hip

Hello, I'm looking for advice on my hip pain. I'm 49 and in 2007 I fractured my femoral head and had three screws put in. Last October 2009 I started having pain and then had the screws removed in January 2010. My doctor said I was forming arthritis but the screw removal should help to alleviate 80% of the pain (one screw was slightly too long). Well now my pain is worse and I did see the doctor again and he said to take advil or aleve and that I was too young for a hip repacement. My quality of life has deteriorated, the pain has stopped me from doing so many things. Even walking 100 ft. hurts. My job requires me to be on my feet and that is difficult. I'm looking for any advice or help?

[helenl89]

Get a second opinion. Ihad my right one done in 2008, and I was 49. Just did the left one  3 months ago. Is it your right or left? My right was so bad I couldn't pick my foot up to get over a curb. Has your dr done a mri. My ortho said that my right was so bad that i may never have total function again. I had to wait a xtra 8 months before the surgery, cause was doing chemo at the time for ovc. After 2 years of really working that leg I now have about 85% of movement, and it's getting better everyday.I recently did the other hip and am healing so much faster with this one. Had to do the left cause I had one leg now shorter than the other about a fouth of a inch. Needed to even me off sort of speek. If you have questions on this I can answer them for you

[carolanivey]

You are NOT too young for a hip replacement, particularly if the pain is significantly impacting your quality of life.

I had my first one at age 37, the other one at age 40. They'll try to tell you "but you'll wear it out in ten years". So what? I had some replacement parts put in the left one last year and it's good as new.

The revision surgery was much, much easier than the original surgery where they put the implant in your thigh bone and the new pieces in the socket. All they had to do was pop out the socket liner and pop a new one in. The ball/head of the femoral implant was fine, but just to be safe the surgeon replaced that, too.

Definitely get another opinion, particularly from an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in ONLY hips. Good luck! You don't have to just live with the pain!

[picman7]

Thanks Helen for the advice. It is my right leg. One question I have is, what is the recovery time like?

[picman7]

Thanks Carol for the info. I'm going to get a second opinion as nothing I have tried seems to help. Can I ask what type you got, i.e, metal on metal, metal on plastic or metal on ceramic and what brand if you know.

[carolanivey]

I'm not sure what brand name they are - I have two different manufacturers. Though I'm pretty sure the left one is a Stryker.

I do know what they're made of, though. The socket is titanium with a plastic liner that's the super-smooth bearing surface. The liner can easily be replaced.  The ball part is titanium with a super-smooth ceramic coating as the bearing surface. The part that's implanted in my thigh bone is also titanium with a porous ceramic coating into which the bone grows, so there's no need for any "glue".  

This meant I had to keep weight off it for several weeks in order to give the bone time to attach; if it had been the "glued in" type (which is used for older patients who are at higher risk for complications) they would have had me on my feet within 24 hours.

Some surgeons like mine are very conservative and insisted on non-weight bearing for six weeks, then partial for six weeks after that before going to full weight bearing status. Other surgeons may let you start walking on it sooner.

Let me know if you have any other questions about my experience. :)

[helenl89]

all I know is that mine are titanium also.I had partial weight bearing after about two weeks. After about a month or so I could walk a little with a cane. time can be as long as 8- to 12 weeks.Pyshical therapy is very important. You will be uncomfortable for the first couple weeks.I hope you can sleep on your back.Take the pain meds when needed.They will have you up the next day after surgery,with a walker.Ususally three days in hospital and then go to rehab, for a week or so, depending on how you do with pt.My nickname for this is pain and torture.I know you will have tons of questions later. Feel free to ask when need to.

[Magnum]

I had both hips put in in 1977 plus 6 revisions. I had to wait until I was 30. The orthopaedist told me males keep growing until age 30 and females until age 33...

If you decide to get a hip put in, it will be like a miracle. NO MORE pain. Naturally, you will have to take care of a new gift like that. Good luck..

Magnum