ReluctantHippy
junior member
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2020
- Messages
- 57
- Age
- 40
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Gender
- Female
Hello all.
I was on this site two years ago but I can’t for the life of me remember my login, so please excuse the new account!
I am now 38, with DDH and very advanced OA on my right side and have been told a THR is my only option for a normal life. I went on the UK NHS list in February 2020, but sadly haven’t progressed much due to COVID, so I’m due to pay for private treatment next month.
I’m come a relatively long way from being absolutely adamant that I wasn’t going to get a THR initially, to reluctantly knowing that I must, but I remain completely terrified of what’s ahead and my anxiety has continued to grow over the past two years.
I am (maybe strangely) less concerned about the surgery itself, as my surgeon has an excellent reputation, as does the hospital I’m going to. My fears are all around recovery, especially post-op pain. Yes, I have pain now but it’s not constant and is mostly avoided if I avoid activity (one of the reasons I’m feeling sad and stuck as I am), so I’m aware that I’ll probably have much worse pain initially. I’ve also never been in hospital or had surgery. I’m incredibly frightened of negotiating what sounds like a very long and difficult recovery. I’ve been forewarned that I may need some grafting work, so I may also need to add recovery time on.
I must admit that sometimes I’m tempted to leave it until I’m in more pain so that there’s more ‘relief’, but my surgeon has warned me I’m already losing bone from the ‘polishing’, so there’s risks attached to that. I’ve spoken to a number of people who’ve had THR and their experiences vary wildly.
I’m also anxious about revisions and also any potential long term health effects of having a prosthesis in my body for longer periods.
At the moment I’m pretty sore, have extremely limited ROM and can’t walk without very noticeable referred pain in my back and knee. I’m painkiller free so I have no tolerance to anything, which my surgeon thinks is good news for post op. I’ve managed to stay fit with daily physio and some cross training.
I suppose I’m looking for some support from the people who’ve been through it, especially those who were so anxious before it. I know a lot of it is very unpredictable, and as such it’s probably unfair of me to ask for reassurance. I just don’t want my overwhelming fear of this to stop me going ahead.
Thanks for reading.
I was on this site two years ago but I can’t for the life of me remember my login, so please excuse the new account!
I am now 38, with DDH and very advanced OA on my right side and have been told a THR is my only option for a normal life. I went on the UK NHS list in February 2020, but sadly haven’t progressed much due to COVID, so I’m due to pay for private treatment next month.
I’m come a relatively long way from being absolutely adamant that I wasn’t going to get a THR initially, to reluctantly knowing that I must, but I remain completely terrified of what’s ahead and my anxiety has continued to grow over the past two years.
I am (maybe strangely) less concerned about the surgery itself, as my surgeon has an excellent reputation, as does the hospital I’m going to. My fears are all around recovery, especially post-op pain. Yes, I have pain now but it’s not constant and is mostly avoided if I avoid activity (one of the reasons I’m feeling sad and stuck as I am), so I’m aware that I’ll probably have much worse pain initially. I’ve also never been in hospital or had surgery. I’m incredibly frightened of negotiating what sounds like a very long and difficult recovery. I’ve been forewarned that I may need some grafting work, so I may also need to add recovery time on.
I must admit that sometimes I’m tempted to leave it until I’m in more pain so that there’s more ‘relief’, but my surgeon has warned me I’m already losing bone from the ‘polishing’, so there’s risks attached to that. I’ve spoken to a number of people who’ve had THR and their experiences vary wildly.
I’m also anxious about revisions and also any potential long term health effects of having a prosthesis in my body for longer periods.
At the moment I’m pretty sore, have extremely limited ROM and can’t walk without very noticeable referred pain in my back and knee. I’m painkiller free so I have no tolerance to anything, which my surgeon thinks is good news for post op. I’ve managed to stay fit with daily physio and some cross training.
I suppose I’m looking for some support from the people who’ve been through it, especially those who were so anxious before it. I know a lot of it is very unpredictable, and as such it’s probably unfair of me to ask for reassurance. I just don’t want my overwhelming fear of this to stop me going ahead.
Thanks for reading.