Over a year ago I fell on my knee and had ongoing problems with it clicking and being generally sore. I strapped up the knee and it seemed okay. Anyway, over the past few months the pain got worse, I had X-rays on the knee and hip. An MRI on the knee indicated a torn meniscus. Then I saw the consultant yesterday thinking it was the knee but told it is the hip and it needs replacing. I am devastated. He stated they work "top down" and the hip should be done first because the knee isn't the problem. Now I am confused. My knee definitely has pain in it when I walk,and the hip is definitely a problem but my sense was it would be good to get the knee sorted and go from there rather than ignore the knee and go straight for the hip. Anyone any suggestions??
Ivy. No contest. Go with what your consultant says and knows about. We're good here but we're not doctors, we haven't seen your x-rays and we've no real right to advise you. Your consultant who has trained for years and seen all these problems endlessly will know the right procedure for you. We'll all root for you when you've had your hip done, or whatever is eventually decided.. I am a nursing sister and I do think your medics are your first port of call. Best of luck
I agree with Amnesia. A great deal of my pain has been in my knees. The physio said it was referred pain from hip. Good luck.
Ask to see xray evidence. I would never advise to put trust in yr surgeon. They are looking for business.
Research all you can and compare right and left hip xray evidence. See a chiro and ask for lower back xray as your vertebrae may have been affected with fall. Surgery on hip last resort. It is major and life changing even if your outcome is good. " Il faut s' approcher avec precaution". Don't get swept along until you are fully informed. .. poor you. Worse than childbirth is an understatement.. good luck
I have had knee problems for years and I was getting round to the idea that I needed a TKR when the opposite hip started to give serious trouble. I was advised to have the hip done first which I did 22 weeks ago, I'm having the knee done on Monday. The knee on the same leg as the THR is now feeling much more 'clunky' so we'll see what the TKR does to the other hip. But I was hoping to have a year or two off before going totally bionic.
Doesn't sort out your problem but my surgeons did show me the X-rays before I agreed to the programme although I said both or neither as I can't get the full benefit of the THR because the knee complains.
Do try to keep your muscles toned up pre-op though because it does help rehab.
If he is in the UK they are not looking for business.
yes keep your muscles toned up...ask to see the xrays...offer to pay for them and consult an ostopath...to confirm referred pain ....so you can feel confident in your decision to accept your consultant's advice should you so wish...hope this helps x
welcome....good luck lyy
let us know what you decide to do x
Thanks everyone for the replies. However, I am really concerned about the general approach to hip issues. I find it difficult to understand why removing bone in such a brutal (medieval?) way is still the only option. I will take thw time to thoroughly investigate because it seems to me that there is a rather strange process of male hip reconstructionists really cashing in on women (predominantly) who need hip replacements. I'm afraid the idea that the belved NHS is immune to the hip replacement cash cow isn;t true. I read articles my so called surgeon has written about how this is an 11.4 BILLION pound INDUSTRY that will increase by over 200% by 2030. As the NHS is virtually private, these people are raking it in. By now, one would have thought that new and better alternatives would be discovered. I have been put in touch with a woman who was basically written off and told to have a THR because she has osteoporosis, scoliosis and curvature of the spine. She refused, changed her diet completely, built up a gradual exercise programme and no longer needs pain killers. She cycles, runs, walks over 10 miles on a walk. Now, that's where I want to be in a year with my hip!!! So, no THR for me, I;m going alternative, even punk!!! I am just really concerned that there is absolutely no option like this considered - just cutting out bone from the body - how totally barbaric.