Howdy
I found out in April 2020 that I needed to replace my right hip. Moving on to nearly a year later, my health insurance has ticked over and I am scheduled for surgery start of May.
I have a background of hip problems and surgeries to remedy, labral tears, impingement,cartilage degeneration etc. Now I have severe arthritis in my right hip.
I have had a year to wrap my head around what was initially a shock and am now I believe ready for this.
However there are reservations and perhaps these things are common so any feedback or insight would be great.
pain - I’m ok, I don’t suffer from crippling pain all the time, however I get sore and that can vary from stiffness and minor pain to quite painful resulting in a limp during most prolonged activity and after.
my age - I’m 33. There is an underlying notion that hip replacements are for older people and you should not get one if you’re young. I’m aware the requirement of revision is higher for younger patients.
expectation - a conversation with my hip surgeon the other day got me thinking. “ what is normal “. I have battled hip issues for 12 years, my good days are my normal, but what is that in relation to a normal functioning hip, and will the outcome of a new hip be vastly different? I know only I can find the answer to that, but it’s a thought I keep coming back
when - are you ever 100% ready for this?
Every situation of course is different, I know I do not have another ten years left in my hip. I am faced with the probability of revision even if I was to try and wait another few years, but what is to gain from waiting if it’s only for a marginal amount of time?
if you have any advice or similarities in your story I would appreciate the feedback.
cheers
I found out in April 2020 that I needed to replace my right hip. Moving on to nearly a year later, my health insurance has ticked over and I am scheduled for surgery start of May.
I have a background of hip problems and surgeries to remedy, labral tears, impingement,cartilage degeneration etc. Now I have severe arthritis in my right hip.
I have had a year to wrap my head around what was initially a shock and am now I believe ready for this.
However there are reservations and perhaps these things are common so any feedback or insight would be great.
pain - I’m ok, I don’t suffer from crippling pain all the time, however I get sore and that can vary from stiffness and minor pain to quite painful resulting in a limp during most prolonged activity and after.
my age - I’m 33. There is an underlying notion that hip replacements are for older people and you should not get one if you’re young. I’m aware the requirement of revision is higher for younger patients.
expectation - a conversation with my hip surgeon the other day got me thinking. “ what is normal “. I have battled hip issues for 12 years, my good days are my normal, but what is that in relation to a normal functioning hip, and will the outcome of a new hip be vastly different? I know only I can find the answer to that, but it’s a thought I keep coming back
when - are you ever 100% ready for this?
Every situation of course is different, I know I do not have another ten years left in my hip. I am faced with the probability of revision even if I was to try and wait another few years, but what is to gain from waiting if it’s only for a marginal amount of time?
if you have any advice or similarities in your story I would appreciate the feedback.
cheers