RTHR scheduled for May 5, 2014

[bottomshollow]

What I don't have are any details about things like anterior, posterior or MIS (???) approach

@moms4tne, so pleased that you have joined us here on the forum. Here's a link to the Library article that should give some insight: THR approaches or incisions

Keep in mind that the more you know about THR, the more comfortable you'll be about the whole thing. So read all the articles Poppet left you---they'll answer a lot of your questions and some you didn't even know you had .

We are here to help in any way we can: answering questions and concerns; supporting and encouraging you from start to finish; giving you a place to vent, whine, complain if you need to; sharing experiences with one another; and having fun and some laughs along the way.

Take care and keep us posted. We care.

 

[Sue629]

am receiving a lot of comfort here - a safe place

@moms4tne I couldn't of said it better myself It's nice to be able to go to a place where others understand what your feeling and what your dealing with. I have said this many times before, I am ever so grateful for BoneSmart

 

[GaRosehippy]

@moms4tne ......I did not have a clue I had hip issues as I had been being treated for back issues for years. I was in total denial, took 4 months before I even saw an OS, then again when he told me both hips were shot and would have to be replaced MAJOR DENIAL, left there crying, 2 weeks later I travel 150 miles to get another consult who tells me the same thing, so denial is no longer an issue, it is now reality. So scheduled both to be done at the same time, really was afraid of what was to come, was just so sick and tired of living every day in pain and limitations. I found BS just like everyone else, seeking answers, research. I was the desperate one looking for a way to deal with my pain, hard to do when you are allergic to every pain med. practically. Anterior is a less invasive approach, quicker recovery, no muscles or tendons cut, up and walking the same day. This is just my story.

 

[moms4tne]

@GaRosehippy. Good to hear. I was looking at the link to the diagrams posted earlier - didn't even look at the picture of the video LOL - and it does sorta look like anterior is the "easiest" and (for some reason) what I was expecting, although I'm not sure why. Only actually met with the surgeon twice - first time was last November when he said arthroscopy was a no go and we'd do the Lidocaine in the joint thing as a diagnostic to see whether a THR would likely eliminate my pain. He may have described things at that point, but neither hubby nor I really remember clearly. I think we were in shock - going in anticipating a discussion about arthro and coming out with a totally different realization. I think I will make some calls this week and find out for sure - don't know if it makes a difference in the end, but I think I'd just like to be as informed as possible, even if it's only so that I can compare notes with the rest of you


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[moms4tne]

Oh, forgot to mention I've also had major issues with my back - have been seeing a chiropractor pretty much every 2 weeks since 2007. I honestly think she's the only reason I can still get around. Have had acupuncture on occasion as well, which helps when I'm really out of alignment. One leg longer than the other has major impact on your whole body, and I'm anxious to be done with that. After my initial fall/injury, I believe my pelvis was locked in a "twist" for several years. Don't know what impact that had on the osteoarthritis, but I could not put weight on both feet at the same time - there was such a discrepancy. After that was healed and resolved, and I had true mobility in the joint again, the arthritis pain began in earnest and has only gotten worse as time passes.


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[Poppet]

I found the important factor was to get a sense of confidence from one's surgeon, research him/her and then have faith in their experience, their training and go with it.. Even though I had so much knowledge, had fully researched the procedure - in the end I felt so confident in my surgeon that I didn't even ask what surgical approach he was going to do.. It is good that we have choices

 

[MsFit1]

Hi again @moms4tne - I'd been doing a lot of reading about arthritis remedies before finally coming to the conclusion that hip surgery would be my best (and last) option. I, like GaRosehippy was shocked and devastated when x-rays showed end-stage arthritis in both hips! I too had tears and disbelief. How could his happen to me - I'd been so athletic and taken such good care of myself. Well, after a period of feeling sorry for myself, I decided to do something about it. I tried every "natural" way possible to improve my flexibility and pain. Trouble was, whatever remedy I tried it did not get better. Then in desperation I started to do research on hip surgery. I read everything I could online, bought a book about hip replacement, and luckily I finally found BoneSmart. For me it was empowering to learn enough about the surgery to understand that it is one of the most successful surgeries and the outcomes are fantastic. I'm in the Sarasota, Florida area. My OS specializes in a minimally invasive, anterior approach, with about a 3" incision (or whatever is necessary to get the job done right). Supposedly an anterior approach is a less painful and quicker recovery. I sure hope so! He does many hip replacements every week, approximately 800 - 1,000 annually. I have read here on BoneSmart that a very important thing to look for in a surgeon is his experience in doing hip replacements, not necessarily the approach or his "style" of doing things. Good luck!!!

 

[Vetgirl]

Great discussions here....I personally am the type of person who likes to know everything....that's just me. I even felt better learning about the mobility aids etc.

It's great to buddy up with others from around your same date.....you won't keep in touch with everyone but there will be those you naturally click with. For me @Poppet a fellow Aussie and administrator took me under her wing and also @calikat @sunsetbiking and @Butterfly have become great supporters from my September date.

Keep chatting and do what's best for you xxxx

 

[Poppet]

Ditto Sally, @Vetgirl - we have certainly bonded with a strong friendship. Remember that you, Bill, @fulafoto and I have a date somewhere in the future to get together... I have no doubt that we will xx

 

[sunsetbiking]

@moms4tne Welcome to bonesmart!

It's great to buddy up with others from around your same date.....you won't keep in touch with everyone but there will be those you naturally click with.

I agree with @Vetgirl you develop a bond with some of your fellow hippies @Vetgirl, @calikat are a couple of people I developed a bond with and so happy to have meet them on this site. Bonesmart and all the great people on this site have helped me emotionally handle everything I went through with my surgery.

My hip issues were a surprise to me, I had a LTKR May 3, 2012 and when the surgeon did the X-rays for the knee replacement, he found I had dysplasia in both hips and cysts on my right hip and both hips had arthritis and all my knee issues were caused from a defect in my hips. I couldn't think about all this new information I needed to put all my energy to the LTKR and the long road of recovery I would have with my Knee.

Fast forward to my hip, it was about 3 months after I was discharged from PT for the knee, that I started having that joint pain again, but this time it was in the hip and I had no idea how bad it was until I saw my surgeon again, I did try different treatments to relieve the pain but nothing would control the pain, I had decided I wasn't going to live with that pain again for a long period of time and September 3, 2013 I was having my hip replaced. I have to say, I wasn't as nervous about this joint replacement, not like I was with my knee. I just wanted that joint pain gone!

I had an epidural with my surgery and was slightly sedated, waking up after surgery is so much easier than being put completely under anesthesia.

I did have a small complication with my surgery, when the doctor was putting in the joint, the bone fractured. So I ended up with 2 wires holding the fracture together and I had a non weight bearing restriction for 4 weeks.

I felt like I was behind with my recovery, compared to my fellow September hippies. I soon caught up with everyone and each one of us has a different recovery, and you can not compare your recovery to everyone else. Even though we are all going through the same surgery, each one is very much different.

Come May 3rd my hip will be 8 months OLD! I can't believe its been 8 months already. I am so excited for summer and being able to do all the little things I missed out on the last 2 summers!

Good Luck with your surgery on May 5th and you will be so happy when the joint pain is gone and you're on the road to recovery!

 

[Vetgirl]

Yes @Poppet we do. Bill @fulafoto has become a truly great friend too this year.

Hey @sunsetbiking I can't believe it's that long!!!! I totally forgot about the fracture!!!!! Glad your going well

 

[moms4tne]

Ok, now I think I've been reading too much and I'm getting panicky. It just all seems so overwhelming - I think what did it was reading about sleep deprivation and not being able to get comfortable. For all my life I've only been able to sleep on my side - I actually roll over onto my back to wake myself up. I'm also worried about finding a comfortable place to sit - I have trouble with my lower back (a "sway back") and it aches when I sit too long with my feet on the floor. Having at least one leg up to "round" my back takes the strain off - but that'll break the 90 degree rule, at least on the un-operated side. And, of course, being tall means all upholstered furniture in the house is too low, I already "drop" onto any seat that doesn't have arms, and the recliner I've lived in for years is out because of the 90 degree rule. I am getting scared that I will become exhausted due to not being able to get comfortable or sleep, and the pain will overwhelm me. Anybody who can ease my fears?


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[maddysmile]

This place is great. Reading about things I too am experiencing and seeing that it is "normal" is reassuring. I have a tendency to think the worst (being a pessimist and all), so this is very helpful, counter acting my "overactive" thoughts and emotions.

 

[Dieter]

@moms4tne Talk to your surgeon about restrictions...they are a lot of differences from what folks here report. My OS has told me there are no post op restrictions like 90 degree, crossing legs ect. I am pretty much going to try to worry about things as they come up...

 

[moms4tne]

We went to the pre-op class last week and they were pretty adamant about the 90 degree thing, no recliners, no twisting or bending at all for 3 months, etc. I'm sure they are just covering their you-know-what, but who am I to argue? I don't dare do anything that might compromise this recovery - I've had to wait too long, been in pain WAY too long. I am very glad I will have support at home, but honestly concerned that I have no idea where/how I will relax or sleep. I think I'm just getting pre-surgery jitters. Tell me this is normal and unnecessary?


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[GaRosehippy]

@moms4tne ...Don't let things overwhelm you, sometimes you have to shut it down and just breathe. I was being treated for back issues since 2010. I do have several small bulges, stenosis, my doctor says I have a "swayback" too! Issues on L3L4. I spent the last several months just coming home from work and hitting the bed, could no longer sit in the recliner, couch or loveseat. I am a side sleeper too and I was on my side after 2 weeks. It will work out. I saw the OS and he gave me the news on that consult to tell me that both my hips were shot and he would replace them both at the same time! That was my first visit and that is what he told me, second visit was for my own peace of mind, he re-iterated that both hips were shot and he would do both, I had a legal size pad of questions, he pulled up his stool and had me fire away, I left that appointment with a surgical date, that was the next time I saw him. I really feel that I didn't dwell on the actually surgery, I was just in so much pain that I wanted it OVER with. ALSO on another note, I have only had back pain twice since the surgery, so it is possible that a lot of your back issues might be radiating from your hips. I wish you luck in that area also.

 

[GaRosehippy]

No recliners? That is a first as they help you sleep on your back and elevate you. That is confusing. I was allowed to cross my feet at my ankles in the hospital and cross them all the time now. I was just told NO TO kick my leg backward, I mean really backwards, that would be the only position to worry about. I have bent over, not good at it yet and not very comfortable yet.. I have gotten down on my knees on the floor and made it back up with the assistance of the bed to get back up, but NO RECLINER!!!! I would question that. There are things to raise your recliner that are cheap also, but you do what your told.

 

[moms4tne]

Yes, I'm pretty certain that most of my back issues are due to the hip. I can only hope I have relief from that as a result of the surgery. The only chair that has ever been truly comfortable was my office chair at work - unfortunately I had to quit that job last summer and I doubt they'd let me borrow it now. Might have to try to find one like it, though - except with locking wheels LOL


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[Me2]

For the last 6 months or so, all of my "hip" pain was in my back and its mostly gone away now . . . explained to me that as I change my way of walking to accommodate hip the pelvis had to tilt and now as it is forced to change back to normal to be able to walk normal it is a little resistent and achy but its so much better now.
I slept on side forever, until arthritis doctor attributed my hip issues to bursitis and suggested not sleeping on sides. I learned to sleep on back -- put pillows under knees to get comfortable and prevent rolling to side after sleeping. Two nights trying now . . . so excited to sleep successfully on side most of last night (17 days post-op) and it felt very good, nice deep sleep until 4 a.m.
I don't understand no recliner rule either -- it doesn't seem to break either posterior 90 degree rule or the anterior no leg backward rule either? It does really help with being able to rest on back . . . ? I usually don't use what I refer to as my husband's chair/recliner, but I have claimed it since surgery. Its my chair -- I have my "life" in a basket there so I can be all set to "rest."
You mentioned the "grief" part of dealing with this hip surgery/recovery --- there are certainly a lot of things related to the grieving part of this -- interesting.

 

[glmrphy]

@moms4tne , just wanted to add my welcome, here. The waiting is the worst part, you are among friends who know exactly what you are feeling- which is what makes this forum so helpful to all of us. Hang in there, won't be long now!