SCFE and its effects years later...

[Bethany88]

I was wondering if there is anyone out there who has had surgery for SCFE as a child and is now suffering from early onset arthritis and constant hip pain. I am 29 years old and has two surgeries to repair SCFE when I was 10 and 13. I was slightly overweight (not obese) as a child, which I have been told was a contributing factor. I was told to resume normal physical activity shortly after the second surgery, which I had done and continue to do. At 28, after vigorous weight training workouts, I began experiencing sharp groin and dull outer hip pain, and after finally going to see a doctor have been given a pretty crappy prognosis. The doctors seem to think that I have begun feeling the effects of arthritis and are talking eventual hip replacement as soon as 10 years from now. Is there anyone to whom this has happened? If so, how have you gone about physically making the best of it? What courses of action have you taken (cortisone, arthroscopic surgery, etc?) I just want some guidance from someone who has been through it, not a doctor telling me what "could" happen. Thanks.

[Melo22437]

I had pins put in my left hip in the spring of 2000 then my right hip in the summer of 2000 I was 15! It was so painful walking before and the doctor originally thought growing pains.. I’ve had a pretty normal life except for the visits to the lady doctor my hips don’t fall to the side like normal. When I got the pins put in the doctor warned me I will need hip replacement by 50 years old but if I never got the pins by 20 I would’ve needed it. I’m 32 now and feel pain here and there only in my left hip the one that was worse off... most times it’s just a little achy but somedays like today it causes me to stop in my tracks the pain is so sharp.... guess it’s just part of the process

[insitnctuallion]

Hi im 25 yr old man. Left hipped slipped at age 7 had both hips pinned after only a couple weeks of constant pain. (both parents being medically trained help with me getting diagnosed)
Was kind of a chubby child but then spent a lot of my time exercising and eating rather healthily. Ive always had pain in both hips, left more than right, but was told its nothing as ive always been big regardless of amount of exercise which was limited due to increase in pain during use.
Its got to the point now where i cant work and can barely walk down the road without being in pain as well as affecting many other areas of my life.
Im with the orthopedics now and all they have done so far is give me and mri scan and talk about a steroid injection directly into the bone. If that is not successful then it'll have to be a replacement.
I have trouble managing the pain due to intolerance to many of the pain meds i've been prescribed. Im unsure as to how things will work out and even more unsure if i'll be able to start work again.
i wish i could give a more positive experience but SCFE can really screw with you in later life if you're not careful and sometimes even if you are.

[leeannemac]

What pain relief was you using? As I'm in a lot of pain with my chronic athritis from scfe had the them both pinned at 13 now 24 and pain relief I'm.on ain't helping

[carritas6]

My first hip went when i was 11. i hobbled around for months because the doctor believed it was a muscle strain or growing pains. When they finally seen it on the xray it was almost so severe i couldnt stand. I was taken in and a screw put in place to fix it. We were warned the other hip could go the same way and lo and behold a year later it went. 2 or 3 years after that i was taken back in to have the screws removed. They felt it was better that way and to be honest i had no problems other than lack of movement (cant open legs too wide, cant stick hip out properly as to carry an infant and my right leg faces out a little) . When i turned 23? i had some pain when walking for too long or sitting in the same postition studying. i went back to hospital and MRI scanned and they felt it was early onset arthritis caused by my procedure. They offered to do an arthroscopic clean up of the joint but due to healing time i couldnt afford to take the time just then. i lost a little weight and the pain seemed to subside. Now im 30 and the only time it hurts is when i do a 12 hour shift out of the blue. I am a nurse and if im not used to it im like an old woman doubled over trying to get home. this doesnt happen often i would say 3 times total. My point is im still young but i havem't had too many noticable problems and i know there are some options if it gets bad in the future. Don't panic if your kid is undergoing this. Its not always a bad outcome. Im pretty happy with how mine has turned out.

[Rhyss]

I was diagnosed with SCFE when I was 12 years old and was in emergency surgery 2 days later, I was highly active and a little over weight. The doctor told me I needed crutches for 7 weeks and no physical activity for 3 months after having both hips pinned but after that I was straight back to normal. I am now 22 and since then I have played regular rugby, tennis, squash and now I have been boxing for 2 years which involves running 6km 4 times a week aswell as plenty of leg workouts during the week. Ive personally never had an issue apart from flexibility, I make sure to stretch my hips and legs out after every workout and keep a healthy diet so Im not carrying unnecessary weight and Im problem free for now. No pain or aches  ( my hips used to click but since being very active with boxing there is no issue) only a little stiffness if I dont stretch properly but my life has been uneffected to date,I am still young and 10 years time will be the real test but Ill worry about that then. If you or your child is worried about  the repercussions of the surgery, dont be. Listen too your body, do what you can do and don't let it hold you back.

[jotlyn]

Hi I know you replied a while ago but maybe you will see this. How long did you wait until running/sports after surgery?

[feefee79]

I too was diagnosed with SCFE in 1991. I had my left hip pinned 25 years ago when I was 12 years old.  As of a few weeks ago, about 6 weeks to be exact, I had a hip resurfacing done.  I had a lot of arthritis and had on and off pain for the last few years.  I begin to develop a more noticeable limp before the hip resurfacing surgery.  I am still waiting to see how my recovery goes.  It is okay so far but I have experienced some numbness in a portion of my operated leg.  It is slowly going away.  Hopefully all will be well after more time passes.

[feefee79]

I too was diagnosed with SCFE in 1991. I had my left hip pinned 25 years ago when I was 12 years old.  As of a few weeks ago, about 6 weeks to be exact, I had a hip resurfacing done.  I had a lot of arthritis and had on and off pain for the last few years.  I begin to develop a more noticeable limp before the hip resurfacing surgery.  I am still waiting to see how my recovery goes.  It is okay so far but I have experienced some numbness in a portion of my operated leg.  It is slowly going away.  Hopefully all will be well after more time passes.