Regular visitors to this Forum will know David, is my husband. A freak accident whilst serving in the Royal navy which left him with a broken back. Subsequent operation, would never be performed these days, left him with chronic back pain. Together with 2 degenerative diseases of the spine, depression has and virtually no use inhi left side made the last 30 tears hard for him.
Due to the weakness in his left leg he has walked with a stick putting pressure on his right leg, shoulder and foot. Some 5 years ago he started getting pains in his 'good' hip. By comparison to his other pain - this was fairly mid to start with. However it became increasingly clear that this had taken over 25 years of added burden.
Investigations followed. A number of injections which helped and our pain consultant monitored hi.
2 years ago the pain was getting intolerable. It seemed a hip replacement was the likely outcome. A visit to the then orthopedic surgeon was unbelievable. Far too young we were told. David was a little over 60. David left that surgery in tears. He was devastated.
12 months ago David had a fall from the top of 5 concrete steps = splat to the bottom - also concrete. His good leg had somehow missed the top step. He dried again with the pain but fortunately apart from a broken finger he was intact.
2 further falls - both over the edges of kerbs meant intervention from me.
There followed 12 months of tests, Xrays, appointments, jags from the pain clinic and orthopedic surgeon, sleeples nights and a deterioration in David's all round mental health.
We were made aware of the serious risks with a replacement hip. Recovery would be hard for any patient let alone one whose body was already broken. Pain relief would be difficult die to the high amount he already takes. No driving for at least 6 weeks - maybe longer. (I don't drive.) Concern for me as to how i would cope. All this was discussed at pain clinic, at home, and with friends.
Yesterday we had an appointment with the surgeon. This was going to go one way or the other but I knew david could not go on any longer enduring the unbearable.
The news was brilliant. He will get that replacement hip. The surgeon we have had so much faith in will do operation. AND even better - our wonderful pain consultant Dr James will be the anethetist. David could not be in better hands. He cried again - this time with relief. All 6' 1' of him!
The waiting list is short. Maybe a few eeks or maybe after our hols in August but it will happen. The start of a new beginning for him and another something for me to learn. And he WILL do as he is told or he'll have me to answer too!
Never give up that there is help and the hugest thanks as always go to our pain clinc team.
Pat x
PS For those who haven't guessed - i am his carer! And I am registered blind so apologies for grammar and spelling!!
Possible CRPS? 
Knee replacement gone wrong
I hate to see him go through this he is such a wonderful hubby😞
