osteoporosis and hip replacement

[Mag999]

hi I’ve just come from appointment for hip pain and been told I need a replacement which was a bit of a shock.

I plan to see physio and have injection in hip to see if I can exercise it ( can’t currently due to pain)

I’m 59 and have osteoporosis amongst other health issues ( thyroid, hormones, vitamin deficiencies) and have known I’d need at least my knee replaced at some point but my hip has raced ahead in only 2 months for no apparent reason.

I’m very worried about replacement because of my osteoporosis as I’ve heard some horror stories. I know it’s a routine operation these days but I wonder if anyone with osteoporosis who has gone ahead might share their experience

Thank you

[piglette]

The trouble with the hip it tends to just go downhill, while knees it seems easier to put off surgery with exercise. My brother in law has managed to put it off for eighteen years! Talk with your surgeon about your risks and whether they should consider cementing the implant – it may be the best choice to reduce your risk of fracture, depending on your bone health.

[Mag999 in reply to piglette]

is cementing something extra they can do? I will ask about that thank you.

[piglette in reply to Mag999]

Cemented and uncemented hip replacements are two different types of operation. They differ in how the prosthetic implant is fixed to the natural bone. A cemented hip relies on bone cement to fix the implants to the bone interface. Uncemented hip replacements rely on natural bone growth over specially designed implants. Cemented was the original op introduced in the 1800s, uncemented relying on bone naturally growing was first introduced in the 1950s.

[Mag999 in reply to piglette]

interesting. Will discuss with consultant

[piglette in reply to Mag999]

I am sure they will have considered the option.

[Cat33]

Don't listen to any horror stories I've had both my hips and one knee replaced and if I can go through it all anyone can 😊

Wishing you all the very best x

[FattieBabs]

hi, I had a hip replacement 5 years ago - cemented- and it has been great. Losing 1.5 stone has helped with knee pain but my other hip now needs an op. My recovery was slow and I had to be very patient but my operated side is fine now. Took about six months from the op before it felt normal. Other people can recover much faster. And thst horrible needle pain has gone.

[papageno]

I am a great fan of physio and do hope you can use this to avoid surgery. Do let us know the outcome. I am 79 and recently diagnosed with spinal stenosis [radiology reports from two MRI] but still waiting for appointment with neurosurgery/spine. I too am hoping physio can be used to avoid surgery. One issue clinicians, especially surgeons, tend to forget is that many older people live alone and have no social support during recovery which can things very difficult indeed.

All best wishes

[Mag999 in reply to papageno]

I’m going to try a steroid injection and physio which I can’t do without pain relief as hip just doesn’t move. Very helpful physio who bluntly talked me through my options also recommending a partial knee replacement now rather than total later on which made me laugh. He was young. But helped clarify what I can and when to just cut my losses so I have a plan I’m happy with atm

I also see a nutritionist who is adamantly against all interventions and she is very encouraging about non surgical routes using supplements and neuromuscular treatment. It has helped me holistically which is something lacking in the nhs as so far I’ve had appointments with different people for knee hip spine ankle etc which is quite wearing as they are all the same condition (osteoarthritis) I can’t help thinking they would save money having dedicated joint centres as it’s such a common problem.

[Blackknight1989]

I wish you both the best of luck in dealing with said conditions!

[Blackknight1989]

Oh and my personal opinion, the partial joint replacement PRIOR to an expected total replacement is a con run by the osteopods…my best friend is a “bone fixer” so I take some liberties..lol!

I understand the intent but I’m currently 56 and have had both knees (2012 and 2013) and both hips 2014 early and 2014 late replaced.

Sure there is some concern I may need them replaced again (if possible as my previous operation allows for that but my body may shut down the option) but so what? If so, that’s at least probably (hopefully) 10/15 years away and who knows what new technologies will have been developed to better address the future replacements (if needed). At least that was my feeling and while the 4 operations in 3.75 years sucked, the 10-20 years of relief are no doubt (in my mind) worth it.

That was the key for me. As previously mentioned I have just normal “old-man” osteoarthritis which manifested in my late 20s and turned extremely painful in my 40s causing the double replacements of knees and hips (and ankles). Because of how “bad” the condition was (is) to me it made more sense to just have the replacement rather mess with a partial and 2/3/4 years later turn around and have another operation to actually fix the problem (or fix it as well as possible within the constraints of medical science…lol!). Just my opinion.