👯‍♀️👯‍♀️Hips and Knees part 4 👯‍♀️👯‍♀️

Hi @grammaretto and welcome. I had to postpone my THR for four years while I had treatment for two different breast cancers. It was frustrating but the things that got me through included: Regular paracetamol four times a day to stay ahead of the pain, rather than playing catch-up. Cycling a lot instead of walking, up to 60 miles at a time. Swimming and exercising in water (aquafit classes) Regular gym classes and yoga (where I just had to duck out of the things that were impossible with a severely restricted range of movement)
I also paid a private PT for treatment with red light laser which helped reduce pain and inflammation and he also gave me exercises to strengthen the hip muscles. This has made my recovery much easier now I have finally had surgery.
The moment when you come round after surgery and that grinding deep pain that has been with you constantly for years has gone is a sweet realisation that it was all worth it!
How is the pain affecting you? Do you have to give up any of your favourite activities? I couldn't walk very far at all.

Grammaretto. I’m in the same boat also 75 live alone. I’m waiting for my assessment although I already have two hip- replacements. My right one is now 20 yrs old and failing so a revision is needed. I live in London and its costing at least £18k here.
I am still able to walk everyday but also am taking Ibuprofen and paracetamol. I’m hoping it won’t be too long a wait but I went to my GP as soon as I felt the hip wasn’t right as I knew about the lengthy waits.
Good advice above to see if a different hospital has shorter waits. Swimming also might help.
Keep posting with updates my assessment is early April so fingers crossed for both of us.

Grammaretto I don’t know anything about the healthcare system in Scotland, but here in Essex many of the private hospitals offer treatment on the NHS. I had my hip replacement in the local private hospital paid for by the NHS and although there was a waiting list it was much shorter than at the NHS hospital. I saw the same consultant as I would have seen at the NHS hospital. Would that be an option for you?

Grammaretto I reread your post and felt your sadness too. Being alone makes everything harder if it isn't by choice. If you are unable to rejoin the U3A Walking group are there other activities you could still do for the company? Singing or a history group or similar? Do you go to church or volunteer locally? I find all those things kept my spirits up while I was unable to do my usual sports.

Thanks so much for your kind advice.
I should try swimming again. I can't climb onto my bike anymore.
I go to several classes and groups.

I definitely do my best to fill my life but it is wearing waiting and I can't enjoy the activities as much.

I believe I am on the list for other hospitals. I had a cataract operation at a private clinic paid for by the NHS in November last.

My nhs referral had been ‘ lost’ when I checked 8 months later because pain had increased so my hip Operation ended up being done in a local private hospital but on the nhs.
From the time I was first seen until the operation was 4 months. This was nearly 2 years ago.
My other hip is now playing up and I recognise the signs so know it won’t be long before I get back on the hip hop road again.
Onwards we go. We know it’s worth it, it’s lovely to be able to be painfree.

Swimming is an excellent way to exercise as the water supports the body. My area ( Kent) allows self referral to physio and / or hydro therapy which was lovely.

Just popping in to say how delighted I am with the unexpected good result of the injection I had in my hip about a month ago . I have little pain now but more importantly I’m not so wobbly . I’m walking so much better . I know it won’t last for ever so like you silverlining will no doubt be back on the hip circuit again ! But a happy bunny at the moment…

TKR on April 5th..totally dreading it. I’m seriously considering cancelling it. Also, I feel a fraud, there are so many people who are much worse than me I think. When I had a hip replacement, they cracked my femur and I was non weight bearing for 6 weeks..I managed but the pain when I woke up from the op was out of this world.. and I’ve had two children naturally, no pain relief!
I’m in a complete quandary 🥺

Susie so good to hear your injection worked. I think I was just unlucky with mine.
Madmother hello, its understandable you are nervous, especially if you had a problem before but the chance something like that happens again is infinitesimal . You are naturally concerned, we all are, it’s to be expected.
Please don’t cancel, it’s too late to give the time to anyone else and anyway once it’s done you will be pain free and hopefully hopping and skipping around.
My neighbour has had both knees replaced and she is living proof of the benefit of the operation, especially being pain free.
I had my new hip two years ago in April and despite being very nervous am very happy it’s done. You will be too.

Oh Madmother21 what a horrid time you had! Don’t let your previous bad experience colour your decision making. You know that bad knee is only going to get worse. Be brave! Use a Calm or Headspace App to manage the anxiety and in a month you will look back and be glad!
I’ve got a cosmetic scar operation on April 5 th as a tidy up after breast cancer. I don’t want to go either but I know I’ll be glad afterwards. Let’s hold hands!

In the hope this may appear on Active so anyone who wants to support Madmother can, I woukd like to wish all hipsters and kneesters a happy and peaceful Easter.

madmother while understanding your concerns I’m thinking you’d not have been offered a TKR if it wasn’t necessary. Surely your knee must be very painful and restricting now. Pre op nerves are normal I think. I certainly had them. I also had a serious lecture from my surgeon who said x-rays showed a TKR should have been offered two years before and the delay had made his job harder. This had me explaining the tortuous system to get to him, which surely he should have understood!

You’ve navigated the system, an achievement in itself. I’m not sure what would happen if you refuse surgery now. Back to the beginning maybe. Is there a contact you can talk to pre admission? Otherwise I’d suggest on admission. you talk to the surgeon and anaesthetist about your concerns and previous experience. Post op pain can and should be managed. It doesn’t have to be unbearable. Wishing you a positive outcome, whatever you decide.

Good luck with the tidy up op hopalong, you know it’s worth it,
Is it run along now? Leap along, spring along, hope you are doing well, but still, taking it easy- ish.

Madmother21

TKR on April 5th..totally dreading it. I’m seriously considering cancelling it. Also, I feel a fraud, there are so many people who are much worse than me I think. When I had a hip replacement, they cracked my femur and I was non weight bearing for 6 weeks..I managed but the pain when I woke up from the op was out of this world.. and I’ve had two children naturally, no pain relief!
I’m in a complete quandary 🥺

I dont know anything about a tkr, but as to the "I feel a fraud, there are so many people who are much worse than me I think part..

Dont be. I learnt a lesson recently.
Twice I didnt go to the doctor recently. Nothing to do with hips or knees. But because I had left it later, thinking others need the doctor appointments more than I do, both health situations ended up worse than they needed to have been.
Worse for me, as they took longer to heal, and worse for the NHS, as I needed more doctor appointments in the end.
Lesson quite learnt.

Madmother please do not cancel. Others have said you would not be on the waiting list if you did not need a replacement. It will only get worse and bone rubbing on bone is not very pleasant.

I have had two knee replacements done at different times and it is really good to be free most of the time.

Please "hang on in there" as it will soon be over. We are here to help if you have any more concerns.

HopalongKaty

Oh Madmother21 what a horrid time you had! Don’t let your previous bad experience colour your decision making. You know that bad knee is only going to get worse. Be brave! Use a Calm or Headspace App to manage the anxiety and in a month you will look back and be glad!
I’ve got a cosmetic scar operation on April 5 th as a tidy up after breast cancer. I don’t want to go either but I know I’ll be glad afterwards. Let’s hold hands!

Aww, thank you HopalongKaty, let’s hold virtual hands on April 5th ❣️

Look after yourselves. I am bumping this up so we do not sink into total oblivion.

I’m sinking a bit, but not into total oblivion, just going backwards slightly. I am nine weeks on now from a complex THR with bone graft and doing well. This week I had an infusion of Zolendronic acid which is part of my breast cancer treatment every six months. It strengthens bones and prevent secondaries. It makes me ache all over and feel weedy.
I need to allow myself a few days of resting and wallowing before I am up and running again don’t I?

You do indeed Katy. You have gas a lot going on. Am interested in your zolendrinic acid treatment, had not heard if it. My dd has been treated for bc and I will mention it to her, so thanks for that.
Enjoy your days of r and r. You deserve it.

Silverlining48 it is used in women on hormone blockers who are post menopause I believe. You daughter may be too young!

Yes she is Katy.

A routine visit to the dentist has shown two crowned root fillings need to go and be replaced with implants. The cost is eye watering but worse still, a dormant infection under one means no surgery for six weeks after the dental work. That means late May. I’m so disappointed but hey ho. I’ll get there in the end …
Best wishes to you all.

That will be expensive Nannytopsy but worth it. In the end.
Good luck. 🤞

I went back for physio review today 9 weeks after complex THR. All is well and I am now fully weight bearing. I still need a stick for long walks outdoors as my muscles are still a bit weak and I wobble without it. She was happy my range of movement is back to normal so now I just need to do strength exercises and build stamina. Phew! I am out of the tunnel and getting back to normal.

You are on your way. Hopalong.