This is a story about a neighbour from thirty-five years ago where I previously lived, but still very valid if you are concerned about hip replacement surgery.
This farmer's age was under forty and he had been in some pain for many years and was told that he needed a total hip replacement, but for year after year he refused to have the surgery because he was terrified.
Being terrified is of course quite understandable so when some twenty years ago I had my new hip and was driving again the first visit I made was to this farmer to tell him of the success of my surgery and to try to reassure him that if I could do it at fifty-five and get my life back that he should have his done too. I tried to encourage him for several years after this visit as he could see the ease I was getting on with my farming life and building projects but sadly it was to no avail.
Over the following twenty years his pain continued and his health went down hill steadily and it was just awful seeing him trying to cope. Just getting in and out of his car or tractor was a terrible struggle and heaven knows the pain he was in, but from his face it was obvious that he was really suffering. He could not walk and was totally dependent on others to do his shopping, banking etc. and being single it must have been very difficult.
Life continued to be very difficult for him and over time his hip became locked so too late to have the surgery he could have had over twenty years ago and had his life back.
Please, please everyone think very carefully if you are considering turning down the opportunity of hip replacement surgery. The sooner you have this potentially life changing surgery the better if you are bone on bone. I appreciate that it is scary having had one and now twenty years on having had a revision of it, both completely successful I'm delighted to say.
Cheers
Richard
Guys my apologies for the typo of hip in the subject line. I wish we had the facility of editing after posting!
Cheers
Richard
I too can understand the fears and concerns but this is amazing surgery they can perform. Consider.......If you had a heart problem that needed fixing with an operation would it be wise to say no due to fears and concerns and make your life very difficult and probably shorter.
This was one of only two things I've done in my life that I'm very proud of going through and am SO glad to have my life back.
I agree with all you say! Also, there have been lots of advances in technique since then - even month on month now. It's all about quality of life too. But if someone has a real phobia, it takes an empathetic GP to discuss sympathetically and refer to appropriate agency for psychological support. Such a shame for your friend.
Dear Jilly
I hear what you are saying and I know that there have been different materials used/tried in replacement hips over the years along with the anterior as opposed to posterior approach surgery. But you know what, my prosthesis put in twenty years ago was replaced with the same just a shade larger three months ago so my surgeon obviously thought it was still a good one and he is a very experienced guy. No recalls on it but not so with some of the more modern ones.
Whilst the anterior approach has gained quite a bit of attention, unless it is carried out using a "drop table" I understand there are potential limitations such as reduced working space inside you for the surgeon. This means that it is less easy for the surgeon which potentially is never a good thing and can limit the length stem that can be manoeuvred into place. This is important if you have poor bone strength and could benefit from a longer length of stem. I understand that there are also more issues with nerve problems following it's use.
Both of my surgeries twenty years apart used the posterior approach and I had no problems and had a quick pain free recovery so I would say that really for most patients there has really been next to no real improvements since 1997 when I had my first hip replacement.
Cheers
Richard
Totally agree, if you need hip replacement, don't delay.
I was in hospital with someone who had delayed, and he was MUCH slower to recover than I was.
Graham
Just had my 2nd hip replacement on Wed and first PT today, 14 weeks apart. I had both done by the anterior approach, same doctor and he used the hana table, facinating invention. I have had no problems. It was worth it. The key to reduce pain is ice and PT.
Richard
Agree entirely with you. Sooner rather than later.
Mike
Totally agree. Had mine at 65 and sorry I waited about 2-3 years too long. It only will get worse. Great to be painfree and do everything I used too