How do you know when it's time? Putting off, vs. dealing with pain.

[VF]

I feel like we share the same hip story! It's so nice to share because this can be so isolating! April 15 is coming for me!! No more limping!!


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[Chessie]

I feel like we share the same hip story! It's so nice to share because this can be so isolating! April 15 is coming for me!! No more limping!!

I agree. This has been a real struggle for me, mentally, to deal with not being tip-top and able to do anything and everything I want! I feel like screaming sometimes.

 

[Chessie]

Another question...I've been reading some other threads here (great information) and I saw cortisone shots mentioned. Is that a typical pain relief measure that people take, before resorting to surgery? My primary asked me if I would consider them, and I said no, because in my mind, it would do nothing to fix the problem, and in fact might encourage me to run again...which I don't think would be a good thing. Am I off base here? Have most of you gone the cortisone route?

 

[MajorHeidi]

@Chessie I did not get shots. Did not want to prolong the inevitable.

 

[Jaycey]

The benefits of waiting, as I have been told (and what my primary told me) are that a THR will only last 15 years or so, and the second one is never as successful. So the longer I wait, the better my chances of not having a second surgery.

Well this proves he is still in the dark ages. Hips are lasting much longer than 15 years these days - in fact surgeons are now talking about the forever hip (i.e. no revisions).

Your statement about 5-6 weeks on the sofa....are you serious? If that's the case, I might be putting this off a LOT longer. I don't have that kind of leave, and I don't know how I could deal with that long a recovery - I would go mad.

Do a bit more research @Chessie I wasn't on the sofa for 5-6 weeks but you will need to allow time for recovery. This is major surgery. The recommended time off work is 10-12 weeks and then a Phased return to work Unfortunately you can't rush this recovery.

 

[Chessie]

Well this proves he is still in the dark ages. Hips are lasting much longer than 15 years these days - in fact surgeons are now talking about the forever hip (i.e. no revisions).

Do a bit more research @Chessie I wasn't on the sofa for 5-6 weeks but you will need to allow time for recovery. This is major surgery. The recommended time off work is 10-12 weeks and then a Phased return to work Unfortunately you can't rush this recovery.

10-12 weeks off work is really out there, and honestly, I don't want to do anything that would require that. The head of HR here had both hips replaced 5 years ago, and he was back at work in under 2 weeks. A friend of my boyfriends had one hip done on a Friday, back to work on Monday, the other hip done the NEXT Friday, and back to work the following week. Those are the recovery times that are making me consider surgery. Even 2 weeks off, I could deal with. 10-12 weeks? I'll wait. Perhaps I have been getting incorrect info all along and am being hasty with thoughts of surgery. Drat.

Okay...looking online, the recovery IS in fact much shorter...for anterior. And that is what I would have done. I would not even consider the other method.

 

[Jaycey]

Recovery from THR is recovery - anterior or posterior. The approach only affects what restrictions you may have. Have a read around the hip recovery area. That may give you insight into real stories.

In the end, of course it's your decision and things may not be bad enough for you yet. Unfortunately for many, things go from tolerable pain to horrid pain very quickly.

 

[Dmcfad2]

@Chessie I am 2 weeks post op today and I wouldn't even consider going back to work (if I still worked). I could probably do it, but I think it would set my recovery back significantly. Your body needs to heal. That takes time and rest.

 

[Chessie]

Recovery from THR is recovery - anterior or posterior. The approach only affects what restrictions you may have. Have a read around the hip recovery area. That may give you insight into real stories.

In the end, of course it's your decision and things may not be bad enough for you yet. Unfortunately for many, things go from tolerable pain to horrid pain very quickly.

Thanks Jaycey. I agree, recovery is needed, no matter what type. But the length of time for anterior is greatly reduced...it's a much less invasive procedure and the whole point of that method.

"Two weeks after surgery I am driving, back into a daily exercise routine in my gymnasium, and recovering very well. "

"I walked a few hours after my surgery (using a walker) and climbed stairs the next day. Every day since my surgery has been remarkable and completely exceeded my expectations. In a few short weeks I was pain free and able to return to a very active lifestyle."

"Its now 2 weeks later and I feel as though I could do that marathon! I really can not believe how fast I am coming along, how much less pain I have, and just how "easy" the entire experience has been. "

"I was walking the third day after surgery and soon was walking three miles."

These are from those that have had the anterior surgery. Are you suggesting that these recoveries are NOT the norm? ( I don't know...so that is why I am asking. )

 

[Chessie]

@Chessie I am 2 weeks post op today and I wouldn't even consider going back to work (if I still worked). I could probably do it, but I think it would set my recovery back significantly. Your body needs to heal. That takes time and rest.

Debbie, I do work, full time. And I am single, paying for a son in college. So time off without pay is simply not an option for me, nor is exercising an option that may affect my job security. I will be re-thinking this whole thing.

 

[psychteach]

I am helping support two in college and am a single parent. I am married but only for last 6years and I support my kids as I raised my kids as a single parent since they were 2 and 3. I NEED to work too so I can definitely understand your situation. I am lucky enough to be a teacher with summers off so I using my sick time and leaving two weeks early from school year. Do you have sick time accrued? I know there is not much difference in procedures but the anterior is what I am choosing too because it seems a little faster recovery with less restrictions. My doctor said I could go back in 4 weeks .. I am only taking extra time so that I can get a little summer.. I work 12 hour days all school year and need a little break. Maybe you have enough sick time for that?


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[psychteach]

Everyone is different... Don't give up. Some people go back to work faster than others and since you have people around you that have good outcomes yours could be same. We all have different bodies, tolerances if pain and situations


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[eric.tx]

I think a lot depends on your age, current activity/fitness level, and demands of your job. Younger, healthier patients seem to recover more quickly with anterior approach, and many start returning to desk jobs within 2-4 weeks.
I was diagnosed last summer, and I'm holding off until June so I can accumulate enough sick/vacation time to take 4 weeks off. My OS said that should be adequate for me considering my age, health, and non-physical nature of my job.

 

[Dmcfad2]

@Chessie I hope you can work something out. What kind of work do you do? Maybe if it wasn't really physical, it could work out for you. Good luck .

 

[MajorHeidi]

@Chessie My OS told me I could go back to work in 3 weeks (desk job/large corporation/from home).
When I got my HR certification yesterday, he had filled out the Med form indicating 12 week surgical recovery.

While I think he may be right that I could do my job from my recliner, I am relieved he put down for 12 off.

 

[mystikfairy61]

@Chessie I only waited for 2 years before the pain got so bad I think I would have stood on my head in an intersection if it would have made the pain and immobility go away!! I am 6 weeks post op now and feel marvelous, simply marvelous<LOL, had to be silly there!! But I do feel really good considering a month and a half ago I had major surgery and prior to that could hardly walk, couldn't put on shoes and socks, well you know what I am saying! If the pain has gotten to the point that you are unhappy and miserable, in my book, it is time. I really don't see any good reason to wait if you are in constant pain. Get another opinion, there are doctors out there that would do the surgery for you, not make you wait til you are 60. As Jaycey said, why are you waiting, life is too short, and you could back enjoying things compared to never being able to the way things are now, which will only get worse. Feel free to read my recovery thread if you like, I hope you make the right choice for you, but remember we only have one life, why live it in pain when there is a solution!! Good luck my friend!!

 

[Chessie]

I am helping support two in college and am a single parent. I am married but only for last 6years and I support my kids as I raised my kids as a single parent since they were 2 and 3. I NEED to work too so I can definitely understand your situation. I am lucky enough to be a teacher with summers off so I using my sick time and leaving two weeks early from school year. Do you have sick time accrued? I know there is not much difference in procedures but the anterior is what I am choosing too because it seems a little faster recovery with less restrictions. My doctor said I could go back in 4 weeks .. I am only taking extra time so that I can get a little summer.. I work 12 hour days all school year and need a little break. Maybe you have enough sick time for that?

I do have a couple of weeks of sick leave, and some vacation time accrued, but all of it together would not handle even 5 weeks off. That is why I thought I would be able to do this, especially when I read about the anterior recoveries. Certainly I can save a little more by the time my "date" got here (if I in fact decided to do it).

 

[Chessie]

@Chessie I only waited for 2 years before the pain got so bad I think I would have stood on my head in an intersection if it would have made the pain and immobility go away!! I am 6 weeks post op now and feel marvelous, simply marvelous<LOL, had to be silly there!! But I do feel really good considering a month and a half ago I had major surgery and prior to that could hardly walk, couldn't put on shoes and socks, well you know what I am saying! If the pain has gotten to the point that you are unhappy and miserable, in my book, it is time. I really don't see any good reason to wait if you are in constant pain. Get another opinion, there are doctors out there that would do the surgery for you, not make you wait til you are 60. As Jaycey said, why are you waiting, life is too short, and you could back enjoying things compared to never being able to the way things are now, which will only get worse. Feel free to read my recovery thread if you like, I hope you make the right choice for you, but remember we only have one life, why live it in pain when there is a solution!! Good luck my friend!!

Thank you so much. I will have a good day sometimes, but then usually the next day I am cussing! I did decide to make an appointment with one of the "top" anterior THR surgeons here, figured it can't hurt to see what he says.

 

[Chessie]

@Chessie I hope you can work something out. What kind of work do you do? Maybe if it wasn't really physical, it could work out for you. Good luck .

I am a systems analyst - sit on my butt all day long. Definitely nothing physical about it.

 

[eric.tx]

@Chessie, I would find a good OS who will take the time to listen to you, and see if they think you can start returning to work after 4-5 weeks. It seems like with your overall health and non-physical job, that may be possible with an anterior procedure. Don't give up!