CONFUSED!!!

poppy

Can someone out there help me. I am a 57 year old female and I've been fit and active all my life (gymnastics, dancing, running). I have OA in my hip but I am confused and finding it hard to decide what action (if any) to take. I basically can go around the house with not much pain but as soon as I try to walk anywhere I'm struggling as the pain is so bad. Doctors were reluctant to take any action as they said I still have great range of movement but I'm getting depressed with inactivity and pain. I spoke to a man in his early 50's with same history as me who is doing brilliantly after hip resurfacing and I had more or less decided that was the option for me. Now doc. tells me this is not successful in women with risk of increased iron levels and danger of breaking femur high. I would love to hear from anyone of my age and gender who has had this done and what their outcome is. Doc. is now recommending total hip replacement but says I will not have same range of movement as I have now so would also like to hear any stories from younger women who have had a good (or bad) outcome with total hip replacement

Wonkylegs

HI Poppy

I can't offer you any personal experiences because I have RA, which works in a different way to OA.

WHat I do know is that there are loads of people on the forum who have OA and have experience of hip problems, so I am sure someone will be along with their experiences to share with you.

As for the final decision, we are all different, so can only take on board what others have found and then make our own decision based on the facts we have gathered.

good luck!
WONky

skezier

Hi Poppy,

I also was very active and its hard to become less so flower. Its a hard thing to go for replacements in one way but in others its a good thing..... I have lost quite a bit of movement from the hips and was asked if I wanted to go on a list but for other complications it's not that good an idea just now so its on hold.

I know there are a lot of 'hippies' about and some are fairly young and hopefully they will be able to help you. Nice to meet you and fingers crossed you find some kind of solution. Cris x

daylily

Hi Poppy.
I'm 57 and had left hip re-surface done nearly four years ago in feb2007.
It' not been successful I'm sorry to say. I went to the Doctor's again last week with more or less the same symptoms as before the op. (loss of movement, pain on walking etc)
The pain is getting worse on a weekly basis and the Doctor said I now need a total hip replacement shortly (in next year or so-depends on the deterioration).
Fed up with it because I was told re-surface would last 10 years. I've done some research and the best Doctor for re-surfacing is in Oswestry a Prof Richardson. Apparently because the new hip thingy is a lot bigger than a total new hip it has to be placed in exactly the right place.
Sorry I cannot be more positive but if I was asked again I would have the total hip replacement.
I too was always active helping hubby with his building business (building kitchens, putting windows in, felting roofs)
I've done the lot. Suppose that's why it's called wear and tear arthritis.
good luck and let us know what you decide. I am interested in your descision.
anne x

chris7

Hi Poppy

Welcome, but sorry to see you are in confusion there and am sure more of our helpful hip people who have had surgery will call in soon to offer advise and support. It really does help to hear from others, but you may perhaps come to realise that your x rays./range of movement do not always give a true indication of levels of pain, only you with your consultants advise can really access whether it is time to consider surgery. It's a hard one eh. :?

I'm 50 and have had the OA in the hips for a good while now. Although I was shocked to hear my consultant say earlier this year that he thinks I need both hips replacing because my range of movement is becoming very poor. I wasn't taking any painkillers at all back then!! I am luckier than many in that I do not seem to be in such pain as others have experienced and have been putting this surgery off for that reason. He gave me six months probation to think about it and I see him again soon to decide what to do, so I do understand your dilemma. I still have a fairly physical part time job which I think has helped me keep the pain at bay though it is now becoming an increasing struggle. You have always been active, have you been down the physiotherapy, hydrotherapy route to see if suitable exercise can help or has the pain taken over too much for that now?

Whatever you decide I hope you get some pain relief soon and time to gather as much information as you need. I feel sure those who have had hip replacements will call in when they see you to answer your questions and give their experience which in the main is usually very postive and has given me the courage to face it when the time is right.

take care, keep in touch and let us know how things are.
Chris

moogie1

Hi Poppy


I am 45 and have had 3 hip replacements now, 2 in the last year, the first when I was 26! My surgeon will not carry out hip resurfacing on women patients anymore for exactly the same reason as yours and so when I had my left hip ‘done’ for the first time last July I opted for another total hip replacement and I could not be happier. Although never a gymnast I was always very active (until the dreaded OA got really bad) and 4 weeks after the operation I was back at the gym and work, 2 months later back on my bike and 3 months after I did a 7 mile sponsored walk over the Malvern Hills in aid of Help for Heroes…I (personally) would go for a total replacement every time, the recovery period is much the same but they last so much longer and (from what I have been told) are much more stable. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask…..

dorcas

Hi Poppy

Sorry I have no experience of hip operations.... but I just wanted to wish you well and to say welcome to the forum.

Iris xxx

poppy

Thanks to all you lovely people who have responded so quickly. I don't feel so alone now. I'm already on the list for Hip Resurfacing but still got some thinking time so hopefully I'll gather some more advice as the weeks go by. Just longing to take my new wee grandson for a big long walk in his pram!!!

frogmorton

Hi Poppy good to meet you and welcome to the forums from me

scary thought that women have extra issues when it comes to resurfacing

I hope you are able to discuss it properly at your next apt and the info the guys on here have given is helpful.

A new wee grandson - I bet he is gorgeous!!!

LOve

Toni xx

tkachev

Hello Poppy,

I also did Gymnastics and I am still an eager spectator hence my user name.I had a total hip replacement July 2009 and it did get rid of the pain and a lot of the restricted mobility but I still cannot flex my leg as much as I had hoped. My 2nd hip is on the way out and the consultant pointed out the lack of mobility range, which I agree is awful, however it is not really that painful yet compared to last time, more aggravating especially if I stand in one place for a few mins (like drying my daughters hair this morning) or at night time.
Sadly I had to give up the gym and then the dancing and now I really don't do anything much. I had intended to get back to dancing but think I will need to wait for the other THR.
I think it will help with the pain and hopefully you will be able to continue with the sports you love so much, maybe on a lesser level but that depends on your determination! i also think the more you are inactive the harder it will be to get back and am sure that is my problem as I had at least 6 years of increased pain to the point I couldn't move about hardly at all and at times was confined to bed. I am 47 and have R.A.

Elizabeth

daylily

Hi Poppy.
I go on a web site for re-surfacing mainly Birmingham hip.
There are a lot of people on site with various opinions, if you need more information give it a try at

I have deleted the link as it relates to US medicine, which can mean it won't be too helpful for those of us in the UK. However it is easy to google (or similar) for hip birmingham resurface uk there are a number of sites that might be helpful

Moderator
YEH

Hope it helps you make your mind up
anne. x