Severe OA in right hip at 39

Nursey39

Hi all,

I’m new to the community so first of all hi 👋 I’ve been suffering with right groin pain for about 6 years which was gradually getting worse after being fobbed off by my doctor for years as being referred pain from my back (I also have facet joint syndrome) it all came to a head a few weeks ago when I developed severe sciatica with numbness down right leg. Our doctor surgery has recently gone through a bit of an overhaul and now has different teams for different things so I was referred to the Musculoskeletal team. When the practitioner (physio) rang me he thought it sounded like the problem was in my hip joint rather than my back so sent me for a X-ray. When he rang me with the results he told me he was a bit taken aback with the severity of the arthritis. The results say that I have almost complete loss of superior joint space and subchondral sclerosis. I’m a nurse, I’m only 39 so I really want to avoid a hip replacement as long as possible. I’m fairly active although recently have struggles with stairs and hills. I was told that steroid injections are available but these would speed up the degenerative process? I know it’s difficult to predict the progression of OA but how long were people able to avoid the total hip replacement when diagnosed with severe OA and did you have steroid injections before (and did they help with the pain?) thanks in advance I look forward to hearing from you

anneb82

Hello @Nursey39

Welcome to the online community and thank you for joining us.

So you have recently been diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis in your right hip. You are concerned about having a hip replacement at such a young age and are wondering if anyone has any suggestions so that you can put it off for as long as possible. You have been told that you can have steroid injections to help with mobility and pain but have also been told that that can speed up degenerative changes.

It sounds like you have had some surprising news so its not unexpected to be feeling slightly shocked by the news. I have had many steroid injections over the years and have never been told that they can cause these changes. it will be interesting to see what the other members of the community will have to say about what you have been told. Im sure will be able to give you lots of advice and tips.

Ive attached some links below that will take you to information I have found with regards to your queries. I hope that they are helpful for you.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-oa-of-the-hip/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/steroid-injections/

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

Please do let us know how you are getting on and do continue to keep getting involved with the community.

Take care

Anne (Moderator)