THR THR due to AVN

MrLoaf

new member
Joined
Jan 4, 2022
Messages
3
Age
31
Country
United States United States
Gender
Male
Hi yall. Just found this forum and glad that I did. It's nice to hear from other people. I am 29 years old and my right hip is already collapsing from AVN. I just found out last week and my surgeon is recommending THR. I've been dealing with hip issues for over two years now but originally had an injury from playing disc golf and went to PT for months and that resolved the pain for about a year or so.

I'm conflicted now because the pain and immobility has returned. It's not highly painful unless I do a lot of physical activity. But I am always aware of my hip and have a hard time being comfortable with daily tasks. I think pain wise I could wait longer but don't want to get stuck waiting for surgery when/if it progresses more quickly for whatever reason. I also know I will have to have a revision since I am so young and potentially another one much later in life. Any encouragement about revisions as well?
 
@MrLoaf Welcome to BoneSmart! So sorry you are suffering due to AVN.

In my experience the longer you wait for surgery the longer and more complicated the recovery. If your hip is already collapsing - please get this done as soon as you can. I waited far too long and had a total collapse. The pain is horrid and the recovery took over one year.

And please don't worry about a revision at this point. Technology is on your side! Here are a couple of articles from our Library:
Hips that have lasted 32, 40, 41 and 45 years
67½ year old - the THRs, not the patient!

Find a good surgeon who specialises in younger patients.
 
Welcome to the BoneSmart family! I will second Jaycey’s advice. I, too, waited too long to get surgery and paid the price in a longer recovery, although mine was not AVN. The waits for surgery are long enough and deteriorating joints can be unpredictable except in the fact that they WILL continue to deteriorate. Get it done now. The longevity of joint replacements is amazing as it is now. If you would have to have a revision in the distant future, imagine the advancements that will have happened. I see it as the only gamble you’re taking is in how long you want to wait to get back to your active, pain free life.

It’s normal to have trepidation but you have at least hundreds of people here who can attest to the fact it was very doable and so worth it. Blessings.
 
Welcome to the forum!

If you already know that the joint is collapsing and a surgeon is suggesting to replace it, I would not wait. From what you are saying it's already affecting your daily activities which tends to be when most people gage their decision on.

I am 36 and going in for my first THR in less than a month. Like you I am considered quite young for this procedure as well, but I knew that once it started to affect my daily activities(I no longer get full night's sleep because of pain, doing any amount of exercise will cause pain and will take a few days to recover etc). Waiting too long caused me to start having symptoms in my good hip(which will also eventually need a replacement, but until now was doing fantastic). The longer you wait, the more likely you are to possibly cause negative effects or consequences on the rest of your body for compensating for that bad hip.
 
Hello,

I am only 21 myself and had my hip replaced 2 months ago. I didn't have AVN but had dysplasia and to quote my operating surgeon "the hip of an 80-year-old" and "just a mess". I had taken multiple semesters off from school and had 7 previous surgeries on the right side. My surgery went incredibly well and honestly am shocked with how different life is when pain is not your main focus, even if it's not extreme all the time. I can't speak to revisions, but surgeon has said he had patients who had 7 done and preformed replacements on people as young as 13. He said will monitor my implant annually for early intervention if it needs to be revised. Since I had a lateral approach, my only restrictions are no jumping, or high-impact activities. If you are wondering if this is the right option, the best thing I can suggest is writing down what you can't do now without pain. For me, I know it was time when I could no longer attend college. By making that list I quickly saw that not being in pain and living without pain were two different things. If you have any question don't hesitate to ask.
 
Thank you all so much for the replies. It helps a lot to hear other people's stories to make me feel not so overwhelmed. I'm a bit worried about being laid up from my work as my job is very physical. I have seen a variety of recover times and hope that things go well so I can get back to work and back to some of the physical activities I'm currently very skeptical to do.

I'm really hopeful that I will be able to move on with my life and feel normal again whatever that is like since this has been going on for a few years now I think I've forgotten. I'll provide some updates when I get more information. Thanks again!
 
You will be able to return to work but will need to give that hip time to heal. The recommended time off work is 10-12 weeks and then a Phased return to work. Keep in mind that new hips don't like lifting anything heavy in the early days. But all the restrictions are temporary. A short space of time for a lifetime without hip pain.
 
All the restrictions are temporary. A short space of time for a lifetime without hip pain.
Amen to that sentence. I think it's been the number one thing I have told a lot of people over the years who have been overwhelmed at the adversity they felt when going through recovery from injuries. It may feel really hard at the time you're going through it, but when you think of the fact you will gain your life back, it's an easy price to pay(especially when you have been suffering for a long time).
 
I've had my left hip replaced due to AVN and waiting to get my right hip done, my advice would be to get it done before the pain gets to much. Both my joints have collapsed and the pain is unbearable, even keeps me awake at night when I'm later still. Had my left one done in September 2021 and can't wait to have this right one done. I have no pain in my left side anymore. Good luck.
 
That's great @MrLoaf ! I think making the decision and scheduling is a huge first step. After I made the decision, I felt such relief. Then I could begin to plan and prepare for the recovery.

I will ask the moderators to get your surgery date placed in a signature for you..
 
@MrLoaf congrats on getting your surgery scheduled! It's perfectly normal to feel nervous and excited. I think this is a great move on your part.

As Garth Brooks sings, I'm much too young to feel this dang old! I remember feeling this before my surgery and I've definitely got a few years on you! :heehee: Here's to looking forward to your new, pain free and active life!
 
If you are at the stage where you are planning to have surgery but are looking for information so you can be better prepared for what is to come, take a look at these links:



MrLoaf, we have a nice article about recovery aids, things to make the recovery a bit easier.. I hope it's helpful to you.​
If you are at the stage where you are planning to have surgery but are looking for information so you can be better prepared for what is to come, take a look at these links:





 
All the best to you today @MrLoaf
Hope you’ll join us on the healing side once you’re resting comfortably and feeling up to it. Will look forward to following your healing journey. :)
 

BoneSmart #1 Best Blog

Staff online

  • Jaycey
    ADMINISTRATOR Staff member since February 2011

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
65,181
Messages
1,597,066
BoneSmarties
39,365
Latest member
Dave4562
Recent bookmarks
0

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom