Riding accident and looking at a THR at 38

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medicmom24

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I broke my hip on April 6, 2007 getting thrown from a horse. I had surgery the next day and had 3 screws inserted. It is still not healed and I am not weight bearing (a non-union). Now I am looking at my options...bone growth stimulator, osteotomy, or hip replacement. I am very active and am afraid that a hip replacement at my age would only be the first. I am also concerned about resuming all of my normal activities...what kind of limitations will I have?? If any one has any insight, I'd sure appreciate it!! Cathy
 
Hi Cathy,
There is not an easy answer to your questions since every person, surgeon and surgery is unique. I can only tell you what my experience has been. I had both hips replaced in May '05 due to severe OA at age 53. I was in very good physical condition so I breezed thru my recovery and was able to return to most all of my athletic endevors within months. At my 1 year checkup, my surgeon lifted all restricitions. While I no longer run competetivly or much at all for that matter, I do ride (eventing) competetively, mnt bike, kayak, rollerblade, x/c and downhill ski, hike, yoga, weight lift ect. I do not think about my hips much at all when being active, they do not bother me. But I am of course, concerned about their lifespan. However, there is not too much I can do about it, other than trying to stay strong to protect them and give up running.

If I can give you any advice, it would be to find an outstanding surgeon who specializes in THR if that is what you need. Skill is everything! My wonderful surgeon does more than 360/yr and is very well respected in his field. On top of that he really listens to me and is very empathetic to my needs. He did an outstanding job on me.

Next, I would tell you to stay as fit as possible. You are pretty much down and out now it sounds like, but try to stay as lean as possible and keep your upper body strong. Do not wait until you have lost all your muscle tone.

Sorry about your riding accident. It is always on the back of my mind. Good luck getting back on your feet.

Andrea
 
What an exemplary reply - so full of optimism and encouragement!

Can't add much to that.
 
Thank you for your insights and encouragement. I ended up with a THR because of avascular necrosis. It has not quite been two weeks. I am still pretty sore and discouraged about ever walking again...my muscles have atrophied quite a bit in the last three months. I am doing physical therapy and know in my head that it is just a matter of time. Hopefully, I will make a lot of progress in the next week or so. Again, thank you for sharing your experience.
 
It WILL improve - I promise! You have time and youth on your side - all things are possible!
 
I am glad to hear your surgery is done. It does take time, but you will improve. Two weeks is not very long so please do not get discouraged yet! Do keep up with your PT and work hard at it. Those muscles will come back. And you will continue to improve for the whole year! It just keeps getting better, trust me. You will have some set backs, but those will be followed by bursts of improvement. What type of surgery and prothesis did you have? Are you sore from the surgical incision or is it muscle sorness? I like to think of muscle sorness as kinda a good sore, but you may want to talk to your OS if you are still having pain from the surgery.

Andrea
 
Thank you so much for your encouragement! I am getting around better, but still using a walker if I need to go any distance...otherwise I end up walking like a pregnant penguin! I am keeping up with my PT, but I had to go back to work this week, so it's been hard to schedule. I'm keeping my chin up and working hard at getting back to normal. I go back to the DR in two weeks and should be cleared to drive again...that will be wonderful. Again, thank you for all the encouragement!!! Cathy
 
Oh...I forgot to answer your questions...I'm not sure what you mean about what kind of surgery; the prosthesis is metal on metal and I think it is titanium/cobalt. I asked about a ceramic prosthesis, but for whatever reason my surgeon preferred the metal one. I hope this answers your questions! Cathy
 
Hi Cathy,
Well, it sounds like you are making progress! I was just curious what approach your surgeon used for your surgery. Mine was MIS, posterior, non cemented. I had no muscles cut, just pushed aside for the surgery, so recovery was much faster.

I just had my 2 yr checkup last week. Xrays look great, bone is tight on prothesis and there is no sign of wear. When my OS watched me walk, he was amazed at how good my gait was. I told him that I actually went to a PT that specialized in gait training. The PT had me relearn how to walk correctly!! Most all of us with hip problems have compensated for our pain with some pretty bad gaits so we really need to undo all that was learned. that is probably why you still have the 'pregnant penquin' walk lol. I spent hours on a treadmill in front of mirrors, with flouresent dots on my knees, hips and shoulders, but I was amazed at the difference it made! I highly recommend trying to find a gait specialist. They usually work with runners to refine their form, but it worked great for me and my surgeon says he wishes all his patients could do it!

Your best chance at a really great recovery will also depend on you keeping up with your PT. It does not have to be with a therapist, just make sure you keep exercising. Lifting weights is wonderful, keeps those joints nice and tight and your core strong. Walk a lot and concentrate on your form. Walk tall and use your core.

Are you going to ride again? My mare and I won the Hunter/Jumper division Championship at our last show!

Andrea
 
Woa! Congratulations on that, ripanco! That is truly impressive.
 
Wow! That's wonderful that you are still able to ride and compete!! My husband told me the only horses I could ride after this are the ones in front of WalMart that he can unplug if they get out of hand! lol Honestly, I'd like to get back up on them, but there is a huge fear factor...I'm sure I will eventually overcome it.
My surgery was not minimally invasive. The incision is huge...up my leg and around to the middle of my back side, and the muscles were cut through and sutured back up. Most of my discomfort is from weak and abused muscles ( I haven't been able to walk since April). I am working on strengthening them by walking a lot and using an eliptical machine. I know what you mean about using my core in order to walk normally. If I am tired or not paying attention I tend to limp a lot more and swing my leg instead of using the muscles. I don't want to pick up bad habits and then have to relearn everything. I go back to the doctor next week and I hope to be cleared to drive and to do more extensive PT.
Again, congratulations on your win, and your great doctor's report!
Cathy
 
Sounds like you had a big fracture there to be dealt with, mm. Was the shaft of the femur fractured as well as at the hip? If that was the case, then you are going to take a deal of time to be back to your normal self. It won't be anything like a run of the mill THR.
 
Thank you, Cathy and Josephine :)

Cathy, your surgery sounds much more extensive than what I had. There probably was a fair amount of damage to fix. It will take you a little longer to heal, those cut muscles take time. So try to be patient, hard as that is. It sounds like you are doing a good job of exercising with the walking and eliptical, keep it up. I believe you will hit a point in the not too distant future where you will make some huge progress. Remember, too, that you will continue to improve for many months to come. It seems like a long way off to you now, but in the grand scheme of things, it is just a little bump in the road.

Your husband sounds a little like mine! :) This first time I got back in the saddle, I had no idea how it would be. I did just a little at a time to build up my confidence, even took a few spills with no ill effect. I am much more careful now than when I was young, but that could be age as well as hip protection. But I love my mare so much, I just couldn't imagine a life without riding. Do you have your own horse? If so what type? I have a very green, firery red chestnut Hanovarian mare. I love her to pieces, but she can be a handful at times. She is not nasty in anyway, in fact a real sweetie, but she has her own ideas on how things should be done. So I have to pick my battles wisely. She is super athletic and talented, just starting to learn what she really can do. We are doing eventing, dressage and jumping. I think she can jump the moon if she wanted. I hope you can get back to riding again someday, just take your time.

Andrea
 
Ripanco,

You have a great attitude, and your experience gives me hope.
Whay type of bearing did your OS choose for you?

I will be 47 when I get my THR and am currently checking out different options.

Thanks
 
ripanco - you make me so envious! I had a short period learning to ride but then my riding instructor moved and I couldn't find another place. I did enjoy it so. And now where I live I am surrounded by riding schools and I can't make use of them now. (boo hoo!!) I so loved riding.
 
I actually had to stop riding for almost 30 yrs when I started my family, but horses have always been my passion. Once my kids were all grown and my time was mine again, that passion came back with a huge vengeance and I just had to have a horse in my life again. There is a fantastic barn nearby with an indoor/outdoor arenas, jumping stadium, cross country course and trails and outstanding trainers. A few months after my surgery, I started by leasing a horse there which eventually led to buying one of my own. I now own a drop dead gorgeous Hanovarian mare named Willow. Willow is very green, but has tons of athletic abiltiy and we are really starting to put it all together.

Swright: my surgeon chose Stryker Crossfire/Accolade which is a highly x-linked poly cup with a titanium stem. It was not what I thought I wanted, but since I trusted my OS and he spent plenty of time explaining how and why, it is what I have and so far I am completely happy with it. My 2 yr check up showed perfect bone growth around the prothesis and no sign of wear. Good luck!

Andrea
 
ripanco,

I am very interested in the cross-linked polys. Many of the hip replacement forums lean toward the ceramic or metal for younger patients.

Stryker X3 is actually the one I'm researching. I understand there is a risk of osteolysis with the poly's, but then again there are risks both known and unknown with the ceramic and metal.

It's good to hear promising reports on the cross-linked. Thanks for taking the time to respond! Your experience gives me more courage to take the step of surgery.
 
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