Arthritic hip - Your Experiences?

[CardsFan]

So, I have had hip pain for about 4 months. I mentioned it to my Doc in December, thinking it was a pulled muscle. He said if it does not improve, we will take an x-ray. Did that this week: Moderate to severe Osteoarthitis.

I go in next week to see if injections might help, but long term I may be looking at replacement.

Any experience here with injections (cortisone?). Any long term success?

Any experience here with hip replacement? I'm 61.5. Are there any pros or cons about delaying surgery until medicare? Current max out of pocket limit is $6,000.

Thanks for your comments.

 

[braumeister]

Arthritis caught up with me in the summer of 2015. Never had the slightest problem before that, but suddenly found myself using a cane to hobble across the living room with extreme pain in my right hip.

X-rays were suggestive of osteoarthritis, but inconclusive so I got an MRI. Diagnosis "moderate to severe right hip osteoarthropathy ..." so it sounds like your case might be somewhat similar. The doc said I was "definitely on track for a hip replacement." I was devastated because I've always been a runner.

But I just listened to my body and took it very, very easy. Basically a couch potato. The enforced rest was therapeutic. Much to my delight, the pain lessened very gradually until it finally nearly disappeared.

About a year ago, I started walking for exercise (almost a year after the above episode). I found that as long as I didn't overdo it I could get very good exercise.

Today, almost two years after that MRI, I'm getting a very brisk 5-mile walk in most mornings (sub-15 minute miles).

So there may be hope for both of us!

 

[CardsFan]

Arthritis caught up with me in the summer of 2015. Never had the slightest problem before that, but suddenly found myself using a cane to hobble across the living room with extreme pain in my right hip.

X-rays were suggestive of osteoarthritis, but inconclusive so I got an MRI. Diagnosis "moderate to severe right hip osteoarthropathy ..." so it sounds like your case might be somewhat similar. The doc said I was "definitely on track for a hip replacement." I was devastated because I've always been a runner.

But I just listened to my body and took it very, very easy. Basically a couch potato. The enforced rest was therapeutic. Much to my delight, the pain lessened very gradually until it finally nearly disappeared.

About a year ago, I started walking for exercise (almost a year after the above episode). I found that as long as I didn't overdo it I could get very good exercise.

Today, almost two years after that MRI, I'm getting a very brisk 5-mile walk in most mornings (sub-15 minute miles).

So there may be hope for both of us!

Glad to hear about your positive outcome. Maybe there is some hope!

My onset of pain was similar, very sudden, no prior issues. The x-ray was pretty conclusive, even I can see the issue when compared to my other hip (the x-ray has both)

I have been swimming every day since retiring over a year ago, and I notice that the pain is actually lowest when swimming. I'd hate to give this up, but if rest is the answer, so be it.

 

[Fedup]

I have this problem in my early 20s. I think I did extreme sport that pound the pavement like running. I was diagnosed by x-ray in my early 40s. Since then I've been using acupuncture and stretching and taking some turmeric and vitamin D. It has improved. I don't have much pain anymore. Recently, I asked my doctor when I should get a hip replacement, I wanted to do it while I'm youngish, but he said I have to see somebody for steroid or evaluation before I get hip surgery. So I'm not getting one but I keep exercise like swimming and walking. So far so good except when it rains then I get cranky. Thats when I go for deep tissue massage for relief.

 

[simple girl]

I have been swimming every day since retiring over a year ago, and I notice that the pain is actually lowest when swimming. I'd hate to give this up, but if rest is the answer, so be it.

Swimming is a nonweightbearing exercise and as such should help. Similar with bicycling. Avoid WB activities, especially running.

See if PT helps.

If you fail conservative therapy then look at surgical options. You may buy yourself some time, at least, with conservative therapy.

 

[rayinpenn]

Injections don't repair anything they mask the pain and may reduce inflammation but in the end if the hip is bone on bone there's little alternative. Don't wait so long that you back starts to bother you because you walking all twisted up...

 

[harley]

DW has mild/moderate osteoarthritis in her hands, and has had great results from Boswellia - Boswellia Standardized Extract 250 mg 100 Capsules | Boswellia | Puritan's Pride. I don't know if it would do anything for a hip (much bigger joint), but she's been relatively pain free since she started it.

 

[eytonxav]

Today, almost two years after that MRI, I'm getting a very brisk 5-mile walk in most mornings (sub-15 minute miles).

That is really fast, you could be a good recruit for the ERF race walking team

 

[Sue J]

So, I have had hip pain for about 4 months. I mentioned it to my Doc in December, thinking it was a pulled muscle. He said if it does not improve, we will take an x-ray. Did that this week: Moderate to severe Osteoarthitis.

I go in next week to see if injections might help, but long term I may be looking at replacement.

Any experience here with injections (cortisone?). Any long term success?

Any experience here with hip replacement? I'm 61.5. Are there any pros or cons about delaying surgery until medicare? Current max out of pocket limit is $6,000.

Thanks for your comments.

I had a replacement at age 59. Mine was due to hip dysplasia. I had tolerated the pain for years, thinking that rest or PT or pain meds would cure this. It was absolutely the smartest thing I could have done. I looked at how my daily life was all about dealing with the pain and how was I going to cope and I realized that this could be fixed.

I had a $12,000 deductible (HDHP plan with that awful combined deductible with DH) and it was worth it to take care of this.

I could clearly see the difference between the two hips in the xrays and the Dr. explained that he could do injections to give me maybe another 6 months but that a replacement was inevitable. I was ready and they had a time frame that fit what I needed so I went ahead.

There are many posts here about hip replacements and the recovery period, so do a search and you'll read a lot of stories, most of them very positive from what I remember. Its a tough decision so learn a lot about it and take your time.

 

[Fedup]

I read an article from WSJ that they have new surgery technique/procedure that one can be up and moving about in a day. I think there is one such hospital in LA that does this type of procedure.

 

[braumeister]

I read an article from WSJ that they have new surgery technique/procedure that one can be up and moving about in a day. I think there is one such hospital in LA that does this type of procedure.

Quite common everywhere.
They used to go in from the back, which required cutting a lot of muscle and making for a long recovery.
The newer technique goes in from the front, cuts much less muscle, and you're on your way home the next day (sometimes the day after).

 

[Fedup]

Quite common everywhere.
They used to go in from the back, which required cutting a lot of muscle and making for a long recovery.
The newer technique goes in from the front, cuts much less muscle, and you're on your way home the next day (sometimes the day after).

Thank you for your post. That is what I've read. I need to pick a time and do the procedure.

 

[braumeister]

My 76-year-old friend who is totally out of shape had his second hip replacement last year. He was back home the second day, getting around OK with a cane by the end of the week, and completely recovered by the third month.
Anyone in reasonably good condition should be able to recover much faster than that.

 

[CardsFan]

Thanks all for your comments. Saw the specialist today. No surprises, probably looking at replacement within the next year or so. All pain dependent, but probably better to do it sooner than later

Injections don't repair anything they mask the pain and may reduce inflammation but in the end if the hip is bone on bone there's little alternative. Don't wait so long that you back starts to bother you because you walking all twisted up...

Specialist was pretty upfront about this, and said hip injections have a fairly low success rate. For the time being it will be Naproxen, until I select the timing.

I had a replacement at age 59. Mine was due to hip dysplasia. I had tolerated the pain for years, thinking that rest or PT or pain meds would cure this. It was absolutely the smartest thing I could have done. I looked at how my daily life was all about dealing with the pain and how was I going to cope and I realized that this could be fixed.

I had a $12,000 deductible (HDHP plan with that awful combined deductible with DH) and it was worth it to take care of this.

I could clearly see the difference between the two hips in the xrays and the Dr. explained that he could do injections to give me maybe another 6 months but that a replacement was inevitable. I was ready and they had a time frame that fit what I needed so I went ahead.

There are many posts here about hip replacements and the recovery period, so do a search and you'll read a lot of stories, most of them very positive from what I remember. Its a tough decision so learn a lot about it and take your time.

Thanks Sue. I did a search and found your story, and many others. With $6k max out of pocket, money really is not a factor. Just need to wrap my head around it.

Swimming is a nonweightbearing exercise and as such should help. Similar with bicycling. Avoid WB activities, especially running.

See if PT helps.

If you fail conservative therapy then look at surgical options. You may buy yourself some time, at least, with conservative therapy.

Good adice. I continue to swim, and will look at PT. Unfortunately, even I can see from the x-ray that there is only so much time before the pain will get much worse.

 

[ZMAN]

IMHO better to do it later rather than sooner, unless your gait is being messed up. I nursed a bad hip for 15 years. I only got it done when I began to limp. That was Aug 2010 at age 59. (I was a runner for 23 years and bad hips run in the family).

I had a hip resurfacing with Dr Tom Gross in S Carolina after a ton of research. It is a bit different from a THR, and can only be done by a surgeon who does a ton of them, as the tolerances in the installation are very tight.

In any event, there is no upside in jumping into it if your gait is good and it is only the pain of standing or sleeping that is a bother. THRs and even resurfacings do not last forever.

 

[haha]

IMHO better to do it later rather than sooner, unless your gait is being messed up. I nursed a bad hip for 15 years. I only got it done when I began to limp. That was Aug 2010 at age 59. (I was a runner for 23 years and bad hips run in the family).

I had a hip resurfacing with Dr Tom Gross in S Carolina after a ton of research. It is a bit different from a THR, and can only be done by a surgeon who does a ton of them, as the tolerances in the installation are very tight.

In any event, there is no upside in jumping into it if your gait is good and it is only the pain of standing or sleeping that is a bother. THRs and even resurfacings do not last forever.

This is also my opinion. I really did not mind using a cane. I went ahead at age 73 because the hip surgeon who was following me felt that i was starting to do considerable damage to the socket. A Plastic cap would be placed there, but better that I did not destroy enough bone that I needed bone grafts to build up the socket. A woman friend also consulted this very active surgeon, after she bitched and moaned for almost 2 years. He told her to go home and use Tylenol and to come back later. She decided to go to another surgeon. So I figured he had no need of my case to make his car payment and I went ahead. It went very well. Surgery on Monday AM, discharged Wednesday AM. I used crutches a few days, then a cane maybe a week more.

I think of all the joint replacement ops this one is most likely to be satisfactory. My surgeon and others round the city did only total hips, and total knees.

Things do sometimes go south. This is big deal surgery for sure.

Ha

 

[simple girl]

Good advice. I continue to swim, and will look at PT. Unfortunately, even I can see from the x-ray that there is only so much time before the pain will get much worse.

Yes, unfortunately, this is often the case.

 

[O2Bfree]

I know four people who've had hip replacements, and they're all doing great. Ages range from 57 to 64. The oldest of the bunch has been an avid skier most of his adult life, and was able to get back to it afterwards. One of the women skis as well, and has also been able to hit the slopes after the surgery. Whether that's wise or not I don't know, but it shows what's possible.

 

[Silver]

I had a total hip replacement at age 52 years (13 years ago) and it's the best thing I have ever done for myself. I was in severe pain and the joint would lock-up sometimes when standing or sitting. I had been having pain for 15 years, and I wish I had done it sooner.

Within 6 months post-op I had zero pain, no limp, and that is how it remains today. I see the surgeon every 5 years, and at the last check-up the implant looked great.

I found the "Totally Hip" online discussion board helpful because it has lots of people talking about their experiences with their hip replacements. Just google "totally hip" and you'll find it.

 

[CardsFan]

Thanks again for all the comments, and stories about positive results. I have some time to plan this, but probably within the next year, unless I see vast improvement with the Naproxen.

My gait is already affected, at least some of the time. I have not tried using a cane, but probably need to think about it.

I will check out hte "Totally Hip" site.

 

[Nemo2]

I have not tried using a cane, but probably need to think about it.

Haven't used mine lately, but it comes in handy when the sciatica strikes.....plus it's great for pointing at things, pushing doorbells...oh, and tripping people.

 

[dumpster56]

Severe hip ( left ) leg . Been running since grade 6 and now 61 . Almost 3 years ago ran a great 5 k in 18:42 at 58 YO and had hip pain that did not seem to resolve with rest and 8 weeks of PT . Doc took X-rays and said looked like an impinged hip . Diagnosed trocantetic bursitis . I figured 100 mile running weeks might have been an issue and rested . Well after 8 weeks and more pain we did MRI and diagnosed with really severe arthritis . Told to get on a bike and in the pool. Did just that . Fast forward to about a year ago and decided to start running again and with very little pain meds just a couple of aspirin a few days a month have been able to run about 10 miles a day at 10/11 mins a mile . Not sure how but doc said he will not tell me not to run . Cannot make it worse . Says the MRI shows I should not be able to run . He says heck enjoy and when you are 75 or 80 and cannot walk then we will talk about replacement . Remember he says ya cannot run with a new hip and moderate pain is really not a reason for replacement . Kool beans here .

 

[aja8888]

This guy replaced my hip at 65:

Anterior Total Hip Replacement Video - Minimally Invasive Hip Arthritis Surgery, Houston Texas

Anterior procedure, home in two days, driving in 10, etc.

Watch the video on the linked page.

 

[TrophyWife]

Have you looked into boron or iodine? The iodine crisis is a good starting point as is this google doc about boron.

 

[CardsFan]

UPDATE - New Hip

An update;

Pain got to be unbearable. So I went forward with the replacement.

Just returned home from the hospital with a new hip. Anterior approach. 2 nights in the hospital. One 6" incision on the front of the leg.

I am amazed at how little pain I am in, and how much weight I can already put on the new joint Start the serious PT tomorrow. I expect that will produce more pain

Modern medicine is truly a wonderful thing.

Obviously I do not yet have any bills, but the BCBS estimate of my OOP is about $3,700. ($700 remaining on my deductible, and then $3,000 Max OOP.

I will post the totals when I have them, for your amusement.