Osteoarthritis / Bone Edema / Injections / Hip Replacement

[kjm_25]

HI, I'm 45, I have been managing Osteoarthritis / Hip Bone Edema for 2.5 years. Pain has increased steadily over the past few months and I now can't walk more than 1mile / 6,000 steps a day without having to rest for 3/4 days after, another complication is if I do push it and do too much over a few days, the edema intermittently comes back and I then can't walk at all without crutches for between a few weeks > months depending on the damage. I basically do nothing now, my life is spent indoors or carefully planned and with two crutches, I am also really struggling with my mental health now because my life feels like it is over.

Had an MRI last Friday, going to see Consultant on 5th June, he mentioned cortisone injections or hip replacement in our last session and have been researching pros/cons of both.

I am not sure cortisone is right for me as I am worried that I will walk 'without a care in the world' while the pain relief is there and then when it wears off I will be back to square one.

My question is to those who have had both injections / hip replacement, if you could push for one or the other, what would you do? I just want my life back and worry that the injection is just delaying the operation.

Also, if you did have the injection, what happened when it wore off, did the pain come back instantly? did you have bone edema? were you able to lose weight during the steroid treatment and did it make any difference to the pain when the steriod wore off??

Many thanks

[Nana246]

I had extensive oedema and advanced osteoarthritis of the hip etc . I had guided injections in sept last year. They didn’t do a great deal to help. Maybe a little but like you I couldn’t walk very far at all without massive pain and just unable to walk more than a few steps. I think if your hip is that bad you will end up with replacement. Had a hip replacement late january and I’m going great. Felt better and walked better the day after surgery than I had in a long time. I was worried about having surgery but so glad I did. In the end I had no option Hope you get your hip sorted😊

[Twinkle3131 in reply to Nana246]

Hi from NZ. I had both! The steroids made a big difference for about 6 months. I went on to have three (advised by Surgeonthat as long as it is done under Radiology and injected into the space they are good.) However after the 3rd the hip neck and head collapsed completely. He carried out a Replacement 2 weeks later. Have also had the other hip done. v I was 52 and 55 for each hip and would go back tomorrow for repeat surgery if that was needed. There are people playing tennis etc after the surgery. Why wait? Good luck.😍

[kjm_25 in reply to Twinkle3131]

And thank you too! your situation is what I'm worried about the most, after spending approx a year and a bit out of the last 2 unable to walk without crutches and RESTING, the thought of having the injections and ending up crippled again in 6 months because i've worn them out is too much!! so glad you're fixed!!

[Twinkle3131 in reply to Twinkle3131]

I confused you. The injections gave me almost 2 years so I could have needed spinal surgery while walking. I do the same with my fingers so long as there is a joint space. It allows time for other procedures or plans, e.g. travel. Max time post replacement should be 6 weeks if you do what you are told. many I know have had problems after throwing away elbow crutches too soon. Mind you many do continue with physical exercise and sport after replacement. So go for what is your best option. being pain free for the first time in years is totally brilliant. Good luck.👍

[kjm_25 in reply to Nana246]

Thank you so much! I really hoped that someone who had oedemas would reply! If I have the choice I am going straight for the op, would rather get my life back now! so glad you're feeling better now

[Nana246]

Good luck with it all. It’s good that you have had an MRI. They are the best to show what is really happening. Please Let us know how you go 😊

[kjm_25 in reply to Nana246]

Hi, I have an update! I have finally got a proper diagnosis, labral tears in both hips, no cartilage left in those areas so not able to have labral tear surgery, we tried steroid injection in one hip, it worked for about 2weeks and now I'm back to square one next appt is 17th August and will hopefully get the green light to replace my hips, I'm back to being able to walk for about 5mins - will keep posting on this thread in case my journey helps anyone else

[kjm_25]

I have another update, just in case anybody else is having the same issues as me.

I spent 5 months with a Consultant who just didn't want to do the Op due to my age and his own parameters on when to operate, using only the scans (that did not show crumbling bone). Following a failed steroid injection he said I needed to continue in pain, disabled and unable to walk properly before I could get new hips. I asked for a 2nd opinion and the new consultant has agreed to the Op on both hips. My quality of life is simply an existence right now, using crutches all the time, pain if I sit too long, stand too long etc, unable to sleep, unable to lift my legs higher than a few inches due to the labral tear damage. Although my scans don't show crumbling bone (which is what the 1st consultant needed to see), the 2nd consultant has taken my whole situation into consideration and will give me my life back!

If you are having issues with finding a consultant who will operate, keep going, persistence has really helped me, finding the right surgeon is key. The 2nd consultant was empathetic, he really listened and understood, the 1st was just about what the scan was showing.

Really hope this helps xx