THR Back again....

[scorow]

Unfortunately, I'm back in the joint replacement world. I had a right THA in February, 2020 just before everything shut down with Covid. These forums here were a great source of support and I had a really great outcome. I tell everyone that I literally cannot tell that the right hip was replaced, despite being very active hiking, cycling, competitive pickleball, etc. Even the scar has so faded that it is barely visible.

My left knee has had issues way back to high school, and over the years has received multiple surgeries. So it was not a huge surprise last Fall when it finally flared up to the point that a replacement was recommended. So, in early November of last year, I schedule a total knee for March, 2025. I could have scheduled it earlier, but with the holidays and some personal scheduling issues, it was better to wait and it was (and remains) fairly manageable.

However, beginning in December, I began to have major issues in my left groin area, including cracking, intermittent locking, ad, of course, pain. It felt exactly as had my right hip 5 years earlier, and have gotten progressively worse ever since. It hurts worse than my right hip did before it was replaced and has become a much bigger problem than the knee.

A first suspicion might have been that the hip was related to and/or caused by the knee (same leg), but that was definitively ruled out by several orthos with whom I have a long history. MRI confirmed that the hip has the type issues that, especially at my age (65), can only be treated by a THA. So, the knee replacement was postponed and I am awaiting scheduling of a left THA.

I'm really not happy about the prospect of perhaps the next year and a half largely being consumed by these 2 surgeries and the recoveries. While I had a super outcome on the right hip, the surgeon and his PA (same as last time) both caution, quite understandably, that no 2 hips are alike so the outcome could be different. I had a fairy hard time the first time getting my mind around the whole joint replacement idea and thought it might be easier this time. Maybe it's the fact that I still have the knee lurking on the sideline that is making it difficult, or wondering if I'll "ever be the same" after 3 replacements. As I mentioned, I am very active, and while I understand that the goal and expectation is to return to the same level of actively, I know that the risk of not getting there (or of complications) surely increases with each surgery.

Sorry for the lengthy whine. I'm back to reading stories of others here and working on building my confidence and positive outlook back, because I know that they are important to getting through this (again).

 

[Deni444]

Hi there

Welcome back! Sorry it's under disappointing circumstances. It took me ages to come to terms with joint replacement too. I'm 23 days post op with my first LTHR and my other one is in severe condition and will be done some time this year (UK long wait).

I'll be watching your progress with interest because the only symptom I have with my right hip (up next) is phantom referral knee issues. It's been going on about 15 years and finally after many consultations and different options it was decided my hip was the cause. The knee has mild arthritis but swells, is often non weight bearing and is very painful. At this point, I'm not arguing or concerned about the diagnosis, I'm hopeful the hip replacement will finally sort it out. On the back of my mind I still wonder if there is a knee replacement in my future. Anyway, a lot of words to say. I hear you and you're in the best place as you probably already know. I wouldn't have gotten this far without Bonesmart.

You can whine anytime, as often as you like.. All ears and plenty of words left in the waffle bank, my end

 

[Layla]

Welcome back scorow,
This recovery may be easier than the last, just because no two recoveries are alike doesn't automatically mean this time around will be worse. Hopefully it's easier than the first.

I am sorry you had to take this unexpected turn and also for the pain you're dealing with. It is understandable you'd rather not spend the next year and a half on surgeries and recoveries. You're welcome to vent here anytime you feel the need, if anyone understands...we do. Wishing you lots of comfort!

Please let us know when you get the surgeries scheduled and we'll add them to your signature. I will leave some pre-op reading below. I hope you have a pleasant weekend!

HIP PRE-OP GUIDELINES

If you are at the stage where you have joint pain but don't know for sure if you are ready to have surgery, these links may help:

Score Chart: How bad is my arthritic hip?
Choosing a surgeon and a prosthesis
BMI Calculator - What to do if your surgeon says you're too heavy for joint replacement surgery
Longevity of implants and revisions: How long will my new joint last?

If you are at the stage where you are planning to have surgery but are looking for information so you can be better prepared for what is to come, take a look at these links:

Recovery Aids: A comprehensive list for hospital and home
Recliner Chairs: Things you need to know if buying one for your recovery
Pre-Op Interviews: What's involved?

Nutrition is of paramount importance. Available here are dietary tips, nutrition basics and additional food supplements. These articles are both general advice on food and specific guidelines aimed at people both pre- and post-surgery.

And if you want to picture what your life might be like with a replaced hip, take a look at stories of amazing hip recoveries
@scorow

 

[Jamie]

You’re going to join a rather elite BoneSmart Club of multiple joint recipients! I’m a member as well with two knees, a shoulder and a hip. Take heart in knowing that each surgery can give you the ability to live your life as you want. It will help with your knee recovery to have two good hips in place.

I’m glad you chose to join the Insiders Club so we are able to give you the one-on-one personal support that BoneSmart is known for and you have full access to all the educational material in our BoneSmart Library. We look forward to being there for you as you get closer to surgery and then afterwards in recovery. I suspect that you’ll have some questions and concerns as you get closer to your date. Fire away….that’s what we’re here for. In the meantime, the articles Layla linked for you will help.

 

[leejaa]

Welcome back. It is very frustrating when our bodies are not cooperating with out wants and desires. I knew I needed knee replacements for a years and then finally had them done in 2013 when it was impossible to walk without pain. It was a relief due to the pain and like you it was somewhat difficult to come to terms with needing my joints replaced. My hips are what caught me by surprise as I thought I was done with new joints. Hips seem to come on quickly to a level of pain and decreased function that can be startling or at least it was for me. I had the first hip replaced in 2017 and again I thought I was done and life was good. Then my other hip started with the pain and decreased function in 2019 and luckily I had that surgery done before the big shut down of 2020. Unfortunately I needed a shoulder replacement last year and that was successful so I am relieved of the pain and lack of function.

Each time it took a while to accept the need for a replacement and at the same time relief and thankfulness that the technology exists so that my life could keep returning to a pain free normal. When I forget to be thankful, my husband would remind me.

Hips seem to be an easier recovery than knees and since you are so active you will start off with good muscle tone and that will help. Patience is needed as you might remember from last time. Each recovery is different but I can report that my recoveries from the hips were both good. This too will pass even with having the knee replacement in the future and you will have a strong pain free hip to help with the knee recovery when needed. Lots of support here and that really helped me get through the frustrations of recovery.

 

[scorow]

Thanks, guys. I appreciate the comments. Like last time, I'm actually happy when I tweak the hip and it hurts the worst, confirming that I really have no choice but to have it done. Wishing things were otherwise never works, and I'm old enough to know that.

 

[Deni444]

Hi there

Noticed you were browsing. Wondered how you were feeling? Is it all beginning to fall into place again in terms of outlook?

Hope so!

 

[scorow]

Hi there

Noticed you were browsing. Wondered how you were feeling? Is it all beginning to fall into place again in terms of outlook?

Hope so!

Working on it. I'm having the same thoughts as last time, when I'm pretty sedentary and it really doesn't hurt at all and you start thinking it may be premature. That's why I mentioned it is helpful when I move in a way which causes it to spike badly and then ache for a while afterwards. Thanks for asking.

It will probably help once I get a date (waiting on insurance approval).

 

[Deni444]

I want to scream... Don't trust the good days! That's me just imprinting my experience on you however. We're all different but I had no idea at all, just how bad it could get. I really had this idea that I was willing to live with a range of disability and pain. I just thought it would remain at that level. It deteriorated over night and that's when I agreed to surgery. That wasn't the end though it continued to get worse and each time I thought it wouldn't get worse. Right up to a few days before surgery and I could no longer stand and prepare a meal, even braking it into tiny sessions over a longer amount of time before the meal was required.

You know this but I thought I'd just chime in to help you look at potentials.

You got this!

 

[scorow]

Thanks, Deni444. A good reminder. Sounds like yours got really bad there at the end. Mine isn't constant, and is generally pain-free at rest. It will increasingly hurt with walking, especially upstairs or uphill. And those "spikes" when I move just the wrong way feel like an ice pick was jammed into the joint.

I will offer - for you - that I went through a few ups and downs in my recovery on the right hip, as I know you are from reading your recovery thread. But as I mentioned earlier, mine ultimately recovered to where I never even think about it, much less feel it. Time will get you there!

 

[Deni444]

Thanks for that massive encouragement, I really appreciate it!

My hip was bizarrely always painfree at rest, right to the very end. It just became completely impossible to walk through any pain due to my whole leg seizing up from the hip down with incredible cramp like pain. It started to happen after just a 3-5 minutes on my feet constantly instead of just now and again. That's why I became housebound. Couldn't make it around even a small shop. I'd be done before I could get across the car park. My experience may be unique to me but I'm thrilled to already be able to be on my feet for much, much longer.

 

[Jamie]

Deni444 is right to caution you about being mindful of the fact that hips can “go rouge” quite suddenly. If you know you have bone on bone in the hip, it’s time for the replacement. You don’t want to risk a collapse. Plus, the less damage done to your body, typically, the easier your recovery. This relates to the shorter surgery time and less trauma to the soft tissue. Frankly, waiting doesn’t have any benefits that I can think of.

 

[scorow]

Jamie and Deni444 - I appreciate your comments. Both this hip and the other "came on" pretty fast, which my ortho friend said is characteristic of hips. This hip - like the last one - actually shows pretty good space (cartilage) on xray and the MRI basically shows essentially a worn spot that is likely the problem. But all the docs have said "we treat the patient, not the images." Both my other hip and my wife's knee when she had it replaced showed significantly worse damage upon surgery than was evident in the MRIs.

I'm still waiting on insurance approval, but pending that, I'm scheduled for June 4. Which makes it get a bit more real. I am trying to stay as active as I can walking and with stationary bike to keep decent muscle tone to aid in recovery. Still psychologically troublesome when the hip feels OK for periods of time but then reassuring (in a strange way) when I move the wrong way and I get that stabbing pain followed by a dull ache for a while.

 

[Jamie]

Believe me....we all have experienced those thoughts about "maybe it's not as bad as I think." This is typical with elective surgery. It's those times where you sit down and go through the pros and cons of waiting. Usually the list of concerns will well outweigh any benefits of waiting. Hopefully you'll get the insurance approval soon and your mind can switch to preparation instead of questioning your decision. Keep in mind that a "bad" hip only gets worse and after surgery, things will improve.

 

[scorow]

Well, it looks like I got the insurance preauthorization today, so the June 4 date is now real. I'm glad that its 4 weeks out, as I need to get mentally ready for this. While it needs to be done, it's still hard to know that things will get "worse" after/due to the surgery and it will be months before things get back to "normal." But I didn't let it get to the misery level last time and know that it is better to not delay until that point this time.

Believe me....we all have experienced those thoughts about "maybe it's not as bad as I think." This is typical with elective surgery. It's those times where you sit down and go through the pros and cons of waiting. Usually the list of concerns will well outweigh any benefits of waiting. Hopefully you'll get the insurance approval soon and your mind can switch to preparation instead of questioning your decision. Keep in mind that a "bad" hip only gets worse and after surgery, things will improve.

 

[Layla]

Great news! I am happy for you, scorow!
It is understandable to be feeling somewhat apprehensive about facing another TKR recovery. You've been down that road before and naturally your experience shapes how you're feeling now. I know you've heard that not every surgery and recovery is the same, even with the same person. The knowledge that you now have, through personal experience, can help make your second journey smoother. You'll better know how to pace yourself and how to handle the temporary ups and downs, hopefully more confidently. Focusing on each little bit of progress and celebrating milestones will likely make it feel less overwhelming. Also, we'll be here to walk alongside you.
You're stronger and wiser this time and you can do this!
Wishing you comfort as you wait and looking forward to following your recovery journey.
@scorow

 

[Deni444]

Hi there!

Congratulations on getting a date! Personally, in some ways recovery is worse for me but in many ways it is better too. By far the worse bit has been coping with my other bone on bone hip awaiting surgery. The day after surgery, wound healing aside my new hip was much better than it was before and walking on it was much less painful. You may be pleasantly surprised! Either way, you will be progressing in recovery towards much better than you are currently today.

All the best!

 

[Coddfish]

Hi @scorow
I am glad you have got your date and hope it all goes well for you. Mine has also started to deteriorate very quickly and I think we both know they don’t suddenly improve when this happens, even if some days are better than others. I am not apprehensive about mine because it went so smoothly last time. I am of course aware no two recoveries are the same even in the same person. For most people this is a highly successful operation and the recovery is just a short term hurdle to get through. I think it’s fair to say I am somewhat unruffled by these things after the challenges of my cancer ‘journey’.

 

[scorow]

Thanks, @Coddfish. Your comment about keeping perspective is very helpful. I survived a serious heart attack 10 years ago and my wife survived a rare form of cancer. We tell each other that stuff like this hip (and her TKR) are just carpentry - not the serious, life-threatening stuff. Thank you for the reminder.

 

[scorow]

T-minus 3 weeks from tomorrow. Finally getting reconciled to having to do this, and have ordered an ice machine (a HUGE help last time) as well as a walker, and working through a checklist of things that I need to get done "before." Trying to keep walking and bike riding to maintain some muscle tone and hopefully help with recovery. It actually feels a bit better to be doing things to prepare for recovery (and keeping busy) rather than struggling to accept that this is going to happen.