Hip replacement

Options
Littlejem
Littlejem Member Posts: 12
edited 28. Feb 2013, 08:46 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi everyone, I suppose I shouldn't complain about getting a THR 4 weeks after seeing a consultant and him diagnosing severe arthritis but I really don't know how to feel about it. I've had pain in my legs for probably 10 and until last year I just got on with it. Because I also had blow back pain, my GP sent me to see a back specialist who confirmed I had compressed discs and fused 2 of my vertibra but this didn't take away most of my pain. He referred me to a knee specialist who in turn referred me to a hip specialist!! My hip specialist said if I'd come to see him last year he'd have done my hips, both are severe and not my back! He told me that all the physio I was doing wouldn't make them any better and recommended replacing both to give me less pain and greater movement. I have pain every day, some are better than others and the cold weather makes it worse. I struggle to dress in the morning with anything that goes over my feet but just had been accepting this as getting old, (I'm just 60). Why do worry that it's happening in a rush, (I'm lucky to have private healthcare), he said he'd still be advising it if I was NHS. Am I being silly and should I just accept that I will be a whole lot better after surgery? Don't want to cancel if it is really going to help, what do you all think? Advise please, even if it is just 'stop moaning and get on with it'!!

Comments

  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Options
    Hi
    I'm Hileena, have had one THR and am due to have another one sometime. :roll: A bit like you.....they aren't sure what is back pain and what is hip pain.....referred pain can be difficult to trace.
    I would think that
    you havent got a lot of time to worry about it so thats good :wink:
    I struggle with pop socks etc and the cold and the damp def. make it much worse.
    There will be some more information coming along soon I'm sure :lol:
    Love
    Hileena
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,710
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Options
    I don't think you're being silly. It must have come as a shock and, when there is some uncertainty as to the cause of your pain, of course you're wondering if it's necessary. Your surgeon, however, sounds very confident and that is a plus. Have you read AC's booklet on 'Surgery'? (Publications & Resources' at the top of the page). It might help you decide. I have two THRs and they're brilliant but I have RA and few back problems so my decisions were both easy. One thing I would suggest is that, if you decide to have the op, do the prescribed quads exercises beforehand as they will help afterwards. (They're in AC's booklet on 'Exercises'.)
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • nearlybionic
    nearlybionic Member Posts: 1,899
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Options
    Hi
    I had my first THR 4 years ago aged 40 after years of pain, and severe OA. And 4 weeks ago was told my other hip need replacing and am on waiting list for this, hope to have a date before end of May. I would say if you have had pain for 10 years, and are now 60, go for it! Why waste more time if the pain is impacting on your quality of life. You have tried to resolve the pain by having your back surgery and say things are still bad.
    It is your decision ultimately but , if you want to get some quality of life back, this could be the key!
    Good luck.
    NB
  • Littlejem
    Littlejem Member Posts: 12
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Options
    Yes Hileena you're right, not too much time to worry thanks goodness! I'm so glad we decided to try and keep paying for BUPA after my husband lost his job last November, it was getting difficult but yey,he starts a new job today so hopefully 'things' will get easier!! It was a shock stickywicket and yes, with the 'where on earth is this pain actually coming from' problem I've become doubting and unsure. I'm heartened however by all your comments that THR really work and think I just need to get my head round it and trust that this time it will make my life easier. Thanks Nearlybionic, that's probably what I need, someone who's been there saying 'go for it'! I finally found the excercise booklet, it's really buried isn't it and although I thought I'd gone through all of the website I'd never seen it before. Just a thought but it would be really helpful to have all the booklets listed together somewhere.
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,710
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Options
    Littlejem wrote:
    Just a thought but it would be really helpful to have all the booklets listed together somewhere.

    They are all listed together but, I agree, they'd be more useful if they were more obvious.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
Back to top

Categories