THR Surgery

[Taylor21591]

Hi, my name is Taylor and I'm 17. I'm scheduled to get a THR on my left hip on December 29. I found this website and thought it looked like a good place to go for support.

I'm so nervous, even though I know everything will turn out fine. I was diagnosed with Avascular Necrosis in my left hip from taking Prednisone, which was part of treatment for my Lymphoma (which is gone now).

I'd love some feedback. Like what to expect and everything!
Thanks.

 

[JudyS]

Hi Taylor

Sorry to see all you have been through already at your young age.
I am 51, very active and had a hip replacement this past summer. It is awesome. A few days in the hospital were pretty miserable (much was due to nausea and vomiting due to the meds in the patient controlled anesthesia pump)
After that is was all uphill, literally. I am a mountain hiker and have put in many many miles recently.
At 3 weeks I started swimming for exercise, then walking and biking, then at 3 months fully back to hiking and anything else I wanted to do. (except running)

I don't even know I have a prosthesis, it feels totally normal and always did.

A lot will depend on what type of surgical approach your doc uses. You seem to be informed of what is going on with your body, so ask questions away of your doc or us at this forum.

Welcome, we are here for you . It is totally normal to be scared. It is the most successful surgery ever and you will be just fine.
Judy

 

[UTdave]

Take your vitamins and calcium (especially if you're a woman). I, personally, would try to minimize or not take narcotic pain meds for some time before surgery (hopefully you aren't already). Get as fit as you can before surgery. Ask your doctor or get a second opinion regarding resurfacing and consider travel if necessary to do so. If you're not a candidate for re-surfacing, don't sweat it - modern metal-metal, anterior approach total hips are pretty stellar!

I hate to say something starting with "I know somebody. . .", but, my office secretary's son had a car crash several years ago, ultimately requiring total hip and is looking fantastic 5 yrs later!

BTW, Judy's right - one of the most researched and successful surgeries ever!

Good Luck and keep us posted!!

 

[Josephine]

Taylor - welcome to BoneSmart. Though it's a bit late in the day, I have to ask - have you explored the possibility of hip resurfacing? It may or may not be suitable for you but it's worth looking into. If it is, it would be far more preferable at your age than a THR.

Read in this forum Hip Resurfacing Arthroplasty where you can find some more detail. There's only one thread there but it's got a lot of information in it.

Also look here where you can find this article ...

Hip Resurfacing Option

To Conserve As Much Bone As Possible

CONSERVE® Implant Partial Resurfacing (Wright Medical)
​

For younger patients, a total hip replacement may not be the best solution for their hip pain because it can mean difficult and numerous revisions later in life. Hip resurfacing, however, leaves more of the bone in place, giving these patients more time before a total hip replacement becomes necessary.

Partial hip resurfacing, or hemi-resurfacing, is the most bone-conserving approach to hip surgery. During this procedure, only the femoral head (where the leg joins the hip) is reshaped and resurfaced. The hip socket (acetabulum) is left completely intact. The obvious benefit with partial resurfacing is that the patient keeps most of his or her own bone, which allows for easier revisions in the future (if one becomes necessary).

Also look at these sites

https://www.activejoints.com/resurfacing.html
https://www.canberrahipknee.com/resurfacing.html

 

[YoungM]

Hi Taylor,

I am 26 years old and will also be getting a THR in March 2009. I'm extremely nervous and scared. I wish you the best with your surgery. You will be fine!

Let me know how it goes.
Melissa

 

[LuvANurse26]

Hi Taylor,

I'm Felicia. I'm 30 years old. I feel like you are telling my story. I took Prednisone for childhood asthma, and developed AVN. I've had issues since I was about 12.

To make a long story short. I finally decided to have the surgery this year. Oct 28th was my day. I'm a nurse, and I was scared. Its normal to be scared. I would worry if you wasn't.

Anyway, the surgery wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I had the anterior approach. I only took pain medication for sleep. I developed a temp while in the hospital. That was my only problem. I came home with home health physical therapy. They came out 3 times a week. I am now 6 weeks post op. I started out patient PT on yesterday. And, on Weds gone the doc put me on a cane. I can walk straight, which is a major plus for me. I've been walking with a limp since my first surgery at about 12 years old.

I feel that this is the best decision I've made, and I wish I'd had the surgery sooner. You will be fine. If you have any questions, I'm here.

 

[Josephine]

We'll all be here!