ReluctantHippy
junior member
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2020
- Messages
- 57
- Age
- 40
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Gender
- Female
Hi everyone.
I’m a healthy and active female in my mid thirties, other than having bi-lateral hip dysplasia. I noticed I was having knee pain and stiffness in my late twenties, and went to a consultant where I was diagnosed. Two years ago I saw a surgeon who explained that one hip was worse than the other and would likely need a replacement at some point, although he also felt it was better to leave it for a while as I had discomfort/stiffness rather than pain. He seemed unsure about how the other hip would do, as it was in substantially better condition.
In the past six months I’ve noticed the joint getting stiffer, I get groin pain on excessive movement (4 miles plus walking) and regular ‘twinges’ in my thigh and knee (and more recently a dull lower back pain). I have no rotation left in my bad leg (my other leg is doing well) and it makes me pretty tired. The worst my pain has ever been is maybe a 5, and I can knock it out quickly with 30mg cocodamol .
I went back and saw a different surgeon, he said there’d been a significant deterioration and literally signed me up for urgent hip replacement and pushed me out the door. I was in shock and barely said anything! He said he’d rather do it now before it got more complicated for him, which seemed an odd reason to press it all on me!
A few days later I was invited to a hip education class, and at that point I really started to feel concerned about his insistence. All the other lovely people in the room had severe OA or RA and kept saying that any change in pain would be a blessing post surgery. They all had walking aids and were bent double. All the pain experiences the nurses talked about had everyone nodding along except me! Now I am stiff, granted, but I’d never describe my pain as real pain, just annoying aches and twinges. I am completely mobile, I go to the gym three times a week (avoid impact work), I use a crutch only on long distances and take meds maybe once a fortnight when needed.
I have asked to see him again with my husband in tow and I’m awaiting a response. If he says no, then I know he isn’t the surgeon for me and I’ll go elsewhere. I want to know what the longer term prognosis is if I don’t have surgery this instant. I’m concerned that he automatically thinks this is the right option for me despite my lack of pain or real restriction, I accept I might need surgery at some point but would rather not ‘start the clock’ on potential revisions at 36!
All the information online seems to be targeted at patients with OA and RA (who I have nothing but respect for, you complete warriors!) and I’m struggling to find anyone in a similar position. Everyone I’ve spoke to seems to have been in agony pre surgery and medication dependent, so anything was a relief. I’m just stiff and restricted, and I’m horrified at the thought of ending up in a worse position that I already am...
Any advice or similar stories would be so, so appreciated.
Thank you (and apologies for the ramble!)
I’m a healthy and active female in my mid thirties, other than having bi-lateral hip dysplasia. I noticed I was having knee pain and stiffness in my late twenties, and went to a consultant where I was diagnosed. Two years ago I saw a surgeon who explained that one hip was worse than the other and would likely need a replacement at some point, although he also felt it was better to leave it for a while as I had discomfort/stiffness rather than pain. He seemed unsure about how the other hip would do, as it was in substantially better condition.
In the past six months I’ve noticed the joint getting stiffer, I get groin pain on excessive movement (4 miles plus walking) and regular ‘twinges’ in my thigh and knee (and more recently a dull lower back pain). I have no rotation left in my bad leg (my other leg is doing well) and it makes me pretty tired. The worst my pain has ever been is maybe a 5, and I can knock it out quickly with 30mg cocodamol .
I went back and saw a different surgeon, he said there’d been a significant deterioration and literally signed me up for urgent hip replacement and pushed me out the door. I was in shock and barely said anything! He said he’d rather do it now before it got more complicated for him, which seemed an odd reason to press it all on me!
A few days later I was invited to a hip education class, and at that point I really started to feel concerned about his insistence. All the other lovely people in the room had severe OA or RA and kept saying that any change in pain would be a blessing post surgery. They all had walking aids and were bent double. All the pain experiences the nurses talked about had everyone nodding along except me! Now I am stiff, granted, but I’d never describe my pain as real pain, just annoying aches and twinges. I am completely mobile, I go to the gym three times a week (avoid impact work), I use a crutch only on long distances and take meds maybe once a fortnight when needed.
I have asked to see him again with my husband in tow and I’m awaiting a response. If he says no, then I know he isn’t the surgeon for me and I’ll go elsewhere. I want to know what the longer term prognosis is if I don’t have surgery this instant. I’m concerned that he automatically thinks this is the right option for me despite my lack of pain or real restriction, I accept I might need surgery at some point but would rather not ‘start the clock’ on potential revisions at 36!
All the information online seems to be targeted at patients with OA and RA (who I have nothing but respect for, you complete warriors!) and I’m struggling to find anyone in a similar position. Everyone I’ve spoke to seems to have been in agony pre surgery and medication dependent, so anything was a relief. I’m just stiff and restricted, and I’m horrified at the thought of ending up in a worse position that I already am...
Any advice or similar stories would be so, so appreciated.
Thank you (and apologies for the ramble!)