Too young for hip replacement?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi all. I'm new to this website but thought I would get some advice from someone who has been in the same situation as me, as I am now trying to decide whether or not to get a hip replacement. I was diagnosed with juvenile RA when I was 14. I am now 30 and have been dianogised with osteoarthritis in my left hip. I have been on anti-inflammatories, painkillers etc long term. I also have crohn's disease. I am getting different advice from doctors in relation to surgery. Am I too young? Should I wait a few years? Will it make a difference? If anyone has been in the same situation, particularly anyone in their 30s who have had a replacement, I would love some advice. 

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Welcome to the forum Sinead

My situation isn't dissimilar to yours, the pain in my hip started at 30 years old and I could barely walk by the time I was 39. 

The questions you may find helpful to answer: Is the pain/and or lack of mobility impacting on the quality of your life? Can you do all the things you want to do?

Is the pain so bad you are finding it hard to sleep?

Are the pain killers working? 

In my case, I waited until I could wait no longer (really because of the prospect of needing more than one revision (possibly two) on each hip in a life time was for me not ideal) It is NOT a decision to be made lightly....when you are young it really isn't, so I understand why your consultant is mindful of your age.

I weighed up the pain I was in, and I was struggling so much trying to look after my children, work etc. In the end I took the decision to have my hip replaced, because waiting serves no real purpose in my view. As I waited the pain just grew worse and worse and was unbearable at the end. I wish I had done it sooner if anything. It was a complete success and I now have a full and active pain free life. It is a very successful operation for most people.

At the end of the day if you need your hip replaced, you need it replaced, and a few more years of pain won't really help you.

Personally I would have your hip fixed and enjoy being young and pain free. You are young you should be living life to the very full.

This is a great forum for advice and support, so come back on with any questions, there is always someone to help. Best of luck with your decision.

 

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Hi Sinead,

First of all, welcome to the Hippy's forum! 

As far as being too young, I thought the same thing at 49 years old.  My specialist told me that he does hip replacements on people of all ages.  Technology has advanced so much over the past few years.  I was given a replacement that only needs the top part replaced if, or probably when, that one needs to be replaced.  I was told that the latest one should last me 25-30 years.

I can tell you that you won't get any better, and will slowly get worse.  The decision of when to get a replacement depends on your quality of life.  I was having pain daily in my right hip.  It was horrible!  That's why I chose to go for it.

I'm so glad that I did!!  Now 9 months post op and feel back to normal again. 

I stongly suggest that you do your homework prior to making a decision.  Find a reputable surgeon and make sure that when you do decide, that you listen to your specialist and do everything they tell you to do.  The worst is the slow recovery... several weeks.  By about the 2-3rd months, you will be up and moving around without pain and be so glad that you did it.  This forum is amazing.  You will hear the good and the bad, but the bad is usually.... I can't sleep on my back comfortably during the first few weeks.  That is nothing compared to what we were dealing with prior to having the surgery. 

Wishing you the very best

 

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hi sinead , 

great responses from fellow members  - I have been here on the forum for some time and saw many members as young and younger than you ...

as said before, the pain will get worse and this will affect  the rest of your body as well... the way you move, walk, sit, everything to compensate for the pain -

what did the doctors suggest?  

big warm hug

renee

 

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Hi sinead,

I'm 39 and 4 weeks post op. I've had bad hips since I was 14. I've had a lot of operations on my hips because at the time drs said I was too young for a hip replacement! Despite the big operations I was still in constant pain. I was told by my consultant a couple of years ago that i need a left hip replacement but I was too scared and kept putting it off.

I now have a new hip :-), and doing really well, my hip aches a bit put the pain I was in before has gone. I'm so glad I have had it done, it was a huge decision to make because my youngest is only 9 and I was worried about being worse off than I was before the op and not being able to take him to the park etc, best decision I made :-)

Jodie

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Hi Sinead!

I am currently 39 and started having pain in my right hip about two years ago but just chalked it up to pulling a muscle or taking too big of strides when I walked. In Feb. 2017, my hip hurt so bad that it about dropped me so I made an appointment with an orthopedic who discovered that I not only had a labral tear and osteoatrhritis but I also have hip dysplasia. I made my decision to have a total hip replacement and I go in Tuesday to have the operation. Since the diagnosis in Feb. I can feel everything I do comes with pain. Sleeping, sitting, walking and all activities. My quality of life has decreased and I can't wait to get back to normal! Please don't get me wrong, I am nervous as no other. 

I wish you all the luck in the world and I know you will decide on what is better for you! Take care and Good luck. 

 

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Hi sinead

I feel your pain and it brings back a lot of memories I too was in the same situation and was told at 50 I was too young to get a hip replacement my pain started about six years ago . I was working full time as a lifeguard and had always exercised as a runner and triathlete I was also doing hill walking,by 2015 I was struggling to keep up with my training and was ten diagnosed with slight arthritis in left hip and was told to give up running which I did the pain didn't get any better and by the start of 2016 was even struggling at work. So I went part time and changed my job and by the end of last year having made all these changes I was not exercising at all and was even struggling to do day to day things and had no quality of life. Luckily my doctor could see how much I was struggling and wrote to the surgeon advising surgery and by the time I seen the surgeon he could see how much pain I was in so rexrayed hip seen arthritis was worse. So the moral of my story is yes you are young but if you have no quality of life go for it and make lots of noise and jump up and down. I am ten weeks post op and yes I still have a long way to go, but already feel like I have gone back 8 years good luck😀Xx

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Thanks for the great advice rose. Those questions have really helped me put things in perspective

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Thanks Kimberley. I'm thinking hip replacement will have advanced even further if I need another replacement in my 50s.

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Thanks Renee. Ya it is affecting my body already. Walking with a very bad limp and now have a swollen knee so think its time to do something about it.

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Thanks Jodie. That's what i'm afraid of...by waiting will I be doing more damage to my body in general. Its great to read such positive responses!

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Thanks. Hope all goes well for you. Think my mind is made up to be honest. Surgery it is!

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Thanks for the advice ya my quality of life is deteriorating in general. I always have to plan ahead if I go anywhere in case I would be in a lot of pain. Recently went to the cinema, went for dinner and a spa day to try and enjoy myself but each time I just ended up in pain or couldn't move with the pain the following day. So I think surgery is the answer.

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My dear seanad I had thr when I was 33 and start pain free life now am 35 and "there is life after hip replacment " dear my surgion said ..if you have no plan to be an athlet you can have the surgiory... And now am living my normal life

So my dear discuss with your doctor

Good luck pleas let us know .

Big hug

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good decision, darling .... just get the ball rolling and please let us know how you are getting on okay ?

As said, you are not alone on this journey ... we are  all here to support you - 

angel blessings

renee

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Go for it sinead its the best thing i did the pain you get afterwards is nothing like th pain you are in just now. I dont know where you live but keep on at your doctors to get operation. As other have said the advice you get here is great. let us know how you get on good luck  .

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Hi Sinead

Like most people before me I thought I was too young too - I was 33 when I was first diagnosed with avasuclar necrosis of the right hip.  The Specialist told me they didn't want to operate because I was so young so I ended up with 7 years of pain albeit dramatically worse in the last 3.  I finally had my hip done in February at the age of 40.  Although I'm not fully fit I am so much better than I was, I can walk for miles without pain (other than a bit of an ache, I couldn't walk 200 yards without being in pain before).

Only you can make that decision but I wish I had pushed harder for the operation, my life was pretty much put on hold due to not being able to do things, I could never just say yes to any offer from friends and family, always having to think about the amount of walking I would have to do.  I know hindsight is a wonderful thing but if I ever get diagnosed with the other hip I will kicking up a stink to get it done asap and not be in pain for 7 years waiting for it!

All the best with your decision and good luck!

Karen

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Wishing you all the best on Tuesday.

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Thank you Judith12644... 

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"...Should I wait a few years? Will it make a difference? If anyone has been in the same situation,...."

Hi Sinead-

  10-plus years of suffering with arthritis? Way too long. Get yourself a new hip joint ASAP, start living a pain-free life with a functioning joint.

In answer to your questions: Don't wait. Yes, it will make a life-changing difference. Surgeons have been replacing hips in thousands of under-30's since the 1970's. It works out fine in 98% of the cases. Believe me; I know.

Once you are on the surgeon's schedule, plan a nice trip about 6 months out, to reward yourself. Maybe some light hiking in a scenic area, someplace out of the question today with your twisted and painful body. Or at least a fancy dinner with a special someone.

Hope this helps.