Anyone else in their mid 40s and very active have a hip replacement?

Posted by chelsea79 @chelsea79, Jun 16 11:45pm

I am 46 and very active. Was a distance runner for years and have moderate hip arthritis in both hips but my right hip is more severe so I’m having surgery in October. Can anyone relate to this? My doctor’s first response was that I was too young, but the pain has progressed so much that he has agreed surgery is the best option.

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Profile picture for chelsea79 @chelsea79

@sueinmn hi Sue, the doctor said overnight would only be necessary if there were complications or if I was needing to be monitored for some reason. It is at the Kaiser Permanente facility in Fresno, California. I will have assistance. I am trying to get as strong as I can now but since I can’t really do lunges or squats because it will set off my arthritis I’m a little bit more limited. But that’s not stopping me. I’m still doing other exercise exercises. I’m curious you said you prophylactically take an antibiotic every six months is that right? In terms of MRSA that is not something I thought of but is a real concern. I will look up the nosocomial infection rate at that hospital. I will be at for surgery. I would love to be able to reach out to you regularly as I go through this process. You seem to be very knowledgeable and I relate very much to what you’ve told me.

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@chelsea79 The antibiotics every 6 months are for dental cleanings, just one dose, one hour before the appointment.
Thank you for the compliment, but please reach out to the group with your questions. I will see them, as will a number of other very helpful veterans of joint replacement surgery. The beauty of Mayo Connect is our vast membership with a wealth of experience to share.
For strengthening, I did "wall squats" to avoid pain. Have you tried those?

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Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@chelsea79 The antibiotics every 6 months are for dental cleanings, just one dose, one hour before the appointment.
Thank you for the compliment, but please reach out to the group with your questions. I will see them, as will a number of other very helpful veterans of joint replacement surgery. The beauty of Mayo Connect is our vast membership with a wealth of experience to share.
For strengthening, I did "wall squats" to avoid pain. Have you tried those?

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@sueinmn yes I have!

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Profile picture for chelsea79 @chelsea79

@sueinmn hi Sue, the doctor said overnight would only be necessary if there were complications or if I was needing to be monitored for some reason. It is at the Kaiser Permanente facility in Fresno, California. I will have assistance. I am trying to get as strong as I can now but since I can’t really do lunges or squats because it will set off my arthritis I’m a little bit more limited. But that’s not stopping me. I’m still doing other exercise exercises. I’m curious you said you prophylactically take an antibiotic every six months is that right? In terms of MRSA that is not something I thought of but is a real concern. I will look up the nosocomial infection rate at that hospital. I will be at for surgery. I would love to be able to reach out to you regularly as I go through this process. You seem to be very knowledgeable and I relate very much to what you’ve told me.

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@chelsea79 my wife had her first Total bilateral at the age of 52! They compressed the femur nerve in her left leg and fractured the pelvic bone on her right hip from dropping her during surgery. Nine months on heavy narcotics; especially after dropping her in the shower at rehab. Nine months later, revision on the right as the nerve in her left started becoming active. Six years later a revision of the left due to Cobalt Chroumin toxic levels and four years later a revision on the right due to same cobalt Chroumin and two staph infection. Her Hip are not an issue now but lower back is. They say degenerate disc disease, I say epidural injections cause this…at least .6 needles in her lower back cannot be good for the bones in that area!

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Profile picture for dannyandebbie @dannyandebbie

@chelsea79 my wife had her first Total bilateral at the age of 52! They compressed the femur nerve in her left leg and fractured the pelvic bone on her right hip from dropping her during surgery. Nine months on heavy narcotics; especially after dropping her in the shower at rehab. Nine months later, revision on the right as the nerve in her left started becoming active. Six years later a revision of the left due to Cobalt Chroumin toxic levels and four years later a revision on the right due to same cobalt Chroumin and two staph infection. Her Hip are not an issue now but lower back is. They say degenerate disc disease, I say epidural injections cause this…at least .6 needles in her lower back cannot be good for the bones in that area!

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@dannyandebbie that’s horrible. I’m sorry this happened.

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I had my first hip done when I was 46 due to really sever arthritis. I'm now 71 and had the 2nd hip done 11 years go. I was hesitant back in 2002 - but it was the best thing I ever did. I went from barely being able to walk or lift my leg (bone spurs limited my hip movement). I went back to skiing (for a bit), hiking, biking, and tennis. I still play tennis (both singles & doubles) and lead an active life. My hips don't feel artificial. I understand about it being tough to strength train before surgery - but after surgery it's important your muscles strong again. And don't just concentrate on hip/core. remember to strengthen all muscles because you may have distorted the muscles you use.
Regarding referred pain... my 2 hips presented the pain the differently. My second hip I had a tight IT band and it caused bad knee pain for 2 years and included a hip bursa. I went to 2 doctors for opinions - both were considering doing a knee replacement due to the severe knee pain - but one really thought it was my hip causing the problem after he did a cortisone injection to review how I responded. I had the hip replacement in 2015 and the knee pains and IT band problems went away.
We are all different health wise - but my hip replacements were the best thing I did to be able to maintain an active life.
Side note - I do have asymptomatic metalosis (high levels of cobalt/ chromium) from the 2002 metal-on-metal hip. I was diagnosed 2 years ago and I now monitor annually. I have no regrets having my hip done in 2002... it gave me my life back.

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Profile picture for windy77 @windy77

I had my first hip done when I was 46 due to really sever arthritis. I'm now 71 and had the 2nd hip done 11 years go. I was hesitant back in 2002 - but it was the best thing I ever did. I went from barely being able to walk or lift my leg (bone spurs limited my hip movement). I went back to skiing (for a bit), hiking, biking, and tennis. I still play tennis (both singles & doubles) and lead an active life. My hips don't feel artificial. I understand about it being tough to strength train before surgery - but after surgery it's important your muscles strong again. And don't just concentrate on hip/core. remember to strengthen all muscles because you may have distorted the muscles you use.
Regarding referred pain... my 2 hips presented the pain the differently. My second hip I had a tight IT band and it caused bad knee pain for 2 years and included a hip bursa. I went to 2 doctors for opinions - both were considering doing a knee replacement due to the severe knee pain - but one really thought it was my hip causing the problem after he did a cortisone injection to review how I responded. I had the hip replacement in 2015 and the knee pains and IT band problems went away.
We are all different health wise - but my hip replacements were the best thing I did to be able to maintain an active life.
Side note - I do have asymptomatic metalosis (high levels of cobalt/ chromium) from the 2002 metal-on-metal hip. I was diagnosed 2 years ago and I now monitor annually. I have no regrets having my hip done in 2002... it gave me my life back.

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@you ain't shitten. Your muscles go bad when your in bed for days or weeks because you can't walk or stand up. you get dizzy and pass out.

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