Well, good day to all--I am a September 26 surgery date--right hip, anterior approach. Been posting a bit on the pre-op site, really just whining and rambling. Never had major surgery before, and freaked out at the prospect of what is actually being done here, as well as fearful about narcotic pain medication required to keep things moving along. Reasonably, I know I'm doing the right thing but emotionally it does feel like a bit of a roller coaster. Partly, I have my OA pain pretty well controlled, only dull aching at worst as I've modified my activity such that it doesn't usually bring on a lot of pain. I don't take much in the way of drugs, only the occasional Aleve or Tylenol Extra Strength, and I've managed to continue doing some PT exercises prescribed when I thought, in error, that my sciatica problem was all due to my back. PT exercises helped alleviate sciatica until that telltale groin pain crept up and wouldn't go away--X-rays in May revealed stage 4 osteoarthritis in my right hip and hip replacement the only permanent way to fix the problem. Even though I'm not in much pain at all, I decided now was the time to do this so I didn't have to wait to be thoroughly miserable. I am not someone who will wake up from surgery and cheer because excruciating hip pain is gone--I suspect recovery will be much worse for me as right now it ain't bad at all! But, trying not to "borrow trouble" and focus on six months from now when I will be in no pain, I hope, and able to resume walking more than a few blocks without aching.
United States
