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Deciding if I'm ready for Hip Replacement

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Meghann

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Hello All,
I just came across your site and it has been really helpful as I weigh whether I am ready for hip replacement or not. Here's my story - I'd love for your thoughts on my situation and whether you think that having the surgery now is what I should do.

I'm a 30 year old Mom to a 1 year old, my husband and I would like to have one more baby but would like to wait a few years. I've had pretty severe left hip dysplasia since about a week after I was born. During birth a staph infection caused osteomeylitis which affected most of my joints, the left hip being the worst affected area. I've had multiple surgeries to help with the many problems this infection caused but I will focus on my hip because that is the area of concern for me right now.

By the time I was 4 years old I had multiple surgeries to restructure the joint and socket. I have little range of motion in the hip, my left leg is about 1/2" shorter than the right and I have dealt with mild pain and a limp my whole life. After having my daughter a year ago the pain has increased and I am now having a lot of locking. When I get up from sitting I often struggle getting up because of the locking and at that point the pain is really severe, but only lasts for a few minutes as I slowly stretch the leg out and begin to walk. That locking has me scared that I may not be able to get to my daughter quickly if ever needed.

I've been told my whole life that hip replacement was inevitable and would probably be needed by the time I was 50. But with the decline in the hip this past year the Dr. thinks that I will need it in the next 10 years definitely and would be open to doing it now if it's what I wanted. I'm really worried about the time that rehabilitation takes and whether or not I will be even more limited in activities after the hip replacement.

I've seen many Dr.'s say to completely avoid going farther than the 90 degrees because of the possibility of hip dislocation, and I am concerned about having that to worry about at such a young age. I'm also worried about how long the rehabilitation will take and how that will affect how I can interact with my daughter during that time. But if I wait a few more years than I might have 2 kids to take care of and the timing might never be perfect.

For now, the Dr. has me starting on Mobic to see if that helps with the pain but he has been clear that it's just a temporary fix. I eventually have to decide when the time is right for hip replacement, but I am so torn on how I will know for sure when the time is right. I wish I knew for sure that the hip replacement would make a world of difference from what I'm going through right now. I'm wondering how all of you made the final decision to go through with this. Were any of you in similar situations, being pretty young and still planning on adding to your family after going through with the replacement. Thank you so much for listening and I look forward to hearing your stories.
 
Hi Meghann, welcome to the board! I'm a newbie here too. I'm having a Hip Replacement in October on my right hip.

I may be wrong and I'm sure some others will be along shortly with better information, but I thought that the 90 degree restriction was only temporary while your new hip heals. At least I hope this is true. I too want to get back to being active again and I surely anticipate at least a few 90 degree bends for different reasons in my future.
 
Welcome I am a knee but there will be others that come along
sone that are hippies.

From what I have read and folks I know with hip replacements
90 degrees restriction is only temporary.
 
Thanks so much to both of you for responding. I've only had my first consultation with the Dr. and didn't get a lot of elaboration on the 90 degree restriction yet. But did come across a lot of websites that made it sound like this restriction was forever - warning against things like sitting on couches. I couldn't imagine having to be that cautious for the rest of my life.
 
My daughters mother in law had two hip replacements and a knee
She sits on couches, sits at football games, playes golf and
many other things and she is just fine.

My mother had a hip replacement and I can not remember when because she did what ever she wanted

You will be up and about in no time. type in the 90 degree restriction in the search section and it will bring up info for you
 
And remember, Meghann, the objective of a joint replacement is to give you back your life totally! Hippies (as we call them here!) have gone back to cycling, horse riding, dancing, sports of all kinds and even doing Yoga and pilates! The 90 degree restrictions are only for about 6 weeks and then you can get on with your life and forget all about having had a new hip. The only things that are ill-advised thereafter are high-impact things like jogging, trampolining, bungee jumping and absailing!
 
Hi Meghann,
I'm the mother of 5 children ranging in age from 2-15....and could have had a thr when I had only one! but because I was young and was worried about the longevity of the joint I waited. Now of course we only have thr when we are ready, and I wasn't....I endured a further 14 years of @#%#stupid hip syndrome (read that as dysplasia, avascular necrosis....) ....for the last 14 years I haven't been able to chase any of the babies, sit on the floor, kick a ball, sit on a picnic rug, play horsies, ......painless sex, walk up a hill, carry the shopping, climb a ladder, drive a manual car, carry the washing......I'm sure you get the picture.....

you are in the fortunate position of deciding for a thr......something that our grandparents could only dream of......you are young, you have a family.....live life now

ALL of the things that I mentioned above, and so many more, I can now do as a result of this surgery.....please learn from me and don't wait for 14 years......I missed SO much in terms of doing and being present to my babies when they were little.....time that I can't have back again....and whilst mostly it wasn't a pain issue that brought me to thr (more a lifestyle thing) I could have been living so much more of life.....

Incidentally, thr with a baby can be complex.....you NEED lots of support......childcare, babysitters etc.....please do not do this without support.....as you cannot be lifting a baby from the floor for a couple of months....The 90 degree thing is inconvenient but you'll manage. Consider going to inpatient rehab after the surgery, so as to have some recovery time after the op without the baby wanting to jump on your knee) and to get your pt started . Oh and don't worry about the baby separation or the mother guilt. The babe will be fine and its a good chance for him/her to bond with Dad

Rachel

Have you considered minimally invasive/anterior surgery? Far less pain and the recovery is quicker....or resurfacing?
Oh, and you may still have limitations after surgery (you might not) ...I haven't got enough flexion yet, but I'm certainly better off now....the advantage you will have is that after your surgical recovery you'll be pain free...thats got to be a benefit
 
Thanks for all of the great replies. Kangaroo - all of the limitations you described are the reason I've finally started my road to THR. I've dealt with the pain my entire life and have just dealt with it knowing that some day I would get a THR. But when my daughter came along I really noticed how limited I was. I can only carry her for a little bit before my hip can't take it anymore and playing on the floor with her is pretty unbearable because of the pain. Over this year sex too has gotten more painful as the hip has gotten so much worse. I've been talking this over with my husband a ton and it almost feels like no time will be perfect, but the thought of just getting through the hard part and then getting to live life to the fullest sounds so great. He's currently a stay at home dad which came from him being laid off. At first that seemed like something horrible, but now so much positive has come from it as he's developed such a great relationship with our daughter. I think now that him being off could be another reason to get the surgery done now, he'll be so much help with Mara during my recovery. Thanks so much for your reply, it was a huge help to me! When did you finally have your THR?
 
Oh, forgot to answer your last questions Kangaroo. I am not a candidate for hip resurfacing. And yes, I'm definitely pushing for the less invasive approach. Thanks again!
 
Oh Meghann!

I think if your husband is home right now then this would be the absolute BEST time for you to do the surgery!!

You will have his help and support not only for yourself but for your daughter. And you will be healed before you know it!

I am wishing you all the best.
 
Thanks so much Heather! Wish you the best of luck too. Your surgery is coming up pretty soon. Are you excited to have that behind you?
 
Hi Meghann,
I had my surgery only 4 months ago, and all is essentially going well....I have a few range of movement issues, but they are minor and able to be dealt with .....in time!

As for you, it is easier to have surgery whilst your husband is off work, than to ask him to take 6 weeks off when he's got a brand new job!.....I'd be doing it NOW......because there are too many things that point to now being the most convenient and life giving time. Now of course, Im not one to talk, I waited 14 years!.....its your decision, and only you truely know the whole story, but the other problem is that at the moment its taking up all of your time ,,,,,thinking time, couple time, family time.....just because its there.....so instead of talking about your life's dreams and ambitions, about the joys of motherhood, about your home and holidays, instead of having couple time etc all of your energy is put into coping with pain, thinking about when your painkillers are due, and when you'll eventually have surgery...all of this is important but in another sense it almost feels like wasted time too......

Please don't feel like I'm trying to make your decision for you....i do understand that this IS complex, so many things to organise and so many "what ifs" .....in one sense everyone says to you, "just go and do it" or "if it was me....".....but its not their body, its not their hip thats being altered, its not their identity almost that is changed and shaped by having a stupid hip, or by getting rid of it.....this is a very intimate and personal decision and being informed and prepared is important ...but I also know that the decision to have the surgery is one that all being equal will change your life for the better....oh and if only I'd had thr before all those pregnancies, I would have saved a hell of a lot of hip pain and discomfort....especially with the last one.....

Good luck with your decision making!
Rachel
 
Hello All,
I eventually have to decide when the time is right for hip replacement, but I am so torn on how I will know for sure when the time is right. I wish I knew for sure that the hip replacement would make a world of difference from what I'm going through right now. I'm wondering how all of you made the final decision to go through with this. .

I was just rereading your post....
No time is right,.....but some times are better....please refer to my previous post! As to knowing when the time is right...you will...trust yourself....weigh up the pros and cons, and go from there.I imagine having no pain is a big plus....versus pain becoming increasingly more problematic, being able to play with Mara versus her taking off and you not being able to catch her..... I'm sure you get the idea. Write it all down, get the facts from the doctor, get the costs both financial, physical and emotional costs....and it will make it easier to work out for yourself whether this is the right time. In some ways, if you are hit by a bus and need a thr as a result, thats a much easier decision than the decision to elect to put yourself into surgery.....

And if I could give you just one guarantee it would be that this WILL make the world of difference,....because there is no pain in the joint....just surgical pain for a while and a few other issues that creep up on you occasionally. But all being well, you won't know yourself, and suddenly you'll have a smile on your face and look confident and feel gorgeous again....and your little one will do just as my little one did yesterday for the very first time and say "I lub you ,MUM"

Rachel
 
Rachel....so well put!

Meghann, I know it is scary to have to DECIDE to have major surgery. It's not the same as when one is faced with an emergency where surgery is required immediately. In this case, you as an individual have to make the decision that it's time and that is quite a task to put on a person.

But.....every day you lose to pain is a day you will never get back. There is your life to be lived and enjoyed!! Please know that every one of us who has had joint replacement has been right where you are. And we are here to provide support whenever you need us.
 
Meghann,
I had my right hip replaced last year, it was a quick decision, a good one for sure. The first 2 weeks are a little tough. Then it is just great. My Range of motion is great, better than my non replaced hip. I started swimming at 4 weeks and never looked back. Hiking and swimming at 3 months. The 90 degree rule is temporary for sure.
I know Rachel said it all, but I would vote for you to do it now. When my doc asked me how long it had been bothering me I remembered when in labor with my last child I decided to have some pain relief with an epidural. I also remember saying , it still did not take the hip pain away. My daughter was 14 when I had my hip replaced. No need to suffer any longer for you. Hip replacement is the most successful surgery.
Go for it!!!
judy
 
Hi Meghann,

I'm 40 and don't have children myself but I had been suffering with hip pain for years when I was finally diagnosed with hip displaysia in December last year. As soon as I was told a hip replacement would get rid of the pain I opted to have it done asap and had my left hip replaced in April and my right hip replaced a couple of weeks ago. I'd say get it done and out of the way so you can get on with your life. Your daughter will benefit from having a pain free mum before too long so it's well worth it.

Good luck, I hope you make the right decision for you.

Take care
 
Hi Everybody -
I just wanted to thank all of you for your posts. Aside from the board, I know nobody else that has faced what I'm going through at such a young age. I know a few that have dealt with this when they were much older, but nobody close to my age. All of your words of wisdom from experience and encourgagement have been greatly helpful and very much appreciated. I am leaning more and more towards getting the surgery over with now. The mobic has really helped the pain, but the Dr. still thinks that 5 years is the max before I'll definitely need THR. So my thought is to get it over with. I'll keep you all posted once I get a final date for surgery. Thanks again!
 
I don't think you'll be sorry, Meghann. Five years is a long time out of your life to be in pain. Looking forward to hearing from you. God bless you, hon.
 
Hi Meghann,

I just had to reply as my situation is a bit similar. Pain has never been a particular problem (I know I'm lucky with that), but i could never trust my hip to take my weight and when I had my baby (in December) I both realised that I didn't want to go through another pregnancy like that and also that there was so much I couldn't do with her. I feel I've really missed out.

I had my left THR on 11th Sept. so I'm less than two weeks out and I can't believe I didn't have it done earlier. I agree with everyone about having your husband around - I have parents and in laws on a rota for the 6 weeks, cos I can't walk round holding my daughter, and I need an afternoon sleep, but there is so much I can do.

I can pick her up from the floor by sticking my left leg out the back (just like I had to do before because it didn't bend). She can sit on my knee and play, read books, and cuddle. I can help change her and bath her because we do changing on our high bed and the bath on a stand. I can feed her from my nice high chair (with arms). I was really scared about not being able to do anything and I know (mainly from this forum) that everyone's recovery is different and there are no guarantees, but it hasn't been like that.

I love being able to walk alongside her with grandparents or dad pushing her chair - I'm faster than I have been for ages. But I also love that I'm not in the small amount of pain that I used to be in, I love getting up to go to the loo in the night, or to go and settle her, and know that my left leg will take my weight.

Other people are in a better place to tell you about longer term recovery and of course only you can decide when is right for you, but I don't think there are many of us with little children, so if you have any questions do ask.

And also just a quick - you're fantastic - to deal with all that pain and the difficulties whilst bringing up your child. I don't know if you know other mothers that have gone through what you have, but its hard enough being a mother to a little one without all that. Whenever you decide to go for it, keep going until then - you are doing a great job.
 
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