Hi, I'm 66 and been suffering from hip OA for some years. It was diagnosed by xray (moderate wear and tear) and I have been through the painkillers/creams and gels/walking aids route. My GP told me that we both knew I needed a THR but has to send me to physio first as the NHS has a 'tick-list' system. I'm wondering if this could actually work though as I'll do anything to avoid a hip replacement. Has anyone else tried it and what was the outcome please? Thanks
Sorry, that should be hip osteoarthritis obviously.
Hi cels ... Welcome to this wonderful forum ... I am currently 9 weeks R THR post op - like you, I was avoiding hip replacement surgery for a long time - even when the x-ray showed bone-on-bone - first xray did show some wear and there, but setoriation was really major within 6 months ... pain was getting worse, but still trying to postpone it - Also did go to physical therapy which, in my case, I think made it worse .... so ... Noooo - it will not get better - knowing what I know now, I would get the ball rolling and schedule hip surgery ....it might still take time so you can get used to the idea .... and please come back here - amazing, loving, caring and funny people here who have helped me and still are - take care - big hug
My hip xray showed bone on bone. It was obvious that no amount of physio was going to help.
The only solution was thr. So I had that done three weeks ago and the pain and agony of the previous months is now a distant memory. Whilst I am not sprinting down the steet, I am pain free.
Have the op !
I am 64 btw.
good luck.
Sorry but it will not get better . Do everything they tell you to get on list ASAP . I had to wait 15 months in wales !
the op is fine getting over it is hard work but well worth it .
Good luck
mary
CelsB in my experience the physio did not work either. In fact it made it far more painful, although you should try and do as much exercise as you can, things that are not sore so that you do not stiffen up or the muscles waste away. I think you are spot on about the tick boxing, as they try and leave it as long as possible.
If you are still able to live a normal life and the pain is mild, perhaps some swimming and gentle walking and mild pain relief will help and you could keep going for a good while longer. It will also help you to be stronger and fitter for when/if you do have a hip replacement.
It is worth telling you my auntie had the same results on the xray but she could barely walk and was in agony it was really horrible watch, the two did not match, and the consultant refused to replace her hip, she insisted and he did it. After the operation he told her it was far worse than he thought or could see by xray and he apologised. So if you are in severe pain, and given the waiting time, I would consider all options.
I hope that helps!
Don't avoid a THR if thats what you need...beliebe the people on here absolutely nothing works long term if at all.....I tried everything for years but wish I'd had the THR in the first place...best thing ever...pain free and 100% return to normal!
Why are you putting the op off ? May I ask ?
HelloCelsB,
I am 77, had TLHR five weeks ago, and doing fine. I don't think physio will do any good really, as it is the bone which has worn and no amount of exercise will put that right. Get going with the op, the first week afterwards it miserable, but after that things improve so much and being pain free is marvellous. I am walking with just one stick, live alone and can look after myself ( and the cats ) fine! I keep finding myself somewhere and thinking where the heck did I leave the stick, so that shows you how I have come on. Before the op it was getting a real struggle to walk. Keep coming back to the forum, the people on here are lovely, you will always find someone who has had the same symptom as you have, and what they did that helped. It's a wonderful resource, the people are so kind.
Morning Cels,
I can't believe how much of a post code lottery there is in the UK, I went to doctors just before Christmas because I have a lot of pain in my thigh, he suspected hip problem and sent me for an x-ray, this showed quite bad damage and he immediately referred me to hospital consultant. Got the appointment to see consultant early March, he advised that no amount of injections, physio or tablets would help and encouraged me to have the operation a.s.a.p. I had surgery on April 30th! No time to get worked up and anxious ...... Try to push your GP for referral and get the op done. Like everyone else, not a piece of cake but so much better after just a couple of weeks.
take care
Hi CelsB, i only started with slight groin pain in the autumn of last year and after visiting the doctors went through the 'tick list' procedure which I answered honestly and got referred to a physio. Complete waste of time and was refered back to doctors, 'tick list' again. This time I wasn't so honest and the score got me to see a consultant. Xray confirmed bone on bone and op scheduled for March but due to 3 cancellations I am now back on for tomorrow. Do I feel guilty-- NO.
If I hadn't told a few untruths I guess I would be hobbling about in severe pain for several more months instead of one more day.
Hello CelsB
I too was very reluctant to have hip surgery I thought 59 was too young. I had 2 courses of physio which seemed to cause more pain.As time progressed I began to get pain in my good hip and realized that as I was limping this was putting extra strain on my other joints so I decided to have the operation.The thing is osteo arthritis does not get better so its probably better to get it done sooner than later.I am now just over 2weeks post op and am so pleased I had it done,although still some discomfort from the operation its a much more bearable pain and I am more mobile than I was.
wishing you well
You should definitely get it done. I was 71 when I had the op and everything went just fine. As everyone else has said, it will only get worse no matter what you do to try and avoid it, there is no other solution in the end. You will feel so much better afterwards. The first couple of weeks after the op are the worst but after that you will feel like a different person. Get on that waiting list now and good luck.
Not sure why, possibly my relatively young age and fracture history, but there was no checklist for me either. I went to the doctors with groin pain last October - scanned my groin and found nothing (not surprising!), pain persisted and started to get worse over next couple of months. Went back to doctors in December and was referred for x-ray - results said severe OA and was sent for consultation.
Consultant said what would you like me to do? Indicated he could mess about with injections etc but nothing really works and only solution would be a THR.
I have my operation next Tuesday.
Hi Celsb,
wellall I can add to all your coments here is, I was the same as you waited and had the phisio , nothing worked, I had my left THR in nov. last year, the pain is gone, but for me both hips were bone on bone, so on friday I'm back to my surgeon to get a date for the right one!! anyway get it done honey it's the only way, I'm a 64 year old lady too,
love Lynne.
Hi CelsB. I've just had a THR (6days ago) having walked for seven months on a hip that my GP originally said was only moderately worn and torn with OA. That was her diagnosis from an X-ray in September. When my consultant saw the same X-ray and before he had even met me he diagnosed the need for me to have a THR. Referral to a consultant is based on something called an Oxford Hip Score - 12 questions that ask you how your hip pain affects your everyday life. You need to ask your GP if you can fill this in to see how you are doing. My GP said I was too young for a THR - I needed to be 70 before I got one (I'm 55!). She also maintained my hip wasn't bad enough. This turned out to not be the case when I saw the consultant. I would urge you to ask for a second opinion to review your X-ray and fill in the questionnaire. I was told my pain would be managed by meds - I kept going back because it wasn't. When he operated last week my hip was bone-on-bone. I wouldn't want anyone else to go through what I did unncecessarily just because the first GP I saw had poor diagnostic skills. I know it may be difficult for you if you have a particularly good/long relationship with your GP, but they aren't infallible ! Good luck!x
Hi, unfortunately the wear and tear on your hip will probably only get worse (sorry) I was told two years ago I need a hip replacement having already had total knee replacements on both knees. I put if off until it got that I couldn't walk without a stick and finally got referred to the hospital. the surgeon told me it should have been done long ago and now it needed a bone graft because of the extent of the damage. He's also said that he wants to do the other one as he doesn't want it to get as bad as the one he's just done. I hope you can be brave and make the right decision - THR his uncomfortable and inconvenient but nowhere near as bad as knee replacement. Everyone I know that's had it done say it was a good decision so I am just hoping I can say the same once I am recovered. Wishing you all the best
Hi Rose, I have long thought that the amount of wear and tear bears no relation to the amount of pain you feel. I will go through the physio, if that's what it takes. Building up my muscles will be good I'm sure. I've been to my first session and am doing the exercises but it bloomin' hurts!
Hi Lauren, I'm not really putting it off as such, I realise that I'll be having a THR at some point but I live on my own and although my friends and family are great I don't want to be a nuisance. I also wondered what other people's experience of physio was and if it was actually helpful or if I was being fobbed off 
I had one session quite a few years back, and it was awful! I stopped going after that, as I was worried she was doing more harm than good. At the end of the day it isn't going to restore cartiledge so the benefits are very limited if not completely pointless. It is a chronic waste of money really. I have bone on bone so definitely couldn't consider it now. I like you am still not wanting the operation even now! I do think keeping up as much exercise as is possible is a good idea, and will aid your recovery. Good luck!