I’m here from the PMR/GCA forum. I was diagnosed with PMR (polymyalgia rheumatica) in Sept. 2014 and been on Prednisone (5 months) and since then Medrol, now 2.5 mg. daily. Weeks before the PMR diagnosis, I was told that I had OA in my R hip. Then when more joints started to hurt, the diagnosis was PMR with no further discussion of OA, until last October when the R hip started acting up. I saw 2 docs here in Boston and then we spent the winter in FL and I also was a doc there. My dilemma is whether it makes sense to postpone the surgery until I am totally off the Medrol. Also, the doc in FL does a minimally invasive approach which sounds awesome. I’d appreciate you collective wisdom.
Do your research on the two doctor’s options first. Afraid I cannot help re meds questions. Best suggestion to find your preferred surgeon first, and if you can chose to have it done when the weather is good for recuperation, so spring in Boston, anytime in FL xx
Minimal procedure is not necessary better. The skill of the surgeon counts more than anything . i had posterior from what i consider the best guy in Chicago your Doc can tell you about the medrol. Good luck
I have PMR and recently had a hip replaced. I was in so much pain there was no way I would have postponed the op for anything! I was on 5mg of pred at the time. I did talk to my surgeon about the dosage, I think he would have liked me on zero pred, but we negotiated 5mg! As the others say the most important thing is to find the very best surgeon. I decided I did not want the minimally invasive approach as I had heard it was prone to nerve damage. Several people have mentioned it on this forum and also there are articles on the internet. On the other hand if I found a really good surgeon who used the minimally invasive approach I might have used them. In my case my surgeon had decided to go back to the posterior approach as he felt it had better results, so I had no problem.
I had my anterior THR January 2018. Total success for the implant with minimal restrictions as I was recuperating.
Decided to have it done in Florida (winter home) instead of NY (primary residence). After years of knowing the was arthritis in hip, it was much worse when we arrived in FL a few months before surgery. It was bone on bone. Dr. gave me options, including meds, waiting until back in NY, or waiting until we returned the following year. Simple choice for me.
No stairs in our Florida home and great weather. Also, I really liked my surgeon. After surgery I had an issue with part of the surgical wound not healing well. My doctor was great with that with weekly visits as the healing improved.
Not sure where you go in Florida. There are MANY doctors who do the surgery. If you want to know name of mine, send me message through this forum.
Probably important to discuss the Medrol issue with surgeons. I have no idea how that would affect your plan for surgery.
Ptolemy–just curious if you were given an IV “bolus” of steroids at the time of the surgery? I’m tentatively booked in Boston for May 20, pending pre-op visit with PCP. On 2 mg of Medrol. My Cortisol level checked early AM on Dec 31 was 19. Endocrinologist thought that was great and didn’t think I would need it. I’m not sure who has the ultimate decision here.
Hi SectionedThrice, I did not actually have any steroids at the time of surgery, well it was not mentioned on the notes. Your cortisol reading looks pretty good. Your endocrinologist is probably right. I suppose your surgeon may make a different decision.