The pro's and con's of getting hip replacements at 22/23.

cazaline

Hello everyone,

I'm fairly new to this site, haven't been on for a long time but trying to make more of an effort .

To cut a long story short, I'm 22 years old, have had Rheumatoid Arthritis since I was 6 years old. I have it in all my joints but it seems to be worse in my hips. I have very little movement left in them now, all my cartilage has worn away, oh the joys of bone on bone rubbing! I'm sure a lot of you can relate unfortunately.
Anyway, I can walk, I probably look a little odd to most people when I do, although no one says anything. But after walking I always find my back and neck in a lot of pain, and of course my hips. My left hip is generally worse (according to surgeon) but my right hip causes me more grief as it "gives way" when I walk sometimes. I seem to be getting a lot of pain and stiffness in my knees now too, which Rheumy is convinced is due to my hips. After seeing my Rheumy and asking what can be done to improve my hips, he offered hip replacement surgery. After seeing a surgeon, he then turned around and said I was too young to get hip replacements (22 years of age) and whilst I could probably have it done, in 15/20 odd years time when it fails, there is a possibility it wont be possible for it to be done again due to my bones being too small, and so has advised to wait as long as possible.

Anyway, after my next follow-up with Rheumy he asked if I was happy with said surgeons answer, and I obviously said no. He told me the first 2 hip replacements will be a doddle, but it is the third one which causes concern (by which time I'll be in my 40's ish). He has offered to refer me to another surgeon if I want to go ahead with the surgery, so now I'm left with the nasty decision of deciding whether or not I want to get this done now, whilst I am still young and wanting to enjoy life and hope that technology improves dramatically over the next 20 years so I don't end up in a wheelchair or wait until I am much older, put up with the pain and live my life when I am older.

Ultimately it is my choice of course, but I was hoping for some perspective from people who are in similar or the same situation as myself.

So much for keeping it short! Thank you for listening to my long post! Help appreciated .

Caroline.

elnafinn

Dear Caroline

Oh, what a dilemma for you. The choice is yours in the end of course as you say, and it is a difficult one. I am putting my daughter in your shoes and I am sure she would probably go through with it sooner rather than later. Quite a few of us on here, wish that a surgeon would do hip and knee surgery now rather than later but we are not as young as you although still young enough to perhaps need another replacement. Surgeons generally are not keen to operate because of having to have replacements in the future. I have a feeling some consultants move the goal posts too as one gets a little older they say, oh no, you are still too young. Or with the inactivity one puts on weight and they play on that one too!

I have had a total knee replacement and I have no regrets but I was 57 when it was done and had to fight for it

People on here say we wish to have our life now. That is how I felt. It is a very difficult decision to make and especially for you at our age, but I think you will know when the time is right for you, when the pain or inactivity or both really gets too much.

I am sure others will come on with their ideas about it. I know some "youngsters" on the forum have had hip and knee replacements and not regretted it at all.

I wish you well,

Luv
Elna x

debbieclap

Hi Caroline
I have had OA for many years I am 47 now and have had both my hips replaced this year. It has been wonderful has stopped most of the pain in my knees as well I still get some back ache but not as bad as it was. At the end of the day you have to do what is best for you.
There is some reaserch I read about where the doctors are using stem cells to repair hips I found this on the internet will see if I can find the link for you.
Debbie

debbieclap

Hi Caroline
Heres the web address if you highlight it and copy and past it into the search bar it will take you to the web sight


ttp://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Stem-Cells-Surgeons-Pioneer-New-Technique-To-Repair-Damaged-Bones-Including-Hips/Article/200908415371478?lid=ARTICLE_15371478_StemCells:SurgeonsPioneerNewTechniqueToRepairDamagedBonesIncludingHips&lpos=searchresults

Debbie

dopeykit

Hi Caroline

Sorry to hear about your RA and your hips.

I'm 26 with what the docs charmingly call 'anomaly' arthritis at the mo (had it since 18) but I have probs with my hips too. I know it depends on the condition/ shape of your joint but it is worth asking you rheumy to refer you to a young hip specialist. I was told I should have a hip replacement but that I was too young. I did a bit of research and eventually got referred to someone who could do arthroscopic surgery to help repair the cartilage and get rid of the extra bone growth in my case. Maybe a resurfacing might also be an option for you. Its really worth seeing a young hip expert because they have soooo many different solutions and options at their disposal.

Hope that is a bit helpful and all the best.

kit

annebr

Hi,

I agree with Kit try and find a young hip specialist, I was lucky to (eventually) get a referral to one. He was also interested in the social/economic factors as well as pain mobility.

I have FAI and OA and my consultant has carried out a arthroscopy and then open hip surgery to delay getting a THR.

At first I couldn't get my head round why they wouldm't do a THR as my second op was pretty major. But now I realise why he went down this route

Don't know if this helps?

Anne

Anne

cazaline

Hey,

Thank you all for your responses!


Elna I agree, it is a very difficult decision to make, one I wish I didn't have to, and I'm sure a lot of you would prefer not to have to either, but I guess life dealt us these cards so we have to do the best we can with it.

Hey Debbie, I'm just wondering, what state were your hips in before you got them replaced, could you move them much at all, and in what way have the replacements improved them? I have read that article on stem cell research, I was actually tempted to mention it to my Rheumy but I was worried he would just laugh in my face and call me silly or something! I know there is a lot of contraversy over stem cell research.

I have mentioned the possibility of resurfacing to the surgeon I got referred to but he said it is not something I can have because all my cartilage has worn away, so it is literally bone on bone now - I'm assuming that is why I cannot have the resurfacing anyway? I didn't know there were young hip specialists about, is this something worth mentioning to my Rheumy on my next visit. Only downside being it isn't for another 6 months, damn NHS!

All I know is I want something being done, whether a full hip replacement is the only option left for me, I know that without it I have no quality of life, and so I guess I will just have to bite the bullet and go for it. We only live once I guess!


Thanks everyone .

Caz xx