Hi everyone! I’ve been away for a while and just recently started lurking in the forum again, waiting for the motivation to post something (lol).
I found out yesterday that I’m going to need a total hip replacement. I’m terrified. I scheduled the surgery for November but my fear is making me reconsider the decision to have the replacement now.
I’m 42 years old with 2 small children (one is a physically demanding 2 year old son and the other is a less physically demanding 7 year old daughter). I’m not in unbearable pain when I bend down to put on some socks or when I’m trying to sleep. Aside from some sharp pain when I move my leg a certain way, I have no trouble getting around and doing most of the things I could do if my hip were normal.
So many thoughts are running through my head, such as:
I take care of so much around here. I can’t stand the thought of being incapacitated for any significant length of time. What will I do about time off of work? I have to figure out who will be able to help me and care for the kids while I’m not able to. General anesthesia seems like such a huge risk. Am I making the right decision at the right time?
Anyway, I figured I’d vent here and see if someone might have some advice/experience to share. This forum is my safe space. :) <3
@nelysthealchemist Welcome back to the forum. It is so nice you see you again. I am sending healing light that you will get all the answers you need to make the right decision. 42 does seem very young to get a hip replacement. I'd start by getting a second opinion with a top notch expert. I wonder if there are alternative ways to strengthen that joint using physical therapy or other means. Surgery itself can be a good thing, and it is much safer today, if you are in the right hands. It can help when it is needed. But we want to be sure we need it. I sent an angel to help you, and I noticed that the first thing she did was to stand behind you with her hands on your shoulders and do some kind of alignment and proper posture. I have no idea if chiropractic will be helpful, but do start seeking second opinions. ❤️
@nelysthealchemist I had hip replacement at age 63, due to severe hip pain / congenital hip disorder. I went through numerous options prior to surgery, but none gave good results. My situation is different than yours, I believe. With that said, surgery was the best thing I could have done. I did have a support system in place. Recovery was great!
You have to take care of yourself, so get the 2nd opinion, or 3rd, and make an informed decision after you have more feedback.
All my best to you for having the peace of mind to do what is best for you, and your family.
@jeanne-mayell thanks so much for your response and for sending an angel to me!!. :)
I wish I did have more options at this time but I have seen 3 different specialists since last December. A little more info:
I had been having severe hip pain since early December last year, after what I thought was a torn ligament, so I met with my GP and she prescribed an MRI. I met with the first specialist for an evaluation after my initial MRI- this was when I was first informed that I had moderate to severe arthritis, labrum tears, and congenital hip dysplasia. All of this was a complete shock to me.
I was told that had hip dysplasia from birth that wasn’t caught early enough to be fixed. As a runner for many years, I apparently wore that joint out pretty quickly. He was very dismissive of my feelings of shock and anger at getting what was an unexpected diagnosis of “hey so, your hip joint has such bad arthritis that you’ll need a replacement at some point in the near future. Oh yeah, also, arthritis is progressive and will only get worse. Good luck!”
I was referred to an arthritis / pain management specialist who did back and hip X-rays and reviewed my MRI results. He showed me x-rays where most of the cartilage in the joint was gone and the bones were almost touching.
We tried several approaches to managing the pain and delay having to have the replacement (I was told it was a matter of when, not if). I did physical therapy for 5 months, two cortisone shots, and a somewhat experimental injection called PRP. Nothing worked and in fact, may have made the pain worse. At my last appointment with him, he told me that at this point there was another experimental injection I could try but if I didn’t have success with the PRP, I likely wouldn’t with this one. Also the out of pocket expense was significant. He didn’t want me to waste my time and put me on a course of anti inflammatory drugs briefly to see if we could control the inflammation for the time being and go from there. It was actually me who asked for a consult with another joint specialist rather than continue with pain management alone.
Yesterday was my first appointment with the joint specialist/surgeon. He reviewed all of my previous results and doctor notes and took new x-rays. Then, he showed me my new x-rays. Within 6 months, my arthritis had progressed to completely bone-on-bone; no cartilage left, and he recommended the surgery. He is really a great surgeon with an excellent track record- thousands of successful replacements. He told me about the surgery and what to expect / next steps. He was very reassuring and kind (which was helpful!).
All of this is to say, after a long journey of attempts to put off the replacement, it looks like the time is now (but I keep wanting to back out lol).
I had considered a chiropractor at one point but due to the nature of my problems, it would have done more harm than good. Once the arthritis has progressed this far the only option is a replacement at some point. I have not been able to walk correctly for years, if I’m being honest. My posture has been horrible and I have been trying to avoid engaging my hip if at all possible due to the pain. Maybe the surgery will allow me to walk normally and without pain?
I’m having such a hard time with all of this- feeling completely overwhelmed and afraid. I keep telling myself, the pain isn’t so bad that it’s keeping me immobile; I can keep putting it off until then, etc…
I’m hoping that my “shoulder angel” may be trying to tell me that going through this surgery will improve my posture, because that has been a problem since I was little. :) It is so comforting knowing that I have support as I go through this process.
@pat-czap thank you so much for your support and for sharing your experience. It’s good to hear that people have successful surgery and it changes their lives for the better. I keep worrying about recovery time, level of pain, how long I’ll be incapacitated, and wondering if I’ll just be worse off than if I had waited a little longer. This is so helpful and reassuring. :)
@nelysthealchemist I've had a couple of friends who've had hip replacements and say it's the best thing they've ever done for their bodies, and that recovery was not difficult. One in particular stands out-- a 70 year old man who was up and walking within a couple of days and hiking in the foothills within a few weeks. Granted, he was in excellent physical shape before the surgery. He used a walking stick for a few months but that was about it.
So I do not think recovery is necessarily long and arduous, though of course it would depend on the person. Can you find someone to help with the children for a week or two?
@nelysthealchemist My hip dysplasia was caught at birth, and treated from then on. At age 7 I had surgery to lengthen my R leg. The summer of my discontent! My life has been full of Ortho docs, and the knowledge that I would need the hip replaced at some point. The pain was a negative in my life!
May the angel be an indicator of all good things.
It sounds like you know what to do, so perhaps you need to get your support system in place, and do the surgery. I was told at a pre surgery meeting that after surgery, that pain will be gone! The recovery is doable!!! It was so worth all that I went through to get to the finish line.
all my best,
Pat
@nelysthealchemist Nelys, I hope your surgery goes well! I would like to emphasize a few things:
Make sure you get detailed discharge instructions and understand them well. Ask questions if you need clarification!
Go to all of your physical therapy sessions and work the program. Trust your PT team. It will take a while to get your strength back. It really takes work.
If you have unusual pain or are in what you think is too much pain, call your provider. There could be something going on that they need to check out.
This will be life-changing surgery for you! I'll be praying for you! ❤️
Having rubbed shoulders in the orthopedic world for 40 years, I would like to reassure you regarding hip replacement surgery. It can be life altering in the most positive way. I have known many people to enjoy downhill skiing after surgery, grateful for a pain free life. Recovery is surprisingly short, many people go home the same day as surgery and even walk a bit with a walker post surgery, same day.
The most important step is checking out the surgeon. Select one who does a lot of them and has good outcomes.
I would like to request your prayers and light. I have several tests tomorrow that I'm pretty nervous about. They're related to the knee surgery I had back in October that went sideways and resulted in two more emergent surgeries. Thank you in advance. I truly believe in our power as a community to heal and help each other. ❤️
@lowtide I just logged on to tell you that I see you in a golden light. I feel that you will do just fine tomorrow, try not to worry. ❤️
Thank you all for your support! It means so much! ❤️
It appears to be a common thing to be fearful of tests and procedures.
My mother had knee surgery in her eighties . Despite her fears she had a quick complete recovery.
My sister in her sixties had hip surgery and wished she had it done sooner.
Both had a great outcome
Let that angel give you a massage. It will clear out the fear.
@ghandigirl you are so right! Fear and dread of bad news!
I developed a huge blood clot in my leg following a routine meniscus repair to my knee. Had to have a filter placed in my chest and go on Eliquis. Retired early from my nursing job because it was so painful. So I've been sweating this 6 month followup!
Sometimes there are complications! But most of the time people do just fine. 🙂 And my angels are helping me!