New To The Game??

[Bluto]

Well I have looked over this website for the first time and I honestly thought I would be the "youngest" but I was shocked and amazed...why shouldn't I be...I have the family history of a grandfather having his hips replaced and a mother having problems with hers. Well I was hoping to avoid the "family curse". Ok here is the short story. I am not quite 44 and have been diagnosed with OA of the hips. I am very active and actually still go to high impact aerobics...I just love it....Ok the pain is getting worse but I can't stop. Enough said....does anyone out there have any suggestions which is the right hip replacement for me so I can hopefully keep my active lifestyle or am I done....I was thinking the ceramic on ceramic...still researching but would love to hear some advice.....appreciate any input!!!
Bluto

 

[Ginny]

Bluto,
I am a 35 year old active female (marathon, tri's, spinning,swimming etc). I developed arthritis 5 years ago. I had THR 3 months ago. I usually post in the "after hip message board", but thought I might check out the "pre THR", in hopes that I can help someone.

I met with Dr. Moore @ UAB in Birmingham and he spent over an hour consulting with me. Each doc. is going to have different opinions on what to do, so I would suggest meeting with one or two. My Doc wasn't a fan of the ceramic/ceramic... so we went with a smith & nephew titanium and cobolt...

I am extremely happy with the results. I'm pain free, no limping, my legs are back to equal lengths, I'm back to the gym, swimming, biking, elliptical trainer and light yoga.

That's the good news, but don't get me wrong...the three weeks after surgery is very challenging. I could go on and on...if you want to chat i'd be happy to give you my phone number or email.

This message board is AWESOME. I received most of my info from these two forums.

All the best!
~Ginny

 

[Bluto]

Ginny,
Thanks for the encouraging words....all I have read, which isn't all that much, sounded like after THR I would be able to walk again....Whooopie. Like you I want to run again not just walk. I have only been to one Dr so far and she basically told me...."call me when you need your hip replaced". Granted I didn't know the right questions to ask. I just picked the ceramic on ceramic simply because they mentioned it was for the younger more active person. Why did your Dr recommend the one he/she did? I know I have a lot of research to do and right now the pain isn't bad enough to make me quit my active lifestyle....but I know that day is coming. On a side note the Dr I went to did mention a new procedure where they don't remove the head of the femur and put a new ball and socket in but instead they just, the way I understand it, coat your original ball and socket with ceramics....have you ever heard of that?? I have no illusions of the post-op but you sound like a person like me.....you will work at getting better. Thanks for your reply and most of all....the encouragement!!!
Take Care,
Bluto

 

[*gmac*]

Do some research on BHR (Birmingham Hip Resurfacing). Usually recommended for younger and/or more active life styles. After May 5th I will be able to speak from personal experience about the BHR. Haven't heard of the original ball and socket being coated with ceramic. Maybe Josephine has some insight.

 

[JudyS]

Hi,
I am going to be having a right hip replacement early June. My first day lookng at this site. It is really scarey to read what I just put in print. I have been an obsessive runner. My Dr. wants me to give up the sport. I am 50. Anyone being allowed to run after the surgery? Hard to end this chapter in life.

 

[Josephine]

Dr I went to did mention a new procedure where they don't remove the head of the femur and put a new ball and socket in but instead they just, the way I understand it, coat your original ball and socket with ceramics.

Never heard of that - sounds intriguing ....

Hi,
I am going to be having a right hip replacement early June. My first day lookng at this site. It is really scarey to read what I just put in print. I have been an obsessive runner. My Dr. wants me to give up the sport. I am 50. Anyone being allowed to run after the surgery? Hard to end this chapter in life.

Read around in these forums, there's plenty of people who have gone back to their sport.

 

[tsmitty]

Hello-
I am a brand new to this forum and already I have made a mistake. I posted my situation on another 'thread'? I should have written on this page. Anyway, as I indicated in my last posting, I am 46 and have been diagnosed with OA and Hip Dysplasia. I am seeking a 3rd opinion as the first two Dr.s want me to wait another year before seeking surgery. I am pretty limited as far as doing very many errands during the day. I have had to cut down my time on my stationary bike to just 45 min/day. 5-6 days /week. My appt is 4-29-08 and am hoping that this new Dr. will be able to help me now. I am now checking into what implant material might be suited best for my situation. This Dr. is doing the anterior approach. I have read that it is not as invasive as the posterior as it does not involve alot of cutting of the muscles. Any additional information that you can provide me with would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

 

[JudyS]

Hi Ginny
I am a 50 year old female, also very active. I have had hip pain for at least 15 years. I just committed to THR , the surgery is scheduled for June 6th.
My Dr. is wonderful, he does not want me to run after the surgery. Are you going to go back to running? I have not been very good at cross training over the years and just moved back to So Cal with my favorite mountain trail (It does happen to be on fire at the moment). I am committed to the replacement but to say no more running ????????? Not sure I can do it.
J

 

[Ginny]

J,

There's a great post from a Danny R. in the "after hip replacement" forum about running.
I don't plan on running this year, maybe next, but not as an everyday form of exercise. I do a little bit of everything for my cardio: spinning (aerobic cycling), elliptical trainer, swimming etc.

All the best!
~Ginny

35 yr old active female/THR/ smith and nephew/metal on metal/ dr. moore @ UAB

 

[Bluto]

Hello Everyone,
It has been so great to finally "talk" to someone else that has the same problem as I do....bad hips. I have had to do some quick research and for me I am coming to one conclusion. You HAVE to find the right Dr that has your best interest in mind. The first Dr I went to just wanted me to call when I needed my hip replaced. I believe that if you find the right Dr you might not have to do it right away and still be active. A real good friend of mine who is a sports physical therapist worked on me over the weekend and we found out that there are some definite signs of muscle group weakness that could be leading to some of the pain I am feeling...yes it is related to the OA in my hip but right now he feels if I can do some mobilization in the hip and some strengthening exercises possibly some of the pain will go away....bottom line and depending on your pain at least ask your Dr if there might be some physical therapy that might prolong your natural hip and put off the THR for a little while. It is worth asking...not to say that THR is not the answer.
Take Care,
Bluto