Frustrated

purplejoanne

Hi everyone. Today I went to see a surgeon about having hip replacement. But was told I needed to lose more weight and comeback in 6 months he is also reluctant to operate on someone my ages 46. He does admit I really do need both hips replacing. Just feel so frustrated that I have got to keep my life on hold for yet another 6 months. I cant walk for more than 10 minutes before I pain is too bad. The codine phosphate they gave me makes me feel ill so not taking it. Sorry for the moan.

stickywicket

Don't worry about the mini moan. Pain is hard to live with. It's an unfortunate fact that being overweight makes us more likely to need replacement joints but also makes the outcome less succesaful so, increasingly, patients are being asked to lose weight before surgery.

Also, the younger we are the more likely we'll need a second one or revision. I have a knee revision and could probably do with another knee revision and another hip revision but these are more complicated ops and carry ongoing risks..They are better avoided if possible.

There are other pain options available but painfree isn't alas one of them.

dreamdaisy

I too was caught out by the age-and-weight weight thing when I was seen by an ortho about having new knees. That was five years ago, when I was 52 and I'm still creaking along on the originals. In that time my toes, ankles and hips have joined the party so it's not much fun.

It is tough for us, surgery will not be done until a certain level of damage has been reached but even that comes with qualifications. Excess weight will put new joints under undue stress and make the recovery harder and longer which is not ideal for anyone. I am reliant on aids now which I don't mind because they help me do more, I have crutches for shorter distances and my rollator for longer: that has been a boon because it has a seat so I can go further for longer and have a rest every now and again. Do you use anything to help you? DD

purplejoanne

Hi thank you for your responses. I agree my weight doesn't help but the problem with my hips was coursed from a defect in them. I use a walking stick on a weekend only as my doctor didn't want my muscles getting weaker by using it all the time. I try and go to aqua aerobics at least once a week and walk about 30/40 a day. I use sock aids as now cant get them on without. Not sure about what else is out there to help. Also haven't worked for a year and unsure of what if any benefit im entitled too. Would that be the job centre that I need to contact?

X

rayray

Hi,

I understand your frustration. I too had defects in both hips, had multiple surgeries and then a THR at 49. This has totally transformed my life. I am lucky as I have always been naturally slim and so my weight was never an issue. I understand how difficult it is to lose weight when you can't exercise much.

Will your GP help with a weight loss programme? If you can get their advice this may speed things up for you. There are many surgeons who will do a THR on under 60's but I know that it depends on the disability and you have to be a maximum weight but if you lose the weight and your surgeon is still concerned about your age then I would say get a second opinion from a surgeon who specialises in hip defects in younger folks.

I was advised by my amazing surgeon that my hip should last up to 30 years. There are no guarantees but they can now use a hip replacement which is much harder wearing and specifically designed for younger people - mine is ceramic on titanium.

As for benefits you may be entitled to ESA. The Citizens Advice Bureau is really helpful with this and their website has some very clear advice so that is a good starting point.

Good luck.

daffy2

The weight/reduced mobility issue can be a difficult one to deal with but forum members have been successful in losing weight even though exercise has not been possible to any great degree. GraceB is the most recent although her reports have been interrupted by bereavement, but you might find it helpful to look through her posts. Joining some kind of slimming group seems to be a key factor, probably because of the motivation and company.
You might also want to look up the 'NICE guidelines CG177' for some idea of the official advice regarding joint surgery.

Turbogran

Purple Joanne sorry you are suffering so badly at the moment. I know about the weight problem too have you asked your doctor if he can refer you to some sort of slimming group. I know in my area of London some of our Drs are referring people to slimming world. and giving them a voucher giving them six weeks I think it is free membership. I have been going to Slimming world myself for3 & 1/2 years now and cannot recommend them enough. myself after years of being a large person and trying many diets and failing. I lost 5st 12lb in 13 months with slimming world. and my mobility and pain is not 100% better and I still use crutches or walking stick indoors and a rollator when out and about but it is certainly a good deal better than it was hope this helps x

purplejoanne

Hi thank you to everyone for replying to my message. Now a week later I feel more positive about things and what I need to do to move forward.