Just diagnosed with hip arthritis

DP54

I trust this platform will be beneficial for me as I've recently received a diagnosis of hip arthritis, and I'm still grappling with the shock of understanding its implications. Despite leading a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and proper nutrition, at the age of 54, this condition has taken me by surprise. Initially, I visited the doctor anticipating a diagnosis related to muscle strain, only to learn that it's hip arthritis, requiring a complete overhaul of my lifestyle. The prospect of rapid destruction or the gradual disintegration of my hips has left me feeling overwhelmed with fear. I known that there are people worse off than myself but struggling with the consequences of the diagnosis.

frogmorton

Good morning @DP54

I am so sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis, but really wanted to reassure you that your life is not over.

With the initial shock, anger fear etc as you clearly have been doing 'life' right (healthy eating and exercise etc) it can feel like it is.

There are things you yourself can do to help yourself still and continuing the exercise and eating regime is part of it.

I am presuming you have been offered some support maybe a physiotherapy appointment (I think the trendy term is musculoskeletal) or even, if things are severe enough, a consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon?

My own best advice is to get informed reliably. This site is good - Dr google isn't always though. When you know more and talk to people in similar positions things start to feel a lot better. When Arthritis first hit me I was convinced my life was over, I would ruin my husband's life and embarrass my kids, (they were primary school age at the, time), but not much of it came true in the end. I am still on my feet, travel the world and am productive in society. I walk daily and have recently started using an electric bike twice a week. oh and I only embarrassed my kids as much as any parent does too☺️

Take care

Toni x

DP54

Thank you frogmorton for your kind reassurances it is much appreciated.

It seems I'm at the beginning of my journey, and I did use Google to understand the implications. The sheer volume of information on hip replacement sites has been overwhelming, and I'm still wrestling with the impact of my diagnosis. I anticipate that once I fully come to terms with my condition, my life will stabilize, allowing me to move forward.

Sunshine8

Hi I have just signed up so new to the community too! I totally agree it’s so overwhelming when you are first diagnosed. I have osteoarthritis in the hips and spine and presently the pain is most intense in my neck. I’m really interested to learn from others who share their experiences

swimmer60

@DP54

There's a strong genetic link to arthritis so whatever you did in terms of lifestyle, diet, weight etc will most likely have just delayed the inevitable.

But here's the good news! After hip replacements you will be able to swim, cycle, go to the gym, hike again, all those things you enjoy doing at the moment. And keen tennis players I know go on playing doubles, though Andy Murray has done a lot more than that!

The only thing I was advised to was to avoid running on hard ground but that may be more to do with my age than the hip op.

So don't be glum chum!🏊‍♀️🏋️🚵‍♂️

frogmorton

@DP54

You've almost got to grieve for the life you had expected. Accept the new normal and move forwards. You will, but be kind to yourself (and your loved ones) while you work through it all.

Worth reading the threads by @Janlyn and @Nurina and a few others.

they will give you much needed reassurance about hip surgery.

Of course remember you are not alone there's a whole community of us here to support you now.

Toni

Denis68

Hi @DP54 welcome to the group

I'm now 55 and had my hip replacement operation 6 weeks ago yesterday. I was around 51 when I got my osteoarthritis diagnosis for what to that point had been thought, by medical professionals, as tendon related problems.

I had a history of running and cycling and was forced to leave behind the former.

Today I saw my consultant who has said the only things he would 'suggest' avoiding with my replacement is high impact activity (jumping, running on hard surfaces, although jogging is ok) and things which risk falling hard, so life can continue to be active.

We are all different but the advice I was given pre Op was to continue with as much activity as I could to strengthen my muscles ready for the op and subsequent recovery.

I remember the initial diagnosis being a shock and feeling dispondent at the consequences I perceived. My experience has been now way close to as bad as I'd feared.

Give it time to settle in and don't believe Dr Google

Nurina

My advice is not to use Google to look for your symptoms or you will end finding horrible things that will not happen to you. Many of us started with stifness and thought it was muscular trying everything: Stretching, Lacrosse ball, pilates, gluten free, keto diet, dairy free, acupuncture.

Why me? Will be able to have a normal life? Will my pain dissappear? Well. Those are the initial questions we all have in our heads. The pain isn't just physical. It destroys who you are, day by day. If I were you, I'd start the long process of referral to a specialist as soon as posible. Good luck x

Janlyn

@DP54 welcome and can I say there is a lot of hopefully helpful advice to you here.

I am just over 6 weeks from my hip replacement, which I have been fighting against for many years, and considered to be the end of the line after I'd tried everything else. In some cases exercise programmes do work, but if it comes to a replacement it really isn't the end of your life, more like a new beginning.

I am now more active than I have been for some time and hope you will get to see a specialist soon to see what you can do. I had my last physio appointment post-op this morning and my physio said that he likes his patients to get back to where they were before they lost any mobility, and not settle for anything less. He said there is no reason why I shouldn't run again although he feels walking is the best activity, but cycling and swimming are also recommended. I certainly came out feeling motivated.

Please ask any questions you have and I wish you all the very best, x

DP54

I appreciate the supportive words from everyone; they bring comfort during this challenging time. I'm making an effort to avoid excessive Googling and instead, I'm trying to stay positive and not dwell on the diagnosis. The doctor believes my current stage is relatively mild, indicating early detection. Management is expected through exercise, a soya-based supplement, and occasional pain relief as needed. Although the initial shock was overwhelming, I'm starting to feel a bit more optimistic and your encouraging comments have played a significant role in that.

Anna

Hello @DP54 , just wanted to give you a warm welcome to the online forum, and I see you have already received responses from some of our helpful and supportive members. Knowing that there is a community who completely understand what you're going through can really help lift us when we're low or struggling.

If you want to find out more information about arthritis of the hip, including treatments, surgery and how you can manage the pain, have a look at the page below from the Versus Arthritis website:

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

Best wishes,

Anna (Moderator)

Janlyn

@DP54 It's good to hear you're feeling more optimistic and that management is expected through exercise, supplements and pain relief. For some people this can work for ever, or for a long time. I wish I'd been diagnosed earlier - I fought what I thought were 'injuries' for far too long, instead of fighting the real problem.

Good luck!

DP54

Thanks Janlyn,

I know early diagnosis is a good thing but I am still overwhelmed by the news. I try to be positive but I know I am suffering from anxiety as it is a struggle to keep it out of my mind and I am unable to sleep.

If anyone has any tips or advice to help me through this early period I would greatly appreciate it.

Denis68

@DP54 I suffer from anxiety from time to time and one way that sometimes works for me to get through it is to ask these questions.

Is it reasonable to feel anxious? Yes, whatever I feel is valid because I feel it

Can I choose how I react to what I feel? Yes, I really can, as uncomfortable as it is to admit

Will overthinking or panicking help resolve what I'm feeling anxious about? No, it really won't

Can I accept feeling anxious then react rationally to the underlying issue? Yes, I can. It will take concentration and effort but yes I can

I usually find that by the time I get through that list my anxiety has diminished

weths

Hi - I am also 54 and new to this site , I to have just been informed I have hip arthritis , and am now waiting for a hip replacement.

I do feel very overwhelmed to have this diagnosis at what I consider an young age. I have been super active in my younger years , and still cycle and walk . The cycling has had to be reduced and I don't ride with my cycle club anymore which is affecting me mentally. I'm still trying to push through and continue with exercise but not as intense. I agree with another post about letting go what you had and embracing what you've got. I've kind of gone through this once when I had knee injury which forced me to stop playing football. I remember it takes time to reset your goals and move forward.

chrisb

Hi @weths

Welcome to the forum.

I'm not surprised to read that overwhelmed with your recent diagnosis, especially with the impact upon your cycling activities.

These exercises may be useful for you at some point:

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

I hope you don't have to wait to long for your operation.

Best Wishes

ChrisB (Moderator)