Partial hip replacement – When do you know it is time for a full?

@paisley9 Unless the pain has suddenly increased, or is getting to the point where it is difficult to function day to day, I probably wouldn't move up my appointment, but only you know what it feels like to walk on. I have a friend dealing with the same issue right now, just 1+ years from a partial HR after a fracture, and her doc is comfortable seeing her in May.
Yes, the ortho can tell you whether it is time for more surgery, but it will may require more than an x-ray for diagnosis. So you may want to give them a "heads-up" about what you are experiencing in case they want to order other imaging in advance of your appointment.
Do you feel comfortable waiting for your appointment, or is the issue getting worse day by day?
Sue

I can’t thank you enough. I don’t think the issue is getting worse only when I increase exercise. At my appointment I am scheduled to have an x ray and can request additional tests! I am also asking for a PT referral as I need to strengthen that leg!!! I also have therapeutic massage scheduled. I want to avoid revision surgery if possible. Once again can’t thank you enough for the piece of mind.

I waited over 5+ years taking Advil on a daily basis to get my full posterior hip replacement and have ruined my kidneys and almost had to go on dialysis. I’m doing fine with the new hip with no more pain even though I still am limping due to Abductor tendinitis which I’m doing pt for. My advice is to have the surgery and be pain free with no more pain meds. Good Luck

Thank you.

@janpic , thank you for sharing your experience. 18 months ago I began to experience pain in my right hip joint that gave me a pronounced limp when walking. After tests from an orthopedic I was told I needed hip replacement. I was scheduled for surgery 3 month ahead. In the meantime, I was instructed to see a physical therapist to strengthen my leg and hip muscles and to take Advil. I began taking 1200mg/day of Advil After a couple of months, my pain subsided significantly, and I postponed my surgery. I continued to take the Advil for 3 more months and began to taper off. Since then I have postponed my surgery 3 times because I am almost pain free. I am able to walk 2-4 miles ( with hills) without pain and I have been taking only 1 - 2 Advil capsules a day. But I have been concerned about negative side effects. Would you be willing to share how much Advil you were taking and for how long?

Hello. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It makes me unhappy that surgeons only solution is revision surgery. My PCP told me to try all and everything to avoid surgery including PT, acupuncture, and specialty massage to break up adhesions and scar tissue. Next week I see my surgeon for X-ray to make sure the implant is still good. Then I will begin my journey to see if I can solve my pain issues like you did. Your experience has been very enlightening helpful and encouraging for me. To answer your question. I only take Advil after a lot of exercise when n I feel pain. So maybe 1200 a day on bad days. Nothing at night. In your situation I would probably begin to decrease my Advil dose and monitor. One of the other posters took it constantly which I do not. Perhaps with all the people posting here about post operative pain with internal scar tissue etc. there will be more attention to this matter. Feel free to ask me more questions. And I can share my journey if you would like.