Re: my left hip

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Hi, What went wrong? charlotte clark <charlottie3@...> wrote: Hi everyone in joint replacement: I';m back to this group after being away for over a year. I had my right hip replaced in May 2004, and was on line constantly with others with the same problenm before and after surgery, and then dropped out once I got my life back by Sep of 04. I've suddenly developed pain in my left hip, saw my surgeon, and am now facing another surgery!! I'm in a dilemma about whether to do it ASAP, or wait until May when I'll have finsihed my Spring Semester (I teach part time at a l;ocal community college). I'm inclined towards the former, but it makes me feel so woebegone!! I just finsihed a semester which usually leaves me depressed, and not having the next

semester to anticipate is throwing me for a loop!~! But m,y leg pain is totally undpredictable, and very sudden when it hits, and i could get into big trouble if I delay. So I probably won't, and feel thoroughly miserable until I get it over with. I'd appreciate some moral support, helpful hints, and stories from others out there in the same boat. Repond to my email address. Thanks, Charotte in CT __________________________________________________

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X-RAY Left hip

Findings: Advanced degenerative changes in the left joint. There is

total obliteration of the superior aspect of the joint space. Cystic

degenerative changes in the femoral head and the associated portion

of the acetabulum. No fracture or area of bone destruction.

IMPRESSION: Advanced degenerative cystic changes in the left hip

joint with total obliteration of joint space.

Now, please understand, I am by no means a doctor or radiologist,

LOL! But my orthopods and my rheumies have always told me that they

associate the words " degenerative changes " with " wear-and-tear " or

osteoarthritis, whereas if the report were to read " erosive changes "

that would indicate changes more likely due to inflammatory arthritis.

I've also been told that it's common for osteoarthritic changes to

show up as cysts (specifically, osteocysts) on X-rays. (The first

Xray I ever had MANY years ago in my early thirties when I first

started complaining of hip pain showed a large subchondral cyst, and

the orthopod then told me, " oh you have mild osteoarthritis. Take

some Motrin, and it will feel better. " No alarm that I was showing

signs of osteo at such a young age, no suggestions that I might

benefit from a rheumatology workup, nothing. Ah well.)

That said, be aware that: A) there is such a thing as INFLAMMATORY

osteoarthritis, and it is very common for psoriatic arthritic

changes to be mistaken for osteoarthritic changes, especially on

regular Xrays as opposed to MRI's, ultrasounds, or bone scans, and

especially when those Xrays are of the hips. It's far easier to

diagnose PA in the spine or in the fingers or toes on regular Xrays

than it is to diagnose it in the hips, according to one rheumy I

consulted.

Hope your doc is able to explain things clearly and to your

satisfaction! Blessings to you!

[Editor's Note: Thanks for explaining things so well! I would also add that

many people have PA and Osteo at the same time so it is possible to have both

things going on at once. Kathy F.]