Arthritic hip

Before my hip replacement I tried to manage by losing weight and exercising more. The increased exercise actually wore away my hip joint faster but the weight loss made a big improvement to my fitness level and lowered BP so well worth doing.
The op was fine and recovery was very rapid. Be brave. You wouldn't regret it.

Once your hip is degenerated enough to cause you pain and restricted movement it won’t really be helped by what you suggest. Exercise of course will benefit you but won’t help improve things. Speak to your GP about medication for the pain but in the long run it’s only going to get worse. The surgery is life changing, almost instantly your grinding pain will be gone and movement becomes pain free once you recover from the surgery. It really isn’t that scary I’ve had both hips done, go for it to change your life for the better.

Allsorts I tried this for the longest time because I, for complex reasons, was terrified of the idea of surgery.
I recognise now that there was a 'shame' element to this. I was carrying too much weight, didn't exercise enough etc etc During the pandemic I lost 4 stones in weight and it made not the slightest difference to my pain. Dietary changes otherwise and supplements helped not one jot. Various forms of physio exercises simply exacerbated the pain. Still my head told me that somehow I wasn't trying hard enough. In the New Year, I realised that my life was becoming more and more restricted which had a big impact on my husband's life too. My physio was amazing, completely supported my decision to finally consider surgery and recommended a very good surgeon to me. I went to my first consultation with a completely open mind and a list of questions and concerns. No one had ever properly talked me through my x rays before , in fact the GP referral letter described the x rays as normal ( I think perhaps meaning there was no sinister pathology).
In a matter of minutes, everything I was feeling was completely validated: he showed me the images of my (normal) left hip with a good joint space and then moved to the right hip which he described as "about as far from normal as it gets". He briefly talked about other options such as injections into the joint but was very clear that total hip replacement was needed. He listened carefully to my previous bad experience of care in hospital, didn't try to minimise it and looked at ways to make me feel confident that it wouldn't happen again.
We agreed a date and from that point on I felt completely calm and ready. I'm now in my third post operative week and making progress every day.
I appreciate that this is just my own personal experience but I DO understand the fear and reluctance. I hope this helps, please PM me if you wish.

Thankyou for this. I go in denial. But sit too much as brain knows it hurts to stand up. However im lucky I have no pain when I walk. I did initially I suppose body has compensated. So big decision
Doc given me prescription for hrt due to how awful Iv felt for yrs in meno, so do I see how I go with hrt or have hip op first - you can’t be on hrt it says, when having op
So good to speak as its a lonely rd. I live alone

I too dread surgery. But I’m wasting good living time sitting on a fence

To Allsorts
Does it hurt when you walk rather than the stiffness on standing ?

I have always been very scared of surgery too. I have never been in hospital for any reason.
I was told two years ago that an X-ray of my hip showed a level of wear and tear that you might see in a person in their 80’s (I was 48 at the time). It was at the time of the pandemic and for various reasons I neglected my health.
About six weeks ago I saw a physio at the Nuffield who said that there wasn’t anything that she could do for me and that I needed to see a surgeon ASAP.
I finally saw the orthopaedic surgeon (privately) on Friday.
When I saw the X-ray I nearly cried.
It’s all fused together in a blob, and there is also a cyst on it.

If I were you Allsorts I would see a counsellor or hypnotherapist about your fear and support to get through it.
Speak to your GP first.
Good luck, please keep us updated.
There is another thread (started by Silverlining) about support and advice about hip replacements.
It might be worth a read.
All the best to you Allsortsx

Polly what’s this about not being able to be on HRT?
Can you tell me any more, I hadn’t heard anything about this, thank you

Hello GrannyLaine ?
It’s great to hear that you’re still making great progress. I need to update the other thread! It’s quickly becoming Hipsnet

It really isn’t that scary I’ve had both hips done, go for it to change your life for the better
I’ve had both mine done and I completely agree with tanith’s comment

It is now being discussed on another thread, whether or not the Queen has had a hip replacement!

FannyCornforth

Polly what’s this about not being able to be on HRT?
Can you tell me any more, I hadn’t heard anything about this, thank you

I'd like to know more about this, not for myself but as my daughters approach perimenopause, it would be useful to know if HRT is protective against osteoarthritis. Its on my list of questions for when I go for my follow up appointment.
Watching with interest....

I couldn’t bear to stop HRT at the moment!

I hope that this link works balance-menopause.com/uploads/2021/09/Do-I-need-to-stop-HRT-before-my-surgery.pdf

Well done me! I’ve never done that before

Hi. Well pls check out but
Notes from hosp and if you Google it, say its preferred you stop hrt a month before op Its to be extra cautious I think
I’m thinking it’s from rather outdated info on possible clots from hrt but this is the oral hrt. There doesn’t seem risk with this if hrt is gel / Transdermal.
I’m in a boat where I need hrt to function so going for op in this state of being isnt the best
And I did take hrt from Prof Studd 4 yrs ago but I couldn’t cope with the heavy period I had to have again

But the energy I got back with it was a m a z i n g.

Big Yes
The lack of oestrogen is the cause of ageing factors like skin, prolapse, depression anx, cognitive stuff etc. I too telling my daughters to be on this!
Prof Studd sadly died last yr but read his info on line……. I was neglected yrs by gp & offered antidepressents instead as were thousands.
Prof Studd thinks yam hrt is forever.
However it’s great if you dont have a womb as no need for the monthly bleed then. Its the progesterone ten days needed for the bleed which protects womb.
The nhs doc gives combined which id like to know more about. They have been well behind times for yrs causing misery for many in menopause

Just to mention Carol Vaudamen Davina MCCall maybe Lorraine saw Prof Studd as they suffered dreadfully. One was suicidal she says quite openly so he gave them lives back luckily they found him quickly. Money helps .

Glad they put it out in open. Honestly, it’s a natural thing that can wreck lives, it took my career away and had to move area to keep afloat as I had no energy or motivation ( after bringing up 3 alone & always working it was a nightmare decade to say the least and could tolerate antidepressents! Anyway why treat a hormonal condition with mood altering drugs ?)

Sorry. Couldn’t tolerate not could

Sorry taken away from you Allsorts
Lots of good wishes to all

Can you walk without pain?

PS
Prof Studd definately reads that hrt protects bone deteriation.
Really sad we didn’t know
All should be on it
Some elect for hysterectomy so no progesterone needed. That’s brave

Thanks Polly
Gosh, you’ve had a rough time with it.

I feel letdown yes. Thanks. Was unecessary and it’s your life every day I didnt want to study it but had no choice to understand what was happening that you hope your doc will just tell you

I asked for second opinion on hip I was told then he wouldn’t touch it and ‘anyway you will be back with infection’ ?‍♀️?‍♀️

The pain is caused by bone together it’s the inflammation it caused
Yet read some don’t have pain even with wear so it’s very individual

…they wanted me to wait ten yrs till older. I just said that I’d prefer to play football with 6 yr old GS now, not when 16 ?‍♀️ There was no reply