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Do I really need my hip replaced?

Posted by sassycat41 @sassycat41, 4 days ago

I'm 80 yrs old and in fairly good health. I have arthritis in my right hand, right foot and lower back. The neurosurgeon said that the arthritis in my back was too severe and that surgery was not advised. However the orthopedic surgeon recommends that I have my arthritic left hip replaced.

Question: I'm wondering if it is bad enough that I need surgery. I don't have much pain during the day but have trouble sleeping at night... toss and turn. Also I don't have the typical groin pain. The pain I do have is sciatica.

Since my back cannot be fixed, is it worth it to have my hip replaced? Comments please. Thanks.

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rainerhans | @rainerhans | 3 days ago

I think,
It’s all about how long you can deal with the pain, guessing you tried everything else already, cortisone shots, PT, water exercises….etc.just be sure the pain is really coming from your hip and not your back.
Get a second opinion anyway.
Good luck for you 🤗

REPLY
1 reply
sassycat41 | @sassycat41 | 3 days ago
In reply to @rainerhans "I think, It’s all about how long you can deal with the pain, guessing you tried..." + (show)
@rainerhans

I think,
It’s all about how long you can deal with the pain, guessing you tried everything else already, cortisone shots, PT, water exercises….etc.just be sure the pain is really coming from your hip and not your back.
Get a second opinion anyway.
Good luck for you 🤗

Jump to this post

Right. The xrays show arthritis in the hip joint and pain does go down my leg, but sine I've had back pain for 15 years this is different. I have tried cortisone shots, PT, etc. Oh well.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | 3 days ago
In reply to @sassycat41 "Right. The xrays show arthritis in the hip joint and pain does go down my leg,..." + (show)
@sassycat41

Right. The xrays show arthritis in the hip joint and pain does go down my leg, but sine I've had back pain for 15 years this is different. I have tried cortisone shots, PT, etc. Oh well.

Jump to this post

If you are otherwise in good health, and want to remain mobile, it would be a good idea to talk more about it replacement.
That said, there are surgeons and there are orthopedists who do surgery. I would want to find the latter - and have a real conversation about whether you are a good candidate based on your back issues.
I had my first hip replacements in my 50's after being treated for years for back pain with PT and injections.
Once I was no longer limping and twisting my back to walk, most of the back pain went away. Now, almost 20 years later, I still have less back pain than before surgery, in spite of have stenosis, arthritis and bone spurs in my back.
Are you seeing a doc who looks at "the whole of you", not just one bad hip?

REPLY
1 reply
sassycat41 | @sassycat41 | 3 days ago
In reply to @sueinmn "If you are otherwise in good health, and want to remain mobile, it would be a..." + (show)
@sueinmn

If you are otherwise in good health, and want to remain mobile, it would be a good idea to talk more about it replacement.
That said, there are surgeons and there are orthopedists who do surgery. I would want to find the latter - and have a real conversation about whether you are a good candidate based on your back issues.
I had my first hip replacements in my 50's after being treated for years for back pain with PT and injections.
Once I was no longer limping and twisting my back to walk, most of the back pain went away. Now, almost 20 years later, I still have less back pain than before surgery, in spite of have stenosis, arthritis and bone spurs in my back.
Are you seeing a doc who looks at "the whole of you", not just one bad hip?

Jump to this post

Thanks for responding.

The orthopedic surgeon I had a consultation with specializes in hip and knee surgery only.... and also only does the anterior approach which I'd prefer since the recovery time is supposed to be less. He did say that some people notice less back pain after having their hip replaced... mentioned the one leg was shorter than the other.

Not sure what you meant by "a doc that looks at the whole of you". He just does hips and knees.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | 2 days ago
In reply to @sassycat41 "Thanks for responding. The orthopedic surgeon I had a consultation with specializes in hip and knee..." + (show)
@sassycat41

Thanks for responding.

The orthopedic surgeon I had a consultation with specializes in hip and knee surgery only.... and also only does the anterior approach which I'd prefer since the recovery time is supposed to be less. He did say that some people notice less back pain after having their hip replaced... mentioned the one leg was shorter than the other.

Not sure what you meant by "a doc that looks at the whole of you". He just does hips and knees.

Jump to this post

My orthopedist not only checked both knees and hips (which he operates on) he also checked my spine, feet and ankles to see whether they were contributing factors in my pain. He did recommend seeing a podiatrist for shoe inserts after surgery and PT to help with my gait issues. So yes, a good docs needs to look beyond the joint they are treating.

REPLY
1 reply
sassycat41 | @sassycat41 | 2 days ago
In reply to @sueinmn "My orthopedist not only checked both knees and hips (which he operates on) he also checked..." + (show)
@sueinmn

My orthopedist not only checked both knees and hips (which he operates on) he also checked my spine, feet and ankles to see whether they were contributing factors in my pain. He did recommend seeing a podiatrist for shoe inserts after surgery and PT to help with my gait issues. So yes, a good docs needs to look beyond the joint they are treating.

Jump to this post

Okay... I'll ask more questions and see what I find out. Thanks.

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