Newbie with Questions

d28boy
d28boy Member Posts: 4
edited 17. Aug 2010, 14:30 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi everyone

just recently diagnosed with moderate OA in the hips and have a few questions.. I've run competively with a club for about 20 years but have stopped now because of the constant pain which is what led to my diagnosis in the first place.

At age 48 I'm told I'm too young for replacement surgery.
If I had it could I run again or would that be mad?

I'm now cycling instead & using a cross trainer for low impact excercise.

I've started to take Glucosamine Sulphate 1500 mg
and Marine Collagen tabs plus Cod Liver oil. Are these things likely to help me at all or is it just hype?
Can anyone recommend anything else which may help me ease the stiffness/pain. The physio said just stretch really?????

Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,793
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi boy :wink:

    Good to meet you :) Sorry about the diagnosis

    I think you are soo sensible cycling and stuff instead. That pounding mst have hurt like mad :shock:

    I am not so sure about the OA side of things but my MIL was told by GP to take the stuff you have been buying so I'm sure there must be some sense in taking it :?

    You might not run again - I dont know (the surgeon is the man to ask I think) but people who do on here stick to soft surfaces rather than roads and use supportive trainers to take the impact out.

    Well i hope (and i bet you dop too) that someone comes along with some more useful advice than mine :lol: )

    Best wishes

    Toni xx
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm sorry, I cannot help on any of it as I have the wrong sort of arthritis and have to use crutches. I wish you well tho. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • moogiemouse1
    moogiemouse1 Member Posts: 28
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hiya

    I am 44 and have had three hip replacements, the first when I was 26 which was redone last year and then 8 weeks ago I had my left one done. I have never been a runner but had a conversation with my surgeon about it, he basically said that you can physically run with a hip replacement but the impact would shorten the life of it ie: you would need a revision sooner. I cycle, swim, go to the gym and next month I am doing the Malvern Challenge so there are other ways to keep fit, you kinda have to make a decision and adapt accordingly.

    I am always surprised at the different opinions of surgeons on how old/young you have to be before you can have replacement surgery, there are some of us on here who have had it young and others that are refused on the grounds on being too young, there seems to be no consistency.
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi newbie and welcome to the forum :D

    I don't have OA so can't offer anything sensible in reply to your questions. :( :roll: but see that others have already offered some really good advice . :D

    I just wanted to pop by with a hello and to say that I admire your strong willpower in managing the exercising. Hope you can continue to do so in one way or another for a long time to come. :wink:

    Iris x
  • chris7
    chris7 Bots Posts: 2,696
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    Sorry to hear you have had to stop your running due to the pain. I have to agree with moogiemouse there seems to no consistency as to what is 'too young' for a hip replacement. Seems to depend on how long your Consultant expects any replacement to last and how it is currently affecting your life. If your OA is moderate and not too delibitating or painful they may try to leave it a while.
    I found hydrotherapy wonderful for easing the stiffness and helping mobility, I wonder if your physio has suggested this?

    Although there are not yet many surgeons in this country doing these yet, thought you might find this link interesting. It's main advantage appears to be to make any necessary later revisions easier. PS yes I am now 50 and am still considered young enough for this. :roll:

    http://web.me.com/jonconroy/silenthip/Welcome.html

    Good luck
    Chris