Only 46, have just been told I have advanced athritis in both hips and need thr on both!

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I've spent the last 2 1/2 years going back and forth to the doctor / hospital / physio, I've had x-rays and been mis-diognosed with hip inpingement.  I thought I was going mad, was I imagining the pain?  Turns out it was worse than I thought, I found out on Monday this week that I have quite advanced athritis for my age and am still in shock.

I'm in the UK and my surgeon has placed me straight on to the waiting list, I'm in Cornwall and he said it will be about a 6 month wait.  I'm interested to here of any other local sufferers and how long they have had to wait.

I have been reading some of the posts on here and was suprised to find the surgery is not generally done under general anesthetic, I think I was in such shock there were many things I did not think to ask at the time.

I'm so glad I found this site, it's comforting to know that there are many people in my age group who have also found themselves in the same situation.  I did find this quite suprising as my surgeon tried to explain the reason it had taken me so long to be diagnosed was because Doctors tend to think that someone of my age shouldn't be in my situation.

I'm currently the heaviest I have ever been as I am finding it really limiting to do any excersise.  I would be interested to here from other people and types of excersise that I might be able to do prior to my op to try and get a bit fitter and lose some of this excess weight.

I look forward to hearing from anyone with useful advice, thanks in advance!

2

Hi Philip ..I had a general ...depends on your surgeon and anaesthetist I think...without trying to promote a weight loss system..which absolutely works for me...look at Exante website and also the Exante Facebook forums which are a great support. I lost 3 stone in just over 3 months and it makes a huge difference. Only exercise I could really do was swimming but didnt manage very often...now with my new hip (nearly 12 months ago) I can do anything....it will give you your life back..good luck!

3

Welcome.

as you say your young to be having THR..but on the plus side your recovery should much quicker and with less risk of complications than us older folks in our 60/70s.

I had OA in my left hip for 20yrs which slowly got worse until I was left with no choice but to have a THR.

What kept me moving for all those years was cycling 25mls twice a week.

My hips worsened rapidly when I stopped biking 2yrs ago.

Not saying it will work for you,but it's definately worth trying,and it should help you to keep the pounds off..and it will build up the leg muscles and improve general fitness ready for the operation.

I'd start with a stationary bike so you can't use the weather as an excuse.cheesygrin

4

I would definitely have a second opinion, as it's all new to you, you probably feel the dr's right, but it's a serious operation especially for someone so young, and by the way it's almost always done under a general anasthetic. If it's difficult for you to get a second opinion, see a private doctor, well worth the money, who knows you've been mis diagnosed once already!

5

Hi

Well I'm in the North East and have had 2 THR's

They generally dont like doing it under GA because it takes longer to come out of it afterwards and longer to get you moving. Apparently it stays in your system longer as well.

Dont know the exact details of how long

I had a spinal block with  a light sedation.

Numbed me completely, and the sedation was enough that I knew things were happening but didnt know what  LOL

Just to say that I wasnt completely knocked out LOL

Some people have mentioned hearing things like sawing but they must be in the minority. I have never know anyone or heard anyoone on any other site saying that.

I think its usually 3 months before the op....not 6. I'm sure there is somewhere online thgat you could check that out but hopefully someone will come on and know more than me.

US and UK are completely different in the way they approach it, the exercises they do, any equipment they might get and the lead up to it so stick to UK post for this.....not saying its any better but its different.

Right I thibnk mine was about 3 moths before I got it, after being told that I had a group physio session......we didnt actually do anything, just people due to have replacements and we were given a booklet with exercises to  do before hand and afterwards.

A few weeks later we had a pre assessment.....blood pressure, height weight etc and the nurse answered any questions you had.

If you think you cant wait for these exercises could you see a physio? Would your GP or consultant refer you to one ......exercise you must do no matter what weight you are but it has to be the right exercise.....for instance if you have arthritis like me  and many others, swimming, walking, things like that are good but NOT running...no heavy impact exercise.....that will make it worse.

You would be best to see if you can get an appointment with a physio via te gP or the consultant

Good luck

Keep in touch

Love

Eileen  UK

6

Should have read....

so you can't use bad weather as an excuse not to do it.

Being overweight is a viscous circle for us OA sufferers.

7

Really sorry to hear about your arthritis but I hope finally the op will resolve your problems.Did you think about asking to go on a cancellation list to try and get the op done sooner? I am 65 and just had my THR after about a year's bad pain because of arthritis. I had it done with a spinal and sedation and this worked very well for me - no pain, no noticing what was going on. And they say the recovery without a GA is quicker. 

I understand what you are saying about not being able to exercise easily. I managed to do gentle water aerobics and also had a personal trainer for a few weeks before the op, to do stretching etc at the swimming pool. But I wish I had worked much harder on my upper body strength and core strength (weights etc) . That would have been useful immediately after the op eg to be able to sit up in bed much more easily. Oh and take a pick-up grabber into hospital with you when you go in - I didn't think of this but it would have been a great boon.

Good luck with it all.  

8

Hi Plip,

I live in stirling scotland I was diagnosed in 2011 with advanced artritus in both hips, I was 59 then had a very active life, I , like you I couldn't believe it, anyway they said I should have the opps, then my surgeon said as I was very active and young for my age and that I was still moblie i should hold on to my own hips as long as I could, untill the pain became unbearable, I was  size 10 in 2011, anyway the pain got gradually worse, so I ended up having my left hip done on the 26th nov 2014, at which time I had gained 2 stone!!! I had a spinal anaesthetic and a canula in my hand giving me sleeping meds, I did'nt feel a thing, I woke up fine, here in scotland we have a waiting time of 3 months from first referal, I was sent to a special orthopaedic private hospital run by the nhs, so my advice is when the pain gets so bad that you can no longer stand it, get it done, I am having my other one done in march, I'm doing great now at 7 weeks post opp, 

good luck,

let us know how you get on,

remember we have all been though it you are not alone

Lynne

9

Osteoarthritis is a disease caused, to a large extent, by wear& tear. So I try to do stretches and exercises for strengthening your body core which are not weight bearing. You can find some of these exercises using your search engine . Enter  'body core strengthening exercise'. Lots of tightening then relaxing of muscle groups.

i am going to join a gymn so I can use the pool there, then weight does not matter as much.  Wishing you the best possible surgery& recovery.

 

10

Hi, sorry you are suffering so, but the good news is that your solution is around the six month corner! This forum has helped me so much and am glad you found it too!

Looks like you have already received some good advice, so I will only add that I understand how you feel about the extra weight from not being able to move around well due to the pain. It feels like being caught between a rock and a hard place.

I used to own an exercise program that was specifically designed for those who cannot move around easily and bedridden. I think the title is "Calenetics" and feel certain that Amazon would have it. It is what I have begun practicing parts of while I await my hip revision and my hip keeps me couch and bed bound.

I will watch on here for your posts to see how you are doing.

Dawn

11

Hi Plip

I'm just back to work week 13 post op I'm 54 and was very fit before op, I was told to loose 2 stone. I got down to 13 stone by regular walking but what helped me most was yoga. With arthritis in both hips you will be limited to what you can do but it does help with recovery after the op. I got in quite quickly for my op saw the consultant in the August and had my op in the October, they told me I could wait up to eighteen weeks but only waited 7 so bare that in mind, it's scary at first and I was petrified thinking of everything that could go wrong, everything went right! I was in hospital for three days had general anesthetic, no drains catheter s or swelling post op, had to wear surgical knee high stockings for about 4 weeks in you have to inject yourself with a blood thinner for 28 days after op, being nhs your physio will be down to you unfortunately after the initial consultation and then 6 weeks post op it will be revised and more exercise s will be given to you. The only thing I'm having problems with now is stiffness but this is common until all the muscles get back to normal. You will see on this site people from Canada and us that have private healthcare and their post op experience will be different, more involved. I found the forum great just remember everybody heals differently and that ball park figure of you'll be ok after 12 weeks all depends on how you heal as an individual. Good luck I've never looked back as original pain was unbearable

Regards Vicki 😃

12

Dear Philp, I can relate to your situation. I live in Costa RIca and will be having my RHR on the 28th of this month. For two years was in agony with back issues, later it was discovered that the real culprit was my hip. I was very overweight, but decided I needed to make necesssary changes to get healthy, if surgery was needed or not. Serious!! LIfestyle changes. So since June, have totally changed my eating habits fruit shake with chia seeds, kale in the am and main meal at lunch, ate plenty, lighter at night, a snack tea and water to drink. I have lost 40lbs so feel good about that. If you have 6 mos or perhaps more, do take this time to get yourself prepared. Your life and the outcome of your surgery depends on it. It is easy to turn to food for comfort when in the terrible cycle of pain and depression for the inability to do many activities, believe me, I did that and it did not make me feel better, but was a temporary fix. So now no chocolate, coffee, sweets, cheese, pizza, bread, rice  all those temptations, but more salads, soups, stews with more veggies. Over time, you will not feel deprived and the reward will be having to change your wardrobe and getting rid of the clothes that fit now. I would also suggest reading books that are inspirational and positive to encourage you during this time. So by the time, your surgery time rolls around, you will be prepared on all levels.

The only activity I can do now is swim and not for long, but it helps my psyche.

Wishing you the best and sending you hope, inspiration and blessings for what lies ahead. Hope that your new life and hip are within your reach in 2015.

13

Hi Crissy, thanks for your reply and the info, I will take a look at Exante, what an excellent weight loss you had, well done!  It's so good to hear that you are through the other side and enjoying life to the full.  Here's to many pain free years to come!

14

Hi, unfortunately I've tried the bike and it just hurts too much, think I'm going to give swimming a go but with one of those floats you put between your feet so you don't actually have to use your legs!  Thanks for the reply, hope you continue to do well.

15

Thanks for your advise, I will certaily give it some thought!

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Hi Eileen, many thanks for your reply.  I will certainly have a look online to see if I can find any info about waiting times in my area.  Luckily here we can self refer to the physio department so I think I will pay them another visit.  You have certainly but my mind at rest somewhat with regards to the actual operation, thanks!

17

Hi Helen, thanks for all the info!  My surgeon didn't mention a cancellation list but I will certainly look in to it.  I'm feeling much better about the possability of having the op under sedation / spinal block.

I hadn't really thought about water aerobics so I think I will look in to what is on offer locally.  I also think I might be able to manage some upper body work in the gym so I'm going to look in to that too!

I shall think of you when i'm using my pick-up grabber smile

18

Wow, I can't believe you have only been in 7 weeks ago and you are scheduled for the other one in March, that seems really fast!

Unfortunately I am already in considerable pain, I don't really do much, I don't even walk much as the pain is too much.  I'm still managing to work but it's office based so I'm sat at my desk for most of the time.  If it wasn't for the pain killers, I didn't take them for 2 days at Christmas to see how bad it really was and I could hardly walk for 3 days and it was a week before I was back to how I am usually!

Good luck with your recovery and your next surgery, from the posts I have been reading on this site you will be back to your pre-problem weight in no time, will be thinking of you in March!

19

Hi Lee, thanks for your suggestions.  Yes, I have decided to join a gym also, build up my upper body and core strength. Thanks smile

20

Yes 6 months and counting!  Will take a look on Amazon, see if I can find the info on Calenetics.  OMG, at least with the medication I am still able to carry on working, although 2 days without them and I too find it almost impossible to get around!  Where are you in the UK?  What's your waiting time like?  Thinking about asking to be put on to a cancellation list.

Good luck with your op, I really hope it goes well for you and gives you a new lease of life smile