Question
Hello Sharon,

I am 37 years old and I have 2 small children, 4yrs and 1yr.  Over the last 6 years the arthritis in my hips has worsened progressively; I can't tie my shoes, kneeling is difficult, I am less active than I would like, and my level of energy has decreased.  The pain is tolerable but constant; I am most affected by the stiffness and limited range of motion.  I have been trying to put off replacement for as long as possible, anti-inflamatory meds and PT are no longer effective.  The surgeon has recommended that I have the left hip replaced, recover, then have the right hip replaced.  I am frightened and depressed that my life will significantly change.

What physical limitations have you experienced with your children?  What do you feel is the best plan of action for bi-lateral replacement?  

Answer
Hi Chris

My gut reaction is that if your surgeon is telling you to get a replacement, you should get it.  You will have no more pain and more range of motion, but you will also have precautions that you will need to follow for the rest of your life.  You will have to be careful when bending.  You will have to watch that your hip does not go into certain positions or you will have the possibility of dislocation.

Your life will change, but I don't think it will change for the worst.  I had my first set of hips put in at 16, I am now 47, and I did have four more sets put in over a period of 30 years, but I was given essentially a normal life, with the replacements, which I can honestly say, I would not have had a normal life if I did not have the surgery that young.

I had finished my masters degree, I married and had two wonderful children (who are now 19 and 16), and yes, there were certain things I could not do, like ice skating, football, etc, but there were many more things I could do, such as hiking, swimming bike riding, etc.

Hip surgery is an elective surgery so you will have to make the ultimate decision, but I can tell you that the benefits of the surgery, by far, outweigh the depression and fright you feel now.

The recovery from the surgery will be about 3 months.  You will go from a walker, to crutches to a cane and then to nothing.  You will need PT and you will need some pain meds after the surgery, but the pain you will feel is not bone pain.  Now you are feeling bone pain which is the worst pain you can have.  The pain you will feel after surgery is healing pain, muscle pain which goes away.

Basically you have to ask yourself, if you want to be in pain, and you want to have an essentially  normal life which you can get with the replacement.  Because understand, the disease you have is not reversable, and it will only get worse.   

I know that sounds harsh, but it's the truth.  You will feel better after the surgery, and after it heals.  You have to make the decision.

My best wishes to you!
sharon