35 Year Old Male - Fearfull

[Timmer]

I finally started searching the Internet tonight, which for me is a first step. I have a fantastic orthopedic surgean (I've heard) that see's me anually. I have not had hip surgery because I am extremely fearfull. I am healthy and athletic but tired of being in pain, or the after affects of oxycodone (percacet). I take on average one pill a day now. Six months ago it was one every other day, and a year ago it was about 2 or 3 a week. My hip always hurts. It is at a point where nothing can keep it out of my concious mind.

I was born with a congenital defect and possibly had perthes in my teens. My records were lost so my doctor is guessing. Regardless of the cause the neck of my femer is all but non-existent, and the ball is odly formed. Up until two years ago my only problem was that my right leg was 3.5 inches shorter than my left. With lifts I did everthing and walked with a barely visible limp. The odd day someone would ask if I had hurt myself. I taught self defence, did front hand springs, downhill skiing...pretty much you name it. I can, and still do, all of the above but I am starting to pay for it. I have three young children who want to play and half the time I just want to sit in the evenings because it is in the evenings that the pain is at its peak. Doctor says I should wait till I am 50 or 55 because the first replacement is the best and they can only do it so many times. I'm only 35. I am fearfull because I don't want to stop being active and I don't want to be in a wheel chair after my fourth hip replacement at age 60 or 70. My father is 70 and still bikes 30 miles on any given weekend for fun! I hope to be active in my 80's. I'd rather drug myself and/or suffer than end up like that.

Will my life be better or worse with surgery? I can't stand complaining to my wife, I can't stand being constipated from opiates, I won't be able to stand sitting in a chair.

What do I do?

 

[Earl B]

If you are in enouight pain to ask the question I would have a serious talk with the Dr. about your options. I went through pain for over two years and then had teh rewplacement. It made a world of difference for me.

 

[sbrown]

A couple of months ago, I spoke with a woman in her 60's who was on her 3rd hip replacement (her first was in her teens). She said this one was the best yet. She is totally mobile and active. You have to remember that research is constantly improving the materials and techniques of hip replacement. If you choose an alternative material such as ceramic on ceramic or metal on metal, your hip should last for up to 20 years or more. Maybe by then, they'll have figured out how to make them last a lifetime. Besides, I'd rather sit around when I'm 80 than when I have young children. In my inexpert opinion, I think you should go for it!

 

[Sonia S.]

I finally started searching the Internet tonight, which for me is a first step. I have a fantastic orthopedic surgean (I've heard) that see's me anually. I have not had hip surgery because I am extremely fearfull. I am healthy and athletic but tired of being in pain, or the after affects of oxycodone (percacet). I take on average one pill a day now. Six months ago it was one every other day, and a year ago it was about 2 or 3 a week. My hip always hurts. It is at a point where nothing can keep it out of my concious mind.

I was born with a congenital defect and possibly had perthes in my teens. My records were lost so my doctor is guessing. Regardless of the cause the neck of my femer is all but non-existent, and the ball is odly formed. Up until two years ago my only problem was that my right leg was 3.5 inches shorter than my left. With lifts I did everthing and walked with a barely visible limp. The odd day someone would ask if I had hurt myself. I taught self defence, did front hand springs, downhill skiing...pretty much you name it. I can, and still do, all of the above but I am starting to pay for it. I have three young children who want to play and half the time I just want to sit in the evenings because it is in the evenings that the pain is at its peak. Doctor says I should wait till I am 50 or 55 because the first replacement is the best and they can only do it so many times. I'm only 35. I am fearfull because I don't want to stop being active and I don't want to be in a wheel chair after my fourth hip replacement at age 60 or 70. My father is 70 and still bikes 30 miles on any given weekend for fun! I hope to be active in my 80's. I'd rather drug myself and/or suffer than end up like that.

Will my life be better or worse with surgery? I can't stand complaining to my wife, I can't stand being constipated from opiates, I won't be able to stand sitting in a chair.

What do I do?

Hi Mate, Hip replacement is a big operation and i understand that you are scared so am I! BUT we have a problem and we need to fix it! Thank God that now a day medecine is there for us. It is my understanding that hip replacement is very successful and the quality of the prothesis lasts. I would like to say that i wished it last for ever but nothing is for ever! I'm a candidate for hip replacement and the doctor told me that in my case i need to have both hips done at the same time, i'm petrefied but i'm going to do it because it's for me, my well being, my life. Best wishes, Sonia S.

 

[katherine e]

I don't see you responding to the posts above, but I hope you read them. You are too young to be so crippled, in my opinion. If you are fearful, maybe some one in the medical community can explain the risks in perspective for you. I have read that 95% success rate is usual for hip replacement and its an operation that has been around since before you were born. Literally thousands are done in an average day. One thing that puts you out of the usual risk group is your level of fitness. Your young, relatively fit, active, and you have a much better chance at fast and problem-free recovery at your age, but your going to go down hill fast if you dont do something about your hip. I am 52 and have watched my deformed hip get worse very quickly, just in the past decade. I am very lucky that they offer this surgery to younger people now, and so are you. You should find a doc that you like and talk to him/her about what the whole process is about, in my opinion.

 

[Steveb]

Hey there Timmer,

I was in the same place 3 years ago, I am 43 year old athlete and wanted to wait until 50. After years of inactivity and 25 lbs I decided I wanted my life back and had the surgery 3 weeks ago.. I am up walking around my hip feels better, my back feels better.

My advice find the best hip doctor (should do 300+ hips/year) and do it. Why miss out on life. I really wish I had my 3 years back.


Steve

 

[jgs]

I had right thr 10/17/05 after considering it for 1 year. It became an issue in 2002. I'm 45 and played football and hockey. Continued w pro hockey for 2 years after college. One, or several hits, caused necrosis; then arthritis.
I was back on the ice with my old timers 12/30/05; as I said I would be back in 2005. I more seriously came back 4/06.
I had a very competent surgeon. I went to one who did hips for young patients/athletes. Not local but what I needed. I didn't want to be grouped with those who had less desire to still get after it hard....
I have metal on metal and no Zimmer (minimally invasive) technique. Consensus says, while nice to have little cuts, even the best cannot possibly see all inside you. And the 9" scar is really cool.
And the opiates thing - stay as much away as you can. My surgeon didn't use morphine nor oxycodone. The next painkiller on that chemical compound is herion (sic). Tylenol 3 worked for me after 3 days and I'm not so tough.
Hope this helps.

 

[diclidophora]

Hello Timmer.

This is just to let you know that you are not alone. I am 72 and fearful ! I am booked in for October 27th. ! hip with avn. Acetabulum somewhat eroded and it will therefore be a magnum or bone graft with cage. I can only hope, like you, that I come out the other side.

Peter