Hip replacement

Hello I think I have to have a hip replacement. I find it hard with polymyalgia to move my legs without stiffness even with the steroids. So I'm wondering if anyone has had a new hip whilst suffering and how it affects recovery with exercises? Any advice welcome. Thanks

[SnazzyD]

Hello, can you say and perhaps put in your bio, all about your PMR? Things like how you were before diagnosis, what dose of Pred you started on, how long ago, what dose you’re on now and how your symptoms have been throughout. It really helps with giving a proper reply that it helpful to you. There are people here who have had hips done so sit tight.

[Hidden in reply to SnazzyD]

Done thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Now you have posted the Related Posts show up - lots of experiences already on the forum to be going on with.

You will also find info in the FAQs, link at the top of every thred below the post.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

This link gives general advice on replacement surgeries- others who have had them whilst still on Pred (mine were after GCA) will be along -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk....

[suzy1959]

I had 4 replacement surgeries while on around 11 mgs Pred. no real problems except the anaesthetist had to top up the steroids during and after the procedures. the painkillers work and the exercises are necessary. The hips are generally very successful.

[Hidden in reply to suzy1959]

Thank you. That gives me confidence.

[Choc-1234 in reply to Hidden]

I can certainly say I’m 6 weeks in from having a total right hip replacement,best thing you could do , no more pain, I was very worried beforehand but lots of people here was saying the same, it’s a miracle can get these ops and have no pain like before, each day you feel better and better.

[Hidden in reply to Choc-1234]

Thank you. Very encouraging

[Mayadill]

THR is somewhere on my fairly distant horizon, maybe after PMR, maybe not. My PMR attacks my hips. If not uppermost in my mind is a long and detailed conversation with everyone, surgeons, anaesthetists, physios, nurses, explaining that if I don't have enough Pred I shan't be able to stand full stop, never mind the op. So long as everyone has that on board, I reckon I'd be good to go. In other words I'd say make sure everyone knows about your PMR. Then make doubly sure.

[Rose54]

me to but have year eighteen month wait .

[piglette]

I have had two new hips while I had PMR. You will never regret it. I cannot believe how much pain that I was putting up with.

[Hidden in reply to piglette]

Thanks. That makes me feel better. I am so unable to do much

[piglette in reply to Hidden]

How far have you got? Have you seen a surgeon?

[Hidden in reply to piglette]

No 21st August for consultation. Thanks for the positive news x

[piglette in reply to Hidden]

It could be quite a wait forthe op if you are using the NHS.

[Posey1]

I had my hip replacement last July whilst on 5mg Pred. and a fair bit older than yourself! I had no issues with the exercises after, which I think are essential for a good outcome. They are quite slow and I found didn't cause much discomfort. I'm very happy indeed with the result .The operation certainly gave me a much improved quality of life. I wish the same for you.💐

[Hidden in reply to Posey1]

Thanks so much. It's hard to think that you might get back to normality and responses like this help a lot.

[Appledore6]

Hi Grace I had exactly the same concerns as you have. PMR for 6-7 years mainly hips and walking badly affected throughout. Had left hip total replacement 13 weeks ago when on 5mg prednisolone. It has honestly been wonderful. I found it almost impossible to know what was PMR or Arthritis as I now need other one replacing as increased walking has shown other to be in need of replacement. I was concerned about having a flair up after surgery but that did not happen. The exercises are very gentle and nothing to be concerned about. Good Luck Grace

[oscarandchloe]

Hi Gracedavenport, I've had both hips replaced while on Pred for PMR/GCA, absolutely no problems. I was on 5mg Pred when diagnosed for hips. I'd had awful stiffness in the lower back (glute area) for years , well before I had GCA then PMR, and the PMR just mingled in with this, hard to tell the two apart. I kept on the 5mg for over 18 months as my PMR was stable with no symptoms and I felt I couldn't deal with both hips and PMR/Pred reducing. Fortunately, I was able to go privately for the ops (lovely AVIVA insurance). By the time I got to the first op I could hardly walk but I'd kept up exercising in a hydrotherapy pool which was invaluable for recovery. The 5 mg let me concentrate on all the essential daily exercises you must do immediately after the op. The surgeon was quite happy with the steroid level and the anaesthetist topped me up during the op. I had very little pain, just discomfort, and after 6 weeks I was walking with just a stick. Had the second op 7 months later and this was even easier, walking up and down the hospital corridor on crutches at 6am the day after the op. With both hips done , I had 5 physio sessions , 3 in the pool and did the exercises religiously every day with a lengthening amount of walking. Fortunately, my PMR seems to have departed and I'm now tapering using DSNS method. I can walk 3 miles with a little rest, skip up stairs! Do lots of gardening... it's a liberation! The recovery is really up to you, your post-PMR muscles are weak , let alone being crippled by OA in the hips so it's a double whammy. The op is not as frightening as you imagine, or for me, not the agony I expected. As soon as it's done you are off, climbing steps, getting in and out of bed - lots to learn!

[Hidden in reply to oscarandchloe]

Thank you. The main response I'm getting is do the exercises after the op. I'm doing exercises now so my leg muscles don't go to waste but it's a balance between putting yourself in real pain and trying to keep fit. I feel incredibly motivated by the support I'm getting through this group

[Pippah45]

I had my right hip replaced in February 2022 while on 7mg Pred. Wish I had done it long before. The exercises are crucial before and post op and are not very taxing at all. Several of them I did while lying in bed. I can't believe how much pain I put up with! l only had two physio sessions as the hospital was a long way from home - one was cancelled because the physio was off sick and the surgeon said I was doing OK and not to bother finding physio nearer to home. My daughter collected me from hospital on the Friday and left me alone on Monday. I made a mistake in trying to be brave and not take too many painkillers. It is important to keep the pain under control but I didn't need them for that long anyway.

[Hidden in reply to Pippah45]

Thanks so much. It's good to hear your positive response.

[Pippah45]

That isn't to say I wasn't petrified before the operation though! I was in good hands though!

[stonecreek]

get more than one opinon. I am 85 and still putting it off! Good luck .

[Doodlebug18]

Hello....I have RA and PMR. I had a total left hip replacement in February 2023. Was on 7.5mg prednisone. Operation decreased my pain about 85%. Due to bad hip I had compounding issues with my back. Did the exercises and walked walked walked post op. Have done very well. Still on 7.5mg of prednisone but I feel better than I have since I started this down hill spiral 4 years ago. I am 68. Good luck to you. The THR surgery gave me my ambulatory life back.

[Hidden in reply to Doodlebug18]

Thank you. Makes me feel better. I am forcing myself to walk even though its very painful to keep my muscles in my legs strong.

[Pass7 in reply to Doodlebug18]

I have RA & PMR. I get infusions for RA. I had to delay hip replacement surgery for a few weeks due to that. I had hip replacement 6 July 2023. Walking well, minimal pain. Post op visit went well. Burning in rat leg is from nerves coming back. I will start physical therapy next week for specific exercises. 5 months prior to surgery I exercised 6-7 days a week while tapering. Surgeon said not to taper two weeks prior to surgery or 2 weeks after. Anesthesiologist told me to increase my prednisone from 10 to 15mg for two weeks after surgery. Next week I start to taper, restart my RA infusions & physical therapy. Busy week ahead but anticipating more normalcy in my life.

Like other posters said go ahead with the surgery! Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to Pass7]

Hope you get well soon. Thank you for your experience

[artfingers]

I suspect the hips will be my next surgeries. I had both knees replaced this past Thanksgiving and then around Valentines day this year and was great for a short burst of time. Then the hips kicked in as, I suspect, the PMR decided that was the next place to attack, sigh. No real issues with recovery for my knees but I did all the pre and post physical therapy which was extremely helpful. I'm now slowly reducing again from 7 mg down to 6. As others have said, ask the anesthesiologist to "top up" your steroid dose the day of surgery. Good luck!