Question
Hi. I think I have asked you a question before.... but I am not sure. I have been wondering when I should get my hip replaced. My surgeon says I am too young. I am 33. I have had 5 surgeries on my hip none of them have worked. Two of them were major. Peri acetabular osteotomy's, well the second one didn't fix it either and now it is impinged and this is new....it cramps up all the time. I have a 3  year old and a 6 year old. I am really stuggling with the question of when to persue the total hip...what if it doesn't work and I am still in pain? Sorry rambling questions.... hope to hear from you soon,
Pam

Answer
Dear Pam
I had my first set of hips put in at 16.  I had my second set put in after my first son was born, and then went on to have four sets of hips put in after that.  I had two healthy children, and did a fine job bringing them up and keeping up with them.

My personal feelings are that if you are in as much pain as you are in and the osteotomy's did not work well, you need to look into getting your total hips done.  I carried both my children during pregnancy with total hips and I had no problems.

The materials they use now to replace hips are so much better than they were years ago, and the only thing you will need to be cognizant about is the way you move your legs, and the way you bend.  You wont be able to run after your kids, or play foot ball or baseball, but you can take them swimming and walking.  Your children, like mine will be aware and grow up knowing that there are some things that their mom cannot do and they will be fine.  It's better not to be able to do certain things with them, than to lie in pain and not do anything with them.

Most hip replacements work fine.  Very few instances occur where you have infection.  I've had 8 different hips put in and never had an infection.  I did have one surgery that was harder than the rest due to the fact they had to bone graft.

You will be in a certain amount of post operation pain, but it does go away.  Despite all my surgeries, and I've had a lot, I lead a normal life.  I work a full time job, have two teen age boys, and a husband.  I don't do heavy lifting, or heavy housework, but I do just about anything else.

If you are in as much pain as you say, don't put yourself through anymore agony, get the surgery.

Sharon