Re: Is it time to go for surgery?

[Guest guest]

Hi !

For you it's more difficult probably than it was for me, I was

55 when I decided to go for an operation and you are 41.

I waited untill it was impossible to walk for more than 10

minutes, had pain with sleeping due too many activities,

couldn't do my hobbies good enough, style dancing and travelling.

The lack of all the activities you like is pretty frustrating.

Then as soon as I heard of the possibility of a hip resurfacing,

I was in a hurry. The fact is that you might not be able to get such

a hip if you wait too long. First I was on a long waitlist in the

Netherlands for a THR, total hip replacement, untill I heard about

BHR via a client in the travel agency I am working and with a

second opinion of dr Koen De Smet in Gent I could have surgery

5 weeks later. This was the best decision I ever made in my life

and I hope this beautiful hip last forever...

Follow you feelings and you know you are ready for it and with the

information you wrote I think you are very close. Go to a good

surgeon - where are you living? - and I can recommend, like many

other Yahoo-surfacehippies- my Belgian dr Koen de Smet in Gent!!

Ria, the Netherlands, LBHR, Dr De Smet, 27/06/2003

Is it time to go for surgery?

> I am 41 yrs old and not too long ago I was routinely running 6-10

> miles per week. I was diagnosed with OA 2 years ago and my left hip

> is history. There is no pain when I sit. In general, walking isn't

> too painful, but it just doesn't feel right. When I walk, I can feel

> the bones starting to grind together. I can't run and play with my

> kids anymore because of the pain. It hurts to climb stairs, mow the

> lawn and sometimes just to lay flat in bed. I am sure that I can

> deal with the pain for another year or two, but I am just having

> trouble making the decision. It would be helpful to hear how others

> made the decision to go for surgery!!

>

> Thanks

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am 34 and have made the decision to have my right hip resurfaced. I

can still do my job, and most things i NEED to do, but I can't do any

of the things I WANT to do. Why put up with such a reduced quality of

life if there is an option to improve your situation? my OA was only

diagnosed about a 14 months ago, but has rapidly deteriorated since

then (I had CDH and several operations when I was a kid, so always

knew this was going to happen early - never thought it would be this

early though!). I want to go to New Zealand and Australia, and have

friends there now, but what is the point when I can't walk to see any

of the sights without a stick? - I can't walk in the mountains or go

hiking like I used to do. I get ratty and irritable because of the

pain. These were the kind of things that made me decide it was time.

besides the fact htat I had to wait 6 months to see the Consultant

anyway and now there is a 9 month waiting list to get the op done -

the joys of the nHS in England eh?

I would at least get a consult if I was you then you are more

informed in making your choice.

Good Luck,

Jen

[Guest guest]

I am 34 and have made the decision to have my right hip resurfaced. I

can still do my job, and most things i NEED to do, but I can't do any

of the things I WANT to do. Why put up with such a reduced quality of

life if there is an option to improve your situation? my OA was only

diagnosed about a 14 months ago, but has rapidly deteriorated since

then (I had CDH and several operations when I was a kid, so always

knew this was going to happen early - never thought it would be this

early though!). I want to go to New Zealand and Australia, and have

friends there now, but what is the point when I can't walk to see any

of the sights without a stick? - I can't walk in the mountains or go

hiking like I used to do. I get ratty and irritable because of the

pain. These were the kind of things that made me decide it was time.

besides the fact htat I had to wait 6 months to see the Consultant

anyway and now there is a 9 month waiting list to get the op done -

the joys of the nHS in England eh?

I would at least get a consult if I was you then you are more

informed in making your choice.

Good Luck,

Jen

[Guest guest]

I am 34 and have made the decision to have my right hip resurfaced. I

can still do my job, and most things i NEED to do, but I can't do any

of the things I WANT to do. Why put up with such a reduced quality of

life if there is an option to improve your situation? my OA was only

diagnosed about a 14 months ago, but has rapidly deteriorated since

then (I had CDH and several operations when I was a kid, so always

knew this was going to happen early - never thought it would be this

early though!). I want to go to New Zealand and Australia, and have

friends there now, but what is the point when I can't walk to see any

of the sights without a stick? - I can't walk in the mountains or go

hiking like I used to do. I get ratty and irritable because of the

pain. These were the kind of things that made me decide it was time.

besides the fact htat I had to wait 6 months to see the Consultant

anyway and now there is a 9 month waiting list to get the op done -

the joys of the nHS in England eh?

I would at least get a consult if I was you then you are more

informed in making your choice.

Good Luck,

Jen

[Guest guest]

Diane:

Thanks for your input. It's surprising that there are so many young

people out there with this problem.

I hope that you are running again very soon. I'll probably get my

hip done this summer.

Thanks again,

Jim

[Guest guest]

Diane:

Thanks for your input. It's surprising that there are so many young

people out there with this problem.

I hope that you are running again very soon. I'll probably get my

hip done this summer.

Thanks again,

Jim

[Guest guest]

Diane:

Thanks for your input. It's surprising that there are so many young

people out there with this problem.

I hope that you are running again very soon. I'll probably get my

hip done this summer.

Thanks again,

Jim

[Guest guest]

If I was to right a paragraph about my condition it would be exactly word for

word as below except that I am 40 years of age & its my right hip. I am having a

hip arthroscopy in 2 weeks time in order to determine the extent of damage and

then I will proceed to surgery. I hate feeling the way I do. The pain is

effecting me emotionally.

MIKE BAIN (London)

elvis2342003 james.rottman@...> wrote:

I am 41 yrs old and not too long ago I was routinely running 6-10

miles per week. I was diagnosed with OA 2 years ago and my left hip

is history. There is no pain when I sit. In general, walking isn't

too painful, but it just doesn't feel right. When I walk, I can feel

the bones starting to grind together. I can't run and play with my

kids anymore because of the pain. It hurts to climb stairs, mow the

lawn and sometimes just to lay flat in bed. I am sure that I can

deal with the pain for another year or two, but I am just having

trouble making the decision. It would be helpful to hear how others

made the decision to go for surgery!!

Thanks

---------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Dear Mike:

There is a tremendous amount of info on different varieties of MRI scans,

which do a better/less invasive test than arthroscopy.

I am in the midst of huge issues with this, with my wife, who has had all

that done.

Swedish Hospital, Seattle Orthopedic, Dr's , Crutcher, Toomey,

Holland, Herring all would support a competent MRI for diagnosis, rather

than exploratory arthroscopy.

Dave

Edmonds

>

> Reply-To: surfacehippy

> Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2004 15:57:11 +0000 (GMT)

> To: surfacehippy

> Subject: Re: Is it time to go for surgery?

>

> If I was to right a paragraph about my condition it would be exactly word for

> word as below except that I am 40 years of age & its my right hip. I am having

> a hip arthroscopy in 2 weeks time in order to determine the extent of damage

> and then I will proceed to surgery. I hate feeling the way I do. The pain is

> effecting me emotionally.

>

> MIKE BAIN (London)

>

> elvis2342003 james.rottman@...> wrote:

> I am 41 yrs old and not too long ago I was routinely running 6-10

> miles per week. I was diagnosed with OA 2 years ago and my left hip

> is history. There is no pain when I sit. In general, walking isn't

> too painful, but it just doesn't feel right. When I walk, I can feel

> the bones starting to grind together. I can't run and play with my

> kids anymore because of the pain. It hurts to climb stairs, mow the

> lawn and sometimes just to lay flat in bed. I am sure that I can

> deal with the pain for another year or two, but I am just having

> trouble making the decision. It would be helpful to hear how others

> made the decision to go for surgery!!

>

> Thanks

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Mike:

There is a tremendous amount of info on different varieties of MRI scans,

which do a better/less invasive test than arthroscopy.

I am in the midst of huge issues with this, with my wife, who has had all

that done.

Swedish Hospital, Seattle Orthopedic, Dr's , Crutcher, Toomey,

Holland, Herring all would support a competent MRI for diagnosis, rather

than exploratory arthroscopy.

Dave

Edmonds

>

> Reply-To: surfacehippy

> Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2004 15:57:11 +0000 (GMT)

> To: surfacehippy

> Subject: Re: Is it time to go for surgery?

>

> If I was to right a paragraph about my condition it would be exactly word for

> word as below except that I am 40 years of age & its my right hip. I am having

> a hip arthroscopy in 2 weeks time in order to determine the extent of damage

> and then I will proceed to surgery. I hate feeling the way I do. The pain is

> effecting me emotionally.

>

> MIKE BAIN (London)

>

> elvis2342003 james.rottman@...> wrote:

> I am 41 yrs old and not too long ago I was routinely running 6-10

> miles per week. I was diagnosed with OA 2 years ago and my left hip

> is history. There is no pain when I sit. In general, walking isn't

> too painful, but it just doesn't feel right. When I walk, I can feel

> the bones starting to grind together. I can't run and play with my

> kids anymore because of the pain. It hurts to climb stairs, mow the

> lawn and sometimes just to lay flat in bed. I am sure that I can

> deal with the pain for another year or two, but I am just having

> trouble making the decision. It would be helpful to hear how others

> made the decision to go for surgery!!

>

> Thanks

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Mike:

There is a tremendous amount of info on different varieties of MRI scans,

which do a better/less invasive test than arthroscopy.

I am in the midst of huge issues with this, with my wife, who has had all

that done.

Swedish Hospital, Seattle Orthopedic, Dr's , Crutcher, Toomey,

Holland, Herring all would support a competent MRI for diagnosis, rather

than exploratory arthroscopy.

Dave

Edmonds

>

> Reply-To: surfacehippy

> Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2004 15:57:11 +0000 (GMT)

> To: surfacehippy

> Subject: Re: Is it time to go for surgery?

>

> If I was to right a paragraph about my condition it would be exactly word for

> word as below except that I am 40 years of age & its my right hip. I am having

> a hip arthroscopy in 2 weeks time in order to determine the extent of damage

> and then I will proceed to surgery. I hate feeling the way I do. The pain is

> effecting me emotionally.

>

> MIKE BAIN (London)

>

> elvis2342003 james.rottman@...> wrote:

> I am 41 yrs old and not too long ago I was routinely running 6-10

> miles per week. I was diagnosed with OA 2 years ago and my left hip

> is history. There is no pain when I sit. In general, walking isn't

> too painful, but it just doesn't feel right. When I walk, I can feel

> the bones starting to grind together. I can't run and play with my

> kids anymore because of the pain. It hurts to climb stairs, mow the

> lawn and sometimes just to lay flat in bed. I am sure that I can

> deal with the pain for another year or two, but I am just having

> trouble making the decision. It would be helpful to hear how others

> made the decision to go for surgery!!

>

> Thanks

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

dave, thanks for your comments. I have already had x-rays, bone scan and MRI's

but even after all this the specialist is not clear. I will discuss further

prior to surgery.

Cheers Mike Bain

D Dailey ddailey@...> wrote:

Dear Mike:

There is a tremendous amount of info on different varieties of MRI scans,

which do a better/less invasive test than arthroscopy.

I am in the midst of huge issues with this, with my wife, who has had all

that done.

Swedish Hospital, Seattle Orthopedic, Dr's , Crutcher, Toomey,

Holland, Herring all would support a competent MRI for diagnosis, rather

than exploratory arthroscopy.

Dave

Edmonds

>

> Reply-To: surfacehippy

> Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2004 15:57:11 +0000 (GMT)

> To: surfacehippy

> Subject: Re: Is it time to go for surgery?

>

> If I was to right a paragraph about my condition it would be exactly word for

> word as below except that I am 40 years of age & its my right hip. I am having

> a hip arthroscopy in 2 weeks time in order to determine the extent of damage

> and then I will proceed to surgery. I hate feeling the way I do. The pain is

> effecting me emotionally.

>

> MIKE BAIN (London)

>

> elvis2342003 james.rottman@...> wrote:

> I am 41 yrs old and not too long ago I was routinely running 6-10

> miles per week. I was diagnosed with OA 2 years ago and my left hip

> is history. There is no pain when I sit. In general, walking isn't

> too painful, but it just doesn't feel right. When I walk, I can feel

> the bones starting to grind together. I can't run and play with my

> kids anymore because of the pain. It hurts to climb stairs, mow the

> lawn and sometimes just to lay flat in bed. I am sure that I can

> deal with the pain for another year or two, but I am just having

> trouble making the decision. It would be helpful to hear how others

> made the decision to go for surgery!!

>

> Thanks

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

dave, thanks for your comments. I have already had x-rays, bone scan and MRI's

but even after all this the specialist is not clear. I will discuss further

prior to surgery.

Cheers Mike Bain

D Dailey ddailey@...> wrote:

Dear Mike:

There is a tremendous amount of info on different varieties of MRI scans,

which do a better/less invasive test than arthroscopy.

I am in the midst of huge issues with this, with my wife, who has had all

that done.

Swedish Hospital, Seattle Orthopedic, Dr's , Crutcher, Toomey,

Holland, Herring all would support a competent MRI for diagnosis, rather

than exploratory arthroscopy.

Dave

Edmonds

>

> Reply-To: surfacehippy

> Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2004 15:57:11 +0000 (GMT)

> To: surfacehippy

> Subject: Re: Is it time to go for surgery?

>

> If I was to right a paragraph about my condition it would be exactly word for

> word as below except that I am 40 years of age & its my right hip. I am having

> a hip arthroscopy in 2 weeks time in order to determine the extent of damage

> and then I will proceed to surgery. I hate feeling the way I do. The pain is

> effecting me emotionally.

>

> MIKE BAIN (London)

>

> elvis2342003 james.rottman@...> wrote:

> I am 41 yrs old and not too long ago I was routinely running 6-10

> miles per week. I was diagnosed with OA 2 years ago and my left hip

> is history. There is no pain when I sit. In general, walking isn't

> too painful, but it just doesn't feel right. When I walk, I can feel

> the bones starting to grind together. I can't run and play with my

> kids anymore because of the pain. It hurts to climb stairs, mow the

> lawn and sometimes just to lay flat in bed. I am sure that I can

> deal with the pain for another year or two, but I am just having

> trouble making the decision. It would be helpful to hear how others

> made the decision to go for surgery!!

>

> Thanks

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

dave, thanks for your comments. I have already had x-rays, bone scan and MRI's

but even after all this the specialist is not clear. I will discuss further

prior to surgery.

Cheers Mike Bain

D Dailey ddailey@...> wrote:

Dear Mike:

There is a tremendous amount of info on different varieties of MRI scans,

which do a better/less invasive test than arthroscopy.

I am in the midst of huge issues with this, with my wife, who has had all

that done.

Swedish Hospital, Seattle Orthopedic, Dr's , Crutcher, Toomey,

Holland, Herring all would support a competent MRI for diagnosis, rather

than exploratory arthroscopy.

Dave

Edmonds

>

> Reply-To: surfacehippy

> Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2004 15:57:11 +0000 (GMT)

> To: surfacehippy

> Subject: Re: Is it time to go for surgery?

>

> If I was to right a paragraph about my condition it would be exactly word for

> word as below except that I am 40 years of age & its my right hip. I am having

> a hip arthroscopy in 2 weeks time in order to determine the extent of damage

> and then I will proceed to surgery. I hate feeling the way I do. The pain is

> effecting me emotionally.

>

> MIKE BAIN (London)

>

> elvis2342003 james.rottman@...> wrote:

> I am 41 yrs old and not too long ago I was routinely running 6-10

> miles per week. I was diagnosed with OA 2 years ago and my left hip

> is history. There is no pain when I sit. In general, walking isn't

> too painful, but it just doesn't feel right. When I walk, I can feel

> the bones starting to grind together. I can't run and play with my

> kids anymore because of the pain. It hurts to climb stairs, mow the

> lawn and sometimes just to lay flat in bed. I am sure that I can

> deal with the pain for another year or two, but I am just having

> trouble making the decision. It would be helpful to hear how others

> made the decision to go for surgery!!

>

> Thanks

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Mike,

Mike,

Mike,

AS that old saying goes - listen to your body. As the L'oreal ad goes

- You're worth it. The way our NHS tells us to put up with the lousy

quality of life from hip pain is a disgrace. I climb. In 2001 I felt

the onset of hip pain. I reduced climbing. I stopped climbing. I

reduced running. I stopped running. It's the old old story. My NHS

orthopaedic consultant said I needed a THR when he saw my X-rays. I

was 51 or 52. Too young for a THR he said. Come back in ten years

time.

And in the meantime brother, suffer. With that I was not going to put

up, not if I could help it. My brother said McMinn and resurfacing. On

the Internet I went and foumd this group. Book of revelations time. I

did lots of research. The *idiot* who told me to wait for a BHR turned

to have been trained in hip resurfacing by the dynamic duo from

Birmingham. Yes he could do it privately. Nine thousand pounds please.

No, his secretary would not tell me how many resurf ops he had carried

out. With that kind of attitude to customer relations this guy went

pretty close to the top of my ordure list.

I had the op done in Belgium, at a time of my choosing and at a more

affordable cost. The result was simply wonderful - see my photo on

this site. Regrettably the other hip decided to give way to. That one

has just been done, also in Belgium.

Check resurfacing oit and, if you are a suitable candidate, go for it.

It is highly unlikely that you will be sorry.

Ciaio,

Chris.

> I am 41 yrs old and not too long ago I was routinely running 6-10

> miles per week. I was diagnosed with OA 2 years ago and my left hip

> is history. There is no pain when I sit. In general, walking isn't

> too painful, but it just doesn't feel right. When I walk, I can feel

> the bones starting to grind together. I can't run and play with my

> kids anymore because of the pain. It hurts to climb stairs, mow the

> lawn and sometimes just to lay flat in bed. I am sure that I can

> deal with the pain for another year or two, but I am just having

> trouble making the decision. It would be helpful to hear how others

> made the decision to go for surgery!!

>

> Thanks

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jeff. I had insurance stall me from the decision Iyear too long. I

nearly didn't get the resurfacing because of deterioration of the joint.

THE HARDEST PART for me was to give up the insurance fight (it stalled

the decision) & the fear of the reality of this operation, and just do it!

When I first met Dr DeSmet at the hospital I expressed my fear. He

looked at me with such a confused/concerned look and asked why I was afraid.

I said I had never had an operation before and it was scarry. He smiled and

said that there was nothing to be frightened about. The surgery was easier

than I had thought, and now I'm so thrilled to be running about again, just

doing life as I used to.

You will have to do it anyway, so just do it ASAP. As many others on this

site have said, don't waste any more of your life to this disability. (It's

like buying a car financially - better if insurance pays.) Our life is there

waiting for us! Go run and play again with the other kids, and your kids!

Carol in CA 10-22-03 RBHR DeSmet

>

> Subject: Re: Is it time to go for surgery?

>> I am 41 yrs old and not too long ago I was routinely running 6-10

>> miles per week. I was diagnosed with OA 2 years ago and my left

> hip

>> is history. I can't run and play with my

>> kids anymore because of the pain. It hurts to climb stairs, mow

> the

>> lawn and sometimes just to lay flat in bed. I am sure that I can

>> deal with the pain for another year or two, but I am just having

>> trouble making the decision. It would be helpful to hear how

> others

>> made the decision to go for surgery!!

>>

>> Thanks

>

> Thats basically where I was for 4/5 years before I got my hip

> replacement and I lost some valuable time with my children.

> However, we didn't know what we do today 4/5 years ago.

>

> Jeff

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Which mountains do you look at from your window?

Jen