1. < Joint Replacements

Hip replacement worries - analysis paralysis

Posted by Mamie @mamie, Aug 3, 2019

Just bringing back my topic in a new way to ask for your thoughts. I need a hip replacement -- not for pain but because joint is so stiff I have to use a cane (sometimes two), am bending forward more, and getting more limited in function. At 68, I would really like to get back to walking since it has been 5 years of decline. Five ortho docs I saw in years past said without pain in hip, they would not replace. Now I found two docs (one does 2x more knees than hips -- 60 hips a year) and the other is a trauma surgeon who each say they would do it.

Since people on this forum have said: "If I knew then what I know now" -- I would like to know more now so I pick the better alternative. One says posterior with lots of PT after. The other says anterior with no PT. Since no docs before even wanted to do surgery, now having two with opposite opinions is keeping me up at night worrying. I could do nothing but I want to have a life -- just don't want it to be worse than it is now. I've talked with others about their docs but they were ones that did not want to do mine because my joint is so stiff/stuck - joint is welding itself to the cup - so apparently would take twice as long as "normal" hip replacement. Any thoughts anyone can offer so I can move beyond "analysis paralysis" and get on with life? Thanks.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

randythehack | @randythehack | Aug 8, 2019

I fought a similar battle with both knees - I weighted too much (300+ lbs) and I was "too young" at 50; 3 surgeons flatly turned me down. BUT... I was to the point I was in level-9 pain to walk 10 yards, and I was on a cane. I finally found the right surgeon for me who told me the only reason he wouldn't do the surgery was because it hadn't been scheduled yet. His argument was one of quality of life versus age and weight. I couldn't exercise the weight off, and I was headed toward confinement to a wheelchair; what sense did that make to delay the surgery for 10 years just so I would be "old enough"??

I'll echo others: 1) find the RIGHT surgeon for you, and 2) GET IT DONE. Your quality of life is paramount, and you are worth not having to live in excruciating pain and/or limitations. Expect 4-6 rough weeks of PT following (it will pay off in the end), TAKE THE PAIN MEDS THEY PRESCRIBE, and get it done.

Good luck finding a good ortho; I have one here in Lexington KY I would recommend to ANYONE if you can't find anyone in your neck of the woods. GOOD LUCK!!

REPLY
beatriz22 | @beatriz22 | Jul 17, 2022

hope this thread can be reactivated, have had bone loss, right hip, arthritic condition,. loss of cartilage has caused right leg to be few centimeters shorter, for now got lifts in shoes for balance that are working. Due to on going gum disease unable to stop, altho am trying hard to fix teeth gums etc....was advised blood infections can travel thru bloodstream and possibly cause infection of the foreign hip replacement, small chance but am unwilling to take. Anyone done anything as a good alternative to surgery? I tried prp injections, didn't work.

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 17, 2022
In reply to @beatriz22 "hope this thread can be reactivated, have had bone loss, right hip, arthritic condition,. loss of..." + (show)
@beatriz22

hope this thread can be reactivated, have had bone loss, right hip, arthritic condition,. loss of cartilage has caused right leg to be few centimeters shorter, for now got lifts in shoes for balance that are working. Due to on going gum disease unable to stop, altho am trying hard to fix teeth gums etc....was advised blood infections can travel thru bloodstream and possibly cause infection of the foreign hip replacement, small chance but am unwilling to take. Anyone done anything as a good alternative to surgery? I tried prp injections, didn't work.

Jump to this post

Welcome @beatriz22, I think it's always wise to look closely at all available options and discuss with your doctor or care team. There is another discussion you might find helpful:

-- Alternatives to Hip Replacement -- Published studies? On-going trials: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/alternatives-to-hip-replacement-published-studies-on-going-trials/

It sounds like you are concerned about an infection if you get a hip replacement. Is that your main concern?

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jul 17, 2022
In reply to @beatriz22 "hope this thread can be reactivated, have had bone loss, right hip, arthritic condition,. loss of..." + (show)
@beatriz22

hope this thread can be reactivated, have had bone loss, right hip, arthritic condition,. loss of cartilage has caused right leg to be few centimeters shorter, for now got lifts in shoes for balance that are working. Due to on going gum disease unable to stop, altho am trying hard to fix teeth gums etc....was advised blood infections can travel thru bloodstream and possibly cause infection of the foreign hip replacement, small chance but am unwilling to take. Anyone done anything as a good alternative to surgery? I tried prp injections, didn't work.

Jump to this post

I did some reading, and while there is always infection risk in joint replacement (about 2-3% for hips) there is not much research to show periodontal disease makes the risk greater.

Have you discussed this with your period dentist and your ortho surgeon? Have you had any systemic infections or other post surgical infections that doctors blamed on your teeth?

Sue

REPLY
1 reply
beatriz22 | @beatriz22 | Jul 18, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "I did some reading, and while there is always infection risk in joint replacement (about 2-3%..." + (show)
@sueinmn

I did some reading, and while there is always infection risk in joint replacement (about 2-3% for hips) there is not much research to show periodontal disease makes the risk greater.

Have you discussed this with your period dentist and your ortho surgeon? Have you had any systemic infections or other post surgical infections that doctors blamed on your teeth?

Sue

Jump to this post

yes several drs verified, any infection anywhere can travel through the blood stream..had a friend who hate to say got an infection in hip area from the replacement part, it spread, lost her leg..she'd just had a hip replacement.. believe she'd had issues with her hip since childhood tho. I've never had surgery before for anything and trying to find alternatives. Only problem area I have are periodontal gum disease.

REPLY
beatriz22 | @beatriz22 | Jul 18, 2022
In reply to @johnbishop "Welcome @beatriz22, I think it's always wise to look closely at all available options and discuss..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Welcome @beatriz22, I think it's always wise to look closely at all available options and discuss with your doctor or care team. There is another discussion you might find helpful:

-- Alternatives to Hip Replacement -- Published studies? On-going trials: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/alternatives-to-hip-replacement-published-studies-on-going-trials/

It sounds like you are concerned about an infection if you get a hip replacement. Is that your main concern?

Jump to this post

yes huge worry is infection in hip replacement area due to gum disease that wont ever go away. Already had teeth replaced here there and not in a position to replace all due to huge $$$ expenses. Tried prp injections , didnt work. Its just bone on bone no cartilage , caused leg to be a few centimeters shorter due but got shoe lifts... thank you for your welcome and other site to research,

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