hi, I’m new here. I am 64. I just had a birthday. I was diagnosed with RA in 2004 . I am on Biologics -ORENCIA for five years During the pandemic I had a bad fall and injured my knee . Couldn’t get much Physiotherapy because of the lockdowns so I did what I could on my own . since then I am having a problem with the right leg functioning properly. I had test done - my knee is not that bad ,but my hip has severe osteoarthritis. I need a new hip, I’ve never had a problem with my hip before . The other hip is perfect .I really don’t want a new hip . I know it sounds weird, but I just don’t want to have the operation. Does anyone know or had experienced , that having PRP injections will heal and regrow the cartilages? Thanks
Hip replacement: hi, I’m new here. I am 64. I just... - NRAS
Hip replacement
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Kitek
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Sorry no I don’t; but I have two new hips and wouldn’t be without them.
if you don’t mind, how are you in your hips? Hauer you recovery?
They are fine. One done in 2019 one 2022. Recovery is painful for first few weeks but well worth it for me.
I was also advised better to get them done before they are too bad as you still have some muscle tone etc which helps recovery.
OK thank you
Thank you for replying
I hate to say it but I think once the cartilege has gone and you’re down to bone on bone there’s not much you can do.
Not sure this is the answer to your question. My 70 year old husband badly needed but didn’t want a new hip - eventually he had absolutely no option and had it done. He wasn’t quite dragged screaming and kicking into the hospital but he didn’t want the op. Turned out he was frightened - he was also in an awful lot of pain by the time he finally had it done.
He had his done by spinal epidural and sedation which sounds scary but which was really good, he woke up from the operation and said he was hungry and had tea and biscuits - no horrid anaesthetic after effects.
He had it done and was out of hospital a couple of days later - would have been less time but the pharmacy had closed by the time his doctor did the rounds and we decided it would be easier if he stayed another night - besides he had a nice little private room free of charge.
The night he had it done the physios stayed late and got him on his feet. I left for home at that point. He had a physiotherapist visit him at home for a few visits and then he paid for a few private physio sessions which he felt was well worth the money.
I moved a single bed downstairs and he slept downstairs where he had access to a downstairs loo and shower but I also had a second banister installed so that he had one on each side of the stairs - again he didn’t want one but that was and still is really useful - I also bought a second set of crutches from Amazon so that he had an upstairs pair and a downstairs pair - I was worried about him on the stairs and didn’t want him carrying things up and down.
He has since said if he ever needs his other hip done then he wouldn’t put it off like he did last time.
Hi, I really appreciate your replay.I am grateful.for so much information.I know I have to do it .its just not ready for it yet .my physiotherapist advised me to get that plasma injection that supposedly will promote healing and reduce the inflammation.He said that some of his patients had a knee problem, and a hard few plasma injections together with Physiotherapy did strengthened the Muscles around and he doesn’t have to have knee replacement after all.and that made me think to reach out here to see if there is Someone with similar experiences
Ah well that’s good if your physio recommended you have it for your knee then I’d give it a try. I’ve heard of people having injections for their knee so that’s probably what they had along with exercises.
Sorry I thought you were thinking of it for your hip. If you have your hip done you might even find that will help your knee because you will be walking better. Good luck with it all.
yes I was thinking about hip replacement,but I mentioned that someone had in the knee.. Anyhow, thanks again. Have a great day.
I worked as an orthopaedic ward sister for baby years. It is a very straightforward op these days, and normally home by day 3. I’m not aware of prp being available yet on h to be nhs. The research also suggests it can’t reverse or cure the arthritis. If you do the strengthening exercises it will aid any recovery afterwards. It currently costs £250-500 per each injection and you need a course to benefit. Hip replacement are much more straightforward than knee replacements. Whichever you choose, I wish you well. With waiting lists being as they are, it would be useful to get on a list now, whilst you decide.
Best thing I ever did having both replaced. 2015 and 2020 . It's so straightforward and I had both done by epidural with sedation. No unpleasant after effects. I was eating my tea within a few hours afterwards. Up walking about next day and home 3 days later. If you're in a lot of pain think again
The consultant said a new hip was going to be needed at some point but in the meantime I had an image guided steroid injection directly into the hip joint. It left me pain free for 18 months but now pain is coming back and I’m going to have to think of a new hip. I’m having my big toe joint done so I can’t think about it at the moment!
P
Those injections are helpful in the short term. I don't know how long the waiting list is in your area and no harm in getting on it now.
Looks like the Cortisone was really helpful I’ve never had one . Something to think about. Thank you.
Good Morning,I have had RA for many years now and felt it was well managed, but recently I was told I have osteoarthritis in my right hip. I opted for injections in February this year, but unfortunately they never worked for me and after having several bad falls, I am having a total hip replacement on Wednesday.
I was apprehensive about it as I am only 57, but now I just want it done to be able to have a life back.
I'm currently very restricted in how far I can walk, can't bend or kneel down, getting in and out of a bath is an ordeal.
My pain originally started in my knee too, but it turns out I was compensating on my hip pain causing my knee pain.
I've had to go private as NHS told me I would wait 3yrs for a hip operation. I simply couldn't bare waiting that long as the pain and restrictions are causing my mental health to deteriorate.
I have had to adapt my home in preparation for the operation, however this is only going to be short term.
I did alot of research on hip replacements and now my mindset is positive.
I do hope if you take the injections they work for you. I hear some good things about them potentially lasting for years.
Good luck for Wednesday and remember post op excercuses are important
One can look on the nhs website ( white and blue colour ) and filter through and searching for the actual waiting time for a hip replacement operation - At your local hospital . I agree - get your name down now for the op.
I’ve just seen my Rheumatologist Consultant last Monday 12 th July .
He tells me I shall definitely need a hip replacement , very possibly both hips.
He was looking at my X-ray taken in March 2023 .
He says it is the actual rheumatoid arthritis causing this , not osteoarthritis. He also referred me to the Orthopaedic Consultant at my consultation.
I have been on Tocilizumab hospital infusions coming up 3 years now. ( Every 4 weeks )
My GP ( this past week ) has prescribed Etoricoxib 30 mgs , one tablet to be taken once a day . As I’ve been having severe hip and groin pain increasingly over the past months , sometimes my leg giving way.
I was diagnosed sero positive rheumatoid arthritis January 2009.
I’m 66 now. But , do write to your consultant, asking them to put your name down for the hip replacement.
No idea about PRP injections but know that having both my hips replaced is the best thing I had done.
Hi. I have had both hips replaced seven years apart, the first when I was 63, and have never regretted having either done as I was in agony from bone grating on bone. In 2014 I only had to wait about four months before I had an NHS op but in 2021 I’d already been waiting 18 months and the waiting list was still up to two years so I paid £15K and had it done. Not ideal but my active life had come to a halt.
If you make your mind up to have the op then get onto a waiting list now if you’re going to go with the NHS as it could take months if not years because, believe me, once you really can’t function because of the pain, stiffness and lack of mobility there’s nothing - no analgesia or injections that’s going to relieve that but a new hip……
The operation is truly remarkable in that it relieves all the pain immediately (obviously you need to recover from the actual surgery which takes about six weeks with the first two weeks being the most tiring) and once you’ve recovered it’s so liberating to have full mobility back and no pain! They do millions of hip replacements every year and because most of them are now done under sedation and a local anaesthetic there’s none of the horrible hangover of a general and a couple of hours after you’re out of theatre you’re eating toast, drinking tea and being urged by the physio to get up and walk. Home within a few days and on you go.
My years as an orthopaedics sister (now retired) have seen so many changes and hip replacements nowadays are probably the ones that have had the most successful outcomes for so many people so good luck and don’t leave it till you’re so debilitated it’ll take much longer to recover.
I went to a hip surgeon around 2014 and she said my hip bones were too brittle ( think that’s the word she used) and she might break a bone if she operated. I told my RA doc that and he shrugged and said well there’s nothing more I can do…now in 2023 I’m getting more and more stiff and the pain in my hips is starting to bother my sleep. I used to be able to find a position where I couldn’t feel it as much. Have you ( or anyone else) ever heard of not being qualified for a hip replacement and then no other advice of what to do…after reading about other things people are doing…I literally am just suffering having been told “nothing I can do.” I did try other RA docs but none have addressed this and have only discussed doing different meds…I guess I believed it was no use to keep trying….but reading all this …it sounds like my experiences as re B unusual…( because I’m in the US?) Would appreciate thoughts.
I can’t help in that I don’t know of anyone who has been refused hip surgery other than for being overweight. Do you have osteoporosis and could that be reason why your surgeon won’t operate?
If that is the case HU has a site called American Bone Health : Osteoporosis - it might be worth posting on there to see what people say. Could you find a good physical therapist who specialises in patients with fragile bones who could help loosen you up or at least advise you on what you could do next? I agree it seems strange that you have just sort of been written off.
Thanks, After that visit I’ve been told Osteoporosis…but the doc didn’t use that as a reason as she just had an X-ray I think at that point. The RA doc was voted one of the top docs in seattle for RA. I asked him f there was anything else I could do.. he said Doans pills OTC, help with pain…they were popular in the 50’s.
I’ll try to find the Osteo site. Thanks
I can only suggest you consult a different orthopaedic surgeon rather than a rheumatologist if possible though as you’re in the US I don’t know how that works.
I can see the reluctance on behalf of the hip surgeon to operate if you have brittle bones as it wouldn’t benefit you to have a broken femur or even a pelvic bone during surgery but you need support and help if there’s not an option to replace your hip. There are many who can’t have hip replacements here due to soft bones which can be devastating and I do hope you won’t be left in that situation. All the very best.
I am sorry to hear that .I don’t know what advice I can give you now , but I’ve been reading about copper supplements for RA and OR AND weak bones…… here’s a quote from web I just read
“ Zinc and Copper.- zinc deficiency is associated with decreases in bone density. Likewise, copper is an important mineral in the normal growth and development of the skeletal system. That is why it is important to maintain adequate levels of zinc and copper in your diet to prevent and/or treat osteoporosis “
Interesting about copper and zinc…have you started anything in terms of brand names? I guess your gut plays a big role in all this too….
aww… so much positivity thank you.
I understand why you don't want surgery. Along story but my fractured hip was missed by A and E twice, diagnosed on the 3rd attempt , three weeks later.
I was offered a hip replacement or to try for natural healing as it appeared to have started healing. I chose the natural option.
I'm terrified of needing a hip replacement.
I hope things work out for you.
My wife had a similar problem with her knee and her authopedic consultant immediately ordered hip x-rays. And replacement duely done. Apparently knee problems are often due to compensation for hip issues. Most of my friends who have had replacement hips, wished they had done it sooner.
Had my 1st hip replaced 13yrs ago when 60yrs then other done 2yrs later. It was great to be pain free and recovery wasn’t too bad x
If your hip is not giving you any pain my advice is not to touch it.Doctors now a days try to lucrate with patients and we are just a numbed.Take care but if it is giving you clinical problems then probably you should.Keep well
I am 69 years old having R A since over 29 years have very bad osteoporosis have done everything as posible for osto and Ra.At the time i have had breast cancer lung fibrosis NAP after shingles and still alive i dont exerzise i just walkRecently i had exrays of hips and knee and to my surprise surgeon said no need for surgery i thought he was putting me off but went to 3 others and all said thr same
Guess i come from Mars and now its going to be one year and a half that i am on 4mg of prednisone.if you would ask me if i am better without meds i am exactly the same than when i was with Enbrel Rituxi leflunamide metro they have tried everything with me and now i have developed urinay cronic infections and no antibiotic is working very difficult.But on the hole i am leading normal life.i guess all RAmeds work in some way but distroys in others.Tomorrow i am going to the best reumy thete is in my country and shalk see what he will say to me but guess i will keep as i am now.Dont want to go through any more med complications.Keep well everybody and good luck to all from south america
So sorry you feel you don't want a new hip I've been told both mine need replacing, I always said no, but the pain I'm in and lack of mobility have made me change my mind. I don't want an op but needs must, I do hope you can get some relief with the pain another way but think it's highly unlikely.
I felt exactly the same before my hip replacement in December. I was terrified of all the things you mention in your posts below.
I went ahead with mine only because of the reassurance I was finally given at the pre-op. The nurse told me it was a gold standard procedure and the surgeons were the best there are. She was right. There are many, many thousands of hip replacements done every year.
Mine has transformed my life. I can walk again without pain and I wish I hadn’t delayed it out of fear for the three years I did.
Most are done with spinal anesthesia. You are out of hospital next day and up walking immediately after the operation.
I’m on MTX and RTX and great care was taken over the risk of infection. I recovered quickly and am now pain free.
The key to recovery is following all the advice they give you. The exercises really do enable you to regain strength and movement. It does take time - but you will get there in the end and not look back.
If you’re in pain and need a new hip please don’t delay through fear. Voice your concerns to the medical staff at the pre-op and let them help you navigate the procedure. You can pull out at any time. Although I didn’t realise at the time, I was in very safe hands. It feels a very scary operation but it has a very high success rate. Hope that helps…
thank you everyone for your encouragement it’s really really appreciate it
HiI suffered for a long time with chronic hip pain and walked with a very noticeable limp. I was very taken aback when I was told indeed a replacement hip and was not keenat all. I had the surgery in March 2122 and although the recovery was difficult (I live in my own), I can honestly say it was the best thing I have ever done by having it replaced. Don't leave it too long as the pain only gets worse and it the joint deteriorates
hi Iv had hip in March after ten yrs of Oooch long story but my recovery is slower as I badly compensated those yrs as your body does this , it's always trying to help you! So now Iv got hard physio I'm getting there but woukd say don't wait if you have arthritic hip as I tried everything, reducing inflammation chiro physio other alternatives etc. Had the injection for me it was ok for two weeks if you read up these j he ruins aren't good for bones at all, to me it's a sticking plaster if you're very lucky a few months then the disappointment as it creeps back
I got to end of tether spiritually the op was fine had spinal injection and sedation. No trauma with it at all as you are relaxed and I knew nothing I awoke as he finished - I had ear phone in with relaxing music. Haha anesthetist said he had a listen as my bo went quite low so it's done the job
I looked into stem cells but would take yrs to possible renew I asked for resurfacing but that's for the younger they say I would have prefered the less harsh op 'anterior' through front not back you coukd ask if it's possible as quicker recovery less muscle damage Unfortunately my hospital didn't, it's a renowned teaching hospital in fact I was on John charnley ward and he invented the op way back when!!
Good luck.
hi ,thank you for sharing your experiences. Very Helpful! I've also tried a lot. I've never had cortisone injection, I had my own plasma injection ,PRP ,once . It really helped for a couple of months. The pain was less and a little bit more movement to extend my hip .it was done by orthopaedic surgeon . he suggested to have a few more every 3-6 months ,but it’s very expensive so I couldn’t do it .
In regards, which way to go is it better to have replacement done from the front or from the back? Thx
I've not heard of plasma injection does it improve cartledge wear?
I fought on i wasnt in position to be off work and I wasn't mentally ready, but finally I realised how much smaller my life had become I had stopped dance and sat far too long as very stiff and painful on standing , my family intervened a bit as saw my decline i but the bullet as coukdnt continue that way
Please read up anterior replacement I know it's less invasive. I have a thought it's not offered if heavier build but may be wrong on this, a friend had robot surgery as was private as a more expensive option.
For most people it seems a good option to replace as it wont heal - if you are developing compensating habits please note my case as im now having to work very hard at physio which is excruciating as the big hip muscle is weak but I'm rebuilding
My doctor told me that PRP accelerates and boosts healing, so your body can actually repair significant amounts of damage that it can't handle by itself. He said that study been done . It showed that PRP can help regenerate cartilage that's been degraded by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. I have not seen the research, however .
I hope your hard work pays off. Best to you.
have you had PRP. I hadn't heard of it
PRP - stands for ‘Platelet-Rich Plasma’ . I had once to my hip.it did help with pain and improved movement of my hip for few months . I was supposed to have a few more injections ,but I couldn’t afford it. ( I think I have mentioned it before but maybe did not explain well ,sorry
* Here a short paragraph explaining it - copy from the web .
‘ Platelet-rich plasma consists of two elements: plasma, or the liquid portion of blood, and platelets, a type of blood cell that plays an important role in healing throughout the body. Platelets are well-known for their clotting abilities, but they also contain growth factors that can trigger cell reproduction and stimulate tissue regeneration or healing in the treated area. Platelet-rich plasma is simply blood that contains more platelets than normal.
To create platelet-rich plasma, clinicians take a blood sample from the patient and place it into a device called a centrifuge that rapidly spins the sample, separating out the other components of the blood from the platelets and concentrating them within the plasma.”
ps. If you aren't absolutely sure you're needing an op have you been to a chiro who knows his stuff as if the exercises don't sort it out there is really no other option
Thankyou. How long I wonder has this been available I just went on line. If only lasts a few months that's disheartening or does it build up as you go
If so I wish I'd k own
I meant the steroid i he ruins arent good for bone
I can appreciate your difficulty to go ahead with op. I always look for alternatives. The thing is I'm now paying a price for waiting although only two yrs as I went through a net to wait till I'm older. There's another type of i jet ion il look it up. I came across it recently some reviews hail it and others not
I am in Canada . PRP injections are more popular last 10 years here, but government doesn’t cover them. Even My Work Insurance doesn’t cover them .
it’s very helpful to talk with other people about joint replacements . I think I’m getting closer to accepting that I have to have the operation .
you will know when I'm sure. I just knew I couldn't battle on
That treatment i read is prozolene from Prohealth clinic it does sound too good to be true
Iv learned that
Write any time if querying anything to do with op
you sound advanced !!
Stem cells all the way for future
prolotherapy its different than PRP ( plasma therapy ) ……it’s a man-made injection. It’s some kind of sugar that helps healing and pain as far as I know.
you’re right stem cells are the way of the future but not for regular people like me
thanks again ,
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