When is the right time to have a hip relacement?

louisarm

Dear All,

I have osteoarthritis in my hip. Found out about 3 months ago and very (very) slowly beginning to accept the diagnosis.

I went to see an orthopaedic surgeon privately to review my x-ray. I am not rich by any stretch of the imagination but I was not getting anywhere with my GP.

It was quite upsetting because he said that if I had gone a year earlier he could have saved the hip by doing an arthroscopy. But of course I just thought it was a sign of getting older. I am trying not to focus on my stupidity.

Anyway, why I have posted is to ask advice.

At the moment I can walk (but not as far) the pain during the day is largely manageable, but it can be grim at night and wake me up. This is not helped by the fact that I cannot sleep for more than a few hours I think related to my anxiety.

I am taking nytol herbal tablets, I am hoping that as time goes on I can get some type of perspective and sleep better.

Since I have been told that my hip damage is severe enough to have the surgery, and that surgery is inevitable, is it worth having the surgery now instead of the next year or two in pain?

I realise that I am relatively young for the surgery and it is the last thing I want but I also find it hard to get on with my life with this hanging over my head.

Any feedback gratefully received.

Louisa

dreamdaisy

If you need to use the NHS then you will have to see an orthopaedic surgeon and seek his opinion. If you can find a way to finance a private op then it could well be that it will be done at your convenience, I think that the NHS will operate when the damage is bad enough and not before. (In the case of my knees the damage was bad enough in August 2011 but I was too young by three years.) An arthroscopy may not have been enough to 'save' your hip - arthritis of any type is rarely halted by meds or surgery. DD

Stigger

Hi Louisa

I've been end stage Osteoarthritis with no cartilage in my hip for about 4 years now and have refused surgery (despite urgings from surgeon and GP) to have it done.

I wanted to carry on working and being (relatively) young and fit, with a great job and decided I could. Like you, it was bearable (with drugs, a stick and a TENS machine) during the day because I was busy and active (mind more than body). However, at night it was horrible and has become increasingly so.

So now, I have asked the GP to schedule the op for me. The pain at night and lack of sleep is impacting on my day and ability to function effectively so much that it is daft to try and carry on.

So I would say, keep going as long as you are comfortable and able. You will know in your heart when the time comes (and it is different for everyone). Having a THR is now my best option - the other is to be in a wheelchair - which is frankly unbearable to me.

Find a GP that is supportive, get an appointment at the local Pain Clinic, they can offer additional support and medication, use a stick, take the drugs, rest a lot, sit, don't stand and keep moving. Stretching exercises and sitting on one of those big gym balls has done wonders for my muscle tone, which has helped me to continue this far.

I've had a good run, I feel that I have pushed myself to my limits and now it is sensible to have the THR. It was reasonably stable (pain, movement etc) for a good few years and then a few months ago, suddenly began to deteriorate rapidly, with additional damage to the knee and ankle and neuropathic (nerve pain) adding to the mix.

Don't think of a THR as a 'failure' but has the end of the journey. How long it takes you to get there and which route you choose is up to you. Good luck x

maria09

Hi Louisa
I've sent you a pm
Hope you are feeling a little better in yourself
Maria

stickywicket

GPs treat the symptoms of OA, Louisa, but we do need the orthopaedic guys to properly assess x-rays. And don't beat yourself up about having potentially missed out on an arthroscopy. I'm sure I've read that some surgeons don't do them on the grounds that they're not worth it.

Only you can decide whether or not you want to go on the waiting list to have a THR if offered one. My own view would be why go through two more years of pain when there's an alternative especially when you 'find it hard to get on with my life with this hanging over my head.'

I'd also suggest you ask your GP for something to help you sleep. He may suggest nytol but they are not herbal. The main ingredient is diphenhydramine which is, first and foremost, an antihistamine.

barbara12

Hi Louisa
I am 8 weeks post op THR...and I would say the time is right, I put mine off for 2 years....like you the pain wasn't that bad in the day unless I was walking..then it was awful, but the things that made my mind up was waking up in pain most nights.
I have not looked back since having it done...if you want anymore info please pm me.
PS my surgeon said I have just saved you £12,000....that is what he charges private.. :shock: x

louisarm

Dear All,

Thanks for the replies. So nice to know you are all about and care.

Still unsure but will from now on keep a diary of the pain. Heading towards having it done though.

Thanks again

Louisa
xxx

tkachev

If you can see your GP to get referred about your hip it is usually 8-12 week wait once accepted.
My rhemmy was the one that suggested I needed a THR. I was in pain but thought it was just the R.A pain and didn't realise that damage had been caused.
Hope you can get seen by someone soon,


OH dad just paid £11000 to get his done privately. It would've been the same surgeon if done by the NHS and not much longer to wait but he wanted to recover in time for a holiday and he is also a builder so needs to do some physical work.

Elizabeth

Helenbothknees

I only know that I wish I'd had my bilateral TKR (both knees) done way earlier. Sure, things were bearable....if I walked as little as possible and was pretty inactive by most people's standards. But I got used to it. However, since the op I've been going for longer and longer walks (several miles now) and enjoying life to an extent I didn't think possible and had completely forgotten about. Of course I've been lucky and things could have gone wrong - but THRs have a higher success rate than TKRs anyway. But it's your choice.