Feel like a ninny who can't decide

[Jaycey]

@gardengal I have had both hips replaced and can confirm that the longer you wait the more complex the recovery. That habit of limping is very hard to break and if you do limp around for too long it can take some time to change things.

I waited until my left hip collapsed before even getting a diagnosis. Believe me you do not want that level of pain. This made me more determined than ever. When my right hip started giving me the slightest signs I ran to my OS. The difference in recoveries was like night and day. Instead of months it was weeks.

Get it done and get on with living! Life is too short to live in pain.

 

[concal]

You are feeling the way most of us have felt before hip surgery. My hips started bothering me in 2006. I was scared to death of surgery and struggled with pain for 6 years. It was tolerable and I chose to live with it. Slowly, it got worse, but I still chose to ignore it. I would ride my horse in tears because spreading my legs was a nightmare. I could not put on socks or cut my toenails..........yet I chose to be in pain and just keep on going. When I started limping in spring of 2011 I finally went to see a surgeon. I still put it off . By winter of 2011 I was limping so bad I needed a cane. I could no longer sit astride my horse. It happened really fast. I had my first hip done (posterior) in spring 2012. Relief was immediate. After 12 weeks I was back on my horse, pain free in the right hip. My left hip was a niggling pain, but riding was easier and not as painful. In the spring of 2014, the pain in my left hip kicked in and riding was becoming uncomfortable. I was not limping, but knew how fast I could go downhill. What's the point of being miserable and in pain, with quality of life issues? I headed right for the OS and scheduled my left hip surgery for July 2014. I knew what was coming.... more pain and a worse quality of life. Bee there, done that. I think once you have it done, you realize how much your life had been compromised with pain and are amazed that you put up with it for so long. If you are at the point of limping, it is all downhill, really. It never gets better. So even if you end of limping for awhile after a hip replacement, it is still the same as limping before the surgery, but at least it is not as painful. The second hip, anterior approach had a lot more ups and downs for me, but in the end, recovery was quicker and I was back on my horse in 10 weeks-not totally pain free, but not that awful, can't spread my legs pain either; just residual aches and pains from major surgery. Those pains can be ignored. Everyone says you'll know when it is time...............its up to you in the end, but knowledge is power.

 

[souldancer]

Hi gardengal,

As everyone else has said you will know when you are ready for surgery. I went ahead and booked my surgery since the dr was booked out 2 months with the thought that I could cancel if I wanted to. However, after reading other posts, I decided to keep appt. and mentally told myself to prepare instead of thinking I might be able to get better. You won't, and you can fool yourself when you have better (no pain or less pain) days.

I am 49 yrs and tried to power my way through for the past 5 years! The last year I went downhill quickly. I gave up dancing 2 nights a week (sooo hard), could hardly walk a block let alone a mile. Had to modify my yoga practice, no weight training. etc quality of life has decreased. Although I don't take strong medicine, the ibuprofen no longers stops the pain and was upsetting my stomach. Acupuncture, Rolfing (advanced bodywork) has helped considerably - But I needed to get to the root of the problem-fixing my right hip!

I am sched for surgery April 13 and can't wait. In the meantime, I have put my energy to swimming and preparing for a hip marathon. The stronger & healthier you are before the surgery, the better outcome you'll have. Then it's back to real life. Positive attitude!! and these caring people to help you through.

 

[gardengal]

Reread all the comments telling me how much better things will be after. Thank you! Finally ready now, and I'm pretty sure I have a Jan date. Getting excited to get on with it. Reading post op threads & it does sound a bit rough those first days home. But having those rough days at home in my own bed sounds way better than being in a hospital like it used to be.

 

[Jaycey]

Well done @gardengal ! A tough decision I know but I can confirm you won't regret this op. Those first days don't have to be rough. Proper pain management and a bit of training from the physio folks before you leave the hospital means you will be moving around on your own right away. We'll be here for you!

 

[sandyharman]

Well done you, I'm 38 and had a THR last December, been a very keen runner and footballer I played through the pain and limped for a good 5 years until I was eventually bordering depression thinking I could never do these things again. Thanks to this site I've never looked back since my operation. Zero pain and now back to full fitness which includes running and football!!!! I also no longer limp and people often mention that I look taller!!
The hardest part of my recovery and I still struggle with is old habits. I still point my knee to the right when I sit down, no reason just habit.
My only worry now been active again is wearing it out but again I've had lots of great advice on here not to worry too much.
Step by step of course but build your glutes up so they are nice and strong and within 6 months you will be wondering what the fuss was all about.
Feel free to contact me for any advice and good luck!!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[DGrant]

@gardengal, Count me as one more supporter of your decision. I had a very good experience and I'm already walking about 1/2mile a day with a cane, no pain, loving life again. I couldn't walk 100ft before.

All this after years of enduring pain and indecisiveness myself, so I think your very normal and cautious as we all are that are faced with such choices.

I won't be so bold as to go into it here, but if you'd like a bit more info, my recovery thread is "48hrs and BEYOND...", and I've shared alot in there over the last several days, as I'm a rather recent recipient, and what the experience has done for me. It excites me so much I want to tell everyone... and I truly hope the same for all afflicted with this dreaded arthritis... there's so much hope now.. just embrace it.

My THR was the best thing I could have done for myself. The very early recovery really wasn't any worse then a few bad days at work before my THR...and now life as I knew it years before is rapidly returning, and I'm learning how to adjust to my new freedoms. Every new day nearly brings me to tears when I think about how good I feel, compared to what I was before surgery.

I consider my new hip a gift, one of the best I've ever received, and you/we all deserve such gifts, its accepting them thats tough when we're in pain, a bit scared, and don't know whats on the other side. I can say though I'm now a believer in modern medicine... and the other side is glorious.

I wish you well on your journey, and I so look forward to hearing your story.

Happy Thanksgiving! We've alot to be thankful for, as the future is very exciting!

 

[gardengal]

@DGrant Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving too. I agree it was a big decision to finally decide that it's time to take this on. It's hard because I just couldn't think of a time when no driving is ever going to be convenient. I'm going to need help & it's going to be an inconvenience to people. My mother has offered to delay a winter vacation so that she can be nearby for two weeks after my surgery. I'm a bit afraid of falling apart after surgery, going stir crazy & feeling weak in the dead of winter. Ah well it's been decided & I'm happier knowing I will have at least tried to do something. I was warned that it wasn't going to get better, but for some reason I just thought I needed to cope better. Now I'm realizing I've simply lost time, & that it's ok to go ahead & allow myself this big deal procedure. I do read threads in the post op area & will check on yours.

 

[gardengal]

@sandyharman This is exactly what I'm looking for, hearing that yes I can get back to being more active. I actually can do things like ride my bike, go for walks, down hill & water ski. It's that it's all done so gingerly & knowing that I better no go for too long or I'll pay for it after. I've gotten depressed, packed on 10 pounds because I don't do any vigorous exercise anymore. So getting to the point of not thinking about this stupid hip & just going on with some exercise plan is what I want. Hearing the stories of a people going for a run & not being afraid of jarring their new hips, cracking their femur, that's so wonderful to be that they have that confidence back.

 

[Jaycey]

I'm going to need help & it's going to be an inconvenience to people.

I think you will be surprised just how mobile you will be post op. Yes, your surgeon may impose restrictions but they are fairly easy to obey. The driving bit - well there are alternatives (friends, taxi, relatives). Just remember it's a few weeks for a lifetime of getting back to what you love doing!

 

[Hip Hip Hooray!]

I'm another person who had a very positive experience and a pretty trouble free recovery. I was so afraid before the surgery that I couldn't read the post op threads. What got me to do it was having a conductor tell me that he was interested in using me in a show, but l had a bad limp and I looked kind of deformed. He said, "I think you can heal it with PT." I went for an xray and found out that I had worn away all of the cartilage on both hips and was bone on bone. I didn't even know it. I looked extremely bow legged, and had lost a tremendous amount of mobility. Looking back I see that I was in denial. I was just terrified of the surgery. Also, I live alone, and I didn't want to burden anybody, either. Anyway, I took the next available appt. and everything worked out beautifully. If you have time to read my thread, I think it will make you feel better. I didn't have any problems. You can do it! I think you will be shocked once you have recovered. I feel thirty years younger. Best of luck to you. Oh, I would fine the absolute best surgeon that you can. That makes such a difference.

 

[Jamie]

I'm so glad to read that you've made the big decision. One thing you may not be aware of and that's how your story of reaching this point has resonated with others here on the forum. Even though your thread only has about 30 posts, it has been viewed by more than 1100 people since you started it back in March!! People out there need to know they are not alone with their feelings of doubt and concern. You've helped many more folks than you'll ever know. Thanks!!!

 

[gardengal]

@Jamie Admin. It was definitely a long drawn out debate with myself before making the call to go ahead with the surgery. It just didn't seem quite bad enough, I still have days where I forget to take my Mobic because the pain or limp just aren't that bad. Then on another day someone out of the blue will ask with a concerned voice "oh what happened, why are you limping?" Then it's like a reminder that yeah it really is pretty noticeable. Even knowing how common the surgery is didn't do much to calm my angst. But now, just after seeing the surgeon one more time it just seems like this isn't going to be the big deal I'd worked it up to be. Oh & all those views, I've probably added a whole lot reading my own stuff over & over ha ha.

 

[gardengal]

Ok so tomorrow is my day where I go visit the hospital, little pre op physical by a hospitalist doctor or PA is my guess, never been to this hospital before. Then I go for my one last appointment with my surgeon before the surgery. I feel like I don't have enough to ask him. 1.) I want to know exactly what will my hardware be, metal on plastic, ceramic on plastic, who the mfr. of the hardware is. 2.) will it really be likely to go home the next day? 3.) can I maybe have my old hunk of bone he's going to take out? doubt he'll go for that just from reading others responses on this topic. Can he at least take a picture? 4.) do I need to be making arrangements now for home physical therapy? the hospital is far away & doesn't work with Physical therapy groups in my town. It feels like I'm missing something? Were there things you realized afterwards that you could have know if only you had asked?

 

[Hip Hip Hooray!]

I had never been to the hospital, either. (Well, except for a few hours in the emergency room after a bicycle accident last year.) St. John's was like a fancy hotel!

It helps to write down your questions. It's normal to be anxious. No, I didn't have any questions that I wished I had asked. I totally trusted my surgeon. I didn't know much about the hardware aspect. I knew he was an expert. You're in the home stretch! It's such a relief once the surgery is over. You fall asleep, wake up, and it's done!

And yes, many people are able to go home the next day. I had both hips done together, and they said I was ready to go home after two nights...

 

[Jaycey]

Hi @gardengal , here's my list of pre-op questions (both ops):
Surgical approach?
What type of prosthesis?
Cement or non-cement?
How long does the procedure take?
Can I have anti-nausea meds?
Will I have weight bearing restrictions (if yes for how long)?
Anaesthesia (spinal or GA)?
Will I have a catheter post-op?
What restrictions will I have and for how long?
What is your post-op pain management plan?
Stitches or staples?
Bathing/shower how soon?
Can I function on my own at home from day 1?
PT how soon (home or outpatient)?
When can I drive?
Who can I contact with any post-op problems?

3.) can I maybe have my old hunk of bone he's going to take out?

You won't be able to have this however they may take a picture for you to have.

Please let us know how your appointment goes!

 

[Hip Hip Hooray!]

Great list. My surgeon had a packet on line that we could read. It answered all of those questions in detail.

 

[CatLady1]

... Then on another day someone out of the blue will ask with a concerned voice "oh what happened, why are you limping?" Then it's like a reminder that yeah it really is pretty noticeable.

That's when you know that something is wrong... when everyone else can notices, and you refuse to (like I did). It's easy to try to fool yourself into thinking that "nothing is really wrong, it's just a little pain that I'll get over"...

 

[azdrew]

I just found this community a few days ago and started my own thread, but reading through this topic has been helpful. For me, its a fractured hip that's leading me to THR as opposed to arthritis et al, so the issue of waiting to decide is harder. My choice is either adding more plates and screws, or going for the THR.

@sandyharman, it was interesting to read that you are doing running and football. My Orthopedic Surgeon is telling me that I can be pretty active in cycling, walking, etc. but he did say I want to avoid high impact activity. Did you get different recommendations? I did read Sports after TJR: knee replacements not harmed by most sports, which was encouraging but a little inconclusive. I'm more into cycling, which most people assure me will be unaffected, but I still can't help but feel some loss about some possible limitations.

 

[gardengal]

@CatLady1 You're right, that's the mode I was in, 'this isn't too bad, I can deal with it', but I'm done with that line of thinking. The other evening I was flipping through pics & videos on my husband's phone & there was a video of me limping taken over 9 mo ago. Looks like we are scheduled just days apart for our new hips, I'm the 7th.