Shall I postpone my double hip replacement for a year?

[Ginny12]

@dannidb95

Just checking in to 'say' hello. Hope you are able to enjoy your weekend.

 

[cc1973]

I was diagnosed with protrusion when I was 15 after having hip pain for 2 years, I stopped all running sports (pain improved enormously - only had pain rarely). My hip sockets were protruding and very thin on my xrays/scans but they have not deteriorated as fast as the Dr's/consultants expected - I was told to expect hip replacements in my early 20's. I am 45 now and have been travelling all round the world and very active, hiking up mountains, biking, scuba diving, sailing, swimming, kayaking, snowboarding, sky diving/bungy, waterskiing the list goes on. It is only this last year that I have decided to get my hip replaced as the range of movement has become much more restricted (it is now stopping me from doing lots of the above activities) and level of pain has increased (not in hip but in back and knee!). As the majority seem to be saying have the operation soon, I thought I would share my experience as I chose to delay having the op. I didn't really like football or other running sports so cutting these out of my life wasn't a problem, if it is a major part of your life then probably do the op sooner rather than later. I only decided to have the op when I could not continue to do the things I love!

 

[dannidb95]

Hi there just checking in.
Thanks @cc1973 for your advice. It's hard to find people with this diagnosis especially at such a young age, so i do really appreciate your comment. However, already at the age of 22 I am struggling with day-to-day activities such as getting in and out of my car, I have to basically sit and swivel and even that causes a lot of pain. Breast stroke I haven't been able to do for years and years. A night last week I was woken from a lot of pain in my hips which I haven't had since I stopped playing football over 4 months ago happened. It took me a while to finally get comfortable against after a lot of tossing and turning.

I am slowly coming to terms with having a BTHR a some point in my life but still unsure when I want to have this taken place. My MRI results are playing on my mind. I phoned my doctors secretary today to try and get my results as it has been 3 weeks since my scan, however she said I will find out my results in my next appointment which isn't until December 5th!!!! So I still have over a month of pondering and worrying about my results.

Still thinking of what a positive and healthy lifestyle I may lead when I do have BTHR, which is helping me to come to terms with it.

Thanks for your replies!

 

[dannidb95]

@cc1973 Please may I ask what flexibility you had at the age of 22? And what the stiffness and pain stopped you from doing at that age?

I just want to know if my case is as severe as yours and maybe I could last until the age you had your hip replacements?

Thanks

 

[Ginny12]

@dannidb95

Hope that you are doing OK. Just saying hello really as my situation is very different from yours so i can't offer advice. Except that i had my hip given a make over last week and i am really pleased already with my improved mobility. Whatever you decide to do i wish you the very best.

Warmest wishes

 

[cc1973]

@dannidb95 Sorry for the delay to my reply- I have been away on holiday to Jordan. At 22 I did a lot of diving, kayaking, sailing etc but had very restricted movement in my left hip - only a few degrees of rotation outwards and could not raise it past 90 degrees, no lateral movement. I have never been able to do breaststroke! Struggled to put shoes on, tie laces and paint toenails. Difficult to get in car if another was parked close to it. I have walked with a limp since the age of 13 but it has gradually got more pronounced as my left hip has almost fused at a 85 degree angle now. Pain was worse in my teens (13-20 and I did used to take)- the more restricted my hip became the less pain I got (now I am getting pain in my back and knee as I am walking all out of line!) Went round the world for 15 months aged 24/25 visited Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia worked fruitpicking in Oz, climbing ladders and carrying 2-3 tonnes of fruit a day, skydive, bungyjump, snowboarded, all day hikes and all sorts of other activities in new Zealand, learnt to windsurf in raratonga ( struggled with water starts as could not get in correct position in the water, also not easy to sit in Karts, luges, sledges as can't bend knees up towards chest).Did a lot of swimming which I think helped and walking, but running and impact through the hip resulted in pain, occasionally got pain at night but this was often if I overdid it or had some impact to my hip earlier in the day. Seems to be less painful in dry sunny climate (my excuse for going on lots of holidays!), I notice more pain over the colder wetter months but its normally no more than a dull ache and do not regularly take any pain relief medication. Had 2 kids in my 30's but had c sections as midwifes/Drs were worried I could not give birth naturally due to lack of range of movement in both hips. Struggled to sit astride quad bike, motorbike, jet ski, banana rides etc early 30s. Snowboarding now my stance is very narrow and look like I am squatting on the loo, but can still just about do it (no jumping or tricks though!) Struggling to sit in a kayak, can't get on my bike, even sitting on a chair is not easy now as my left leg does not bend to 90 degrees, so booked in for left hip replacement on 29th November- will need bone grafting to fill up the socket so the surgeon only wants to do one at a time - the right one still has reasonable range of movement so will see how the first one goes before I decide when to do the 2nd. I was lucky and did not get much pain from my condition, which I believe is the reason I have put up with the restricted movement for so long. Hope you get your scan results soon and if you have any more questions please just ask!

 

[dannidb95]

Hi @cc1973 thank you for your reply. And sorry for my delayed reply.
I am pretty much in the same situation as you I think, I do have a constant dull ache especially to me left hip (Which is my worst) along with sharp shootings pains, which I will be asking the doc about on 5th December. I struggle to straddle things, I went on holiday last week and did quad biking very painful throughout but I couldnt even think about getting on the banana boat! I wanted to get both my hips done at the same time to save going thru it twice but because of severe protrusio I have a feeling the surgery may be more complicated and have to do it one at a time like you. Thank you for your reply, not long until i get my MRI results now which will hopefully give me more answers. All the best for your op on the 29th November. Will be looking to see how yours goes, as I know that'll be me in the future!

Thanks again for answering my questions.

 

[Michegon]

@dannidb95 Hi, Bilateral Jim here! I just want to add some support for you as i had both my hips done together about 4 years ago. The big thing is, you've lived with that pain for 6 years, that has to wear you down in everyday life. As an ex-collegiate athlete i wondered what my limitations would be after i had the surgery. I had to laugh at myself because i had turned into an invalid, any thing would have been an improvement. It was the moment after the operation i woke up and noticed that ache and pain was gone. I healed so fast, just think what you can do at a third of my age. Get your life back and get it done! This forum will help you and it seems like you have a great attitude to get this done! Good luck!

 

[SurreyGirl]

In my late fifties and love sailing and scuba . Put up with rubbish left hip that got worse and worse. Hobbiecat sailing became well nigh impossible and the bone on bone pain kept me awake for most of the nights.
Quite honestly I was very miserable and down although tried to put on a brave face!

Hip replacement has happened and partly cemented but I am now very optimistic I will be able to do these activities again. Just being pain free is amazing. Early days yet but already my range of movement is so much better.

It is a difficult decision if you are young but you will know when you are ready. Your hip will certainly tell you! All the best for your decision

 

[midouri]

Hi Danni,
I’m in a similar situation to you. I just found out I’ve bilateral protrusio which doctor said I was born with. I’m 42 years old and all my life played sports etc with no issues, so it was a big shock to find out. But since I’ve found out it’s been progressing and I’m so glad I got on the list for replacement as I’m getting much worse. If it was me, I’d forget about the trip and get it done but that’s just me. Good luck! It’s nice to talk to someone who’s got the same condition as me.

 

[Hip Hip Hooray!]

I also had bilateral surgery and highly recommend it. Your case sounds very severe. Hips can go downhill very quickly. I am now able to kayak, bike, hike, walk, do yoga, and pilates. It's such a relief to be out of pain. Best of luck to you.