THR Concerned Mom--New Around Here

momofthreee

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Hi all, I'm new here. I've been on an emotional roller coaster since I recently learned that my 18 year old daughter will need a THR. It seems that everything you read makes THR in such a young person seem like the worst fate. It seems that there is enough to be concerned about without even adding the age factor, and I am a bit overwhelmed and nervous. I have seen some of the posts about teens having gotten THRs and that has been extremely helpful. I guess I'm just coming here for support as we travel this road. Thanks.
 
@momofthreee Welcome to BoneSmart! The diagnosis of a bad hip is traumatic enough but on a youngster it can seem overwhelming. I think you will find this thread very comforting.

@jasminesmom was one of the first concerned parents who started posting on BoneSmart. I think both of her youngsters had THRs with great results. I've tagged her but she and Jasmine are off living life again so not sure she will stop by.

THR may seem like a horrible fate. But it is a new beginning. We will be here for you and your daughter. Please keep us updated.
 
My hips were bad from my early teen years. I can't give an opinion about an early THR as I waited. I know there are many reasons for it and surgeons that give good advice and specialize in it. I would get many opinions and for my decision from there.
 
You say "It seems that everything you read makes THR in such a young person seem like the worst fate." I'm not sure what you mean here. Hip replacements have never been better ... there is a lot of optimism in the field about the durability of the the materials they use these days.

Likely your daughter can be very active after the surgery.

I would offer the following: definitely consult multiple surgeons ... and keep asking the questions you're asking here to each surgeon. Find a surgeon who has a great reputation and who your daughter and you feel confident about.

Since you're worried, you don't want to just take one surgeon's opinions. Consult multiple people ... Another tip is to find surgeons who specialize in hip replacements and knee replacements. Surgeons keep up with their numbers, so you can ask lots of questions without getting any kind of hostile reaction. How many young people has the surgeon operated on? How confident is the surgeon in a good outcome?

Meeting the right surgeon is what often allows people to go forward with the surgery.
 
My large hospital has a pediatric as well as an adult orthopedic reconstruction department. Young adults are included in the pediatric orthopedic department.
 
I agree with @Going4fun about finding the right surgeon. You want one who does many hip replacements each year with a high success rate and one who feels comfortable doing a replacement on someone the age of your daughter. As far as I know hip and knee replacements are one of the most performed surgeries out there and have a very high success rate. You will see people here on the forum who had run into problems but there are more people who have not had problems. Most of those with no problems have moved on with their lives and don’t post any more. I had no problems but stop back now and then to offer help to others just as many out there helped me prior to my surgery and during my recovery as well. This site is amazing.

I had anterior THR and have no restrictions. Also, you might find it interesting to know my new hip feels exactly the same as my hip that has not been replaced so I usually forget I’ve had a hip replaced. It seems pretty amazing to me actually. I think you and your daughter are wise to pursue this path as your daughter will get her life back with no more pain.

I wish you and your daughter well. Keep us posted and please ask any questions you might have as there as is always someone around to respond.
 
Going4fun, VSlowLife, GrannyC, thank you for this valuable advice. I’m starting the process of finding a surgeon. VSlowLife , do you think I need to find a hospital with an entirely separate pediatric surgery department, or perhaps just a surgeon with young adult experience? I’m looking at a particular surgeon that touts experience with young adult surgery.

Everyone’s encouragement on here is a real blessing.
 
do you think I need to find a hospital with an entirely separate pediatric surgery department, or perhaps just a surgeon with young adult experience? I’m looking at a particular surgeon that touts experience with young adult surgery.
A surgeon with expertise in young adult surgery is perfect. They are out there.

Have you tried our Surgeon Locator (top blue bar)? You may have to call around as some don't list there area of specialty.

Another option is to change your thread title to something like 18 year old needs surgeon in (list your state). I can do this for you. Our members are usually very good a recommending surgeons.
 
@momofthreee He could be great for a first opinion. Different insurance companies limit the number of opinions they will cover.

Changing your thread title might be a great idea, as Jaycey suggested.

It depends on your resources and location. Consider there will be pre-surgical testing and some post surgical appointments, it’s really up to you, if you can travel to a hospital that offers both departments. Not everyone can. Practicality also is Important. Especially in terms of the caregivers, too.

My large surgical hospital is a distance away, but I have several public transportation options to do the trip in a day. It’s also more convenient for my care giver.
 
VSlowLife , do you think I need to find a hospital with an entirely separate pediatric surgery department, or perhaps just a surgeon with young adult experience? I’m looking at a particular surgeon that touts experience with young adult surgery.
I don't think you need to find a hospital with a separate paediatric surgery department. At 18, your daughter is no longer a child, although she is young to be having a hip replaced.
Your idea of finding a surgeon who is experienced with both young adult surgery and hip replacements is a good one. You are more likely to find one in a large hospital.

While VSlowLIfe has done extensive research, she has yet to have her hip replaced. It's better to ask our staff questions like yours. Jaycey has given you good advice. She has had both hips replaced and she has been on staff for a long time.
 
I recently learned that my 18 year old daughter will need a THR. It seems that everything you read makes THR in such a young person seem like the worst fate. It seems that there is enough to be concerned about without even adding the age factor, and I am a bit overwhelmed and nervous. I have seen some of the posts about teens having gotten THRs and that has been extremely helpful.
A normal life is still possible with a hip replacement.
Have you seen these stories?
Stories of amazing hip recoveries
Dancing after THR: 4 months pics THR
 
@momofthreee If you decide you’d like Jaycee to change your thread title, you should “tag” her when you write your post. You do that by using the @ sign followed by her forum name with no spaces between the @ sign and her name. In fact, if you put the @ sign and then start typing her name, the name will appear in a drop down box as you are typing and you can just click on it which is good because it eliminates the chance of a typing error.

Up at the top of the page towards the right side, you will see a small bell with some numbers next to it in red. Those are tags for you. If you click on the bell, you will see who has tagged you and it will let you know if they just liked your post or if they left you a comment.

I found it took me a while to discover these things when I first started using the forum. If you have any questions, please just ask as everyone here is very understanding, patient and encouraging.
 
Hi @momofthreee Gosh, as a mother myself, I can imagine how upset you must be for your daughter. We want so much for our children! But as others have said, a hip replacement will hopefully give your daughter a pain free life and the new hips out there can now last for many many years.
Plus she is young, she should recover so much more quickly than some of us older members. :old:
For what it's worth, I interviewed three different surgeons before making my decision and when I would get nervous I could reassure myself that the best surgeon for me was on the job.

I wish you the best in making the decisions that need to be made. Hopefully some of the recoveries on this forum and also our library articles will help.
 
Thank you @CricketHip . Yes, it is emotionally challenging, but reading some of the threads here has helped tremendously. I'm doing my research now and I'm glad to have a place to come when the questions start to arise! I've already learned a ton here!
 
Glad to hear this:

Yes, it is emotionally challenging, but reading some of the threads here has helped tremendously.

I had a child with a sudden life-threatening, chronic, medical condition at 17 years old. I have great empathy for what you are going through.

Your first post gave me chills, remembering the shock and fear for my child. Much research, different specialists, and she is doing very well, years later.

I hope the same for your daughter. You will be her rock.

This forum is a wonderful resource.
 

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