just had a arthroscope on hip. graded 3-4 doesnt click much anymore, but still locks from time. stairs are hard to climb burning pain behind knees from time to time how much worse will it get? when will i know its time for op? is it best to wait until you cant move anymore?
pain before surgery
- Thread starter rsalle
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JudyS
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Welcome and Merry Christmas
I had an arthroscope on my hip last Feb. The mri showed mild arthritis, when my doc got in there it was severe on both the femur and cup on the weight bearing area. He did microfracture to try to regrow some cartilage and provide some relief, but the hip was too far gone.
What did your surgeon tell you after the scope?
Mine had said it was very bad off, would probably need a replacement in 6 months to a year. So I had it replaced in June.
I just had a knee scope and microfracture last week. The knee was a different story. Only one area of pretty bad cartilage defect. He did microfracture, removed inflammation, removed lots of scar tissue has me on no weight bearing for at least 6 weeks, in an immobilizer. But he told me the overall prognosis is good. We are not talking knnee replacement, just recovery and lots of physical therapy.
Good Luck Let me know what your surgeon did and said
Judy
I had an arthroscope on my hip last Feb. The mri showed mild arthritis, when my doc got in there it was severe on both the femur and cup on the weight bearing area. He did microfracture to try to regrow some cartilage and provide some relief, but the hip was too far gone.
What did your surgeon tell you after the scope?
Mine had said it was very bad off, would probably need a replacement in 6 months to a year. So I had it replaced in June.
I just had a knee scope and microfracture last week. The knee was a different story. Only one area of pretty bad cartilage defect. He did microfracture, removed inflammation, removed lots of scar tissue has me on no weight bearing for at least 6 weeks, in an immobilizer. But he told me the overall prognosis is good. We are not talking knnee replacement, just recovery and lots of physical therapy.
Good Luck Let me know what your surgeon did and said
Judy
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
Absolutely do NOT wait till you can't move anymore! When you find the pain and disability is interfering with things you want to do like thinking twice about holidays or visits or any other activities you engage in, when you find it's preventing you from getting a decent night's sleep and you can't just 'get up and go' when you get out of bed in the morning, well, that's the time to be thinking it's time!
Think of it this way, the objective of joint replacements is to give you back your life as you want it to be. So you should get it done whilst your still HAVE that life. If you wait until you're chair bound these things will happen: you'll lose lose overall fitness, muscle mass and tone making recovery that much more difficult and the pain and loss of quality of life may even make you depressed enough for that to affect your motivation as well.
In other words, don't wait too long!
Think of it this way, the objective of joint replacements is to give you back your life as you want it to be. So you should get it done whilst your still HAVE that life. If you wait until you're chair bound these things will happen: you'll lose lose overall fitness, muscle mass and tone making recovery that much more difficult and the pain and loss of quality of life may even make you depressed enough for that to affect your motivation as well.
In other words, don't wait too long!
Hi rsalle,
Heavens, how much worse do you want it to get? I am about four and a half months out from a LTHR (am 46 years old) and I really should have done it 5 years ago. I was at the stage where I woke up several times at night with my fists clenched in pain, and I had to ration my walking during the day to about an hour in total – otherwise the hip and knee pain was just awful. I could manage one flight of stairsand that was really by hauling myself up by the handrail! My sister who is 5 years younger was in a worse state and she has now has both her hips done – her first on the same day as mine.
We both keep telling each other what a life-changing operation this is. I had truly forgotten what lack of pain was like, and how great it is to be able to walk properly, rather than limping in various ways to try to mitigate the joint pain. It took some straight talking from 2 surgeons before I accepted that I needed surgery, it was always a “sometime when I am older” thought in my mind. I certainly wont hesitate when my right hip is due – looks like that might be in a year or two.
All the best – the info on this site is great, I am sure that reading though the various posts will help with your decision.
Monica
Heavens, how much worse do you want it to get? I am about four and a half months out from a LTHR (am 46 years old) and I really should have done it 5 years ago. I was at the stage where I woke up several times at night with my fists clenched in pain, and I had to ration my walking during the day to about an hour in total – otherwise the hip and knee pain was just awful. I could manage one flight of stairsand that was really by hauling myself up by the handrail! My sister who is 5 years younger was in a worse state and she has now has both her hips done – her first on the same day as mine.
We both keep telling each other what a life-changing operation this is. I had truly forgotten what lack of pain was like, and how great it is to be able to walk properly, rather than limping in various ways to try to mitigate the joint pain. It took some straight talking from 2 surgeons before I accepted that I needed surgery, it was always a “sometime when I am older” thought in my mind. I certainly wont hesitate when my right hip is due – looks like that might be in a year or two.
All the best – the info on this site is great, I am sure that reading though the various posts will help with your decision.
Monica
thank you all;sewell44, josephine. and mvo and happy new year to all! i guess the fact that my doc says wait ( april 08) makes me think twice. is there a test that tells you when to do it? i am realy unsure as to when to have it.
also wanted to ask what time of the year is best ;summer or winter? mvo you mentionned you should have done it 5 years ago how much worse were your symptoms down the track? i would like to know what was the last straw that made all say right this is it book me in doc!
Peta
supremo
Hi rsalle - I am 49 and had a THR LHS 7 weeks ago. I had reached the point of only doing what I had to do to get through each day - my social life was non-existent, and I was struggling to go to work each day. I was taking pain relief constantly - and not sleeping at night. I have THE most understanding husband and family in the world - but my physical relationship with my husband was practically non-existent and my world had changed drastically compared with say 6 years ago. I had simply had enough of struggling through life and my surgeon was offering me my life back! I can't begin to tell you what a difference the surgery has made - I feel like I have a second chance at life! EVERYTHING is better - and has been right from the time I woke up after the op! I am having my right side replaced midway through 2009 and I can't wait....! LOL
I am certainly NOT going to wait until my RHS is as bad as the left was - not now I know I have an alternative. I am going to be the happiest 50 year old you've ever clapped eyes on! Let us know what you decide to do! Good luck!
I am certainly NOT going to wait until my RHS is as bad as the left was - not now I know I have an alternative. I am going to be the happiest 50 year old you've ever clapped eyes on! Let us know what you decide to do! Good luck!
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
The only test is where YOU decide enough's enough. When you find yourself not doing things you want to do or have been accustomed to doing because of the pain; things like going for walks, shopping, visiting people, gardening, housework and anything else you enjoy doing. If it ever gets down to you not being able to get into and out of the bath unaided or going up and downstairs normally, then you've waited too long.
Hi rsalle,
Five years ago I was at the point that Josephine describes above, things like going for walks, getting groceries, gardening, housework, going to the gym and other things were all getting difficult and painful. I was travelling a lot for work and on my feet for a large part of the day. People were constantly asking how I had hurt myself as I was limping quite badly.
Things went downhill from there to the state I described in my post above. I had to get a disability sticker for my car for the bad days and a bicycle with a small electric motor to help pedal up hills. I am no athlete but really enjoy leisurely walking and cycling. A year or so ago I got new x-rays done and saw a couple of orthopaedic surgeons. They left me in no doubt that surgery was very strongly recommended. After a lot of research I saw two more surgeons and decided to go for a total hip replacement with the last one.
As for the time of year, mine was in early spring here in New Zealand. It worked out well as it is a quiet time at work and there were some nice fine days to practice walking outside during my recovery. Also, I dread to think what six weeks worth of those horrid stockings would have been like in high summer! I am really enjoying this summer – I feel I can walk or cycle for miles and there is no pain, in fact my left leg feels really strong. The right leg and knee are starting to twinge, but it is relatively minor.
Hope that helps
Cheers,
Monica
PS, there is a “test” of sorts – you may have come across the Oxford hip score (our local pub;lic hospital uses it) – there is one online at https://www.orthopaedicscore.com/scorepages/oxford_hip_score.html
Five years ago I was at the point that Josephine describes above, things like going for walks, getting groceries, gardening, housework, going to the gym and other things were all getting difficult and painful. I was travelling a lot for work and on my feet for a large part of the day. People were constantly asking how I had hurt myself as I was limping quite badly.
Things went downhill from there to the state I described in my post above. I had to get a disability sticker for my car for the bad days and a bicycle with a small electric motor to help pedal up hills. I am no athlete but really enjoy leisurely walking and cycling. A year or so ago I got new x-rays done and saw a couple of orthopaedic surgeons. They left me in no doubt that surgery was very strongly recommended. After a lot of research I saw two more surgeons and decided to go for a total hip replacement with the last one.
As for the time of year, mine was in early spring here in New Zealand. It worked out well as it is a quiet time at work and there were some nice fine days to practice walking outside during my recovery. Also, I dread to think what six weeks worth of those horrid stockings would have been like in high summer! I am really enjoying this summer – I feel I can walk or cycle for miles and there is no pain, in fact my left leg feels really strong. The right leg and knee are starting to twinge, but it is relatively minor.
Hope that helps
Cheers,
Monica
PS, there is a “test” of sorts – you may have come across the Oxford hip score (our local pub;lic hospital uses it) – there is one online at https://www.orthopaedicscore.com/scorepages/oxford_hip_score.html
Thanks everybody, so sorry to keep asking a million questions ! tried that test , only problem is it doesnt ask all the right ones like i can still do the shopping but no way i can get in and out of a bath! can walk without limping stairs are tricky. have trouble getting comfortable while sitting i just keep changing positions. standing up after sitting for a while feels funny, everything locks but then its ok.cant tap dance or do a jazz class andsome days getting in and out of the car is painful and sometimes its fine ! also wanted to ask if back pain is related? also how long are you out of action after op?
Hi Rsalle, I agree with Josephine that that test is a great one. The only part that wasn't covered from my own experience (4 months out from RTHR) is the stiffness factor. I decribed my bad hip as "rusty." I waited far too long to have mine replaced, like many others. For me, there were two key experiences that made me finally get to an OS (I hadn't even done that even though I knew that my hip was real bad--limped, painful to walk, etc.)
The first was that I was having a very difficult time unbending my leg to get comfortable to sleep--would take me minutes to straighten so I could sleep on my stomach--very stiff and painful. The second was when I had my annual gyno check with the only Dr I have known for many years. I had a terrible time getting my leg in "the position" and the Dr said something like, "Laurie, you're crooked." Anyway, enough was enough. I had put it off for years but once I went to the OS and he told me he could make me good as new I scheduled the HR within two months and best decision I ever made.
Previously, my world was becoming very small--I compensated many times w/o even realizing--now I am at work with no pain--back to doing anything I want. The only thing I hesitate to do is run, but I was never a runner.
Your head has to be in the right place to go for it, but I know that for me I certainly put the surgery off far too long and now I realize I had nothing to fear. Even work survived w/o me and I got the kind of vacation that I wouldn't have had otherwise recuperating in the beautiful fall weather.
Fortunately, my other joints seem to be fine--at least for now.
Take care, Laurie
The first was that I was having a very difficult time unbending my leg to get comfortable to sleep--would take me minutes to straighten so I could sleep on my stomach--very stiff and painful. The second was when I had my annual gyno check with the only Dr I have known for many years. I had a terrible time getting my leg in "the position" and the Dr said something like, "Laurie, you're crooked." Anyway, enough was enough. I had put it off for years but once I went to the OS and he told me he could make me good as new I scheduled the HR within two months and best decision I ever made.
Previously, my world was becoming very small--I compensated many times w/o even realizing--now I am at work with no pain--back to doing anything I want. The only thing I hesitate to do is run, but I was never a runner.
Your head has to be in the right place to go for it, but I know that for me I certainly put the surgery off far too long and now I realize I had nothing to fear. Even work survived w/o me and I got the kind of vacation that I wouldn't have had otherwise recuperating in the beautiful fall weather.
Fortunately, my other joints seem to be fine--at least for now.
Take care, Laurie
Rsalle, In response to your questions: for me, I could have returned to work at 6 wks but went with my Dr's advice to wait til 8 wks. Was so glad I did. But I drove at about 3 weeks (can't even remember now) and was socializing, going to restaurants after 2 wks. Found that a nice wedge type pillow to sit on was a life saver--I still use it at my desk.
I do think that back and other pains can be related--not to mention the depression from being in pain and incapacitated all the time. I know that I had intestinal aches and now realize must have been from all the ibuprophen and naproxen I was swallowing. Since my surgery, I have taken only tylenol extra strength a few times. The few minor muscle aches are very tolerable and nowhere near what I used to experience.
Good luck. Laurie
I do think that back and other pains can be related--not to mention the depression from being in pain and incapacitated all the time. I know that I had intestinal aches and now realize must have been from all the ibuprophen and naproxen I was swallowing. Since my surgery, I have taken only tylenol extra strength a few times. The few minor muscle aches are very tolerable and nowhere near what I used to experience.
Good luck. Laurie
JudyS
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rsalle,
I guess the decision is individual as to how much is too much. For me, I would say for years I had an annoying pain, lack of rom on the right side, no big deal really. I guess with my return to California and my mountain trail, I became even more active (always an obsesive runner). I had my spine doc send me for steroid injections twice. Then my hip started hurting more and caused episodes of kind of giving out on me. Maybe just for a few steps a few times a week. Once for much longer. I thought I was headed in to a hip scoope for a labral tear, something very quickly treated. It ended up a surprise to my surgeon and me that my hip was severely arthritic. I waited a few months to see if the microfracture surgery would help, it did not, things seemed a little more annoying so I scheduled it. I really did not have any limitations in activity at this time, maybe just little difficulties.
I also have a wonderful, calm, understanding surgeon who took lots of time to explain it all to me . Also to convince me that it was not just for older people. He convinced me it was the best surgery going of any part of the body, it really is perfected. Almost everyone is happy with their outcome and wish they had done it earlier. I think I was one that will not say that as I decided pretty quickly to do it.
I am so glad I did. At 3 weeks I was swimming 5 times per week, then walking 1/2 mile to the pool to swim and back. No more crutches, no more cane, biking, hiking. At 3 months I was doing it all and feeling great. I am 6 months out now and just thrilled with it all.
I can compare this surgery to the cerivical fusion I had about 9 months previous to it. That was a great surgery too, but I still have my neck give me problems that are really painful. I just had injections under anesthesia for my neck on friday.
My hip is just great though, makes my other side seem bad now instead of being the good side!!!!!
I say go for it
Judy
I guess the decision is individual as to how much is too much. For me, I would say for years I had an annoying pain, lack of rom on the right side, no big deal really. I guess with my return to California and my mountain trail, I became even more active (always an obsesive runner). I had my spine doc send me for steroid injections twice. Then my hip started hurting more and caused episodes of kind of giving out on me. Maybe just for a few steps a few times a week. Once for much longer. I thought I was headed in to a hip scoope for a labral tear, something very quickly treated. It ended up a surprise to my surgeon and me that my hip was severely arthritic. I waited a few months to see if the microfracture surgery would help, it did not, things seemed a little more annoying so I scheduled it. I really did not have any limitations in activity at this time, maybe just little difficulties.
I also have a wonderful, calm, understanding surgeon who took lots of time to explain it all to me . Also to convince me that it was not just for older people. He convinced me it was the best surgery going of any part of the body, it really is perfected. Almost everyone is happy with their outcome and wish they had done it earlier. I think I was one that will not say that as I decided pretty quickly to do it.
I am so glad I did. At 3 weeks I was swimming 5 times per week, then walking 1/2 mile to the pool to swim and back. No more crutches, no more cane, biking, hiking. At 3 months I was doing it all and feeling great. I am 6 months out now and just thrilled with it all.
I can compare this surgery to the cerivical fusion I had about 9 months previous to it. That was a great surgery too, but I still have my neck give me problems that are really painful. I just had injections under anesthesia for my neck on friday.
My hip is just great though, makes my other side seem bad now instead of being the good side!!!!!
I say go for it
Judy
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