👯‍♀️Hip & Knee Replacement #3 👯‍♀️

Ha! Success at last. Hurrah!

Gosh it’s not too long before we get to the end of this thread. Wonder if we go to no.4. When I began this in February last year I had no idea what to expect from the operation and what equivalent and aids might be helpful snd would like to think everyone who helped me and contributed to a greater understanding of the process.
I certainly did not expect the thread to go on for so long. Thanks everyone.

Equipment not equivalent grrrr

I might well have asked this before!
Has anyone here had a hip replacement replaced? I had mine 18 years ago and when I asked my GP if it was still OK after 10 years, I had an x-ray which confirmed that it was. I'm wondering if little niggles in that area are a sign that it could be wearing out. At 83, or later, I wouldn't welcome the prospect of more surgery.

Why not speak to your gp anno. An X-ray after 18 years isn’t unreasonable and could put your mind at rest.

Revision hips are done and I hate to say it but yours is coming to the end of its active life. I agree it is not something to think about lightly but you do want to be self-sufficient. Yours has done well, many do not last that long but I suspect you were doing daily activities and not mountain climbing.

Revision hips take longer to recover from and a lot depends on your general health as age is just a number. If you do decide to go ahead please choose your surgeon carefully.

annodomini

I might well have asked this before!
Has anyone here had a hip replacement replaced? I had mine 18 years ago and when I asked my GP if it was still OK after 10 years, I had an x-ray which confirmed that it was. I'm wondering if little niggles in that area are a sign that it could be wearing out. At 83, or later, I wouldn't welcome the prospect of more surgery.

You truly need to go and get advice from professionals. So hope something can be done - I wonder if physio can help.

But thanks for prompting me- I have just made a call to the Ortho. surgeon who has taken over from the one who operated on me twice (both knees), 6 and 5 years ago. The first knee was a very difficult op, as the knee was deformed because of a very old severe injury, and they had to scrape tons of extra bone growths. I walk miles every day, and still ski- but it is stiff and painful when sitting- and I guess some bone has regrown around the prosthesis. I have an appointment next week with his replacement to discuss, do x-rays, and see if something can be done, or not (if so I shall have to just accept it and make the best of it).

Make an appointment asap, and bonne chance.

As there is so much experience of THR on here I would really appreciate your advice. I am 83 and have been on the waiting list for a THR since July as I had debilitating pain in my hip which also affected my knee. My Consultant told me my X-ray showed my hip was worn out and that I also had scoliosis and degeneration in the lumbar region of my back. I have kept as active as possible, taking a walk every day, admittedly holding on to my DH for support, and I have had no pain in my hip for over 2 months even at night. Has anyone else found the pain diminished after a similar diagnosis and will I be doing the right thing to go ahead with the operation. The hospital have now told me that they are planning to do it at the end of January.

I am surprised that scoliosis has not been diagnosed before this. It is a curvature of the spine and can usually be seen. Nowadays it is diagnosed early and corrected surgically.

I do not understand why you are now pain-free when out walking, even with your husband's help. Surely you want to be independent yourself.

You should ask the grade of your last hip xray- grade 4 being bone rubbing on bone and surgery is normally carried out.

Hello and welcome Funtoread
A few years ago I had a really painful knee and was told by two different consultants that I needed a replacement. I dithered about a bit and one day realised it didn’t hurt anymore. A little miracle. It’s still fine now,
However a few years later ended up getting a new knee.
We have Scoliosis in our family. What did the dr say about it?

I was also surprised to hear that I had scoliosis as this is the first time it has been mentioned. It does seem strange that the pain appears to have gone away after struggling with it for several months. I am stiff and unsteady but should try to be more independent from my (over helpful) DH. Checking the grade of my hip X-ray would be very helpful, thank you as I did not know that.

I mean I eventually needed a new hip not knee. Oh dear!

Fun2Read The surgeon may be surprised you have that amount of knowledge but it is useful to know. One does not usually need surgery if the grade is 2.

I am aware your age is against you but if your husband was hospitalised you do not want to be staying at home for your safety.

You can start in the house trying to become more independent and slowly graduate to outside. If you need to use a walking stick, so be it.

Thank you silverlining48, it’s interesting to hear that your problem with your knee came back. I am concerned that if I put off the surgery the pain could suddenly come back. Doctor has not mentioned the scoliosis perhaps I should ask him about it.

No I later got a New hip, my knee is still fine.

As for scoliosis there is not a lot they can do especially if older .
Surgery is major.
If you feel unsteady try a couple of walking poles, two are better than one but if you don’t want that then one stick works if you keep walking tall/straight.

I agree Charleygirl5 that I am relying on him too much. I should have explained more clearly but I am fine walking around at home and supermarket shopping etc. The problem arises when I am coping with uneven pavements etc. I am just very slow and wobbly. Silverlining48 I thought you might have meant hip. My arthritis was originally diagnosed 20 years ago so that is adding to my uncertainty. Thank you both for taking the time to help me it’s very good of you.

Thanks again, I had been wondering about walking poles. I suppose having the surgery would remove the need for me to rely on walking aids. It’s just quite difficult to opt for painful surgery when I am currently pain free and I find it so much harder making decisions as I get older.

Two poles keep you up straight where one doesn’t. Would recommend anything to give you more confidence when out.
I walk too and always use the poles when on a walk because ground can be often uneven.

Good to get this advice and help from someone who ‘has been there’.

Happy to have been of help.

I was pleased to hear you can get around the house and the supermarket without any help. The uneven pavements are a pain. We are told not to look down when out walking but my personal experience is if one wants to remain upright one needs one's eyes peeled to the ground.

You are in a difficult position as your surgery is so close. You do not want to discover in March your pain has returned. It is difficult because being pain-free and without surgery may "see you out", whereas it may not. It is a tad late to get a second opinion unless the surgery could be postponed rather than starting all over again.

The only thing I have against poles is you cannot carry anything else and I cannot go anywhere without my handbag!

Backpack?
I have a selection of cross body bags which work well.

I watch the ground like a hawk too Charleygirl.

I don’t use poles normally especially not shopping but fo when I go for a walk
Will this third post get us onto Active?