Total Hip Replacement at 44

flippaaah

Hi, new here. Just thought I'd introduce myself. I had a total hip replacement for severe OA 16 days ago. This time last year, I was pretty much fine, just the odd flare up. Groin pain started in Oct 2023, and within 6 months I was walking with crutches and in constant pain. Thankfully, I have excellent medical insurance with work, and just happened to get referred to a young hip specialist who told me my only treatment option was a THR at the end of March this year. This was really not on my radar for 2024, but I'm very excited at the prospect of being pain free in my hip for the first time in 30 years.

I had juvenile idiopathic arthritis in my left knee aged 3-6, and the altered gait during my formative years, plus hypermobile hips meant I ended up with snapping hip syndrome in my right hip in my mid teens. Age 23 I had an arthroscopy that diagnosed nonrheumatoid sinovitis, and was told to except early onset OA. Age 34 I was diagnosed with mild OA and I made it a further 10 years before my rapid decline. Endurance sport is my jam, and while I know that my ultrarunning days are over, I can't wait to get back to rowing and other sports.

The first 16 days of recovery have been a ride. I spent 2 nights in hospital with low blood pressure, which also delayed my physio because I couldn't get out of bed. I'm actually really mobile and can walk around the house fairly normally without crutches, and can walk a few miles on crutches. Discomfort and nerve pain persists as things loosen up and nerves wake up. Sleeping is hard! I had my staples out a couple of days ago and the incision is now sore, but I've been assured that is normal. I'm tired and my social battery is very low, so resting between physio stints suits me just fine right now!

flippaaah

forgot to add that I also have OA in my AC joint from tearing cartilage in a trapeze accident 12 years ago. my shoulder surgeon is waiting for my hip to settle before working out what to do with it.

noddingtonpete

Hello @flippaaah and welocme to the Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

I hope that your hip recovery improves, it was good you were able to get it done. Have you been given any physio or exercises to do to help the recovery? I've put a link in below to our Let's move for surgery which is for pre and post op. Hope it helps.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/lets-move-for-surgery-toolkit/

Please let us know how your recovery progresses.

Best wishes

Peter

KC1

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/63170/total-hip-replacement-at-44

hi @ flippaaah sounds like you’re doing remarkably well. I’m 3 weeks to the day and my wound, while a bit lumpy and healing nicely, is a bit tender. There’s a lot of deep healing taking place which is bound to be uncomfortable, it seems to feel different every day. Sounds like you have bags of energy, do remember to rest and allow your body to do that deep healing it’s incredibly important for your long term health and aim to get back to rowing and other sports. Remember to be kind to yourself and listen to your physio. @trish9956 suggested e45 cream - the stuff in a tub, to rub onto the wound if it’s dry etc. I started using it yesterday it’s very soothing.

Good luck with your recovery journey