36 and scared to death

[cidlady]

I am a 36 year old female who is scheduled to have THR on March 26. I was born with dislaocated hips that was not found until I was 15 months old. Afrter several broken bones and surgeries i was walking by age 4 and had a normal life, sports, pregnancy, you name it. But now I am told that my left hip is in bad shape. For the past 3 years I have had pain and stiffnes and it has totally slowed me down but I do not know if I am making the right decision or not. My surgeon says I have to decide on my quality of life and my pelvis is not to good on that side either because they had to break it when I was younger to fix my hips so he thinks this might save my pelvis and take alot of pressure off of my right hip and make it last longer. I am getting the birmingham hip. Any comments or advise is greatly appreciated. I thought I was ready to move on but now I am scared to death. Help.
Angie from TN

 

[Judles]

Welcome Angie! You've come to the right
Place! Its a life changing surgery! Think
Of all the things you will be able to do now,,
Pain free! Good luck & let us know how you are
Are doing!

 

[UTdave]

Welcome Angie!

As a 33 yo with similar (albeit much more mild initial course) disease process, I can assure you that your quality of life will immediately improve. I haven't had my new hardware long enough to say more than that, but it's nice thus far!

When you say Birmingham hip, do you mean resurfacing arthroplasty or total hip replacement? Are you at Vanderbilt? If it is a resurfacing, really pin your surgeon down on how many he has done. And make sure you know how many people with congenital dysplasia he has done. It is a far more difficult procedure in your setting with a very high failure rate at the two year mark. You may search the surfacehippy.org site (search forums using resurfacing and dysplasia) and you'll find a thread where a patient discusses her similar case with the experts on their site (some of the foremost resurfacing doctors on the planet) and they seem loathe to proceed with resurfacing in that case. If you have coxa valga accompanying your dysplasia, the loading forces of a resurfacing are in your favor, if you have coxa vara, not so much!

If you pursue a total hip, I would still make sure your surgeon has done several patients with your specific problem. He doesn't just have to restore a nice smooth joint surface, but also has to restore normal anatomy and alignment. Certainly in TN (Vandy or other large center) there is someone who has expertise in dysplasia - probably your guy, if he did all those other operations!

Good luck!

 

[JudyS]

Angie
I am 51 and very active (mountain trail runner/hiker) I had my hip replaced last June and in 3 months time was doing everything and more (except running) than before my replacement. I did not suffer from your condition and Dave has given you all the excellent info on that subject.
We were all scared and all pretty darn happy with the results.
Post often and soon you will be pain free. Actually it is only days for you.
Good Luck
judy

 

[HopAlong]

Hi Angie...

I had my left THR 8 days ago, after waiting 5 years to get the courage to do it! Thanks to the people here, who all made me realize that it was so worth it! Otherwise I would still be in miserable pain, and going nowhere!
My recovery is going very well, and I am 100% glad I did it. No regrets at all.

You can learn alot here from other people's experiences, and it will help to comfort you through the pre-op anxiety. Its a great place to ask questions too, because you get answers from all different people based on their own experiences!

Best of luck!

 

[Troweltalk]

A little more than 3 months since I had my hip resurfaced (Birmingham Hip) and I'm a 52 yo male who developed arthritis due to an old fall that injured my pelvis.

So far I'm doing great. Walking further than I have in 5 years, and with very little pain. Some residual leftover stuff from the surgery that's getting better day by day, but no pain in the hip at all.

The BHR as we call it, has a lot of advantages over a traditional hip replacement if your doctor, as he/she obviously has, feels you are an appropriate candidate. Benefits include saving of bone, potential for a more active life-style, and the fact you can be called a "Hippie" and not have lived in the 60s...

Who is your doctor?

 

[Jamie]

Welcome Cidlady! We're so glad you joined the BoneSmart forum.

UTDave offered some excellent advice for you to consider. And I'll echo what the others have said. Joint replacement surgery can give you your life back. It is usually good to do it BEFORE there is significant damage done (although you have a unique situation from your earlier surgeries). But at least you would want to prevent any further changes in either hip that might cause replacement to be more difficult down the road.

It's always difficult to face elective major surgery. Everyone goes through what you are feeling as the time draws near....Do I really NEED to do this NOW? Am I making the right decision? Will I really be better off? Knowing these are normal feelings everyone experiences should help you some.

We have had a number of folks on the forum who are your age and even younger getting replacements. Things happen in life and we are just blessed to have the opportunity these days to put things back together like they SHOULD be. Keep reading the threads from the folks who have gone before you and are now enjoying a greatly improved quality of life. It will help as you wait....focus on your goals of better movement and the ability to do what you want in life.

You are very strong to have made this decision. If you discover that you have additional questions or concerns before your surgery date, don't hesitate to contact your doctor and get them answered. And, of course, post here when you feel like it. We care about you and will be here for your support.

 

[cidlady]

Welcome Angie!

As a 33 yo with similar (albeit much more mild initial course) disease process, I can assure you that your quality of life will immediately improve. I haven't had my new hardware long enough to say more than that, but it's nice thus far!

When you say Birmingham hip, do you mean resurfacing arthroplasty or total hip replacement? Are you at Vanderbilt? If it is a resurfacing, really pin your surgeon down on how many he has done. And make sure you know how many people with congenital dysplasia he has done. It is a far more difficult procedure in your setting with a very high failure rate at the two year mark. You may search the surfacehippy.org site (search forums using resurfacing and dysplasia) and you'll find a thread where a patient discusses her similar case with the experts on their site (some of the foremost resurfacing doctors on the planet) and they seem loathe to proceed with resurfacing in that case. If you have coxa valga accompanying your dysplasia, the loading forces of a resurfacing are in your favor, if you have coxa vara, not so much!

If you pursue a total hip, I would still make sure your surgeon has done several patients with your specific problem. He doesn't just have to restore a nice smooth joint surface, but also has to restore normal anatomy and alignment. Certainly in TN (Vandy or other large center) there is someone who has expertise in dysplasia - probably your guy, if he did all those other operations!

Good luck!

Yea I am having a total hip. My surgeon said I was not a candidate for resurfacing but he is using the birmingham hip along with I can't remember what else right now, but he has done several and I do trust him, its just I am so scared of dislocation and not getting my life back. atleast now I know what I have even if it is pain, but talking to people like you is making it alot easier. My family and friends say they understand but not like you guys, thanks so much.I will keep you all posted.

 

[cidlady]

Oh yeah. I forgot I am having my surgery at St.Mary's in Knoxville by Dr.Nadaud. I went to a joint class there yesterday and the people there were wonderful and I feel some better after that class.

 

[Jamie]

It DOES help to have support from those who have been there before you. Your friends and family will try to understand, but it's difficult sometimes. People here and in your class KNOW what you're going through. Don't hesitate to post here whenever you need support. We're here for you!!!

 

[hurtingbuthopeful]

Hi Angie, and welcome to the best support site ever! The people who post here have a wide variety of experiences and wisdom to share. I was so happy to find them.

You are definitely making the right decision as it is about your quality of life. Jamie summed it up perfectly in her post. It is ALWAYS difficult to face elective major surgery. You just have to remember that your hip is never going to get better on it's own so why wait for relief? I was diagnosed with bi-lateral hip dysplasia and had my THR three weeks ago today. I am a very happy camper now and have no regrets. The first week is a little trying but after that each day gets better and better. Yesterday I had my first post-op checkup and got the green light to drive and go back to the gym. I can only do the treadmill/bike and some upper body stuff but what a liberating experience! Granted I still have some mild pain, but I would take this temporary pain over my pre-surgery pain any day!

Good luck, I know you will do fine...
Carol

 

[creblue]

Dr.Brian Parsley. who did Mary Lou Retton's THR , will do my surgery. Houston --I feel really confident in this guy!!!

 

[Judles]

You'll be sticking your landing before you know
It ,Blue! ,,,,couldn't resist,,,,sorry!!!!

 

[Jamie]

Creblue.....talk about being able to choose a great surgeon. You SHOULD be feeling good now! Good days are right around the corner.

 

[rodney]

hi cidlady ,I am 1 month post op and had both hips replaced.Im 35 and had some of the same worries as you but would you be;lieve my restrictions have alredya been lifted.You wont believe how much better you will feel its truly a blessing .Your age will help alot youll be surprised how fast you snap back.I dont use a walker or crutches now but i still try to be smart about my new hips.good luck

 

[kangaroo]

The reason family don't get it is because they are used to seeing us cope, manage our issues and get on with it. My kids keep saying things like...you don't need a thr your fine how you are...because we just soldier on...what choice have we got? The difference here is, that people who have been in our situation (im a hip dysplasia patient too) or who have seen the limitations or dream of more or better are on this site and as there is no knowledge like experience they just Get it.
Cidlady, My surgery is on April 28th and I totally understand and feel your fears and reservation, as i said in the post "am i too young ...at 58" or something like that...why would I allow a doctor to cut out a functional yet defective joint and risk all the other stuff that could go wrong....and I guess the reason is because at 42 I still have so much more life to live and I'm tired of not living it!
Its a tough call, and not one we should have to make, but we still do, and if we don't have the surgery it will hang over our head until we finally get on with it anyway!...so we might as well just get on with it and then live life....
Rachel

 

[Judles]

Rachel! NOW you sound like a trooper!
Don't you worry! We'll take good care of
YOU!!!! Have no fear, GIRL!!!!

 

[kangaroo]

Thanks Judles,
Its not really fear, exactly, maybe apprehension....a bit like your first pregnancy....and not knowing what labour will be like...i survived that and I will the hip too.....mind you i suspect that the "afterbirth" pains might be significant, and by the sounds of everyone having trouble sleeping I might be a little sleep deprived too!....and by the sounds of physio, I suspect that my baby is going to keep me busy
Rachel

 

[JudyS]

As a mom of 4 Rachel, I do think the hip replacement was easier. Of course my youngest was 13 when I had mine replaced. So, you may have more to do after than I did.
Hopefully your husband and others can help with the kids so you can rest. Stay in those pj's!!
judy

 

[rodney]

thats great creblue they used the biomet magnum m2a on mary lou retton . i got the same brand of hips from my os they are awesome.Best of luck to you .