Waiting for a hip replacement

MikeM

I have been on a waiting list for exactly 12 months now.

Because I have a heart condition (atrial fibrillation) and a breathing condition (bronchiectasis) the surgeon originally commented that the anaethetist did not want to go ahead!

Since then, my cardiologist has written to the surgeon to say that there is no excessive risk because of the AF and the Chest Physician has said that there is no excessive risk either. Further, I had an operation with anaesthetic in December to remove a lump (not cancerous!) with no problems.

I have had no news about the operation since..

My GP has written to the surgeon requesting information, and I have also done so. But no replies.

Can you give me any idea of how I might obtain information (and get the hip fixed). I do not know whether it will go ahead and if it does not, what happens regarding my future.

The local wait times are 38 weeks average in osteopathy.

Thanks for any help you can give.

helpline_team

Hi MikeM,

Thank you for joining and posting on our helpline forum, I am sorry to hear about all the problems that you have recently been going through, it must be a really difficult time for you at the moment, if it would help to talk though it with one of our advisors you can by calling our free phone number (0800 5200 520) as it can often help to talk about what is happening.

You say your GP has written to the surgeon as have you, probably the next step would be to chase this up with your GP to contact the surgeon again requesting some acknowledgement to previous letters that have been sent, and outline information from other specialist confirming as to no risk to you if you were to have the operation.

 

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/surgery/hip-replacement-surgery/

Best wishes

Chris

Helpline Advisor

MikeM

Thanks Chris,

I've contacted my GP and have an appointment with him to talk it through - face-to-face!!

I'll let you know the outcome. But it's not until mid-June.

helpline_team

Hi MikeM,

Thank you for your reply, I am so pleased that you have managed to get an appointment with your GP hopefully fingers crossed you will be able to get your hip operation, please keep us up to date on the outcome in the future.

Best wishes

Chris

Helpline Advisor

Chech

I have the same medical history and agonising hip pain caused by severe osteoarthritis. I’m due for a hip replacement but I’m sure I’ll be offered a spinal anaesthetic which I’ve had before. It is the safest option and has a quicker recovery.

helpline_team

Hi @Chech

Thank you for commenting on this post. I'm sorry to hear that you are due to undergo a hip replacement. You've mentioned that you have had a spinal anaesthetic before, you may find the following information useful.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/surgery/hip-replacement-surgery/

You may also want to post on our Living with arthritis forum which is one of our most popular discussion areas.

Please let us know how you get on

Regards

Helen, Helpline

Chech

I’m still waiting to hear if my cardiologist and anaesthetist are happy that I can go ahead and have a replacement. Despite taking gabapentin,paracetamol and having pain patches I can barely walk across the room as the pain is so severe. I’ve also tried alternate hot and cold packs with not much success. Is there anything rlsr I could try. ? I’m worried that I’m doing even more damage to my hip by trying to walk on it. Thanks Cheryl.

Chech

helpline_team

Hi@Chech

Do consider ringing us if you'd like to talk further about what's been happening and how to manage your mobility and your pain. Our freephone is 0800 5200520 9am-6pm Mon-Fri.

The advice from orthopaedic surgeons for people whose surgery has been delayed is to do everything possible to keep moving. They call this 'pre-hab' and it's to ensure that your muscles stay in good condition.

I'm not sure when you had some support from your GP over your pain medication etc, but do contact them if you feel you need medical help.

All the best

Guy

Lilymary

Hi @Chech

I'm sorry to hear you're struggling so much. Have you reviewed your pain medications with your GP? If your hip has deteriorated since the last appointment it may be possible to up your prescription. However, most people find at best that the meds only knock the edge off the pain, so you need a bit more in your armoury.

The better your muscle tone the more it will support your damaged hip, so if you can do at least gentle exercises regularly you may find this helps (and you have to do it every day for many weeks before you notice a difference, but don't give up hope. It's very boring, so I found doing it in front of the telly or with the radio on helped). The Lets Move with Leon exercises are also helpful in just keeping your body from seizing up - which will make the pain worse as the muscles contract - and they're good fun and can be as easy as you need them to be.

You won't damage your hip by exercising - that damage is already done. My sister was teaching exercise classes with two wrecked knees right up to her surgery, the surgeon was fine letting her continue at that stage. What you may find though is it sets off some inflammation, and if that happens rest to let it settle and then try again but more gently until you find the right level for you. I also found that exertion left me exhausted, (another side effect of OA) so if I had a busy day I always programmed in some quality sofa time for a day or two after to recover. Running on empty is never helpful.

The link for Pain Management also has some really useful tips that I found invaluable in the months before my hip replacement. I hope this helps.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/exercises-for-the-hips/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

Chech

Thanks for your comments. I thought the exercises with Leon were very good and his mum Linda! However the pain is so excruciating now right into my groin that I can barely stand so I’m not sure what I can do next. At the moment I’m lying on a bed downstairs as I can’t get upstairs and that’s the only way I can ease the pain a bit but I don’t want to be bed bound! I’ll try and see if I can do exercises again. Thank you

helpline_team

Hi @Chech

I'm sorry to hear of the pain that you are experiencing. Please do think about contacting your GP/Consultant again as they should be able to offer you a pain medication review. If you are looking for pain management clinics in your area the link below may be of use to you

• Find services - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Hope this helps

Helen, Admin

frogmorton

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/697612#Comment_697612

Linda is lovely isn't she? those exercises are really good I have done them and ought to redo them anytime now.....