The old Wait til you're 50

[Katiekat]

I am 46 and new to this forum. It is comforting and disturbing that there are others out there like me. Since a fall in 2012, when my hip pain began, I have been diagnosed with bilateral dysplasia, bilateral laberal tears, bilateral osteoarthritis and both kinds of hip bursitis that doesn't ever seem to go away!!! I have been to a surgeon who repairs hips and was told they were too bad to repair. I then went to a replacement specialist and he says they are not bad enough to replace. I was told I am in the "grey area". Also that they would rather wait until I'm 50. WELL THE CLOCK IS TICKING ON MY LIFE. I am a single mother with a 12 year old boy and I can't do laundry without being laid up the whole next day let alone go to baseball games and have to walk a mile!!!!! Meanwhile I'm stuck with the pain shots they do with the X-ray and pain killers which help somewhat but doesn't give me my life back!!!! I don't want to wait!!!! Any suggestions????

 

[Irish Joe]

Hi @Katiekat.
I'm sure there will be many more than me with something to say about this.
I had bi-lateral hip replacement last year and it is life altering. At the time there was a 29 year old girl in the clinic who had bi-lateral hip arthritis and was having one hip done and the other 10 wks later because she was scared to have both done.
Frankly its rubbish and outdated to suggest to anyone that they wait till 50.
I suggest you seek out another OS who'll take you on now and get the hips done.
By the way I saw the Girl a few weeks back as I was Driving in Dublin and she was walking tall and straight.
Don't wait.
Joe.....

 

[GrannyC]

Katiekat, I'm sending thoughts and prayers your way. I agree that you should seek out another OS and get another opinion. You need to find someone who understand your problem and is willing to help you resolve it sooner rather than later. It is not uncommon to see more than one orthopedic specialist or any doctor for that matter, to get another opinion. I went to one orthopedic group about my hip and even though I agreed with all the doctor said, I wanted to get another opinion so I checked with my GP for a recommendation on who was the best, made an appt and went for a second opinion. Although the second doctor said the same thing as the first, I was much more comfortable with that office and doctor so I scheduled my surgery with them. Right now I'm dealing with pre-op things but it is all going very smoothly and I feel very comfortable that I am in good hands. So, I think you should get another doctor's opinion asap and then take it from there. Keep us posted and I wish you all the best.

 

[Pumpkin]

Welcome to BoneSmart, glad you joined us!
We have a number of teenagers with hip replacements, age is no excuse.
Teenage hip replacements
Find another OS who will replace your hips.

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?
Longevity of implants and revisions: How long will my new joint last?

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

Fill out this score chart and take along so the OS can see just how limited you are.
http://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/score-chart-how-bad-is-my-arthritic-hip-knee.19871/

 

[confused newb]

@Katiekat, I'm with you in the "grey area", the first surgeon I met with told me to come back when I was 50 as well. I searched for a surgeon who has an interest in younger patients, and am scheduled to have my surgery done the end of next week (April 21). Looking forward to it!
Like you I've got kids in the Tween/Early teen stage who are busy doing things that I don't want to miss out on! I want to be able to play with them when they ask, and go to their events, and spend time with them while they still want me around! Some would say you're too young to have the surgery... I'd say you're too young not to have the surgery!
Find another surgeon who has an interest in younger patients, and go in with a list of the ways that your hips are impacting your quality of life. A good surgeon should look at that information without being concerned with your age. It doesn't hurt to bring a friend (or even your son) to advocate for you, sometimes they can think of something that you may not have.

 

[Jaycey]

Find a surgeon who will focus on replacing your hips and not on your birth date. There is no age discrimination for THR. Plenty of people your age and younger are having this op. Find a more modern thinking surgeon - you won't regret it!

 

[Horseshoe]

Chiming in here too, was told to come back when I was at least 60 yrs old and was simply advised to eat well in the meantime which I already did . That poor advice had some negative repercussions, thought I had over a decade before I had to do anything and was caught off guard when hips went from tolerable to horrid very quickly.

It's better to plan and schedule surgery when you're not in excruciating pain, bad hips compromise alignment and muscles which is not only painful but can extend the recovery. It seems those who had speedy recoveries were not as bad off beforehand compared to those who had limped and experienced pain for months and years.

Keep looking for a surgeon who will work with you :smile2:

 

[Katiekat]

I cannot express my gratitude for all the replies!!! I really needed to hear this advise because sometimes I feel like I'm crazy and lazy....I'm sure you all know how you can be your worst enemy!!! Today is my 46th birthday and I'm definitely going to get some new opinions in the upcoming year. So thanks again for all your replies....they are priceless to me!!!!!


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[opie]

My first THR was when I was 52. I ended up seeing 4 surgeons before finding one that listened to me as well as reviewing all of my MRI's etc. and said it sounded like I was ready for a THR. 8 years later, after experiencing the terrible pain we all talk about here, literally overnight, I sought out a local surgeon ( my first THR was done at a hospital 4 hrs away and I thought I'd try locally) and he said your MRI doesn't reflect what you are telling me, so use a walker and stay off of it! I was livid. I contacted my first surgeon and found out he had moved to another state. However, a member of his team saw me and said the same thing... you sound like you are ready to replace that hip. Music to my ears. @Horseshoe is so right when she says your recovery will be much better if you do not wait. There IS life after THR!!! Even after 2 THR. Pain free life. Good luck and keep us posted.


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[Irish Joe]

@Katiekat.
Happy Birthday.
Joe......