Next decision

SusieG

Hi

Just got back from seeing my consultant and not sure where to go from here. 7 weeks ago I had my first hip injection and for 6 weeks it was fantastic, then about a week ago the pain started again. I was going to see my consultant today anyway for the post injection review. He wasn't at all surprised that it is starting to wear off. He is happy to give me another injection but is also making very strong operation noises. I have agreed with him to leave it until the new year and then book in for another injection, but in the meantime to think about an operation. It may sound silly but for me it is a huge step that I don't know if I'm ready to take, but then again do I want hip injections every 7 weeks, and I know that I can't have them that frequently for ever.

I know it is a decision that only I can make but I just don't know what to do, and wanted to share with others who have faced the same dilema.

Thank you.

Sue

dreamdaisy

Is he suggesting a hip replacement? I would say go for it as it can make such a huge difference to the quality of life. It's best to get your muscles as strong as possible before the op so that the recovery is quicker, hip joints are fairly straightforward to replace as it is a simple ball-and-socket joint and it can mean greatly reduced pain (maybe even none) and much better mobility. I would not hesitate to get it done but I am not at all bothered by surgery, having had a fair bit of it in life. You are right in that you cannot carry on just withng the injections: they disguise the problem not solve it, and the joint will continue to deteriorate. It is a big decision - leave it until after Christmas, perhaps? I wish you well and take care. DD

sailrib

I would say go for the operation.

I know the more and more times you have the injections, they shorter the time they work.

The joint will keep getting worse so the injections may not even work eventually.

I had fusion surgery in my foot in September after about 2 years of extreme pain. Even tho it will take about a year until I am back to myself fully, it has been well worth it. Altho I am not having my other foot done just yet as that is coping with just 2 paracetomol and 1 x tramadol a day so no where near bad enough (altho the mri scan says otherwise) to have the operation, I feel so.

Good Luck and i wish you well.

stickywicket

If the consultant is suggesting surgery, SusieG, I'd go for it. I have two THRs and they are infinitely better than the original hips. I do understand that it can be a big decision but it's true that steroid jabs will not work forever and that they won't do them forever either. Hip replacements are a very common, safe op with a very high success rate. For me it was an easy decision on both occasions - well, there was no decision at all first time round as I'd managed to break it but I didn't hesitate when the other needed doing. i hope you can work out what's best for you.

SusieG

Thank you all, I am coming round to thinking that a hip replacement is the best bet, It's not the operation that I am worried about, but the amount of time that I will be out of action, so to speak, and also I need to know that I will be able to carry on riding afterwards.

dreamdaisy

The recovery time varies from person to person but surely, however long that is, the benefits will be worth it. Say it takes six months to recover, well after six months WITHOUT the op how will things be then? Especially if you are without the injections? That's worth pondering too. Take care. DD

hileena111

Recovery time is different for different people....but what isnt different is the 6 weeks recovery......You sleep on your back,no crossed legs x:-o
90 decreeg rule.....if you are in a sitting position you cant bend forward {even to pick up a cup of coffee from a coffee table}
Its your decision as you say
I remember asking loads of questions on here before I had mine and listening to everyones opinions and suggestions and making up my own mind LOL
Love
Hileena

SusieG

Hileena

What you don't say Hileena is, "was it worth it"?

I've got a friend who's just had one and going to see her in January, so hopefully will get an honest opinion, warts and all. Not that I am in anyway suggesting that answers on here aren't honest.

sue

hileena111

Well you have asked....mine wasnt brilliant. I wasnt going to say anything.
Apparently the majority of them are very successful
A small amount are not much better but no worse
I'm apparently one of the few that am slightly worse {mobility wise}

I was told this by my physio whom I trust completely.{Not by the ortho}
Love
Hileena

stickywicket

There is no question at all for me - they were both definitely worth it. As Hileena said, the 6 weeks sleeping on your back is a - much-hated - given. That's because, until you've got the muscles strengthened again, there's a real risk of dislocation if you cross your legs. The good thing for you, SusieG, is that, if you're riding regularly, your muscles should be in good nick to start off with so the post-op exercises should soon get them working well and strong.

I'm pretty sure I started riding again as soon as the 6 weeks was over but I only did RDA and asked for a sidewalker for a few weeks to ensure no accidents. Getting on/off was the tricky bit for me. I mounted from a ramp and put one leg over the horse's neck. (A horse with a long neck is useful!) It did mean I had to break the knee-bending rule but, by then, I could tell my muscles were strong enough. When bending, I could kind of feel a point at which they started to go a bit spongy and I knew to take them no further. Hope this helps.

SusieG

Stickywicket

That's exactly what I wanted to hear, not sure my horse would cope with me mounting like that, but it is my left hip so not the leg I swing over.

How long was it before you were riding 'normally' again? I don't want to do anything dramatic, just be able to walk, trot and canter a few circles, which is all I anm able to do somedays at the moment.

Sue

stickywicket

One thing the RDA always did when trying a horse out with something new for one of us RDA riders was to get an able-bodied rider to do it first on the horse, whether that was being mounted/dismounted in a different way or from the wrong side, using a fleece instead of a saddle (Nice for dodgy hips) or just any modified reins.

I've never, alas, ridden 'normally'. I only started it for exercise about 40 years, one THR and 2 TKRs into RA. As such I mostly walked the horse with only a bit of trotting and never cantered. I think I soon felt confident enough to dispense with the sidewalker though and did some of my best :roll: (as such) riding after the 2nd THR.

You could try going to the RDA website. I know they have a consultant doc who might be able to advise you but, on the other hand, you might have to be a member. Worth a try?

hileena111

Hi
Thats what I mean about getting all different opinions....I forgot stick/stocky x would know about the riding bit of it.
Me.....the most I rode was my scooter and had to remember not to get on my normal way....to be very ladylike Doesnt come naturally for me
Sat sideways, both legs together swung both legs round at once rather than my usul scramble on to it x
Good Luck
Love
Hileena