Frustrated and wondering what's next

[Dmac24]

I'm 49 and in April of 2013 I started having searing pain in my right hip. Went to my Dr and he sent me to X-rays and said I had bad arthritis. Pain was everywhere in my hip and groin so I asked for an MRI and finally in Oct of 2013 had the MRI and turns out I have AVN in both hips. My GP then sent me to a specialist who felt I was too young for THR and advised I take Advil and just wait until I'm older. I'm a PE teacher, personal trainer and avid athlete and the pain can be intense and limits my ability to do any kind of activity at times. Due to insurance my second opinion had to ordered by the specialist and he finally relented and sent me to ucla in May of this year. Ucla dr. Was great, and told me he thought id last 6 months to a year before I couldn't stand it any longer and have the surgery.
Fast forward to today and my insurance is making me start the whole process over. I have to begin again with my GP on Wednesday of this week. I'm beyond ready to get this done as I can't see why being in pain until I reach a certain age is proper medical advice. I have an HMO so I have to follow their protocol. How long is long enough to wait with a diagnosis like mine?

 

[Hoppy Nanny]

Hi there @Dmac24. Welcome to this fab forum...
In my humble opinion it's long enough to wait when you say it is!! It's your body and if you are in that much pain & your life is so restricted ..it's your call. At 59 they told me I should wait?? I got to the point where my life just got smaller & smaller and there was nothing I could look forward to because of the pain.
There are lots of people your age with their recovery stories here on bonesmart ....do take a read! Let us know how you get on...Chrissie x


Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart Forum

 

[bottomshollow]

@Dmac24, so pleased that you have joined us here on the forum. Quality of life, not age, should be the measure of when one needs and should have a total hip replacement. We have members in their 20's and 30's who've had this done---and a few in their teens.

New BoneSmart members like you are in various stages of their journey to joint replacement. Making the decision whether or not to have surgery and preparing for surgery can be easier once you have done your research and know what lies ahead. Here are some tools that can help you decide what is best for you.

If you are at the stage where you have joint pain but don't know for sure if you are ready to have surgery, these links may help:

Score Chart: How bad is my arthritic hip?
Choosing a surgeon and a prosthesis
BMI Calculator - What to do if your surgeon says you're too heavy for joint replacement surgery
Longevity of implants and revisions: How long will my new joint last?


If you are at the stage where you are planning to have surgery but are looking for information so you can be better prepared for what is to come, take a look at these links:

Recovery Aids: A comprehensive list for hospital and home
Recliner Chairs: Things you need to know if buying one for your recovery
Pre-Op Interviews: What's involved?


And if you want to picture what your life might be like with a replaced hip, take a look at the posts and threads from other BoneSmarties provided in this link:

Stories of amazing hip recoveries

We are here to help in any way we can: answering questions and concerns; supporting and encouraging you from start to finish; giving you a place to vent, whine, complain if you need to; sharing experiences with one another; and having fun and some laughs along the way.

Take care and keep us posted. We care.

 

[Jaycey]

@Dmac24 glad you joined us. AVN can progress very quickly - going from just an irritant to horrid pain. I don't agree with waiting until you are older. Heck, I was told I am young for THR and just had my second due to AVN.

I suggest you find yourself a surgeon who specialises in younger patients. Sounds like the one at UCLA may be on the right track. Can you see him again. I has been awhile. If not, find that specialist and get on with living. Life is too short to live in constant hip pain!

 

[Was_86]

AVN sucks. I had my right hip replaced last monday. I am 28!!!!! I am basically guaranteed to have another surgery. But living without groin pain is worth the surgery. UCLA is a great hospital. Make sure you choose a great surgeon and everything will workout. Good Luck. Go over to the recovery side and read Others experience.

 

[beachgal]

@Dmac24, it's already been too long. Don't waste a day longer than absolutely necessary with this horrible pain that can be fixed! OMG! Get a great surgeon, do your research, and get it scheduled! Best thing you can do!

 

[Dmac24]

Thanks for all the replies. I hope my GP will cut the red tape for me so i can get back to UCLA soon. The timing of everything has to be perfect because my job requires me to be active all the time. I'm hoping I can only be out for two weeks if and when my surgery gets scheduled.

 

[MajorHeidi]

@Dmac24 Yes, I hope you can get back in to UCLA soon. You will feel so much better, it is amazing.
The time out will vary based on your muscle strength and stamina, etc...and the type of procedure
(anterior, minimally invasive types, vs. posterior).
I had anterior. At two weeks was using one cane and walking a good bit on the neighborhood street.
Its certainly possible. My insurance and business let me have 12 weeks off which I really appreciated.
I felt I could have gone back to work at 4-6 weeks, but was glad I didn't have to.

 

[Jaycey]

I'm hoping I can only be out for two weeks if and when my surgery gets scheduled.

Two weeks is probably not realistic @Dmac24 . I am just 16 days out from my second THR and there is no way I could go back to full time work. A bit on the computer from home - maybe. But my surgeon said nothing until at least week 4 and my sick note says 6 weeks. The norm is 10-12 weeks and then a Phased return to work . Everyone heals differently but we can't predict how you will react to major surgery or this recovery.

 

[Dmac24]

My GP agreed with me that the time is now and is going to work at getting me back to UCLA hopefully in time for a December surgery. If I can't do it then I'm going to have to wait until after softball season ends in May. Thanks again for all of your thoughts and opinions.

 

[Jaycey]

@Dmac24 sure hope you don't have to wait until end of May! Agony! Please keep us updated.

 

[Poppet]

Fingers crossed for a December surgery date @Dmac24 - do hope you don't have to wait until May. Hips have a way of deteriorating quickly - best wishes!

 

[craftdee]

Hi @Dmac24 Your story sounds remarkably like mine, and no doubt like a lot of other Bonesmarties!! I have suffered with and been treated for many years for progressive OA, with Xray reports stating "Moderate OA, progressing" I had a fall in March causing great pain and Bone Marrow Edema that did get me into hospital for a few days. I am 55. The first surgeon I saw told me, and I quote "we don't like doing joint replacements on people your age, try and wait five years... when you feel you'd rather be dead than live with the pain, that's the time to have a THR"!! Let's say I was thrown into a state of despair... that was before the MRI results came back showing extensive AVN, At that point Mr Sensitive returned to my room and without batting an eye said "when do you want your hip replaced?"! Luckily Mr Sensitive didn't 'do' hips, and the surgeon that ultimately did my surgery was much more enlightened. He offered me surgery in nine days - the reasons I didn't have it done in that time were mine and not his. I don't know how your insurance system works, I had my surgery done in the Public System (about a which a lot of ungrateful Australians complain) , costing me absolutely zero and with a nine DAY wait, it ended up being more complex surgery as the joint was very damaged... I had already lost over a centimetre from my height. If I had "waited" for even one year the joint would have collapsed completely and it would have been an even more complex surgery with the attendant increased recovery difficulties. Don't wait is my advice... whatever it takes get your surgery as soon as you can
Take @Jaycey 's advice and go for a surgeon that deals with younger patients... mine felt that the benefits to my overall health by being able to be active outweighed the perceived disadvantages of having a replacement relatively young.
I had to have Posterior Approach (and remember you may not have a choice in this either) and the recovery time is definitely longer on average than Anterior or Minimally Invasive etc. I am not quite 3 weeks out and have begun working (I work from home) but could not last a whole day with travel to and from, as well as doing the "musts" at home. The thing I hadn't factored in is the energy drain that hits you, yesterday was the first day that it didn't completely wipe me out! I am down to using one crutch, moving really well and am on minimal meds, part of the reason my recovery is somewhat quicker than average for a Posterior Approach is no doubt the fact that I am younger and fitter than the average candidate; even so I do feel that 2 weeks is unrealistic, and it would be terrible to rush your recovery when pacing yourself will give a better outcome ultimately