OA

Janetuk77
Janetuk77 Member Posts: 3
edited 23. Aug 2025, 20:28 in Living with arthritis

Hi everyone

I am Janet and I am 48 and for the last 7 years or so I have had chronic pain in my left hip that was often brushed off as wear and tear, ligament pain and all other excuses, was always sent for xrays and was always told it was wear and tear,

In 2019 I had a hysterectomy and felt that made it worse, I dont know why but it did, I managed to finally get an mri and was told I had sever oa in my left hip which they said was actually in quite a bad way, and also have it quite bad in my right hip as well, also have arthritis in both my wrists! Next Tuesday I am finally going for my pre op assessment! This feels like a long time coming as its been a long few.years and I am really struggling lately! Anyway so sorry for such a long 1st post lol I will go now and have a look around this fab website I have just found tonight at nearly midnight haha!

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Comments

  • Trish9556
    Trish9556 Member Posts: 926

    Hi @Janetuk77

    I am so happy you finally got your diagnosis but it's a shame GPs instantly dismiss oa as old age. It's not.

    Good luck with your surgery, you must remember that recovery from a total hip replacement is a marathon, not a sprint race. You must firstly listen to your surgical team and your physio and their list of what you must not do straight after surgery... Try sleeping on your side, twisting your torso, bending over too far, running before you can walk. All strict noes.

    There is a lovely thread with hints and tips from last year I think in hips and tips(?) good reading.

    There are also a lot of hip diaries, including my own which are useful reading.

    Remember that we all recover at different rates. If one person recovers in six weeks, another may take longer. It takes hard work with often tears and a lot of determination, no feeling sorry for yourself.

    We are a friendly crowd and we will also answer even the silliest of questions. No questions are too silly.

    Finally, welcome to the hippies club.

    Trish

  • Janetuk77
    Janetuk77 Member Posts: 3

    Thank you so much for the reply, I have already printed off an exercise check list for before and after and writing down lots of tips I am seeing here, i will go and find the diaries as I couldnt find them last night lol

  • Jane18
    Jane18 Member Posts: 107

    Hi @Janetuk77, glad you finally got your diagnosis and good luck with the pre-op assessment. I found it useful to prepare a list of questions before I had mine, as I had loads of concerns about the operation itself and the recovery period.

    As @Trish9556 says, there are quite a few hip diaries on this forum already that you may find helpful. If you use the search function in this forum and look for 'hip diary' or 'hip replacement' you should be able to find a list of these. And do post any questions, as there should be someone on here who can answer them.

    Jane

  • claudsl
    claudsl Moderator Posts: 245

    Hi @Janetuk77 and welcome to our friendly online community :)

    I'm glad you have a diagnosis and that it is being taken seriously now, such a shame it took so long. Arthritis is often brushed off as "wear and tear" which is frustrating.

    Please keep us updated on your surgery journey and good luck.

    Claudia x

    Need more help? - call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

  • Janetuk77
    Janetuk77 Member Posts: 3

    Thankyou for replies, can't believe I only found this site,it has so much great info on it, picking up lots of great tips, i am quite nervous for Tuesday to be honest lol I have been waiting what feels like ages and now it's round the corner im nervous haha! I know its only the pre op but who knows how soon I could get the op done once I have had the pre op could be before the end of the year im sure.

  • Trish9556
    Trish9556 Member Posts: 926

    You'll probably get a good idea at your pre op but, as a rule, if surgery is not carried out within three months of a pre op tests need to be repeated.

    Trish

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