How long should I have to wait for a hip replacement?

cupcake74

Over the past year have discovered that I have considerable arthritic changes in my left hip. After a recent arthogram the surgeon has told me by letter that the only surgery possibility is a complete replacement when the time comes. The joint has deteriorated rapidly in the last 6 months since I orriginaly saw a consultant and now my knee causing me problems from taking the strain.

I'm finding just basic every day life a struggle but worry that when I go back to consultant in a few weeks time he won't offer me a replacement as I'm only 31.

I'm finding it difficult to see a way forward when I have no idea how much worse things have to get before they will do a replacement.
I just wondered if anyone else has been through a similar situation and if they could offer me some advice. Anything would be appreciated.

Chris

ikesother

Hi there, Im currently waiting for a date for my THR; I had my pre op done in January, had a date for April 9, then it was cancelled two days before. Im waiting this afternoon for the very apologetic admissions chap to phone me back with a new date (fingers crossed) Mine isnt a straight forward op, so Ive got to wait for a particular surgeon. Im 42, so still classed as young for a THR, but in my experience and ive had a second opinion, both surgeons said I needed the op no problem with my age. So in all not long, about 3 months, but I can say I would go tomorrow if i could. good luck jk

cupcake74

Hi

Thanks for your reply. It really helps to hear that there are other people out there going through the same stuff. I hope you get your date soon.

brian35

I think the NHS target is within 18 weeks of going on the list.

tanith

I would say wait as long as possible.. you are young and they do like to put it off until its really affecting your life so much they don't have an alternative..
I was much older at 55 when I had my Right hip done, but I waited until I was limping really badly , I couldn't do my job and was taking anti-Inflammatories and Amitriptyline because it was disturbing my nights sleep. Now my other hip is going down hill...

Of course lots of things will affect the length of time you can bear with it, your life style, job, family circumstances... just try to hang on and get your GP on board with medication that will help you... Ask about physio to strengthen your knee and thigh muscles which may extend the time a little more.. swimming is also good excercise for not only losing weight (will also help) but strengthening muscles..anything you can do to lengthen the time is good...

You have to take on board that the replacement hip is never going to be as good as the one you started out with and once its done its certainly going to need doing again at some point considering your age...

collettem

Hi,

I am 35 and for the past four years had hip and back pain, after years of visiting my doctors I was told that I had hip dysplasia, My consultant wanted to put the op of for as long as possible and I got a hip injection, which was great for a few weeks, however the hip problem was causing severe back problems and in jan 09 the spinal consultant recommended that the hip operation go ahead to help and stop further back problems. For two years I had been unable to do any exercise and walking a short distance was about all I could do

On tues I will be seven weeks post op, and for me it is a slow process as my muscles were so week prior to the operation, but I hope that it will be for the better and I will get back to some form of exercise again. The pain i had prior to the op has gone and has been replaced with muscle pain.

Most consultants are reluctant to do it on young people due to the revisions, Did they mention hip resurfacing to you? that is something you could ask about.

If it is effecting your life, then it is something you should press for if there are no other options

Hope all goes well with your consultant

C

gillian2102

cupcake74 wrote:

Over the past year have discovered that I have considerable arthritic changes in my left hip. After a recent arthogram the surgeon has told me by letter that the only surgery possibility is a complete replacement when the time comes. The joint has deteriorated rapidly in the last 6 months since I orriginaly saw a consultant and now my knee causing me problems from taking the strain.

I'm finding just basic every day life a struggle but worry that when I go back to consultant in a few weeks time he won't offer me a replacement as I'm only 31.

I'm finding it difficult to see a way forward when I have no idea how much worse things have to get before they will do a replacement.
I just wondered if anyone else has been through a similar situation and if they could offer me some advice. Anything would be appreciated.

Chris

Hi - I had my first THR at 39 and it is so worth it. I had a great consultant who understood that my quaility of life was suffering so much. I didn't sleep at night, didn't go shopping anymore, didn't go anywhere I had to sit for more than half an hour (cinema etc), couldn't drive for more than half an hour and it was affecting my job ( a marketing manager that needed to attend exhibitions and stand up all day long). It also gets you down so much doesn't it. All I can say is reel off a list of what it is stopping you doing. I was also on 8 strong pain killers a day to get by and my GP said I would end up with an ulcer.

My consultant said it is better to have quality of life now and have to have them done again in 15 - 20 years than to hang on for years and end up with no quality of life at all.

Keep pushing for it - my life has changed following my two THR before the age of 40. I only had to wait 6 months for each op - I like in West Sussex and I guess it depends where you are located but if you get no-where get a second opinon and don't let them make you feel like you are wasting their time. It is your body and if it were a broken car you would hassle the mechanic until it was fixed!

Good luck

Gill