Total Hip Replacement x 2. Need some direction!! (long one)

mimiofdc
mimiofdc Member Posts: 24
edited 12. Jun 2010, 10:42 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi there,

I am looking for advice…my ortho has recommended a double THR and I can’t decide if/when to go through with it.

About me: I am a 40ish stay at home mom of a 5yo. I have ankylosing spondylitis since 1975 or so, osteo, and “a touch of rheumatoid” (whatever that means). I have fusion in my hips, which limit mobility, but am told both hips are damaged and I am a candidate for THR. My left hip is the most painful at the moment, though they’re saying the right has more damage and needs replacement sooner. Can’t understand that one.

I am able to walk, short distances with a stick or two, but most days I piddle around the house with lots of couch time in between. I take diclofenac and painkillers. Tried Enbrel but is wasn't very effective for me. I can’t climb stairs and I pay dearly with fatigue and freezing up of the hip joints if I do anything more than that. Is it reasonable to carry on longer? I always imagined before replacing hips you’d be pretty near unable to walk at all.

One question is how long do these last? One doc said hip lasts for 10 years or so, the other said more like 20 -- big difference to me.

Also, wondering how I could manage my 5yo going to school, husband working 40 miles away, and the hospital even further. Could wait till my son is older but would miss out on doing things with him now. Should I do both, the one they say is worse, or the one that hurts?

Sorry to be so long winded but I am just beginning my research. Any advice on websites, books/leaflets, or personal experience are most welcome!

Maria

Comments

  • moogiemouse1
    moogiemouse1 Member Posts: 28
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Maria

    I had my first hip replacement (total right) done when I was 26, it lasted for 17 years and only needed some running repairs done last year (mostly due to the type of materials they used 17 years ago which they no longer use) I am having my left hip done next Thursday (eek). I was in a similar position to you in so much that the left one was the more painful but the right replaced one was apparently in bad shape, something my consultant could see on the xrays but I wasn’t feeling – I was happy to take his word for it (him being the expert) so let him repair the right one first and now 10 months later I will get a brand new left hip. Technology has moved on since my first hip replacement in 1983 and it’s his opinion that my new titanium left hip should last up to 35 years! Excellent!
    Now my recovery time last year (and this is personal to me, I have avasculor necrosis and osteo-arthritis) was that I was back to work and the gym after 4 weeks but that was gentle excersise / swimming and, as I am an accountant, sitting on my bum all day. I was in hospital for 4 days which is my estimated stay for next week too, the first week I was very tired and stiff and slept a lot but after that the recovery picked up leaps and bounds. I will say that the hip replacements have been brilliant for me, as soon as I woke up the pain of arthritis was gone (just the soreness form the surgery was there) and once healed I was relatively normal….Fingers crossed that next week will go as well as last year, half of me can’t wait to get rid of the pain, half of me is rigid with terror! Lol…Any questions don’t hesitate to ask…..

    Sarah
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,908
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi maria

    you know.... your quality of life is fairly bad if you think about it....you spend all day on meds and 'piddling' about :( Sounds as though you ARE suffering but are very determined hence the fact you are still mobile.

    Lots of guys on here have had THRs (not me sorry) so they will be able to give you recovery times etc.

    I think if you decide to go ahead - sooner the better - you are clearly aware of the fun you are missing with your son.

    Plans need to be made though - maybe family support? Hubby getting annual leave? Or even a childminder? Obvioulsy there will be a recovery time and with TWO it might be a while - but I am sure you can get support together for the short term....short term pain for long term gain???

    Do let us all knwo what you decide and we will help in any way we can

    Love

    Toni xx
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Maria and welcome to the forum.

    I have OA. I have a THR left side done 13 years ago - aged 30. Just had a resurface-replacement on the right side in May. I have some oA in my knees - but early stages.
    I am looking for advice…my ortho has recommended a double THR and I can’t decide if/when to go through with it.
    Wow - this has been debated before on here - I'll look up some links later ...
    About me: I am a 40ish stay at home mom of a 5yo. I have ankylosing spondylitis since 1975 or so, osteo, and “a touch of rheumatoid” (whatever that means). I have fusion in my hips, which limit mobility, but am told both hips are damaged and I am a candidate for THR. My left hip is the most painful at the moment, though they’re saying the right has more damage and needs replacement sooner. Can’t understand that one.
    Evidently pain levels are not necessarily linked to the degree of damage ... case in point!!
    I am able to walk, short distances with a stick or two, but most days I piddle around the house with lots of couch time in between. I take diclofenac and painkillers. Tried Enbrel but is wasn't very effective for me. I can’t climb stairs and I pay dearly with fatigue and freezing up of the hip joints if I do anything more than that. Is it reasonable to carry on longer? I always imagined before replacing hips you’d be pretty near unable to walk at all.
    Only you can decide whether you are ready or not - but you sound like you are to me. The longer you leave it more weakened your muscles become and the longer it will take you to get them in touch the other side of the op.
    One question is how long do these last? One doc said hip lasts for 10 years or so, the other said more like 20 -- big difference to me.
    Totally depends - on the materials used and your level of activity post op. My left is metal on metal cementless - when they did it they said it would last 5 to 10 years - it's now 13 years old and still going strong. I am active but don't do sports etc Titanium is said to last 35 years ...
    Also, wondering how I could manage my 5yo going to school, husband working 40 miles away, and the hospital even further. Could wait till my son is older but would miss out on doing things with him now.
    Oh your dilemma is all so familiar to me!!! I can only comment on what it is like to have one hip done at a time. I have been going through these thoughts the last few years ... Although only you can decide when enough pain is enough - I would say (and remember I'm post -op) go for it and get it done. You cope now don't you with pain and you manage to get your son to school and care for him and so on? I bet you are ingenious and have worked out coping strategies. FACT - you will need someone to look after your son whilst you are in hospital and for the first 2 weeks or so post op. Then you will need someone who can pop round when you need help. You will need someone to take your son to school at first ... You could do what I have done and hire a mobility scooter and then ride that to take and bring him to school after a few weeks.
    Should I do both, the one they say is worse, or the one that hurts?
    Now that is a question!! Personally I would ask the consultant the pros and cons of having both done at the same time v one at a time. I would also check what the ramifications are of waiting with the most damaged hip a bit longer. Armed with the answers ... if you decide to have them done one at a time ... I would have be most painful one done first as long as leaving the other one a bit longer was not dangerous to do ... Also check with consultant why he thinks the better one hurts more? And check that it isn't because you are having to more to compensate for the more damaged one - as that too would influence your decision.

    Don't apologise, good luck with your research and keep us posted.

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I do not underestimate the seriousness of the op, or the implications and timescale of having both done at the same time, but you have the chance to regain your life. I have the wrong sort of arthritis for that, so am condemned to pain and crutches, the wheelchair and electric buggy are winking seductively at me from the future. Go for it. I have read on here people's accounts of the procedure and the difference it has made to their lives. You have very little to lose and everything to gain. It is a huge decision, and only you can make it, but I consider that the benefit far outweighs the inconvenience. That is only my opinion. Dreamdaisy.
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Maria,
    I'm a different age bracket...had my first THR Feb {4 months post op} and was 63.
    He said I needed a double one......If I were you I would take his advice as to which one to do first...he's the expert.
    I was told mine should last 20 to 25 years but because i was young {now
    there's a compliment LOL} it might not last quite as long because I was more active.
    I saw him last week again and he said to get in touch when I felt I needed the 2nd one done......Talking to my GP today I get the impression the sooner the better....Sorry I'm no help with your son.....mine are 29 and 30 LOL
    Cant remember if that was all you asked.....I'll go back and check....
    Dont worry about being longwinded {were those the words you used}
    Love
    Hileena
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I knew I would forget something......I have OA in hips and ankle....also Spondylosis........you sound as if you need your hips doing now.
    I was able to walk farther than that and they insisted I needed both doing....I was on paracetamol and it wasnt doing any good and when I complained to my GP he referred me to the orthopaedic surgeon and he x rayed my hips and promptly said you need 2 new hips LOL so that was it.......It will really improve your quality of life I would think
    Good luck whatever you decide

    Love
    Hileena
  • mimiofdc
    mimiofdc Member Posts: 24
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you all for giving me so much info - and perhaps more important the support!

    At the moment I am sifting through so much that you have written and can't reply to each comment yet, but please know that I am reading and deciphering EVERY WORD! Thank you so much!
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,
    Just hope you can pick out the bits relavent to you......thats what we are all here for...to support each other....as well as to ask questions.
    We dont expect individual replies either

    Love
    Hileena
  • marion1952
    marion1952 Member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Maria


    I had my right hip replaced 5 weeks ago and am recovering really well - my quality of life was not good before I had it done - had to use 2 sticks and could barely get from the car to the house ... I am so much better already and really feel that I can 'make plans for the future now' instead of just existing from day to day...

    It's a real dilemma to decide whether to have both done at the same time ... I have heard of several people having both done together and they have had great results (if you Google Jenni Murray - the broadcaster - you will find that she had both done at the same time ..)

    Do keep posting and let us know how things go ...

    best wishes

    Marion
  • wendgro
    wendgro Member Posts: 296
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Can't offer any positive advice but you sound as though you are between the devil and the deep blue sea. If you can sort out the family with friends and neighbours help also perhaps your husband could have his annual holidays whilst you are recovering the long term benefits will be fantastic,I had THR and TKR in the last couple of years I am not aware my hip is anything different than normal no pain mobility very good. TKR still recovering with that. Go for it now whilst you are still young enough to enjoy some quality of life
    :lol: