THR Time to commit?

[Morgan Le Fay]

Congratulations!
You will not regret it.

 

[Deni444]

Thanks for all your comments and advice.

Booked a date - 23 May. Some time away, that allows me to be mobile around Easter and my son’s birthday, plus a few months to get my head around going through this again. Still somewhat unconvinced this is the right thing ( says the guy currently lying on the back, feet up trying to give my back some relief, plus a sore hip )

Again. Thanks.

Congratulations on making a decision! I certainly wish I'd have worked it all out sooner. I truly believe you will now avoid some unnecessary pain and difficulty. In hindsight, the couple of years I held off is going to make absolutely no difference in terms of any potential future revision I may or not face. There's every possibility that my new hips will last longer than me. If they don't, so what! I'll have to get a refit to stay active when I'm much, much older. I've literally just spent a year moving around slower than an 80 year old at the age of 56. Kind of puts it all in perspective.

Here's to celebrating less pain now!

 

[Layla]

Still somewhat unconvinced this is the right thing ( says the guy currently lying on the back, feet up trying to give my back some relief, plus a sore hip )

As daunting as the prospect of another THR and recovery may feel, I believe you're doing the right thing since you're not functioning optimally and you're dealing with pain. I love that you are able to have somewhat of a sense of humor about it all, as noted in the quote.

My back used to "go out" a couple times a year, prior to my THR. I was crooked / couldn't stand up straight, had to contemplate every move I'd make to avoid more pain. These episodes could last for days. I assumed I had a bad back and didn't realize until after THR that it was related to my hip and thankfully I no longer have to deal with the episodes nor the pain that accompanied those occasions.

Wishing you comfort, Donny and a good week!

 

[Going4fun]

You are say you are going mad with the constant internal dialogue about whether to have the surgery now--I get it!

I delayed and agonized on my first surgery. For my second, the first time I felt the pain that reminded me of the arthritis in the other hip--literally within days--I scheduled with a surgeon (actually I checked out two surgeons) to have the second hip done--right away. I was exhausted by the relentless back and forth from the last time.

Both hips are doing well.

 

[Donny.T]

Thanks again for your replies, felt bad about committing to the surgery yesterday, today the opposite, feel good ready to go. assume this is all normal.

When meeting with my surgeon the other week, the main point of discussion was the incision site. I had the anterior approach last time and would prefer that this time around. However it looks like it would be a better choice this time to do the posterior approach. Due to my bone and muscle density my surgeon thinks the posterior is possibly a better practice as he would get easier access to the femur minimizing the risk of femur fracture when putting the stem in. My surgeon ( now retired ) who did my right THR did say it was a tough laborious job putting the stem in as i have thick bone.

How have people gone with the posterior recovery and has anyone had both anterior and posterior done?

 

[Layla]

Hi Donny,
I experienced the posterior approach and it is true that the surgeon has better visibility and access with this approach. I didn't have a choice, it was the only approach my surgeon used and I wanted him to do my surgery.

Recovery went well, for which I am very thankful.
I've also heard that if a complication were to arise during an anterior THR the surgeon may need to switch to posterior for better access and visibility to make necessary adjustments.
My mom experienced both anterior and posterior and felt they were equally the same as far as recovery goes.
For my recovery, the surgeon did not give me any restrictions, only to move thoughtfully and slowly and if anything hurt, STOP. I am sure others that have experienced both will offer feedback also.
Have a good evening!
@Donny.T

 

[Deni444]

My surgeon only performs posterior and so I don't have a choice. I was a little disappointed initially having read the the anterior approach had fewer restrictions post surgery. Having done a lot of research however, the level of restrictions you get, seems to have more to do with the opinion of your particular surgeon, rather than the approach used. Studies seem to be showing that fewer hip restrictions are beneficial to a faster recovery rather than a particular approach. I think we're seeing a cautious move away from firm restrictions but attitudes tend to lag behind the research. Studies really seem to point to hip restrictions causing some people to become overly anxious about moving and that becomes a barrier to recovery. You and I find ourselves on the cusp of what I think will be quite a shift in attitude. I've just decided, the best approach is the approach my surgeon is best at. For the sake of a few weeks, I'll follow his post op guidance, even if they are a bit stricter than they need to be

 

[Leedogmom2]

You will probably have that back and forth with yourself right up until your surgery. I questioned my decision but about a week after I had my consult with the surgeon, my hip started getting worse. That’s when I knew I had made the right decision and I never looked back. I’m so glad I had the surgery. I’m 4 wks post-op tomorrow & I still have some soreness & stiffness, but I know that is temporary.

Good luck!

 

[Donny.T]

Hi All

Thanks for everyone for their replies.
So, i have had a change of plans. I went yesterday afternoon to meet with a surgeon who is performing the "Recerf" ceramic hip resurfacing procedure. This is relatively new implant that's been trialed the past few years and recently gained full funding approval here in Australia.
So after speaking with this surgeon i feel for me this is a better option.

Why - well because of my age and activity level + although i have already 1 replaced hip i felt as if this time around i wanted another option as replacing the hip traditionally is so final. The thought of having two replaced hips by the age of 37 and the prospect of 2 - 3 revisions in my life was a lot to take in.

With this resurfacing prosthesis there is uncertainty as to how long it will last as it's relatively new. From what i have been told there is no reason it wont last a very long time. BUT if it was to fail, then you would have revision surgery and into a traditional hip replacement. Not the greatest selling point but for some reason i think this is a positive. If i was to get at worst a handful of years with it then that would limit my need for revision if i had to transfer to a traditional hip replacement.

Hopefully that makes sense.

Cheers

 

[mendogal]

I don't think there's a universal "right or wrong" on this: you've considered your options and made a decision that's right for you. That's good news!

 

[Deni444]

I'm so glad to hear you feel so positive about your decision. It's always tough when we're faced with different options. I imagine you feel like a great weight has been lifted after pondering and re-pondering the potential scenarios. I'm, pleased for you! I hope you'll have very many years of pain free and active years following your procedure!

 

[Layla]

I'm happy to read that you've made a decision on what you feel is the best option for you, Donny.
I hope the surgery brings you relief for many years to come. Please stay in touch. We'd love to support you on the journey.
Have a great day and weekend!
@Donny.T

 

[PolarIce]

That is amazing news! Hopefully your bad hip ends up lasting you long enough to not be in a large amount of pain. I was 36 when i got my new hip. Best birthday present i could have had.

 

[Donny.T]

Hi All

Quick question - What type of Anesthesia was offered for THR? Recalling my past experience i know i had a spinal and i think that coincided with a General anesthetic..... does this sound right?

When speaking to my surgeon regarding my upcoming surgery he mentioned a spinal with sedation - however i do not want to recall any of the surgery. I'd prefer to be out cold.

 

[Deni444]

Hi. I'm having mine on 26th in UK. I'm having spinal with full sedation. I'll be asleep. My limited understanding is that there are different levels of sedation. Full sedation is like a General Anaesthetic in that you won't be aware. The difference being you'll feel much better when you do wake up. More like you've taken a sleeping tablet.

 

[Leedogmom2]

I had a spinal with sedation and it was great. The only issue I had was that it took a long time for the spinal to wear off in the recovery room. But waking up from the sedation was much quicker than general & I didn’t feel so out of it.

Good luck!

 

[benne68]

@Donny.T I have had spinal with sedation for my THR and both of my TKRs. I slept soundly through each surgery and woke up in recovery feeling great.

You might find this article from our website informative:

Local/Regional Anesthetics

LOCAL ANESTHETICS Local anesthetics block pain in a small area of the body. In orthopaedic surgery, they may be used as anesthesia during a procedure or

bonesmart.org

 

[Donny.T]

Thanks for your replies. Where you offered a choice between general and spinal?

 

[mendogal]

Spinal!!!
I have had generals before.
My TKRs were done with a standard mix of spinal + short acting IV meds (at least in USA: typically Versed, a very short acting benzo, and Fentanyl, which is also very short acting).
So you're completely out, but you wake up much sooner, are fully alert faster, and without the horrible dry sore throat from a breathing tube.

 

[Donny.T]

Yep spinal for sure. Anaesthetist from THR in 2021 confirmed I had spinal + general.
This was good - I hope to get that again.