Loose ends and bad hips

[Travelinana]

I won't go into detail about my 'loose ends' except to say they are the reason I'm still here in AR (not so bad really as we had a beautiful fall). I am shooting for joining up with Dawn and her rolling pet store and family in MS for Christmas before going south. She knows about my 'loose ends'. My family understands because they know of my longing. I have been having a great deal of pain in my hips, even to the extent the pain has sent me to my knees a couple of occasions. I have been taking high doses of Ibuprofen but I am now on naproxen for the inflammation. I got the diagnosis of worn out hips yesterday. I will see an Orthopedist next week. I am expecting to hear this is one of those things that is left up to me, as the pain dictates. I would like to hear from any of you who have had this surgery. I am sure I will get only one done at a time.
This is cramping my style to say the least. I am reduced to 'slow' dancing, no east coast, twist, turns and twirls..which I love. Now, it might set me back with traveling. I am counting my blessings and they are many. In the meantime I will travel vicariously with those of you who send great pictures and narrative...

[Sandersmr]

Not that I have had hip replacements, but I have had knee replacements. When I had my first knee done - they had a class of what to expect after replacement surgery, both hip and knee. They said in that class that recovery is much faster and easier for a hip than a knee. And I have not regretted having either knee done, even at my relatively young age.

[mitch5252]

I can't help you, either, but I did find a Forum that you might find informative:

http://bonesmart.org/forum/

Good luck to you. Prayers heading your way.

[Travelinana]

Thanks Mitch, I have started reading the site both articles and forum....I hope to understand fairly well what takes place, how long is recovery, etc...

[codasmom]

Hello. I hope you will forgive a bit of advice from a stranger. Before you decide on having hip surgery, talk to your doc about being tested for any allergies to materials they may use in the replacement; metals, screws, bone cement, etc. A friend of mine was scheduled for a knee replacement and wisely, and on her own, found a place that does this sort of testing. It turns out she is highly allergic to some metals and bone cement. She was prompted to seek this testing because a plate used in the closure of her broken ankle never allowed the incision to heal and it eventually had to be removed. I am so glad that she took a very responsible approach to her health care. She did not have the knee surgery and is happy that she found out about the allergies before her own knee was removed.

We live in a wonderful age where we have the opportunities to have joints fixed. Best of luck to you.

[JudyJB]

I had my knees done, not my hips, but from friends who have had both done, they have also said the recovery from the hips was easier.

Normally, I would also tell people not to have this surgery unless they were really in pain becuase the recovery is not easy for either type of surgery, but you clearly have a lot of pain.

I could barely walk 10 feet by the time I had each knee done. While I still have some numb skin areas after several years and a little trouble kneeling, I can truthfully say it was the best thing I ever did. I can walk without pain for long distances and life is much better.

Just make sure you get a surgeon who specializes in this type of surgery. You do not want a generalist orthopedic surgeon. Mine was at a teaching hospital and he did hundreds of them each year--and did only hips and knees.

[avalen]

Hello. I hope you will forgive a bit of advice from a stranger. Before you decide on having hip surgery, talk to your doc about being tested for any allergies to materials they may use in the replacement; metals, screws, bone cement, etc. A friend of mine was scheduled for a knee replacement and wisely, and on her own, found a place that does this sort of testing. It turns out she is highly allergic to some metals and bone cement. She was prompted to seek this testing because a plate used in the closure of her broken ankle never allowed the incision to heal and it eventually had to be removed. I am so glad that she took a very responsible approach to her health care. She did not have the knee surgery and is happy that she found out about the allergies before her own knee was removed.

We live in a wonderful age where we have the opportunities to have joints fixed. Best of luck to you.

thank you for that little note, its a great tip for any of us that might have to face a similar surgery in the future. I would have never thought of an allergy
preventing a good healing but I guess it could certainly happen and has.

[sharon]

Oh my goodness! First your back, and I'm gonna assume that that might still be a problem for you, and now this. I only know 1 person that had hip replacement and they said it was the best thing they ever did. Recovery was about 6 weeks, but the nurses had him up and walking the day after surgery. Prayers going out for you, MF, and keep us posted on what's going on.

[rvgal]

I have a friend who had 1 hip replaced last year. It went really well for her. Before the surgery she was in intense pain & could hardly walk, now she has no pain. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

[cpatinjones]

Praying for relief for you.

[Redwahine]

I feel for you. I haven't had any joint replacements...yet!! But my heart goes out to you for the pain you must be in. Along with your back, OMG. Praying for you what ever you decide to do. HUGS

[Marslet]

All I can share is my friend, whom I taught with for a few years, had to teach from a wheelchair because of her hips. She couldn't walk over 10 steps without collapsing in pain. She finally decided to have the hip replaced (needed both). She had a wonderful recovery. Best thing that had ever happened to her,. Went ahead and had the other one done. Again great recovery, although not as fast as the first one, but still fast.
Hopefully you will have the same thing.

[bluepinecones]

I'm way behind on the forum and trying to catch up a little at time thus late response.

Have you decided what you are going to do yet?

I have had both hips replaced (NOT at the same time) and would be glad to answer any questions for you.

One surgery was pretty much by the book; the other one was a Murphy's Law type thing of problems and complications that I'm told are very rare. Before I had the first one done, I had reached the point of not being able to walk more than 10 -15 steps at a time and had pushed it enough to damage the pelvic socket. You do NOT want to let it get that bad as the surgery is more extensive. Recovery time for the one that went well was about 5 months; the other one took more than two years as it involved having to learn to walk all over again. I no longer wear a leg/foot brace and while I will never likely be able to hike as many of the ladies do, I am very thankful that I can even walk short distances. In spite of the problems, would I do it again knowing what I do now --- the answer is YES for sure.

Good luck