching Dr Julien Freitag Herald Sun. It may offer some home for your spine too.

12

Really intersting thread Kate. I gave up work in sept 2013 (50 yrs) to spend more time with husband as we had bought a little holiday home in france. He can work from a computer at home. Anyway I embarked on getting fit and went to yoga 3 times a week for 3 weeks! Thinking I was 20 again and was buzzing about life I overdid it by doing splits etc!!! Self diagnosed a groin sprain which lasted about 6 weeks and was painful. Eventually got back to normal.

In nov 2014 started getting the same

Pain but had not properly exercised. Went to see GP 31.12.14 and had X-ray the same day (all NHS. Fab). Radiographer said it looked ok so went to see GP end of jan as I thought it was muscular again. He dropped the bombshell that I had OA in both hips!!! Massive hit to the ego.

Hub has private insurance through work for us so saw private cons in march. I wasn't in a rush to get op done psychologically and pain was under control with cocodol 8 Or 15mg. Booked op for July and planned holidays and trips around this date. Daughter would b home from uni to help out too. Had op 31.7.15 when sleeping was a problem with painful hip, walking difficult and sitting for an hour or so was stiff and painful.

I agree that when it goes the hip gives out very quickly. 😄

13

Hi i kate.

Im 53 also.

My probs had always been related to back pain.

I have had increasingly bad spinal arthriris for at least 10yrs. Was under pain management consultant (nothing can be done apperently other than pain management).

Have had numerous physio approaches- accupuncture, osteopathy, hydrotherapy, exercise, weight loss, facet joint and epiduaral injections.

Only epidurals help for appx 6mths.

However then started with pain in left groin and front thigh...i had it so severe thought it was a hernia in groin! (This was ruled out).

Xray 2yr ago=moderate OA.

Go away continue painrelief...worse so referred last Aug to MSK.

End august Msk referred to surgeon- sept saw surgeon, he thought straight away thr but to ensure hip pain was able to be helped by thr did diagnostic inj in december. That ensured my pain was definitively my hip n not spine.

Since jan pain worsening tho limited with meds as tramadol caused withdrawal and nsaids cause ibs.

Just on paracetamol ....

March 3rd saw surgeon xray shows hip space loss now 50% worse.

Listed for surgery...date due to operate 11th april.

Had preops.

In the past two years had to change my job due to back pain as pms consultant has said this will more than likely be the reason i stop working.

I currently still work fulltime and am anticoagulant specialist nurse drive and do community clinics each day with at least 1000pts seen by me each month.

I am expecting to be off work for 3-6mths.

Believe me if it want for my fantastic hubby who supports me i would not cope.

This is my greatest medicine !!

14

hi Kate

Briefly.may'13 started noticing limp coming to the end of 5 mile runs. couldn't shake it. Went to My physio chap said bit of arthritus in left hip. August '13 Saw my Doctor who said have some pills steady as it goes.

Christmas '13 Doctors again. Pain more persistant so ended up having Xray which showed wear etc

Ups and Downs all through '14. Osteopath visits helped  and a fair few pain killers later the hip was just getting worse i wasn't able to be consistant in the gym or cycling. I could do a session or a ride but would take 4/5/6 days to recover enough to go again

.Easter '15 back to Doctors then another Xray proved decisive as showed chronic wear. June '15 went to see NHS physio who didn't even bother offering physio said it would be pointless.Got appointment with consultant.At the tender age of 50 it took about 10 minutes for him to offer THR. Given all information and options Returned  in Sept and was put on the list.Due in early December.Which got put back until early February.

Am nearly 4 weeks down the road.Bit bored  getting there ok. Healed pretty good ,less tablets etc.

Walking ok with crutches .Patience required i think.

When i went to see Doctor 2nd time i said " you kept going on about exercise and keeping fit which i did, don't leave me high and dry now"

Reading that back i sound a bit of a fitness type bloke.I'm not i have always been heavy and never played 'soft' .Football, karate, squash, running, swimming and cycling, a lot of cycling. I plum wore it out and eventually paid the price. What i'm thinking next is ...... Badmington for gods sake NOT Golf ;-)

15

☺️we are wearing out younger due to being sexy beasts!!!! 😊😘😯that's so much Easier to accept rather than we are getting old!!! So many people having new hips in their 50's. We are also trend setters!!! Haha. 😈

16

I am inclined to agree with that one, Donnarhi, 50 is the new 30 only with wisdom and scars!.

And yes, Michael, I am hoping that my back will hold out until technology is available.

17

I went through this and almost thought I was going mad for a while. I was almost crawling along the floor and the docs were just shrugging. I know now that x-rays don't show everything and, of course, we all experience it (pain) in different ways.

I had my kids with no pain relief so I have an idea of how much pain I can take.

18

Michael - Have always been able to Rag Doll, at the hips joint, even when they were completely worn out, pain of the scale crazy when I did it, but demonstrated to specialist at hospital when he was at the point of admitting me during outpatient appt, amazed.

Can still rag doll, now I am healed up a year after my hip replacement, physio very impressed, even she tiny little thing weighing about 7 stone if she lucky could't do it in front of me, she told me i was very flexible, must have always been that way.

Never considered myself flexible my entire life.

19

Good luck for tomorrow Cels, I'll be thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery.

I too was made to feel like I was exaggerating the pain, until I had a CT Scan, then suddenly it was severe deterioration of the right hip and THR suggested as the way forward.

Not the first time I've been disappointed with a GP diagnosis.

I'm hoping tcell therapy will be readily available before my left hip is needing to be replaced.

20

Thanks Bridie,

I have to ring the ward at 6pm to make sure there's still a bed available of course, but hopefully there'll be no hold-ups.  I'm so ready for this.

Cels xxx