Osteoarthritis and hip replacement v injection

hcarling

hello,

I am new here and wanted to say hello. I have been newly diagnosied with OA in my right hip and it looks like my left will be catching up with it soon.

I was wondering if I could get some advise from yourselves.

I have been told that I will need a hip replacement. There is nothing else they can do for my hip, it's just when I have it. They have also told me that I can have an injection which will help but only help with the symptoms not the condition.

I am 27, so it's quite early for me to have this trouble. Though I know its unusual I also know that there are other people suffering that are much younger.

Anyway, I just want to know what other peoples thoughts are really as I am unsure what to do.

Should I have the injection and stave off the inevitable or just take the plunge. At the moment I have asked for the injection, but should I just get the op done and out of the way.

Anybodys thoughts on the subject would be great. Just so you know, I'm not asking for a medical view. I just want to know if there is anyone out there that is or was in the same boat.

Thanks

Elf.

dreamdaisy

Hello, it's nice to meet you and I am glad you have found us. I can't help on the hip front but since when has that stopped me adding my two pennorth to a discussion?

Speaking as someone who is much older than you and has been refused new knees for at least another two years (despite having bone-on-bone through most of the joints) because I am 'too young' I would say go for it. Get the inevitable out of the way as that should take some of the strain off your other hip which may slow the trouble you are having with it. The injection may help but as you said it is only a delaying tactic. Having a THR is a big operation, the recovery can take time and there are some strict rules which must be adhered to during that recovery but the benefit can make that all so worth while. And you are young enough to really appreciate and make the most of that benefit. This is not, however, an easy decision for you to make and I hope some of our 'hippies' will pop in in due course and give you their views. Good luck and take care. DD

villier

Hi elf

Welome to paradise you will be so glad you have joined this forum, support is second to none, only been here a couple of weeks myself, sorry I can't help with your dilemma as I have OA in my hands as DD says
hopefully some "hippies" will be along soon to give you advice hopefully see you around..........tc..........Marie x

barbara12

Hi Elf and welcome
I am one of the hippies..and I am that old I was an original hippie
I have OA in my hips and back, and couple of other places, I have put off having my THR..because of one of my consultants saying I might not be much better off because of the pain in my back..I now think they may have been stalling..I have had the hip injections and they did very little to help the pain, so If I was you... go for the THR..I am just waiting to have an injection in my spine then I will be ready to have my hips done....I have put it off long enough.
You take care xx

Helenbothknees

I'm a knee person, but I was told that for knees at least the injections work for over a year for some people. Didn't do a thing for me though. But if it's that long, it might be worth a shot, maybe. Your choice.

dreamdaisy

Helen, I think it's very difficult to make such a choice when the possible outcomes of the two options are unknown. I've had quite a few steroid injections into my knees, they achieved very little (similar to you) but to be 27 and facing a joint replacement is, surely, a very big deal and shouldn't be dismissed with a glib comment as 'your choice.' One thing I can say though is, that having been on here for a while and seen more than a couple of 'hippies' come (pre-op) and go (post-op) I reckon it's worth doing as those who have had success don't post any more. 'Nuff said? DD

elnafinn

Dear Elf

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry to read your story. You are so young. I am pretty sure, that I would, like you, go for the injections. New hips and knees etc only last a certain amount of years and I hear further replacements are not always so successful. I have had two new knees one in 2008 and the other in 2010 and the ops went well, but I am 62 now so that is a completely different story from yours. I held out with the ops, as long as I was able to do so and at the surgeons request as well.

You lose nothing but time by going for the injections first. You never know they may help you for quite a while. We are all different, no one can give you the answer as to how successful the injections may be for you.

As you have chosen to go for the injections, I feel you may not be quite ready for the op. If the injections do not work for you, you will know when the time is right for you to have a hip operation. You may well have commitments which may make it difficult to have the op fairly soon or just not 100% sure about an operation just now. You have to be certain an operation is the path you wish to take and that time will come, I can assure you. You must have trust in your surgeon, that is very important, I feel.

I am sorry that you have to be making these decisions at your age, you sound a very sensible person and should you wish to keep in touch on the forum, we shall help and support you as much as we are able.

Cyber hugs to you,

Elna x

tjt6768

I think you should go for it hun. If it's inevitable anyway, the longer you wait the more damage to both hips could be done...
If that makes sense? I'm tired lol...

I'm waiting for two new knees, had knee trouble almost thirty years now (I'm 44) and I wish they would stop messing around doing 'clean ups' every so often.
Let us know how you go on hun and lovely to meet ya

elnafinn

Dear Elf

It is me again! I must go and get some zeeees!

Why not go for the injections as you are thinking but at the same time get your name down on the waiting list for a hip operation. Should the injections work fine and if you are called for a pre op assessment then you can always cancel and go on the waiting list again. Just a thought.

Elna x

stickywicket

I'm glad you posted on here, Elf. I told you you'd get plenty of replies.

It's certainly a big decision at your age as you'll almost definitely need another later. On the other hand, that would apply even if you waited another 10 years or so.

For me, it would depend entirely on the amount of pain I was in and the restrictions on my life. You don't mention pain or how much pain relief you take. I don't think waiting, and allowing the hip to deteriorate further, will make the operation more difficult when you do go for it so, if you're not in a great deal of pain, it might be worth thinking of that. If, on the other hand, it's making your life a misery and you're on a lot of pain relief, why wait?

hcarling

Hey all,

Thank you so much for replying. There are loads to reply too!
1. I am on a lot of pain meds, though they have changed them to patches now.
2. i know that if i have the injection it might last another year but then again it might only last a week.
3. (and this one is the hardest) I have had so many different opinions on whether to have the op or not i feel like i am swimming.

On the plus side, I have decided to stick with the injection for now.

There is another question if anyone can help.....
There are 2 ways to do the THR. One is the big incision into the thigh, the other is 2 small ones. Has anyone had the small ones? My spec has said that he will do the big one but I am unsure about him. (I have only met him twice!)

Again thank you all for your advise and encouragement. I don't feel so lost!

Elf

stickywicket

I've only had the big ones (twice). As far as I'm concerned, it's the call of the man with the knife. I'm happiest with whatever he feels most comfortable with.

elnafinn

Hi Elf, good that you are sticking to the injections as that was your thought in your initial posting. I would go for that too, because I would like to try all options before an operation. I think you are being wise

Regarding which procedure is used ..... I mentioned in my earlier posting, you do have to have faith and trust in your surgeon. That to me is more important than how the procedure is done. Also to know that he has done many of these operations for a goodly while and has had good results. My knee surgeon gave me that information without me asking him for which I was most grateful. He mentioned his percentage of unfortunate failures for one reason or another but it was very low considering how many ops he had perfomed both privately and on the NHS. I would have asked him, if he had not offered it though. After all, it is your hip and a major operation, so to me that is an important thing to know.

Do keep in touch should you wish to do so,

Elna x

knuckleduster

Hello Elf

Sorry to hear you are having such problems at the tender age of 27.
It's obviously difficult to advise you what to do, but if your consultant is willing to replace your hip at your age, then I would give it serious consideration. When I had hip problems in 2010, my consultant wasn't sure if the pain was coming from the hip or the knee, so under a general anaesthetic he put in a steroid injection and articulated the hip joint. I woke up pain free and nearly danced my way out of hospital. I felt marvellous for about two months and then the pain came back and I ended up having the hip replaced. Had the large cut in the thigh without any problems, just had to keep it moisturised. On minimal painkillers after the op, but do admit the muscle tone for me took about 18 months to come back.
All you can do is talk it over with your consultant. Keep the forum informed as to how you get on.

Janet x

frogmella

Hi elf,

I am a spiney so I might be talking out of turn but.... I opted for surgery as my surgeon didn't really give me many options. Knowing what I know now and having had complications since which means I now see a new surgeon, I wish I had been given the option of injections so that I could strengthen my muscles etc much more pre surgery.

Just my two-penneth worth. I see that you are going for injections anyway but I just wanted to contribute my own experience.

I am fairly young too (36 now, but only 30 when my problems began). It is rough and I sympathise with your situation.

Good luck.

scribbler

Hi Elf
I'm at the other end of the age spectrum from you - 70 next birthday. I was offered epidural injections and told the effects might last anything from a few hours to several months - my first gave me about 4 months free from pain, the second was much less effective. It seems to be a matter of luck. I'm now down for a THR - pre-op due next month.
I wouldn't presume to advise you. Everyone's circs are different and a major operation at 27 might be very disruptive to career/family/studies etc But well worth giving the injections a try, I'd say. Another thought, the younger you are the quicker you recover from any procedure - no medical authority for this, just my own feelings/observations.

LOL

Fitzroy

Hi there, I have hip OA as well. The various members discuss a few injection options but that are all quite different. What injections were you referring to? Here, in Canada, it's unusual to get steroids for hip OA. At least that's what it seems to me. I have had Durolane, a Hyaluronic acid solution, which seemed to work fairly well for about 6 months. That seems to be the average. I'm set to go get another one in a few weeks. Durolane seems to work best on the knee. And they right, it's just symptom reduction, no curing that is happening. Ultimately we both need THRs. You are young but I had a cousin who was also very young and remember him saying what a blessing having THRs was.

hcarling

Hi everyone,

well I thought I would keep you updated. I have decided to go for the op. I can't really describe how I am feeling, probably VERY VERY SCARED!!!!
I have never been into hospital, no breaks or anything.

Can anyone tell me what I should expect?

Thanks

Elf

dreamdaisy

Wow! Your first time in hospital? Gosh. I've been in and out all my life and when someone says 'hospital' to me I expect the following: to be too hot, not to sleep too well once the anaesthetic has worn off because they are noisy places, horrid food (I prefer to say I'm choosy rather than fussy ), tea with thick milk (no choice, it's green topped, that's it), to be woken up at some odd times during the night by tests or noise (and waaaaaay too early in the morning), to lose all control over my meds, lose track of how the different days 'feel' and possibly get bored BUT it also means the complete abandoning of responsibilities, the chance to read and do puzzles etc all day long without feeling guilty, it's a chance to meet some new people and it usually means that something has been done to me which, although making me feel worse first, will eventually make me better. I pack wet wipes, tissues, talcum powder, hand gel, I like having clean nightclothes every day (so husband takes care of that), pants are useful too.

You've made a brave choice - well done and good luck! DD