I was scheduled to have hip replacement on urgent this April had my case packed for a couple of weeks and was raring to gowith a very positive attitude. Then my friend who had a hip replacement 2 years ago had a dislocation and it was the most frightening thing to see and she was in so much pain that it has put me off. I have osteoarthritis in my left hip and is very painful and I am on pain patches that help me but am concerned that if I have the hip replaced I may dislocate too as was told that this is so common especially in first 6 weeks also if not careful it can happen after many years too. I tried canceling my op but they wont have it and told me if I change my mind by April then I can get intouch and it will still go ahead and if after the date I can also get intouch with my surgeon and he will take me in straight the way. I am in fear of dislocating as it must be the worst pain out.Do you really have to watch every step and turn and will I have to sleep on my back for 6 weeks . cant do that as I have acid reflux and heartburn and must sit up.P S I am 62 years oldand come from U K.
the thing about sleeping on your back is not whether you're sitting up or lying down, it's to do with not lying on your side. so whether you're sitting bolt upright, or lying down, it really doesn't matter. all these sorts of things would be explained to you if you asked at the hospital. it's so important to ask, ask and ask again, if there's anything you're concerned about. they're only too happy to answer your questions, but you have to ask them, and make a list of things to ask so you don't forget anything.
you do have to look after your new hip, but honestly it's something you get used to and don't give a second thought to after a while. far better to get rid of the pain, and the knowledge that it will deteriorate if you don't have the op. and not many people actually do dislocate, it is a very, very small percentage.
i am 54 years old and have birmingham resurfaced hips, done a year apart. one is 3 years old, the other 4 years old. you will feel so much better if you get it done, no more pain, and no more worrying about the op. hope this helps.
HI
Don't panic about dislocation. It doesn't happen that often. Concentrate on doing all the exercises you are told to do; that will strengthen the muscles that hold the hip in place. While you are waiting for the surgery date, work on exercising as much as the pain allows. Afterward, do all the physical therapist tells you to do--as many repetitions as you can do.
I was 60 when I had my first hip done and 61 for the second one. I got my life back and I'm very pleased with my results.
Hope you go through with it!
Legtoolong
While dislocation is a very painful complication of hip replacement, it is not a frequent occurance. Factors that may increase the possibility of dislocation include (but are not limited to):
--recent post-op status (obviously, since the joint is still healing; this is why restrictions and precautions are imposed during this period)
--less experienced surgeon who does less than 6 THRs per year (patients of surgeons who do 50+/yr. experience far fewer dislocations)
--a hip that is 20+ yrs old
--age of the patient (80+yrs experience more dislocations)
Also, note that dislocation ranks as the 3rd (behind loosening & deep infection) most frequent cause of the need for revision surgery.
Other factors that may increase the risk include:
--small femoral balls (22mm)
--posterior surgical approach (but see below for details on the reason)
--patient factors such as alcohol abuse, advanced age, prior hip surgery or fracture, neuromuscular disorders that affect the muscles around the joint, & dementia.
--surgical risk factors such as faulty positioning of the components, failure to restore leg length or proper muscle tension, failure to preserve the strength in the abductor muscles (these help keep the ball in the cup), & using the posterior approach AND omitting repair of the divided tendons and joint capsule at the end of the operation.
I have summarized some of the information from [url]http://totaljoints.info/DISLOCARION_totalhip.htm[/url]
This is a non-commercial website developed by a retired ortho surgeon as a service to patients. It appears in (slightly fractured) English translation and has a wealth of reliable information provided in layperson's language. I recommend it.
Thank you Sue, Leg, and Tobias.
I appreciate your feedback and I have read the info on Dislocation.
Sue I have read your story on your Birmingham hip resurface and was wondering if my surgeon would perform that one on me. It sounds brilliant and it seems to take away my fear of dislocation. I wouldn`t care if I had to have it done again in a few years as long as It made me feel safer than having a complete hip replacement. Is it the done thing to ask your surgeon for an alternative procedure? I am in U K. I feel also that my other hip is starting going the same way. I know I have to have it done in the end but am holding off as long as possible. Tobias, thank you for the info I have read through and put in my faves for reading over. Legtolong. I am so pleased that it has worked out well for you and you really sound so happy that you have a new life . I just hope I have the courage to face one surgery or another because I know I cant go on like this. I live alone and I am also worried that after rehabilitation I shall be left to fend for myself . I have been told I can`t do housework like hoovering for 12 weeks after and also climbing stairs bothers me. ( I suppose to be having the uncemented one with the smaller ball)
I forgot to mention I am excercising like mad on air rider and exercise bike . Am I doing right excercises? I have my ownmade gym as I was always very active and athletic up untill eleven years ago when my first twinges started.
hello sylvianne. i would imagine if you were a suitable candidate for a birmingham your surgeon would have suggested it. not everyone is, it depends how far gone the ball is, but definately worth asking the question next time you see him. the other thing to ask him is about the size of the new hip he's putting in, as has been said, the bigger the better and the less chance of dislocation, and tell him your fears about dislocation.
you will be shown how to climb the stairs before you leave hospital, along with all the other stuff you need to know, and they'll give you a raised loo seat, and a grabber so you don't have to bend down to pick things up. as for the hoovering and other things you shouldn't really do for 12 or so weeks, it's a small price to pay for a well-healed hip which should last you a long time. the hoovering, etc., isn't going anywhere and you can catch up with all that when you're fully better. the most important thing is to follow the rules, do as you're told and look after it, particularly for those first important 12 weeks.
meant to say, as for the exercising, i didn't do any special exercises before the op, just carried on as normal, but like anything, the fitter you are before, the better it is, so carry on cycling!!!!!
have you decided to go ahead with your op in april as planned?
Sue I signed in and wrote you a whole load of talk but when I pressed it to go through it told me that I hadn`t signed in when I had. So will write soon as I dont have time now
sylvianne
it times out doesn't it? can't tell you how many times that's happened to me. i've started to just rattle away and then post, and then rattle away again, just so i don't lose stuff. sometimes my postings make sense, and sometimes they don't, i don't always have the time to check them over, just press 'submit reply' and hope for the best!!
look forward to reading whatever you manage next time!
It sounds brilliant and it seems to take away my fear of dislocation. I wouldn`t care if I had to have it done again in a few years as long as It made me feel safer than having a complete hip replacement. Is it the done thing to ask your surgeon for an alternative procedure? I am in U K. I feel also that my other hip is starting going the same way. I know I have to have it done in the end but am holding off as long as possible. Tobias, thank you for the info I have read through and put in my faves for reading over. Legtolong. I am so pleased that it has worked out well for you and you really sound so happy that you have a new life . I just hope I have the courage to face one surgery or another because I know I cant go on like this. I live alone and I am also worried that after rehabilitation I shall be left to fend for myself . I have been told I can`t do housework like hoovering for 12 weeks after and also climbing stairs bothers me. ( I suppose to be having the uncemented one with the smaller ball)
