back from hospital appt

nearlybionic

Hi
I am back (eventually) from my outpatients appointment. Clinic was running 2-2 and half hours late (you had best idea Elaine!!)
I saw my new consultant, who was nice, had an x ray and he said it was in place no problem, but was surprised I hadn`t had a hip brace on. But didn`t think I needed one now :? . I can`t drive for another 4 weeks , and can`t work til 8 weeks at least.
BUT my restrictions are for life. :shock: Not the 3 months I was told initially. So, no kneeling, no low seats, lifting etc... So I am in a quandry re work. I have left a message for my manager to ring me back to let her know whats been said.
He said if it dislocates again or keeps dislocating (it better flippin not :shock: :shock: ) he will need to do a revision.
My other hip is not much worse re arthur, so I am still a candidate for the peri acetabular osteotomy to correct my hip position. I am to see my other surgeon next month.
ok tired now. Hope you are all ok xxxx

NB

speedalong

Hi NB,

Blimey that was a long time to be sitting around, hope you had some supplies with you.

Mixed bag of an appointment then - great that it is in place, someone else on here had a dislocation in the past and wore a hip brace - it kept the hip in place but was quite a thing to wear.

Hip restrictions for life!! Now that is bad news, obviously you don't want it to dislocate - but that is a massive life change. You need to ask about physio - as they can give you exercises to strengthen the muscles that will help keep the joint in the socket. Some things can be done without breaking hip restrictions though ie high kneeling!! You definitely need advice from a physio. T

his has repercussions for work doesn't it? Could you adapt how you do your job to obey hip restrictions.

Interestingly, whilst at physio today, my physio was rather shocked that I don't still obey hip restrictions ... I think this is where consultants struggle with younger patients they used to operating on much older folk who wouldn't dream of trying out what we want to be doing.

SPeedy

The periacetabular osteotomy is the op I was going to have on my right hip - but I deteriorated suddenly and ended up having the resurface-replacement instead. If you decide to go down that route, don't put it off too long.

julie47

Hi NB

that was a exhausting app you had especially being 2 hrs late.

I hope your hip doesn't dislocate again and that you can find new ways of doing things that will prevent it happening.

your post has some long medical terms , i am sorry i don't quiteunderstand some of the procedures. :oops:

Anyway go for a rest now (well you prob have) and have a well deserved cuppa and hope your boss is sympathetic to you

thinking of you
juliepf x Just read back (hip correction)

dorcas

Hi NB,

glad your consultant was so nice but there were some good and not so good surprises in what he said weren't there. :roll:

it's good that the xray showed the hip back in place but the 'restrictions for life' bit will take a bit of thinking through... especially the work side of things. :?

I really do hope too that it doesn't dislocate again NB... heavens doesn't bear thinking about. :shock:

you need to sit down now just to recover from the consultation...all of what was said needs time to assimilate.

love n ((((hugs)))

Iris xxx

frogmorton

hi Nearly

do you feel reassured?? I dont like the idea that it could dislocate again :shock: It better not!

That was a long day I rcekon you must be worn out?

What will your boss say? Can you do your job with those restrictions? I can't (sorry) remember what you do?

You rest up now and absorb all that

Love

Toni xx

denpen

Hi
Oh my word what a long time for you to be waiting, not the most comfortable place to sit around.
The first consultant that I saw told me that the restrictions were for life, but if thats the case how come they tell you that you can live a relatively normal life after 12 months i.e. do all the things that you did before, play golf, run, etc. etc. (not that I could do these before). The consultant that did my hip didnt say anthing like that. I think that it depends on the consultant and what their view of things are, but I do think that to say something like that to you puts you in fear of doing most things for the rest of your life, dont rush into anything with work, its early days yet.
Take care
Denise.x

nearlybionic

Hi Denise
i have only left a message for my manager to let her know how long I`ll be off. I am going to ring the consultants secretary on Monday and ask to be copied into the letter, so I can see what he says to my GP etc..
I don`t want to go against his advice if it puts my hip at risk, but also don`t want to be `restricted` for life. I only 41 for goodness sake. Hopefully its a long time then `for life` !!
I can wait til next week to try to find out more and clarify things. But he did say when I queried this advice and said I wasn`t told that by last surgeon, that if you have a resurfacement you are not on restrictions for life and THR prosthesis do have less range of movement than resurfacement. Maybe this is what he meant.
NB

speedalong

Hi NB,

I have one of each. A resurface-replacement definitely has a better range of movement, is even less likely to dislocate (but is more likely to fracture ...) than a THR. Some types of THR are more stable than others. Consultants are very divided on what you can and can't do. You definitely need clarification. I disregarded hip restrictions with my THR along the way, but I haven't got full range of movement with it, so in a way it is self limiting.

Speedy

PS my Birmingham consultant sent me to Bristol to the top prof there when I was being considered for periacetabular osteomy - he said they did a better version than in Brum.

barbara12

Oh NB
What a lot to take in, you must be so tired after all that, I really hope they clarify the restrictions for you, hopefully things will sound better the next time you see them, or your GP.
You try get some sleep,
Sending you lots of hugs ((((((())))))
Love
Barbara xx

ironic

Hi NB,
You may be right in waiting for the written report. That way when you go to see your GP you will be able to ask the right questions.

I really hope that it is not as restrictive as it sounds.

Hugs anyway,

Ix

skezier

Hi Nearly,

I am really sorry you have them for life but I am pleased your not in a brace...... See they braced my back and it took so long to get the muscles to work again......

I am glad he was kind to you and I was wondering if you did have the alignment op would that make the hip less likely to dislocate?

Sorry flower I wish I knew what to say but leaving you a (((( )))) and a bucket of hopes. Cris xx

marion1952

Hi NB

Glad you had a good appointment and the new surgeon was nice..

Gosh - restrictions for life! Not heard of that before...

It's all a bit scary isn't it? Especially now you know how very very painful it is when it dislocates!! You've certainly given the rest of us hip patients something to think (ie worry) about..!

I hope your line manager can come up with some options for you..

(you have reminded me - when I went for my OP appt to Wrightington in February it started snowing just as I arrived ... the clinic was running very late and I was watching the clock and watching the blizzard and wondering if I would make it the 40 miles home!!!
- I did, just about..

Marion
x

nearlybionic

Hi
Cris, Thank you for your kind words. You really do have words of wisdom. I am really thinking about my other hip re the PAO to improve the position of my hip/acetabulum/cup which would slow down the need for a THR on that side, and if/when I do need a THR on that side it would hopefully make it more successful.
Please, anyone who has had a THR or needs one, don`t worry about what has happened to me. My case is not text book or normal, pre or post op. And it dislocations don`t happen often.
I only post for support and advice, not to worry anyone.
NB

marion1952

Hi NB

Oh - please don't worry about worrying us!! We're all in this together and we're all learning more about hip replacement issues as the weeks pass!...

My personal fear is getting an infection in my hip - the thought of that does give me sleepless nights..!

Take care and please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on ..

Marion x

nearlybionic

Thanks Marion xxxx

penfactor

Hi NB
I think the others are right in saying try not to look too far ahead at the moment as far as work & everything goes. You still need to rest & your manager has to understand that. It is so much to take in you must be feeling so tired & scared still.
I think it is really good that the consultant did not think you needed a brace & that is a really positive sign.
I also think after a little more time a session with a physio who really knows their job would help by teaching you new ways of moving around that protect your hip muscles.
I have the same kind of joint & was also not told these restrictions were for life. I've been kneeling, sitting in low seats etc too & my family still expect me to be able to do even more in the future so I am as shocked as you.
Again, though, please rest for now & take one day at a time.
Big gentle hugs
love Pennie X

denpen

Hi
With all this said about restrictions why on earth dont they agree with each other as to what your limits will be before you have the operation. To be honest though I would rather get rid of the pain and have some restrictions, but it would still be nice to know whats ahead after the op.
What a good idea to be cc`d in the letter maybe that is another thing that they could do as the `norm`then all would be clear for us to know all that was said about our condition.
Denise

penfactor

@denpen
Absolutely agree! Perhaps if this new white paper goes through to green we will be able to ask for more info without being brushed off.
More gentle hugs from me to you today bionic
love Pennie X

skezier

Hi Nearly,

Just dropping you in a ((( ))) and hope your feeling ok about it all. Cris x

nearlybionic

Hi
I am feeling ok today. Hip not too sore, just a bit `wobbly`. Still using the elbow crutches so that helps.
I am not dwelling on it too much today. I would be `restricted` at this point so not a problem yet. I will tackle the future on Monday! (Gosh I sound like a superhero!)
We are tired after my daughters sleepover last night (part of the birthday things) . So a quiet night in with X Factor I think tonight.
Gentle ((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))) back at ya Cris x
Hope you are all having a nice weekend . Bucketing down here :roll:
NB

speedalong

HI NB,

shame about the weather - warm and sunny here. Did your daughter enjoy her sleepover? Did they sleep a bit?! Night in sounds a good idea.
Glad pain improving, hope wobbliness improves.
Speedy

coco67

hiya NB

hope your ok today, sending a {{{hug}}}
have a quiet night watching x factor, i intend to do the same, im having a p.j day today, something i never do. might be worth you doing the same

coco xx

caravancollie

Hi,
Sorry our paths didn't cross at Wrightington on Friday. I did try to post but via moblie on the way to Cheshire for a weeekend and it didn't work.
How are you? Some positives and some things to think about I guess. Glad the hip is in place, brace or no brace. The restrictions for life scenario is a bit difficult in our line of work but the managers could work something out with occy health and HR but worry about that in 8 weeks. Glad you felt comfortable with the consultant too.

I saw the registrar, had an X-ray which confirmed the hip was stable, hadn't moved a millimetre. He asked what type of things I was doing-all the usual for me- and told me to continue. He told me that my right hip is deteriorating( no surprises there! ) and offerred me surgery which I'm not ready for yet.

I am to go back in 5 years for the operated hip and he has given me direct access whe I anm ready for surgery on the right and I was out by 9.20- less than an hour , was well pleased.

Hope youcontinue to make progress .
Elaine x

speedalong

Sounds positive, Elaine.

Speedy

skezier

Hi Supper Nearly

I hope you have had a reasonable day and tackle it as it comes but don't let it take over your day...... easy for me to say I know.

Leaving you more (((( )))) and more hopes. Cris xx

nearlybionic

Hi
Elaine, Glad your appointment went well. I saw your consultant whilst I was waiting on corridor for mine. Very busy clinic. Hope you had a good weekend away. I spoke to my manager briefly on friday, and will try to speak to the sec tomorrow for more info (hopefully) . Not looking forward to dealing with HR & occy health again but if needs must...
Cris,
I have had a quite good weekend. My friends little girl was 8 and had a party which I called into for half an hour. A change of scene was good. We have booked a meal out for my daughters birthday in 2 weeks . I will look for a thick cushion to sit on whe we go to raise the seat up. i`m not missing a meal out!! Especially if I`m paying!!
I am ironing my superhero cape later in preparation for dealing with the future tomorrow!! Hmm what super powers should I have??

Take care
NB