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MagnoliaMs

MagnoliaMs

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Hi All!

Just had x-rays and after thinking my limp was coming from my back, apparently I am facing bilateral hip replacement. Will see my primary doc to discuss x-rays in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, I am trying to get info and found this wonderful site. It is a godsend, really, as I am in shock, Thank you for being here.

Hope I am not repeating--I did search and couldn't find anything on my questions. I need to get some help on how to manage to talk to more than one surgeon before deciding on who and what. Do I just make two appts. or do I see one first and ask him about a second opinion appt.? Do I let each know I am seeking more than one opinion? How do I see a surgeon without a final commitment to use that surgeon?

But most difficult----I may opt to go out of town either two hours away to get the anterior if I am a candidate or even back to my home state where I have family which requires a plane trip. How in the world do I have surgery somewhere else and get follow-up at home? Would a local surgeon "take over" my care once I got home? Has anyone done this out if town stuff?
Appreciate any insight. Thanks.
 
Hello and welcome to BoneSmart. I am so glad you found us.

I can sure relate to your shock. I had the same experience thinking all my pain was spine related. Low and behold the xray said I had no more left hip. Shock, fear and panic set in.

This is the place where you will find the answers. As I am in the UK and we have a different system in terms of first and second opinions I will let Jamie (@Jamie:) or one of our other US based members answer your questions on that subject.

I can tell you that normally you will be discharged from the hospital into the care of your GP (primary care doc). So followup from any of your choices shouldn't be a problem.

I agree totally with seeing as many surgeons you need to in order to feel comfortable about your decision to proceed. Having someone you can talk to and feel comfortable about asking questions and addressing your concerns is very important.

Hang in there with us. Meanwhile you might want to spend some time in the Library (see top bar). There is tons of information there to help you through this journey.

Take care!
 
Thanks so much Jacey! Shock fear panic--and depression--but I notice as I get info and feel more empowered I calm down. I also realize as new questions and a sense of being in a tsunami come into my mindset I start the panic mode again. I think you guys may be my saviors--hope I can help others someday.
 
Hi Magnolia, the best thing you could have done is to join this lot. I'm a kneesie, so I can't advise you medically.

But I can assure you that what you face is probably 10% of what your fears are telling you. Have a read at our recent New Year Party thread in the social room. You'll see many many people who have been through it with us, and now love their new pain-free lives.
 
Hi Magnolia,

Another way to look at it is to consider how very successful total hip replacement is, not just among us on this site, but statistically. It's one of the absolute top performing surgeries for improving quality of life. Spinal surgeries on the other hand can be very iffy, as are other less-invasive attempts to deal with severe back issues.

I am speaking from a similar experience. I have had back pain since my early 20s (over 25 years), and have run the gamut of non-surgical treatments to deal with it, none of it more than temporarily successful. When I finally learned that both hips were shot, at least there was something that could be done. I didn't have them done at the same time, but I am having them both done within 15 weeks of each other. With one surgery behind and one ahead, I am already in less pain, and feeling more positive about life, than I have in several years.

One other thought is to not get too far ahead of what you really know. Who told you you have bilateral replacement ahead of you? An x-ray technician? Your GP? You still have lots more information to gather before you truly know what you're facing, and even then, you will have choices. Best of luck, and hang out with us - there's lots of good info. and support at Bonesmart. Kim
 
Well I agree with you. I am one of those people who has to research the heck out of everything. The more I researched my surgery the better I felt. In the end I went into the day fairly calm thanks to the information I got here.

All of what you are feeling is totally natural. I hope we can help you through your fears.
 
Hi Ms Magnolia,

Welcome to BoneSmart. You'll find an absolute wealth of information and firsthand experience here, as well as lots of supportive folks who know what you're going through.

I agree 100% that knowledge is what you need, and with it you can make informed decisions about how best to proceed in 2011. Mostly we fear what we don't know, so armed with knowledge, we have less to fear. Believe me, I was terrified of undergoing total hip replacement, but as I learned more about it, I was able to move ahead and am now almost 5 weeks into life with a new hip.

Best wishes for 2011 and new hips.
~Phillippa
 
Hi, Magnolia!!! Welcome to BoneSmart. I'm so glad you decided to join our forum. I believe you'll find a wealth of information and support here so that you can put your fears to rest very quickly.

I do suggest you start by reading in the forum LIBRARY and the HIP PRE- and POST-OP forums. You'll find links in the tool bar at the top of each page.

Now....as far as the questions you have:

It is an excellent idea to get opinions from more than one surgeon. You want those who specialize in hips...not a general orthopedist. He should do between 300-500 hip replacements per year. If you need help locating surgeons, you can use the BoneSmart Clinic Locator (FIND A CLINIC link in the blue tool bar at the top of every page). When you meet with a surgeon, there is no need to tell him you are soliciting other opinions. Just tell him you are there for information on your situation and seek his opinion. Be sure that the surgeons you select are not part of the same practice.....they need to be totally independent of each other. If you have xrays or other diagnostic tests, you can request copies to take with you to any of your doctor appointments. Some doctors want to do their own xrays, but most are happy to review what you bring if it's recent. There is no need to make a commitment with any of the doctors you see until you are satisfied with the one you're choosing and ready to go forward. This is a common practice and no physician should be offended if you see him to gain information about what is going on.

There is also no problem with going out of town to talk to doctors. In fact, if you have excellent doctors that are a distance from you, that may be a really good option. If the doctor is a couple of hours driving distance, it is a bit less of a problem than if he is out of state. But we have many members who have gone to a totally different state for surgery and they do just fine. You may need to stay a few days after you are released in either a hotel or in a medical rehab facility if you are away from home. Or....if you have friends or relatives in the town where you're going, you could plan to stay with them for a while.

You will be under the care of your surgeon for a while after you are released from the hospital. You'll have to discuss those follow-up visits with the doctors as part of your interview appointments. They may want to see you in person or they may be satisfied with allowing you to be seen by a doctor closer to you. That is going to depend on your surgeon's choices. But...unlike Great Britain....in this country, you remain under the care of an orthopedic surgeon for a while after your surgery. Your primary care doctor is only involved if you need assistance with pain medication.

Usually you will have follow-up visits at the 6-week and possibly another several months after surgery. You will be okay to ride in a car, so it's possible to travel to the doctor's office. You will not be released from the hospital until you are able to manage basics on your own like walking around with an aid, going to the bathroom, getting in and out of bed, and managing stairs.

So.....get going on some reading here on BoneSmart. And as questions or concerns pop up, post them here and we'll get the answers for you quickly. You are part of the BoneSmart family now....so no worries, okay?
 
Oh bless you - we can all relate to that feeling! Welcome to BoneSmart - let's see if we can address some of these issues.
MagnoliaMs said:
Hope I am not repeating--I did search and couldn't find anything on my questions. I need to get some help on how to manage to talk to more than one surgeon before deciding on who and what. Do I just make two appts or do I see one first and ask him about a second opinion appt.? Do I let each know I am seeking more than one opinion? How do I see a surgeon without a final commitment to use that surgeon?
Click to expand...
We've just moved into a new forum and I don't think the search feature is working all that well - was trying to use it myself earlier today and it was a tad useless!

Right, to get a few opinions, just treat each one as a one-off. You can find surgeons via our Find a Clinic link at the top of the page. Just put in your zip code and how far you're prepared to travel. Sadly we can't make it define what the surgeons do so it'll be a case of sitting down with a note pad and a phone and just ringing the clinics you get in your search and asking them
1. who does hips
2. what kind of hips does he do: you can see the different types here THR approaches or incisions
When you find names that suit your choices, make an appointment and go interview him and see how go get on and what he has to say. There is no need to tell any one of them that you are seeing others. Of course, it might be cheaper if you get copies of your xrays from the first surgeon then you don't have to have them done again. The other surgeons won't worry about where you got them from.

Remember they are very accustomed to people shopping around and seeing a number before deciding who and what to go for.
MagnoliaMs said:
But most difficult----I may opt to go out of town either two hours away to get the anterior if I am a candidate or even back to my home state where I have family which requires a plane trip. How in the world do I have surgery somewhere else and get follow-up at home? Would a local surgeon "take over" my care once I got home? Has anyone done this out if town stuff?
Click to expand...
This is a bit more difficult. How ling can you stay with your family when you've had your op? After a few weeks or a couple of months you should be more than able to fly back home.

And your GP will take over your after care which will probably only consist of refills of pain meds. If you decide to do PT, one local to your home will be able to take you.

And anything else, you've always got us! :th_heehee:
 
On the other hand, Jamie's answer is much better than mine! :snk:
 
Thanks all- you have given me a warm welcome and I will start off reading through the library. Any info about how to manage going out of town would be welcomed also.

I think I will need the surgery because my GP whom I respect a lot did the x-rays. I haven't been in yet to consult but apparently he wrote for the nurse that I have severe degeneration in both hips and there is nothing to offer except pain control or replacement. I will have to wait to get the OS opinion. I guess I assume there is a point where it is better to go ahead with surgery rather than risk injury or more damage. I will see what the library info sets out. in that regard.

But in the past few months the pain has become disabling. I walked around NYC in Sept and had just my usual twinges and limp. I had been playing golf--nothing strenous --just nine holes with a cart and I am a pretty bad player, but it is fun to get outside in the fresh air.

Now I have problems going about the house and doing daily activities without leg and hip pain. Can't put weight on hips--this has been going on-and I had been compensating by putting weight on my knees. I realized all of this in retrospect. I walk like the tin man now!

I have a lot of reading and thinking ahead of me. Thanks again! Will post back when I get more info----

Happy New Year!!!
 
Oh gosh--I see why I was writing you guys sent me a bunch more info. Thank you so much. I will go now and read those posts. What a wonderful resource and support you are.
 
MagnoliaMs said:
Hi All!

Just had x-rays and after thinking my limp was coming from my back, apparently I am facing bilateral hip replacement.
Click to expand...

Hi Magnolia! Welcome! That's about what happened with me as well! After I absorbed the shock, I too got into research mode, I also went out of town to have the left hip done, and have no reason not to do the same for the right one. :smile:

I did have some initial concern about the out of town thing and aftercare, but it is assumed your GP will look after you for most things, if it were to come to major things, then it's either back to that surgeon, or be looking for a different one depending on the situation. In my case, I don't have a GP, and haven't had any need to go to a clinic for any care (other than getting staples out). I think the vast majority of people don't need much in the way of face to face followup with the surgeon, if any at all. ** edit to add: Note, I am from Canada, so Jamie's advice on aftercare is the US version, sorry!

For me the biggest consideration with going out of town was transportation, I don't have a someone (hubby,kid,or whatever to cart me around), so it was flying, or a medical transport company. Your resources will make a lot of difference in your decision. ** Another edit: Knowing what I do now after a remarkably painfee intial recovery - I'm glad I didn't have to contend with airports, flying and cramped seating in that first 48 hours!

Chris
 
Thanks Chris--If I went out of state I would stay a while as my sister and mother are there along with my extended family. It is good to know this is a possibility at least. I have a lot more info to get or I will be getting ahead of myself-LOL! It feels comforting to have some options and sources of info like all the folks here.
 
MagnoliaMs said:
I guess I assume there is a point where it is better to go ahead with surgery rather than risk injury or more damage.
Click to expand...
Actually that's not the point .........


But this is!
MagnoliaMs said:
But in the past few months the pain has become disabling. I walked around NYC in Sept and had just my usual twinges and limp. I had been playing golf--nothing strenuous --just nine holes with a cart and I am a pretty bad player, but it is fun to get outside in the fresh air.

Now I have problems going about the house and doing daily activities without leg and hip pain. Can't put weight on hips--this has been going on-and I had been compensating by putting weight on my knees. I realized all of this in retrospect. I walk like the tin man now!
Click to expand...
This is the point at which a decision should be made, when your life is contracting and you can no longer do those activities which give you enjoyment and quality of life.
 
Point well-taken Josephine. Did you guys find that the disability comes and goes? Also--re Josephine's point--I have kind of been fearful lately about even doing what I probably could do because I wonder about causing a break or creating a more difficult situation for future treatment. I will certainly ask the docs--both my primary and any OS I see-appt with primary doc is about ten days off.
 
MagnoliaMs said:
Did you guys find that the disability comes and goes?
Click to expand...

That's how it was for me. I walked (limped) around for literally years. Unfortunately my problem was originally diagnosed as a spinal problem. It came and went and I continued to try and work through the pain for far too long.

MagnoliaMs said:
I have kind of been fearful lately about even doing what I probably could do because I wonder about causing a break or creating a more difficult situation for future treatment.
Click to expand...

Well let's just say things probably won't get better and they can get worse very quickly. My biggest shock was that suddenly I could hardly move. Overnight the pain was just horrid. Apparently I had partially dislocated the hip - which was when I finally had the hip xray.

My OS said that fitting my prosthesis was a bit of a challenge due to the damage that had been done. So my only advice would be don't wait like I did. The sooner you get on with the surgery the better.

I know this is a huge decision. But when you start realising that your world is shrinking it's time for a resolution.
 
I now wonder how far back the pain was hip related. It makes no difference but a point of curiosity. Some 15 years ago I had my first INCIDENT when walking the dog. He pulled a little to the side and jerked my leg--just a tad, Then I limped and was sore for about six weeks. After that the coming and going. Saw an OS about six years ago and he said "I know it is coming from your back" MRI showed back degeneration and that was what I "treated" ever since. Then a couple of weeks ago I asked about the hips to my primary doc and here I am--all h---- breaking loose and having all the signs of hip pain.

Yes---the boundaries getting smaller and smaller--makes a lot of sense to use that as a guide.

This forum family is a wonderful place to talk because of the common interest as well as the info. One doesn't want to bore family and friends by regaling them about one's health concerns, fears, and decisions--but here it is acceptable to vent. Thanks!! :kittykiss:

By the way--love the kitty avatars--I love cats! (and doggies)
 
Well, you said it! A forum family! We call ourselve "BoneSmarties"! :th_heehee:

As for causing breaks and stuff, that's not the kind of thing that happens so don't worry. But the pain getting worse - that is a reality. My sister spent the last 3 months pre-op in a wheelchair because she waited too long.
 
Well I asked my OS in my post op followup visit why my hip failed. He looked toward the heavens and said "you were just not the lucky one". Apparently I was born with a bad hip. He was surprised it lasted 60 years.

My "back pain" started at least 10 years ago. I had spinal surgery (on the right side) three years ago and things got very slightly better for about 6 months. Then I started noticing the pain in the left side (my THR side). This quickly progressed to groin pain - the aching and sometimes shooting pain down the thigh and at the groin. Just prior to my hip dislocation I was scheduled for another spinal epidural as the OS kept insisting the pain was the other side of my spine. Needless to say I saw a different OS for my hip - and the rest is history.

Yes - this is the place to talk all about the medical issues - or any issues in fact (Social Room). I had the same experience. You need to talk about this decision but there was no one there to listen and discuss it with me. Enter BoneSmart!

I'm a cat lover too!
 
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