Hi all - just found this forum tonight and have read many threads. Incredible how many YOUNG people are having THR's these days but it sure makes me feel like I'm not alone.
I have had hip pain since high school (I'm now 43) but never really thought too much of it. I watched a mother who had severe back and neck problems go through pain every day and I think it kind of desensitized (sp?) me. Anyway about a year ago I noticed that the pain was kicking up a notch so I started to investigate what exactly was going on in there. Turns out I have dysplasia in the right hip and all these years of limited coverage has damaged my cartilage and caused a large cyst to develop inside the ball joint.
I've been living on pain pills in order to work (and sleep!) but that is not a long term option for me. Now I can measure the increased pain by the WEEK instead of by the month - it's changing soooo fast and now I'm having pain in the groin area that was never present before.
I've seen 3 different OS's and I think I'm going with the 3rd one - he said he sees no point in putting me through arthroscopy since the cyst in the ball joint isn't going anywhere I really have no option but to have the THR in order to get relief from this constant pain. I'm scheduled for 6/21. BLAH....
I have so many questions that my OS didn't even discuss. Cement or screws? Staples or stitches? Will my leg be the same length after surgery???? I'm scared to death of that since I am also dealing with 2 blown discs in my spine I know that a leg length difference would only increase my discomfort in the back.
Well - I guess that's it. Thanks for letting me tell my story and if anyone has ANY words of wisdom for me BRING IT ON!
Maggie
I have had hip pain since high school (I'm now 43) but never really thought too much of it. I watched a mother who had severe back and neck problems go through pain every day and I think it kind of desensitized (sp?) me. Anyway about a year ago I noticed that the pain was kicking up a notch so I started to investigate what exactly was going on in there. Turns out I have dysplasia in the right hip and all these years of limited coverage has damaged my cartilage and caused a large cyst to develop inside the ball joint.
I've been living on pain pills in order to work (and sleep!) but that is not a long term option for me. Now I can measure the increased pain by the WEEK instead of by the month - it's changing soooo fast and now I'm having pain in the groin area that was never present before.
I've seen 3 different OS's and I think I'm going with the 3rd one - he said he sees no point in putting me through arthroscopy since the cyst in the ball joint isn't going anywhere I really have no option but to have the THR in order to get relief from this constant pain. I'm scheduled for 6/21. BLAH....
I have so many questions that my OS didn't even discuss. Cement or screws? Staples or stitches? Will my leg be the same length after surgery???? I'm scared to death of that since I am also dealing with 2 blown discs in my spine I know that a leg length difference would only increase my discomfort in the back.
Well - I guess that's it. Thanks for letting me tell my story and if anyone has ANY words of wisdom for me BRING IT ON!
Maggie