This week I saw a surgeon who does hip/knee/shoulder replacement surgery. I was referred to him to get a second opinion after my disappointing appointment with the other surgeon. I went in not really excited because I assumed he was going to tell me the same thing.
There were a lot of shoulder replacement stuff in the office, nothing about hips. This time I asked a lot of questions. Last time, I kind of stopped listening/caring once she said that I wasn’t a good candidate for the scope surgery and that I should never run again.
Basically, since the cortisone shot in my hip helped so much with the pain, that told him that hip replacement would be a good thing because the pain is definitely in my hip. Replacement is the only thing that will “fix it”.
He described the surgery and had an example of the replacement parts. Which was kind of creepy. I won’t go into the details of how the surgery is performed but it sounds like the recovery is a lot easier than knee replacement surgery and he said that this surgery has a 90% success rate in fixing pain.
He did say that I “might” be showing signs of “AVN”:
“Avascular necrosis is the death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply. Also called osteonecrosis, it can lead to tiny breaks in the bone and cause the bone to collapse. The process usually takes months to years. A broken bone or dislocated joint can stop the blood flow to a section of bone. Symptoms: Pain”
He said that can happen from taking things like Prednisone.
“Is there a cure for avascular necrosis? Treatment can slow the progress of avascular necrosis, but there is no cure. Most people who have avascular necrosis eventually have surgery, including joint replacement. People who have avascular necrosis can also develop severe osteoarthritis”
Basically, he said the same thing the first doctor said: Arthritis is bad enough to not do the scope, but I am kind of too young and it’s not bad enough for hip replacement.
Also, no running ever again.
Also, there is a 14 month waitlist for the surgery. LOL
I got more of my questions answered. I am not interested in hip replacement right now. I am hoping I can do PT and weight training to strengthen the muscles around the hip, maybe get a cortisone shot in my hip once a year and hope to delay all of this for another 15+ years?
It’s all disappointing. I want to the know the WHY and I never will know what caused all of this. I mean how does someone young get all of these things? There could be a case to be made that obesity had something to do with that but I was only obese for maybe 5 years. I can’t imagine that would do it.
Anyways, that’s the update for now. Next doctor appointment is with my doc to discuss how to manage arthritis.
bethh
That’s so disappointing! (Though I guess it’s helpful that the doctors agree in their assessment.) Did they say what age is no longer too young, so you can get on a surgery schedule at the right time? I suppose that’s too far down the road to be worth pursuing right now.
I hope your current measures are helpful. It might feel like it’s not the same, but a couple of friends of mine have gotten e-bikes lately. It’s returned a lot of the pleasure of cycling and being outdoors for them.
Lisa Eirene
They didn’t really say what age. The second doctor was the specialist who did knee/hip/shoulder replacement surgery so he was definitely more in the “do a replacement to fix your life” camp. I am definitely not ready to do that
Vickie
Just making sure you know (for the future) that there are two types of hip replacement surgery. Some older surgeons are still doing only the old method and do not give the option for the new. Huge difference in recovery between the two methods.
I hope Physical therapy will have good ideas for you.
Lisa Eirene
Oh yes, the doctor told me about the differences and the new way is not the metal on metal like it was before.
Shelly
I can totally relate to your pain and your frustration on being so young!
I read your blog regularly and we have so many things in common including the bad hips!
I had similar pain and limitations until I couldn’t take it. I was also young and it baffled the doctors too- had one total replacement at age 42 and another at age 49. It isn’t perfect forsure and I still have restrictions but the constant pain and inflexibility is gone!! I wish you luck!!!
Lisa Eirene
Thank you so much, Shelly, for your comment! I love hearing from readers who don’t chime in much. 🙂 I appreciate your comment. It is definitely frustrating and hard to feel like your body is not doing what you want. Also, I appreciate you telling me your experience with the surgery!