Recently Diagnosed Hip Impingement

[Rayray]

Hi There,

I have been absent from here for a long time. My new hip is still fabulous and I am delighted with it. My other hip however has started deterioating and it seems to be happening fast. I have had intermittant problems with it since the scope 18 months ago but it did seem to get better after my other hip was replaced.

I saw my surgeon a few weeks ago and structurally it seems fine but the aching and pain is back. I am managing but yesterday I noticed I had a limp again when I walked. Nothing can be done surgically as the scope can't reach the part of my hip which is damaged which is at the back. I emailed my surgeon last week and have been told to keep going until I can't stand it any more and they will have another look at it with the possibility of needing a replacement.

My hope is that it gets really bad very quickly as I don't want another 4-5 years in limbo not able to do things I want to do. I am already restricted by it but I can walk on it so it needs to get a lot worse before I have a THR.

I'm also awaiting the results of an MRI scan for my neck arthritis. I am on some amazing medication though which has really supressed the nerve pain so I am able to do lots of things for which I am very grateful.

I hope you are all okay. The forum is very quiet, I guess people have moved on. I had but this blasted hip is forcing me to move back again.

Take care.

X

[oscarsmum]

Rayray,

You are right, the boards have been very quiet, I still check in occasionally but not so much now due to the lack of posts.Its good to hear from you though, even though its not all good news on your part. I'm glad to hear that your THR hip is still doing well, and that you are managing your neck arthritis but its a shame about the other hip.

I suppose having gone through everything that you have, you will know when the time is right for you to have the THR. I hope that your surgeon is happy to do it for you when you feel ready as I totally understand you not wanting to wait for it to slowly get worse. On the plus side, having had such a great result first time around hopefully you wont have so many doubts taking the plunge.

Its good to hear your update, even if it means things arent as great as you would like them to be, and I hope things are going well for you aside from the hips.
Big hugs
Kate xxx

[hotchickie]

Heeey! Sorry you are struggling again! That really stinks. I mean that it is great that your new hip is treating you well but it stinks that the other side is unsettled at the moment. I hope you don't have to wait too long in limbo either. The waiting game sucks in all aspects.

I'm with you, and really struggling at the moment. Both of my hips are terrible, even worse since my last surgery. And I am continuing to go to school and put in long days. I am currently begging to see my surgeon as something needs to be done. I am also thinking of taking a year off from school to have both of my hips fixed up. I am pretty sure that both sides will need to have something else done to them as they aren't functioning well at all. Having a difficult time standing for more than a few minutes.

Hang in there!!!! Thinking of you!

[Rayray]

Thank you so much for replying HC and Kate and I'm so sorry to take so long to get back to you. I have been very busy and then went off on a two week cruise to Italy, Spain and France plus a couple of other ports. It was absolutely fantastic and I think you would have been proud of me as we walked the streets of Rome ALL DAY! Wow what a difference a year makes! We also walked Pompei and I was okay. You can imagine how exhausted I was at the end of the day but so was Hubbie - walking in temperatures up in the 80's is hard enough for anyone.

My left hip started to settle about three weeks ago after being awful and this does seem to be the pattern. It is horrible for a few months and then seems to recover. I understand the new phrase for arthritis is wear, tear and repair and I guess it is either this happening or there really is something inflammatory going on.

So yes, my left hip has been as good and gold these last few weeks and my THR is fantastic. I still get achy muscles but it is all manageable.

As for my neck... Yes this is a different story. I resorted to a NSAID on holiday as I was struggling with it so much. This unfortunately made be ill quickly but it did allow me to get around Rome and Pompei. My neck has got even worse now despite the strong meds I am on. A disc in my neck has degenerated (C5/6) and the outlet in the veterbrae to my left arm is squashed which is the reason for the all the pain. My right shoulder is also very sore and the lady I saw in the ortho clinic thinks it is a seperate issue. I have been told it is both Calcific Tendonitis and Adhesive Capsulitis. Yes it has a lump of calcium in it ( as did my hip) but I am certain that my neck is causing most problems with it. Anyway my left arm is now pretty useless.

It is funny but I feel totally different about my situation now. Yes, I have had to give up singing again as I am in too much pain and I can't sit for long as that is a major trigger BUT I have a straightforward diagnosis and I don't feel that I am battling with the medics to find out what is wrong - this makes the world of difference.

I am waiting to be booked in for an epidural in my neck and will then most likely have a cervical decompression with a cage or a disc replacement. I am hoping for the latter but they don't do them in my area and I'm not sure my local PCT has approved them yet. I will investigate and have already been told that they are happy to refer me to a specialist in Bristol so this really is a whole lot easier than getting the referrals for my hips.

So this is where I am. Take care all and I still think about you all.

x

[SirenMoonBee]

So sorry your opposite side is going and your struggling with your neck too, But your post sound light and positive which is huge, as we all know this dreadful roller coaster ride has many lows, so it's nice to hear lightness in your post. My recovery is going well but very very slow compared to the left side, yet left side had more done. Think this is down to the plate size, it's the length of my upper leg, down to knee and it's the knee that complains so much more x

Healing thoughts for you sweetie xx

[oscarsmum]

Rayray,

Its good to hear your update. I think of you all often so its always great to hear any news. I'm glad your THR has been so successful, and for the time being at least leftie is behaving itself. You sound as if you have had a fabulous few weeks away, and its wonderful that you can enjoy yourself at last without being held back by the hips.

Your neck problems sound dreadful, and I'm gutted for you that this has happened after finally getting on to of your hips. However as Debbie said, you do sound positive about it all, I hope that continues and you get the treatment that you need.

Sorry it took so long to reply to you, I read your post just before we went away, meant to reply but got sidetracked. Please keep updating us on both conditions as although we have never actually met (which actually seems hard to belive) I consider all of you as friends and really want to keep in touch.

Hugs
Kate xx

[SirenMoonBee]

Hope your alright Rayray thinking of you sweetie xx

[Dee34]

Rayray I'm so sorry to hear about the neck and the left hip. How awful after everything you've been through. How are you now ? I hope the left hip is still settled (and that gives me some comfort about my own situation as I'm right in the middle of a flare up in my non-replaced one). Please let us know how you're getting on.

Best wishes,

Dee

[Rayray]

Hi Dee!

It is lovely to hear from you but I am sorry to hear that your hip has flared up so badly. I don't know how long it has felt bad but I know that my left hip was a real problem for several months, I took it a bit easier and it was so much better. I understand that this often the pattern of arthritis until it becomes a permanent pain. Can you limit the puppy carrying for a bit to see if it settles?

My left hip does flare up from time to time but only really when I do a lot of exercise so I can't complain. My new hip still gets sore from time to time but i guess this is just muscles and scar tissue so nothing to worry about. I did walk three miles last weekend up and down hills and this was a big achievement for me.

My neck is horrid and painful most of the time. My left arm muscles have disappeared and it all looks quite saggy and horrid - yuk! I have my neck injection in two weeks so hopefully will have a few weeks respite.

Generally good though and enjoying life. I do so much now and life is pretty amazing! Neck pain v hip pain - I would settle for neck pain every time although no pain would be good.