Scared, very scared…..

Hi
I’d definitely get a second opinion about resurfacing. It’s not without some problems with respect to wear but I believe that that is mainly with female patients. I’m an ex orthopaedic theatre charge nurse and it’s what I had done when I needed it, in what sounds like a similar situation to yours in 2014
However, less than 6 months after my resurfacing, I got hit by a van while cycling and now have a THR because the femur got comprehensively buggered as we say in orthopaedic circles. I am now running again, albeit only around 10 miles a week and at about a 10:30/mile pace.
Please, be apprehensive but try not to be scared. Whether or not you run again (it helped that my surgeon is a fellow runner) the pain will go away.
Feel free to contact me direct if you wish – I’m on Twitter

Hi there, I have just had me second hip replacement in 18 months. I had the right one done at age 50 and the left one now at age 52! I also felt like you initially. I thought I was too young and should try to last as long as possible before going for surgery. I also did not see my limp and pain objectively anymore. I literally hobbled through races, and was in constant pain. The doc also told me that resurfacing in my case was not the best option, as my cartilage was almost gone completely. I then went for a THR using the anterior method, where the cut is on the front thigh high up. I was amazed by the quick recovery. I was on crutches for 6 weeks, but by then I could already walk 5 km with the cruthes. In the 17 months thereafter I did many races, of which 7 was half marathons. I initially only walked for 6 months, and then built up to 4 min run/1 min walk ratio. My race times are slow, about 3 hours for a 21km, but I am still out the, having fun and staying healthy.
Strength exercises are extremely important, and will help you to recover quicker. It also shoild stay part of your fitness regime forever, as it protects your new bionic hips. I do Pilates as well.
Well, because of my very good first experience, I got the courage to do the second hip so soon. Now 9 days post -op and I can comfortably walk 1 km with crutches already.
Hope to be back running in 6 months time again.
Good luck with your journey. You are welcome to also contact me directly.
Thanks, Annelize

Hello.
What’s the fear? Is it the op itself? The recovery period? The thought that you might not be able to run afterwards?
Resurfacing might be the answer and indeed I know someone who has a resurfaced hip joint and has run about 30 half marathons since. I myself had a THR after about 2 1/2 years of the sort of pain and symptoms you describe. It was horrible, I was obsessed by pain and whether I could manage it or not. I had the op (my surgeon is a runner too) last October and I’m running again as well. I’m completely pain free now (no painkillers – that alone feels like a miracle!) and feel like my normal self again. I run with a running club, building up miles slowly (up to about 15 miles a week, much slower than before but hey…). There is life after this condition but putting the operation off only prolongs the misery, in my opinion.
Use choose and book and get yourself a decent surgeon on the NHS.
Good luck!

I’m with Nigel – find a surgeon who does resurfacing (surfacehippy website for details, and encouragement) because this should be the best solution if you meet the requirements of size and bone quality. I have one from 2014 and mine is still intact, despite cycling, having run 90-odd 5k races in the last couple of years. I also have a 7-week-old THR (ceramic) which is hopefully going to do its 3rd 5k tomorrow. Recovery from the op seems to have been a bit quicker than before, or perhaps I have been a bit more cavalier knowing I will not break the head off my femur (my surgeon did that during the second op, explaining the THR). Whichever way you go you can expect good results but a resurfacing gives you an extra chance, as per Nigel above. My cycling buddy had a THR, smashed it in a fall and now is on his last replacement with long stem and bone wired together – sounds awful. Still cycling though…
Good luck,
Pete

Hey dont be scared iam 52 and did my thr 24/10-16,i had the same symtoms that you have and thr was the thing for me. I have had a very good rehab back to work (hard work)after five weeks,my rehab was 8km walk every day. Did my first 20k after five weeks and my first ultra 50k after five months with 1150 +meters,i have never been so strong that i am now in the op hip,so relax and just let it happen this will be the best you have done in years. Mvh Anders Jelander.

I had L. THR a little over a year ago, the result of a bike accident. I was in good shape before, and I feel it paid benefits in the recovery. I was off the walker and cain in about three weeks, and back walking on the track shortly after. Started running short distances about four months later, didn’t want to rush the process. off pain meds at about two weeks, only tylenol after that for about a month. A year later I’ve run 5k, 10k, and two sprint triathlon’s this year. No hip pain only minor soft tissue related ache.my pace is not quite back but getting closer, some of that is still me being cautious. My doctor was against running also. hope that helps some. Bill

Definitely understand how scary it can be — I also would recommend a second opinion for resurfacing vs. THR — not that one is better than the other but each has their pros and cons. I was not a candidate for resurfacing and was also frightened about a THR (I was 42 at the time) — Now, over 2 years later, best decision I ever made! In every sense of the word — Able to live, laugh, play and more without pain for the first time in years — travel, run, hike, swim — anything I want. Good luck and keep us posted!

Get the second opinion and see if you are a candidate for resurfacing. Get it from a surgeon who believes in the procedure and does lots of them.

If you aren’t a candidate, I’d say get a second THR opinion just to see what your options are in THR. There are a few choices in THR, too.

Strengthening will help. I trained for surgery to come out of the experience strong.

Your love life will recover and then be unaffected. Before you are 100% there are some “approved” positions.

To overcome the fear I recommend learning as much as you can. THR is a wildly successful surgery. People come out of it pain free and return to rich, active lives.

Definitely check into resurfacing. Earlier reports indicated that they eventually led to a full THR. But as time passes, technology improves. Bones can heal, hardware can’t. The more bone you keep the better you’ll be. But don’t be afraid of the THR. I had mine in 2012 and my hip is doing FANTASTIC. Scheduled to do a 25K mountain race in mid july. 🙂

I would not bother with resurfacing. If you’re going to have surgery, might as well get a THR. You’re in the same boat I was at 49; I thought I was reading my own story. I lived with the pain for ~4 years because I, too, was terrified of surgery. I’d never been in a hospital. Finally the pain was so bad, and the limp so awful, that I didn’t care anymore. Living in denial for so long did me no favors – since my THR last August I’ve had to spend probably more time fixing bad habits and learned imbalances than I would have had I not waited so long.

To answer your other specific Qs:

Will the strengthening I’m doing now help post op? — Definitely! The stronger you are going in, the easier recovery will be. Everyone is different, but in general, the stronger you are before surgery, the better of you’ll be later.

How does a THR affect your love life? –Not a problem. Not limping is sexy. Seriously — no ill effects once initial recovery / healing has been allowed to happen.

How do I get over my fears? –Try to figure out what the actual fear is, that may help!

Thanks for writing — we have all been there, and are thrilled to have gotten a second chance. Cheers and best!

P.S. I eased back to running at 6 months post op and have ramped up to 30 miles a week, all on trails, longest so far has been 14 miles. What a joy to run without painkillers. Also doing weight training and some yoga. All is going swimmingly, although I have a similar nag as you described in piriformis area, that has just started. Might have to get the band back together and have other hip fixed next year. I also remembered hat I had also considered resurfacing but learned it’s not a good option for us gals.

Dr. Su with HHS Hospital in New York is the best hip resurfacing doctor in the Country. Has done over 4,000. I am so pleased that I consulted with Dr. Su after 3 orthopedic doctors told me that I needed a THR and not to plan on running anymore. I’m 67 years old. Have run a bunch of marathons. Dr. Su resurfaced my hip 5 months ago. I’m recovering nicely. Jogging slowly now. Plan to increase my running after 6 months post op. Have plans to run a half marathon in another 6 months. Dr. Su placed no limits on my running after 6 months. The only downside is that Dr. Su does not accept Medicare, although HSS Hospital does accept Medicare for its part. I highly recommend Dr. Su.

I was only 30 when I found out I had to have a left THR due to pregnancy issues causing too much swelling in my legs. I had Stage 4 AVN. It took doctors 5 years to find it…I was terrified! I waited 13 LONG and very painful years after that diagnosis because my kids were so little. I am a teacher and my Orthopedic doctor told me I would know when I had enough and when it was time. It got to the point I was limping so bad, living on pain meds, I could not live that way anymore! I can honestly sayI wish I would have done it SO much earlier! I had the surgery 3 years ago and it was the BEST thing I could have ever done!! I was pretty active before and I was very scared. However, I was canoeing 3 weeks post-op! My doctor was not real happy with that fact, however, I didn’t need a walker at all…only used a cane! I know it is scary! I bought all of the books…but honestly you will be a new person! To answer your question about your lovelife….it is much better! My range of motion is 100% better now! Other than the scar (which is not bad at all) I sometimes forget I had it done!! Good luck!! Prayers to you!!

I appreciate reading your comments and especially just finding this site. I was just informed that I need THR on my right hip. It started hurting and I have had trouble walking off and on for about 10 years. My whole body has gotten pulled to the right side and my right hip is 2 inches higher than my left because of the favoring of it and the muscles trying to adapt to the gait.
Hearing others say they can still run makes me feel much better.
Thanks again!

Hi there. I had my right hip replaced August of last year. Immediately post op, I walked from the stretcher to my hospital bed with my crutches on a replaced hip that was less than 2 hours old. I had little pain post op and went home the next morning. I had more pain day 2 but oftentimes, that’s when some swelling hits and all the local has worn off. I took almost no narcotics at home – discomfort was very manageable and I would say fatigue was the biggest issue. The key is not to overdue it and to rest and do the post op exercises given.
I was on crutches for 1-2 weeks then a cane for another week or 2. It was my 5th surgery on that hip so I think I had more inflammation than people typically do. Anyway, I did a 12 mile road ride at 7 weeks post op without any issues. Last winter I fat biked on snow and ice, xc skiied and snowshoed for the first time in 3 winters. I could not believe what my new hip could do! Unfortunately, my left hip needs to be replaced and I’m having it done this Friday. I’ve had no issues with my “love life” with the replaced hip but I sure had issues before it was replaced! Like others have commented, I wish I had had it done sooner but hind sight is 20-20, as they say. Having been through 2 labral surgeries/recoveries, recovery from a THR is much easier. I would say at about 6ish weeks post op, I felt like life was returning to normal – back to work, back on the bike, in PT, and sleeping pretty well again. All the best in your decision. Being on the fence about what to do, I find, is harder than having made a decision. I also took my time in finding the right surgeon for the job though – I saw 5 replacement surgeons before deciding on which one to go with.