when to get an operation

kateisaacs
kateisaacs Member Posts: 2
edited 20. Mar 2015, 18:44 in Living with Arthritis archive
I wonder if anyone has relevant experience and can advise. I have osteoarthritis (in one shoulder only) and was offered a shoulder replacement op. a couple of months ago. I have some pain and some restricted movement but can still get by at present. What do people do - wait until things are really bad, and the pain is horrendous - or apply for an op before it gets really bad? I am frightened either way! I'd be glad to hear of other people's experience. Thank you

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 3,635
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Welcome to Arthritis Care Forums Katie from the moderation team

    As moderatorss we are here to help with any problems you may have on the message boards.

    There are lots of lovely people here with a wide range of experiences with arthritis and the problems of living with the condition. I am sure you will get lots of support and advice with the issue you are raising.

    Best wishes

    Moderator AC
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, it's nice to meet you but I am sorry you have had to find us. In my limited experience of arthritis-related operations I gather (from reading on here) that when you are offered a joint replacement straight away it means that things have reached the point where you can benefit from the procedure. In your shoes I wouldn't hesitate but I am, alas, used to surgery.

    I thought I may be granted two new knees three years ago but I didn't qualify because I was too young (at 53) and too fat. I have remedied the latter but now, because my ankles and hips have 'gone' thanks to the delay, I won't bother pursuing the knees via the NHS. I can't see the point. If your OA is currently in the one joint then I would say go for it - it won't be easy for you, and the recovery will take time, but as far as I can tell you have much to gain, which has to be a good thing.

    I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • GraceB
    GraceB Member Posts: 1,595
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    You will know when you can't cope any more and when the time is right. However, it can be difficult to predict this in that you have to allow the 18 weeks or however long you'd need to wait for the actual operation itself. Bit like trying to guess the winning lottery numbers, I suppose!

    When I asked for my right TKR I explained the pain was "un-bearable". At that point I was asking my consultant's team to either replace the knee or I'd draw the line on my thigh where they could cut ... Yes, I was that desperate.

    I am now starting the journey with my left ankle and was warned 2012 that it would need fusing or replacing. I see the consultant 8th April to decide what's happening. I need to have this done, it'll be an absolute nightmare after due to my partner not being well and the fact I am dreading putting all my weight onto my replaced knee with the aid of crutches.

    Ask yourself "what can't I do now that I could do, say, 6 months before? What do I miss out on? What have I adapted, for example, do you no longer go for walks, or socialise after work/at weekends?" All of these are things for you to consider.

    I wish you well in your decision making. Please let us know how you get on.

    Take care,
    GraceB
    Turn a negative into a positive!
  • Helenbothknees
    Helenbothknees Member Posts: 487
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    A lot of things to think about really...

    How quickly is it getting worse? If you feel it's bearable, and hasn't worsened for several years, maybe you'd prefer to live with it. After all, all operations carry a risk, whatever anyone tells you.

    From what I've heard, shoulder replacements aren't as successful as either knees or hips. Do some research; look up the success rate, and how satisfied people are after the op. Most of this info is probably available on the internet; it certainly was when I looked for knees.

    I've heard of people in really bad shape not being offered joint replacements, and others who don't feel they need them being offered them; it seems to be a bit of a lottery, and I'm not sure that you can take an offer as meaning you should have a replacement.

    OTOH, a successful joint replacement may be a great improvement on the painful joint.

    You could have it done and wish you'd done it years ago, or wish you'd never tried it if things don't go well. To be honest, you have no way of knowing in advance, and personally, despite two very successful knee replacements, I wouldn't have any operation unless the alternative was too bad to contemplate.

    Sorry not to be of more help.
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Definitely a dilemma. I've had five joint replacements (all very successful) but no shoulder one. When I could have used one (Well, two actually :lol: ) they were only just starting to be done and not really worth the gamble for someone with RA and virtually every joint affected. They don't hurt much at all now but I have very littłe movement in them.

    I, too, believe these choices are very individual though all mine were no-brainers given pain and disability levels.

    Like HelenBothKnees, I'd want to do some research on how frequently these ops are done in your hospital and by your consultant and his success rates. Also I'd check out what you personally need to do afterwards in terms of physio and for how long. That will be vital to the success of the op and you'll need to be fully committed for as long as it takes.

    Whatever you decide – good luck.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I agree, do some research as the others have said. I have had two spinal operations by choice and one due to infection. Both times I chose to do it it was because I knew i was editing my life because of pain. Granted, first time was a disaster but the second time it has been great. The second time I knew that things couldn't get much worse if it went wrong so I went ahead. I am a scientist so tend to work on logic and playing the odds! My surgeon gave me a 75% chance of being better so I did it!
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,280
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Im with grace on this one, its strange but we sort of know when we are ready,them my consultant said you don't leave it till you your quality of life suffers...and he was right..., I hope all goes well for you
    Love
    Barbara
  • Helenbothknees
    Helenbothknees Member Posts: 487
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Actually I'm with Grace too...but do some research as a part of this. When I researched TKRs initially, I thought: "Only 80% success rate; I'm not taking that sort of risk; that's one in five people for whom it's not successful". A few years later that sounded like quite acceptable odds, if I had a chance of being without dreadful pain. My problem was that my GP thought initially that I wasn't bad enough - until I told him my 'normal' walking into his surgery was deceptive, since that was as far as I could walk! As for the 18 week wait, I was lucky enough to get a cancellation, and had the op at three days notice! But I gather that happens a lot, as many candidates for joint replacements are elderly and have other things wrong, and end up dropping out...leaving a space for you if you're prepared to accept it with little warning.
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Kate

    I am going in for a shoulder replacement on 11 March. I have suffered with my shoulder for over 10 years and would probably have carried on some more but having been diagnosed with Milwaukee Shoulder Syndrome recently after trying to erect a travelling cot and doing more damage to my shoulder, something I did not think possible, the consultant told me I no longer had time on my side regarding prolonging the op as my options would run out. I have had some bespoke parts made for my shoulder replacement op and have been told it will take three months to knit together and in all takes about one year to be ok. I shall have to have lots of physio and have to work extremely hard with the exercises. I shall be wearing a sling for the six weeks day and night. I can remove the sling if I am sitting and support the arm with pillows. I shall stay three nights in hospital.

    My shoulder/arm is very painful at times and pretty useless but I can still get by and do many things. I am going to hate not being so active for a good few months but if I get rid of the pain, that will be a blessing.
    I have met this surgeon a few times and last February he did a shoulder arthroscopy and released something or other but it did not make that much difference.


    Do let us know what you decide to do.

    Elna
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.