Hi all. I've been reading some of the discussions and responses for a while, before plucking up the courage to post something. I was diagnosed with RA last April, at 34, this came after a 2year battle and over 6 operations for Breast Cancer - so a rather crappy bit of news to get after everything else. Whilst it's not life threatening it will have a huge impact on my life, the first being the need for a double THR. The pain is terrible in both hips and there are days when even walking is hard. I'm no longer working, which I hate as I managed to work throughout Breast Cancer. So although my emotions are totally exhausted I know I need to get the op done soon so I can start (again!) to rebuild my life. I'm seeing another surgeon tomorrow as I want to be sure I have the right one, totally I'm terrified of something going wrong and my life being restricted at such a young age. I've been robbed of so much already, I can't even fathon how I'm going to face this or the prospect of it not being 100% sucessful.
So I wonered if anyone could share any questions they'd suggest I ask the surgeon? Anything you wish you'd asked before the op or that you know now, only after the fact? I want to go into this eyes wide open with all the right facts. I'd be very grateful for any advice before tomorrows appointment. Thanks so much and all the best health to everyone who's about to have theirs or currently recovering. Thanks (ZomersetGirl / UK)
Hello ZomersetGirl!
I myself have had both hips replaced in the last 21 months. I was a bit apprehensive with the first one. Because I was pretty healthy at 54 years young.
The VA used all Zimmer components. In which were all subject to recall. Yeah, one would think that would keep the VA from purchasing such products. They were evidently less expensive than the Smith and Nephew implants. In which they use a synthetic Acetabular Cup, versus metal on metal.
I went through the VA again for my second surgery. But this time they Fee Based (paid an outside source) my surgery with a local Orthopedic Hospital. And they only use Smith and Nephew products.
The problem I have witnessed. Is that ALL of these Ortho clinics are over loaded with potential hip and knee patients. Receiving $40 - $60,000.00 for the procedures. Nooo! They're not in it for the money! That's not the "American Way". Riiight!
In essence ZomersetGirl, be sure your surgeon is not promoting Zimmer, DePuy or any implant that is metal on metal.
I still have ongoing daily pain with the Zimmer implant. And there is a possibility of Metalosis in my blood. I'm looking into this via my new doctor.
So do your homework, and don't be afraid to ask any and all questions you may have.
Good luck.
roadglide1959
One thing after THR you can't bend down.So in the mean time you can get things off the floor put them up higher like waist line.figure how to get into bed& and which side of the bed depends what hip is being done.Do you have some one to help putting your socks and shoes on?
If you have any dental problems need to be done before surgery. Because gum infection or tooth abcess can go into the new hip joint.
If your taking supplements ask ahead of time when to stop before surgery.Some can cause bleeding.best of luck dear one
Sorry to hear about the problems you have had and are facing, but don't worry, I am sure your op will be successful. Ask the surgeon as many questions as you can, especially those that are worrying you the most. They will not think you are being silly at all. They will want to reassure you and they will always tell you the truth whether it is good or bad. Have faith in the surgeon, he has probably been doing these ops for a long time and he will be confident in himself and will therefore give you confidence at the same time. The nursing staff will be there as well and they will reassure you and give you confidence and if you do forget anything, then don't be afraid to ask the nurse. Do as you are told by the surgeon and the nurses and you will be fine. If you follow all their advice, then recovery will be much quicker, but don't be too impatient at first and accept all the help you can get. You will get there in the end and be grateful you followed their instructions. I did and I am now nearly 7 weeks since my op and going for a check up this week. I can now walk without crutches round the house, but still take one out with me just for reassurance, and I did not need any painkillers when I got home from hospital as I had no pain, a little tenderness in places and I still have a little bruising, but am feeling great. Good luck with yours.
Hi ZomersetGirl,
Bless your heart! You have been through so much! My heart goes out to you. I do hope that the double THR will solve at least some problems for you. Please do not become horrified when reading on here about the failed THR surgeries because yours does not need to be like mine or others. This is a wonderful forum of supportive people for any aspect of total hip replacement. We can be your cheerleaders!
One question I wish I had asked my surgeon was to what degree would he help me if the surgery failed in some way or if another complication arose. I learned after, and I am in the States, that after about three months post op, my surgeon was no longer obligated to fix what he did wrong. Oh I could keep going to his office begging for help, but I had to begin paying full price for the office visits even though my visits were only in existence due to his botched work. With NHS of course you will encounter the payment part, but you still want to know how far your doctor will go to make sure that anything wrong is fixed.
You will hear from a lot of wonderful people on here with other ideas of what to ask prior to surgery.
I sure do wish the very best for you!
Hugs,
Dawn
I meant NOT encoiunter the payment part, and I am assuming you are in the UK.
One more thing for home preparation. You will need loo riser.Because it's very hard to get up from a low loo our low chair. I don't know if the physio gets them or if you will need to buy it.Do with it.Lolo
Would definitely ask about length of legs after surgery. Would ask more detailed questions regarding the type of hip that is being used and how they determine the size.
Gosh, that is rough. In US leading cause of bankruptcy is health care, but hopefully the new health care system will start addressing that issue. Depends on what state you are in . Ga. governor refused federal aid of over 80 million dollars to assist folks making too much to get state aid but eligible but qualify for federal aid. So our state is not a place to be if you are in that group and need health care. You have any insurance or disability? They usually want the docs to fix any errors.
sorry u had to deal with financial as well as health issues.
I came close to filing bankruptcy because of several decades of huge medical debt, but ironically I could not afford to pay for it! I found out from a reliable source that beginning Jan 1, 2015, medical debt can no longer be listed with the credit bureaus and cannot be used against our credit scores. What I forgot to ask is if the debt already reported will be removed or not.
I live with an extreme chronic condition that I was born with and have been blessed with Medicare and now Medicare complete through United Health Care. But I need to now find a Medicare Gap policy and do not know where to turn.
My Rx plan is fabulous with United Health Care. For 11 months last year for just my medications before insurance was over $49,000.00 and my out of pocket was less than $3000.00. I am truly blessed!
Being sick is expensive in our nation. I do not need to rely upon the new health care system here, but the price I pay in being so sick is high.
I was declared disabled at age 27. I came from an upper class home where strong work ethics were taught and I did not even know what disability was nor welfare. It was quite a shock but by then I was so bad off, deep inside I was grateful for the rest.
Years later I attended college and earned a B.S. degree and worked my way off of disability. Ultimately my disabling condition worsened from the effort and was reinstated onto disability immediately, no hassel. In fact I was approved for disability within two months after initially filing which is nearly unheard of.
The Avascular Necrosis that killed my hip and shoulder joints was me having to pay the price for using the steroids that kept me alive all these years. I just want this botched THR to be fixed so I can then tackle the dead shoulder joints. THEN I will hopefully find a part time job to help finish paying for the raising of my three granddaughters.
Whew this was long.
Dawn