Need Total hip replacement at 55

mazzy55
mazzy55 Member Posts: 2
edited 12. Aug 2025, 21:01 in Living with arthritis

I developed pain in my growing about a year ago and three months ago was told by a consultant orthopaedic surgeon that I need a hip replacement.
In a year I have gone from being very adventurous and active, yoga, swimming and cycling and working full time to being off sick and only able to walk short distances.
The pain is severe and worse at night. I’ve tried various medications and also alternative therapies but the pain continues and so does the lack of mobility.
I am really fearful of the surgery. Has anyone got any advice they can offer?

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Comments

  • Poppyjane
    Poppyjane Moderator Posts: 938

    Welcome @mazzy55 to the community

    Hearing a diagnosis of OA is always a shock and when you have been as active as you describe a real curtailment of your activities and lifestyle. We have all had to reassess and adjust our outlooks to accommodate our conditions but the emotional turmoil that takes a lot of getting used to. We are glad you found us because many of us in the community know some of what you are going through and are here if you want to vent, or cry to offer you support.

    There are loads of us who have had joint replacements and some who have expressed real fear of surgery but have talked about it with others here . So do access the "hippy" diaries (go to the magnifying glass symbol top right) and read about and chat to others, it is really helpful.

    Meanwhile I attach some links which you might find useful

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/november/ways-to-help-manage-hip-pain/

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

    I hope you will join us again soon

    Best wishes

    Poppyjane

    If it would be helpful to talk to someone ring the Helpline 0800 5200 520

    Monday - Friday 9.00a.m. - 6.00p.m.

  • Fran54
    Fran54 Member Posts: 336

    @mazzy55

    there are quite a few of us "hippies" on here who have had THR and many a question has been asked and honestly answered. As mentioned by @Poppyjane please do a search for various threads on here and if you still need help with anything at all just ask as we are all here to help and support each other. I will say that I had lots of questions and felt apprehensive before my surgery but there are no regrets especially once the debilitating pain and stiffness was gone. Take care.🙂

  • Coddfish
    Coddfish Member Posts: 91

    Once your hip has become as symptomatic as you describe, it is not going to improve. Hip replacement surgery is generally a highly effective procedure, transformational for many people. Yes, the first bit of recovery is tough, but you soon get through it. I had my right hip replaced in 2021, and my left 2 weeks ago. I am through the worst bit of recovery now, and although it will be a few more weeks before I am fully fit, it’s clear it will be absolutely fine.

  • KatLB
    KatLB Member Posts: 6

    Hi @mazzy55
    You’ve definitely come to the right place😊 I had the same prognosis last February, I’m 52 and went to the doc after continuous pain in my hip, like you it was debilitatIng (and skiing last New year was the killer!). I had my hip replacement done in Aug 2024 and I’m so happy I did. I’m now back to swimming, Pilates, lots of walking, cycling, gym… I’m telling you this because a year (probably less) from now you could be back to doing all the things you love. Don’t hesitate.
    Don’t google what happens during the op, but do check out everyone’s diaries on here, they are so helpful in preparing you for before and after surgery. Ops are scary but it’s worth it - your hip pain will go, you will have a brand new hip😀the only pain will be in the muscles around it which is where all the physio comes in - check out the exercises on this website for before op and do what you can.
    I’m getting psyched up to get my other hip done, then I’ll be hitting the slopes again🤞🏻.
    Take care, Kat

  • cocoa
    cocoa Member Posts: 68

    @mazzy55

    You’re only young so hopefully you will be back to some normality a lot quicker ! I am 76 now hip replacement scheduled for 9 July and terrified but after one year of waiting can’t wait to get it over with now and able to get back to walking and going my garden . Keep posting and by the way look for any versus arthritis groups near You. I’ve only just discovered two local ones coukd have been attending once a month and git further support !!
    cocoa

  • BrandNewHip
    BrandNewHip Member Posts: 10

    Hi @mazzy55

    I am 56 and had a right sided THR on the 19th July. The first two weeks are tough and I cannot sugar coat that for you, but it soon passes and you will start to see little improvements as the days go on, I can now stand up straight, everyone keeps saying "You are so tall" I'm not! I'm only 5'5 but I'm straight and able to walk without pain in my hip (my pain is more in the muscles surrounding the wound site as they heal) my sitting posture has improved already too. (The pain previously for me was awful but especially at night, electric shock type pains would wake me up, I couldn't walk far at all and felt so miserable because of it)

    Going back to post surgery - During the first two weeks I thought "What have I done" but I'm now thinking "Why didn't I do this sooner!" It is a bit of a journey to complete recovery, but I feel I really made the right choice for me.

    I hope you feel a little reassured by others comments and make the right decision for you..

    Best wishes

    Lisa

  • Jane18
    Jane18 Member Posts: 88

    Hi @mazzy55, just to add to the feedback from others, I had a right hip replacement 9 weeks ago (I'm in my early 70s). When I was first diagnosed, it was a real shock to me as I was still physically active, doing tai chi, yoga and going for long walks, as well as travelling. By the time of my operation, I could hardly walk and although I was keeping up with some yoga poses, it was much more painful and difficult.

    As @BrandNewHip and others have said, the first 2-3 weeks post-op are not easy, but they do pass quickly and with the physical exercises and frequent rest, I found that I was able to get around, initially on two crutches and then on one, and walking further distances. The exercises the physio gave me were difficult at first, but I gradually managed to do more reps and extend my range. My physio has now told me I can get back to my normal exercises, so I have gone back to tai chi classes and started to do some yoga. Although it's going to take a while till I am back to where I was a year ago, I am already able to do more than I was immediately before the operation. My posture has improved and the deep arthritic pains I experienced before in my right leg have disappeared, although I still get aches from working my muscles. I'm able to walk around unaided at home, although I do still take a crutch with me for support if I'm out walking.

    I am still getting physio support, as I'm in the relatively early stages of recovery, but having this operation has made such a difference to my life. I am now able to make plans again, whereas a few months ago my world had shrunk because of the pain and difficulty getting about.

    I hope the comments here have helped, and the diaries if you've read them, but do get back if you have any questions.

    Jane

  • cocoa
    cocoa Member Posts: 68

    mazzy55

    Have you actually bit the bullet yet ? I’m on my 5 th week post surgery and like other hippies have saud furst two weeks are the worst then it’s all improving and terrible arthritis pain gone ! Wirth it . Just got to get full fitness back now !! Good luck

    Cocoa

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