My journey

Status
Not open for further replies.

PolarIce

Staff member since January 4, 2022
BoneSmart Staff
Joined
Jan 29, 2012
Messages
508
Age
39
Country
Canada Canada
Gender
Female
Hello everyone,
I thought I would start up a thread and write a bit about where I've come from so far, and also do a countdown to surgery the same way some of you have done which is absolutely genius :thumb:

I was born with hip dysplasia which was missed as a newborn. I grew up with absolutely no symptoms until I turned 19 yr old. The symptoms started off with some catching when sitting down, but it progressed like a freight train to getting partial dislocations and some pretty painful movements(sitting, bending over, kneeling amongst a few). An xray and arthrogram was done and I was diagnosed with hip dysplasia at that time, with labral detachment and labral tears. Symptoms were present in both hips, tho the left hip was always by far the most symptomatic.

Fast forward over 7 years, 2 surgeons :rolleyespink:, referrals, ....a wrist fracture where I almost lost my hand :hissyfit:, 3 PAOs, 2 hip scopes(I think-might be 3), and 19 surgeries :hate-shocked: I am now at a point where the worst hip of the 2 is getting replaced. Recent xray below.
2955809110101961236S500x500Q85.jpg


For laughs and giggles here is one of my wrist. My left wrist is 100% fuzed. We had to get a special crutch attachment, because-because of the fuzed wrist, I can't use regular crutches being my wrist doesn't bend.
2037469660101961236S500x500Q85.jpg



The right hip scope and PAO on the right side, did miracles. I am nearly 100% symptom free and have full function, where as the left hip first had a PAO non-union, which led to a 2nd PAO with a hip scope a year ago...but I am now back with the full symptoms I had before any work was ever done :sigh:

Now I sit down with the surgeon to discuss what to do now, thinking a scope is the way to go, but he tells me the hip is just to damaged. I am now going to be talking to him on Feb 22 to get more information about the replacement, and what kind of implant(he already advised ceramic on ceramic).
 
Hi, PolarIce.....I'm glad you did start your own pre-op thread! Boy, you have most certainly been through a lot in a very short period of time. Your xrays are really telling.....you are going to feel so much better with new hips!!!

You might discuss the possibility of having both done at the same time when you see your surgeon. Sometimes that's possible and it can get you down the road to recovery a little faster.
 
The xrays are neat for sure. I'm not ready to bring up the other hip to the surgeon as of yet, because since the scope and PAO they did to that right side, the hip has been absolutely phenomenal. I have very little arthritic pain, and very few symptoms at this point that reflect the damage it received for so many years. So for now, I want to let it, and keep that hip while it's working well.
As for the left one, I'm having a really frustrating night. Here I am standing, wanting to make dinner-and the amount of arthritic pain I'm in right now even after taking 2 tramacet-is beyond anything I can explain. I'm almost considering taking a third pill just to kill the pain. I know better of course.

Re-confirms to me, that I've made the decision to go ahead and get the replacement-that this is the right decision :yes 4:
 
Hi PolarIce, so glad you started your own thread. Wow - some great hardware there.

I agree - you have certainly made the right decision. You won't regret it! Sure it's all a bit scary. But this surgery works wonders!
 
What a story! You have the right to a new hip-that's for sure. Go for it! :yes 4:
 
Interesting xrays! I also think you've made the right decision.
 
I have an appt again with the surgeon on Feb 22nd to discuss booking the hip replacement, instead of waiting until after the wedding. I've started to write down some questions that I know I want to ask, but I want to try preventing arriving back home and thinking :hissyfit: because I forgot to ask this or that question.

I wanted to know if you guys would be able to help me put some questions together?

1) I know I want to ask him about recovery time, and what time window we are looking at for recovery and what activities I will be able and not be able to do. When can I return to work(I work in a call centre)

2) By reading the threads here, I've realized I also want to ask him about what approach he is going to take. I want to know what my next war wound is going to look like.

Another question I have, for napping and sleeping-what positions have you found were most comfortable after surgery? I was investigating pillows(snoogles one of them), and seems I might be better off to sticking to regular pillows? suggestions?
 
PolarIce, I printed out the list of questions Jo compiled in this thread: How to choose a surgeon and a prosthesis
It covered everything I had thought of and a LOT of things that had never even occurred to me. You might also want to think of things that are specific to your situation that might influence how the surgeon will operate.

As for sleeping, from what I've seen most of us end up sleeping on our backs for the first few weeks or so. I have read that if you have hip precautions, you have to sleep on your back until your doctor gives the okay. My doctor used the anterior approach so I had no precautions but it was almost impossible to turn to my side up until a few days ago. Then I was able to do it, but I couldn't stay that way because there was still some soreness in the muscles from the surgery. As a result, the pressure of side-sleeping was uncomfortable.
 
Hi PolarIce, you are spot on about creating a list. These appointments are a bit nerve wracking. You are worried about so many things and then forget to ask the basics. I always take and list and a pen. Write down the answers while you are discussing the questions. Then you can refer back to the questions and add to them for your pre-op assessment.

Here is the list I took to my consultation:

Posterior or anterior
Type of joint (brand name)
Cement or non cement
Weight bearing restrictions
Anaesthesia
Catheter
90 degree restrictions
Post-op pain management
Sutures or staples
Bathing/shower how soon
Function on my own at home
PT how soon
PT come to home or transport to
When can I drive
Can I take public transport just post-op

Everyone has different worries so don't be afraid to address anything during your visit. I always found my consultant very receptive to my questions. I think they would prefer to work with an informed patient.

Let us know if you need any more help!
 
:ThankYou:



So many things I had not thought of asking indeed, waw. Thank you for posting all this. I went out yesterday to find some pillows for after surgery. I did find the snoogles(fancy pillow) which turned out was a complete rip off. I went to walmart and found these 2 for $15.00 and :sleepz: like a baby.
2198382640101961236S500x500Q85.jpg


It's funny because now I have decided to go and get the replacement now, it's almost like I feel more pain now, than I ever did before. It's almost like because you don't realize you an option to get this fix and re-discover life, you mentally try to block how much pain and suffering you're in. The tricks you play with yourself to stay mentally strong to move forward despite the challenge.
 
I think we all experienced that change in the level of pain pre-op. It's almost as if that hip is trying to confirm it needs to go.

Great pillows PolarIce. What a bargain!
 
Hey Jaycey, thanks for confirming the hip pain thing. I'm glad to hear everyone else feels the same way.
Gah I was a bit depressed and feeling sorry for myself. Didn't finish the day well. After venting to fiance, I was able to cheer up a bit. This morning he suggested to do something that really turned my day upside down. Instead of being fearful of the surgery, and continuing to be a bit down about the entire situation-he's suggested for us to fly to Disneyland after surgery. We are going to be looking at booking for a hotel across the park, and go the happiest place on earth :yes 4:

I think we're going to look at taking a wheel chair and a crutch and just play it low key.
 
Hi Polarice, yes amazing how the pain seems to increase closer to surgery, seems to happen to most of us. With regards to the depression, that is normal also, you have a date now and your brain is saying let's get on with this NOW, all natural happenings..
 
Oh he is a sweetie for sure! What a wonderful present.

However, please make sure you give yourself at least three months, just to be sure you really enjoy this wonderful trip!
 
Blimey certainly been through it

The main reason for me is the pain when I stand or walk and the lack of a life that has persuaded me to have surgery , I want to be able to socialise in bars without having to find a seat and sit on my own and go away with my mates on holidays, I would also like to be able to sleep at night and not wake up stiff as a board, I am walking around like an 80yr old

The post op pain can't be worse than what I have know so looking forward to April, hope yours works out
 
PolarIce, no problem! That's what this forum is about - learning from others experience.

Dingbat, post-op pain is NOTHING like what you have now. That bone on bone grinding is so horrid and it is rarely controlled. Post-op is much more a healing pain and can be controlled. Not long now!
 
Wow, you are Ultra Bionic! XRays are so helpful for understanding how the 'scaffolding' works! Thank you for sharing them.
 
You're killing me :th_heehee: I have to say those xrays are ones that I keep on my cell at all times. You can only imagine the amount of times people have been talking about things they've been thru, or talking about how life has treated them poorly- I'll bringing those up with a humble smile, look at them and they will say "WOW", then continue on their day with a smile :thumb:
 
The surgeon appt is just not coming fast enough. I figured it would come by quickly and it would be done in no time-questions answered, but dang this feels like it's dragging on!

Been making my list of questions to ask, and have been checking out youtube for people who've had replacements and show their recovery. Definitely nothing like what I've been thru in the past! I was bed ridden for 2 months, no weight bearing, injections daily, full restrictions of essentially everything for minimum of 9 months-wheelchair for months, intense physio and a long hospital stay. The horrandous amount of surgical pain.

I don't want to take this lightly, but the recovery of a hip replacement, watching people walking with no aid within a few days or a couple weeks since surgery is amazing to me!

Looking forwards to asking about the surgeon about going on vacation. Not keeping my hopes up, but hoping that as long as I behave and keep the trip very conservative-I'll be able to vacate life for a week.

Let's keep waiting! 2 more weeks until the appt.
 
PolarIce, don't forget - every recovery is different! I certainly was not walking unaided within days. It greatly depends on how long the hip has been bad before the op.

But I have to stress that THR was much easier for me than I ever imagined.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

BoneSmart #1 Best Blog

Staff online

  • Jaycey
    ADMINISTRATOR Staff member since February 2011

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
65,167
Messages
1,596,863
BoneSmarties
39,356
Latest member
JanieMarie
Recent bookmarks
0
Back
Top Bottom