I have enjoyed all the discussion on this pre-op forum and thought I would now throw my hat into the ring on the discussion. I found out this time last year that I need a THR on the left hip, I am “bone on bone” with symptoms spanning about 10-15 years. Yes, my activities have diminished considerably, gained weight, etc. I am well aware about the outcomes and results. The delays so far are from covid spikes taking up hospital space availability to have done and constant health insurance changes since I am years away from Medicare and retirement. Working for small companies, insurance carriers are always changing; to point of expecting being handed a 40-80k or more invoices for the procedure due to all the insurance flux which would definitely ruin retirement. I have just started a job with one of the largest employers with the best benefits so that is no longer an issue.
However, I do have some questions and concerns I would like to work through before having the THR procedure done to better “prepare me for the journey”. Like many others here, I am quite nervous as well. I had only one surgical procedure when I was very young and do not remember much of it. I had a traumatic injury incident at age 9 with a foot cut that was practically to the bone; with the local needle anesthesia insertion to numb the wound for stitching felt literally like a “battlefield wound” experience, with insurmountable pain I can distinctly remember to this very day!
In the meantime, I have researched the entire THR experience but only from a mechanical and procedural standpoint. I know all about the techniques, the procedure, preparations, recovery, the day of surgery, medications, timelines and equipment needed for the home. I have been to PT for preparation and anticipate re-engagement during recovery. But most of this information I have found has been provided by hospitals and orthopedic centers, from the practitioners point of view. Marketing materials to encourage having it done, or to calm the fears of newly scheduled patients and prevent cold feet.
The patient testimonials from these sources have focused on the long term results of THR which I have no doubt are nothing short of phenomenal. But I am seeking the short term, unpleasant “experience” that no doubt everyone, including myself has and will need to endure to get to that point.
I know everyone is different with different ages, physiologies, backgrounds,..etc and for the most part would have different overall experiences. However, this is a standard, popular and common procedure and thus there are probably common effects that would be experienced by most everyone going through this.
For example I almost fainted when described the spinal tap I will be initially administered. Would I have the option of being given nitrous gas before that to calm me before undergoing that similar to dental procedures?
It is given you would be completely out for the procedure and it would appear as instantaneous, but what would I feel internally when I am revived? What would the new artificial implant feel like to me vs. the natural hip? All information states that you would be induced to get out of bed and walk almost from when you are revived? What will that be like? What kind and how much pain will that be, initially? How difficult will that be? I have heard stories of “long leg”, your height being different..etc. Will my entire operated side feel like a solid block of cement and be immutable?
I have heard of side effects of the anesthesia, will they prevent me from sleeping or eating or being constipated? What is the expect extent of fatigue and drain from the procedure itself?
I am sure I will not be able to sleep the night before the surgery, but will anesthesia side effects or pain from the surgery prevent me sleeping the first night? Will I be able to sleep at all for the next few nights for the next 1-2 weeks of initial recovery?
Ever since I was diagnosed with THR, my hip has been feeling worse, with my weight shifting, walking with a limp and also the tops of my feet and ankles have been inflamed to the point of shoes no longer fitting. Will the re-learned walking in recovery induce a normal stance, with normal weighting and posture again to reverse these unpleasant effects?
About pain, what kind of pain will be induced by the surgery that I would potentially need opioids to treat? Right now I have throbbing pain in inner hip areas, tingling pain in the groin and sharp pains in the knee when I walk that come and go randomly, per the amount of walking I do, time of day..etc (along with tight skin in the other leg and feet from the inflammation from the limp re-weighting walk) After surgery, those pains will go away but I will have new ones from the “impact of the surgery itself” . Will these pains be similar in nature to OA pain I have had in the last year, worse like the childhood cut sharp trauma pain? Or will it be like the “sore workout pain” like your leg muscles after a day of hard extreme skiing, mountain climbing or steep mountain bike trail ride? What exactly is “healing” pain?
Are these pains related to the healing phases (Inflammatory, Proliferative, Remodeling) My research tells most of the pain aside from trauma of the operation itself stems from your leg muscles and nerves being moved around during the procedure itself.
How does the elevation and attitude of the new hip affect the pain and recovery from the THR? And lastly, what about the adjustment to the new implant and joint mechanism itself?
As you can tell, this in itself is STILL a lot to take in. Even after a year of researching this procedure. I would not mind speaking to someone who has gone this to discuss these experiences. I have tried in vain over a year to find someone, but I have been unsuccessful. Most likely because I am one of the few people who have not turned their entire lives over to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Tik-Tok and only interact with others only through social media.
The only responses I have gotten from anyone is just shut up and do it. I refuse to accept only that. I am not saying that I am undecided. I will do this. I just need to be total ready.
Respectfully,
-James Fox
However, I do have some questions and concerns I would like to work through before having the THR procedure done to better “prepare me for the journey”. Like many others here, I am quite nervous as well. I had only one surgical procedure when I was very young and do not remember much of it. I had a traumatic injury incident at age 9 with a foot cut that was practically to the bone; with the local needle anesthesia insertion to numb the wound for stitching felt literally like a “battlefield wound” experience, with insurmountable pain I can distinctly remember to this very day!
In the meantime, I have researched the entire THR experience but only from a mechanical and procedural standpoint. I know all about the techniques, the procedure, preparations, recovery, the day of surgery, medications, timelines and equipment needed for the home. I have been to PT for preparation and anticipate re-engagement during recovery. But most of this information I have found has been provided by hospitals and orthopedic centers, from the practitioners point of view. Marketing materials to encourage having it done, or to calm the fears of newly scheduled patients and prevent cold feet.
The patient testimonials from these sources have focused on the long term results of THR which I have no doubt are nothing short of phenomenal. But I am seeking the short term, unpleasant “experience” that no doubt everyone, including myself has and will need to endure to get to that point.
I know everyone is different with different ages, physiologies, backgrounds,..etc and for the most part would have different overall experiences. However, this is a standard, popular and common procedure and thus there are probably common effects that would be experienced by most everyone going through this.
For example I almost fainted when described the spinal tap I will be initially administered. Would I have the option of being given nitrous gas before that to calm me before undergoing that similar to dental procedures?
It is given you would be completely out for the procedure and it would appear as instantaneous, but what would I feel internally when I am revived? What would the new artificial implant feel like to me vs. the natural hip? All information states that you would be induced to get out of bed and walk almost from when you are revived? What will that be like? What kind and how much pain will that be, initially? How difficult will that be? I have heard stories of “long leg”, your height being different..etc. Will my entire operated side feel like a solid block of cement and be immutable?
I have heard of side effects of the anesthesia, will they prevent me from sleeping or eating or being constipated? What is the expect extent of fatigue and drain from the procedure itself?
I am sure I will not be able to sleep the night before the surgery, but will anesthesia side effects or pain from the surgery prevent me sleeping the first night? Will I be able to sleep at all for the next few nights for the next 1-2 weeks of initial recovery?
Ever since I was diagnosed with THR, my hip has been feeling worse, with my weight shifting, walking with a limp and also the tops of my feet and ankles have been inflamed to the point of shoes no longer fitting. Will the re-learned walking in recovery induce a normal stance, with normal weighting and posture again to reverse these unpleasant effects?
About pain, what kind of pain will be induced by the surgery that I would potentially need opioids to treat? Right now I have throbbing pain in inner hip areas, tingling pain in the groin and sharp pains in the knee when I walk that come and go randomly, per the amount of walking I do, time of day..etc (along with tight skin in the other leg and feet from the inflammation from the limp re-weighting walk) After surgery, those pains will go away but I will have new ones from the “impact of the surgery itself” . Will these pains be similar in nature to OA pain I have had in the last year, worse like the childhood cut sharp trauma pain? Or will it be like the “sore workout pain” like your leg muscles after a day of hard extreme skiing, mountain climbing or steep mountain bike trail ride? What exactly is “healing” pain?
Are these pains related to the healing phases (Inflammatory, Proliferative, Remodeling) My research tells most of the pain aside from trauma of the operation itself stems from your leg muscles and nerves being moved around during the procedure itself.
How does the elevation and attitude of the new hip affect the pain and recovery from the THR? And lastly, what about the adjustment to the new implant and joint mechanism itself?
As you can tell, this in itself is STILL a lot to take in. Even after a year of researching this procedure. I would not mind speaking to someone who has gone this to discuss these experiences. I have tried in vain over a year to find someone, but I have been unsuccessful. Most likely because I am one of the few people who have not turned their entire lives over to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Tik-Tok and only interact with others only through social media.
The only responses I have gotten from anyone is just shut up and do it. I refuse to accept only that. I am not saying that I am undecided. I will do this. I just need to be total ready.
Respectfully,
-James Fox
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