Advice for Hip Arthritis

A2ZGrammie

A2ZGrammie

Member
Location
North Carolina
Ok, apologies right of the bat if this has been discussed before.

I've been told I need to have my hips "fixed." Supposedly they are in very bad condition. I told my doctor this isn't feasible until about October or November, maybe even farther out. There just aren't any funds for it.

I'm really struggling. Walking with a cane, not sleeping, basically just washing the dishes and cooking supper. (which is very hard!) I watch a lot of tv. I've always been an active person, so this is making me nuts. I can't do much else because it's very painful. I do take Norco, and I've had steroid shots. I've tried to exercise, tried to do a little yoga, but I'm not able. I feel like a lump. I'm 60, I don't consider age as a factor. I'm really angry that this has happened to me.

Anyone have suggestions or ideas on how to be more mobile? I went to the Iowa State fair this past summer and rented a scooter for the first time. That was a hoot. My granddaughter wanted to ride it with me, which was fun. I have tried to get the scooters at Walmart, but they are either broken or taken. I rarely leave the house now because it's so hard to walk. There doesn't seem to be establishments in my area that cater to people with issues like mine.
 

Yes this has been discussed here before, many times including my self joining in...but ! it is an on going problem as we age.

First let me say, I fully understand, as I am in about the same boat, I'm 68, they tell me that it is heredity [arthritis] / spinal stenosis. My left hip & knee are bone-on-bone.

I have seen 4 orthopedic surgeons, one rheumatologist , and one pain specialist . All have said THR [hip] replacement & TKR [knee] replacement . Very likely the same thing on the right in a few years, maybe sooner? I live alone, as such they will not even do it unless I agree to a 15-30 day stay in a convalescent center. Not! something I really care to do . 4 times , over about 2 years...no thanks. They told me the surgeries are about $130,000 e/hip and about $90,000 e/knee...but are covered under insurance ....

Yes I know I'm lucky in the Ins, coverage...but isn't that ridiculous ?

So what I decided to do, just last month [one month today] was to have an out-of-pocket paid, full on stem cell procedure. Adipose fat cell harvest, an injection in each knee, each hip, and a 50cc IV drip . Too soon to tell, but I'm hopeful for some relief. I read quite a bit about it, and it does show some promise.

The doc that did the injections said that while stem-cell will grow cartilage , and increase the production of synovial fluid in the joint, it will not re-shape the wear of the bones, due to the time passed walking on them. As such, he feels i will experience relief from the pain, from the build up of the cartilage / fluid gain, and the cells new to the area combating the overall inflammation , but I will always have my limp. Hopefully not as exaggerated , but still there.

I am still taking my NSAID , and taking it easy, but at this point all I can do is wait and see.

Again since your situation mirrors my own, I have no sage advise to offer, over what you have been told. I will however, let you know if I do in fact find any relief with the stem cell procedure....

Hang in there.
 
Wow! That is so interesting! It sounds like you really know your stuff. I thought I had been researching, but I have never heard the procedure that you are talking about. I would love to hear your results. We DO sound very similar (though I'm talking right side, with very probably the same issue on the right shortly), and I would love to hear how it works for you.

My spouse and I have done a bit of researching, and had an idea of what the cost is, but I think we were way off base. As I don't live alone, I think I will get by a little better in that area. It IS ridiculous what the cost is. I'm scared about what sort of care I would receive. I'm waiting on an answer about disability, as my body is pretty broken down. I suppose someone here would have experience to share as to if disability does provide good care? Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.

I've been diagnoised with stenosis, and also with a very bad curve from scoliosis. (That's actually where everything started.) All sorts of compression and arthritis in different areas of my body.

It started as a bunch of blah blah blah, I wasn't feeling so bad, but now it has me pretty scared. I can't afford the ridiculous cost, and I hate that my spouse is having to foot the bill for our life right now, supporting someone who should be able to contribute but instead, is hobbling around because we don't have the finances to cover all of this.

My doctor says to keep my chin up, and just accept that it is what it is. Easy for him to say, right?
 

I have had four joint replacement in the last three years. In this order - left hip, right knee and then both shoulders.
I understand how the pain is limiting your activities. I spent a good deal of time each day and night in my recliner chair and only went out of the house when I had to.

I started shopping on line for clothes, shoes and gifts and found this very useful, not to mention engaging as I searched the online sales, opened accounts and waited for deliveries. I recommend learning to do this not just for now but sometime down the track it will be useful even for buying groceries.

I bought myself a wheelie walker and found that this allowed me more time when out before I felt done in and wanted to go home. The seat was great when I needed a rest and I could use it to support my handbag and any other bags that were dragging on my shoulders. It was not overly expensive and well worth the price, I am short with a wide derriere so I ordered one to suit. If it is too low you will walk stooped over and if it is too tall your arms will not be extended and will cramp up.

All of my four operations were very successful. I am now pain free which is the aim for joint replacements but it is important to know that not all operations are that successful. I do not know how the complication of scoliosis would affect your outcome.
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If it is practical, why don't you ask your primary medical carer for a referral to a good surgeon for a consultation ? Ask about the possibilities for treatment/surgery and a quotation for the work. Tell him/her that you will have to save up and ask whether you can start paying it off in instalments prior to surgery. You may find that advance payment gets you a discounted price. Also ask where the job may be done and let him know that a very expensive hospital would be a problem. Over here top surgeons donate some time to work on patients in public hospitals as well as the more expensive private ones.

For what it is worth, hip replacements are the simplest and have excellent results. Knees are a bit trickier and you really need a good surgeon but you can expect pain free walking. Shoulders are also tricky and a specialist in shoulders is advisable. Back operations? Only if you are feeling like blowing your brains out.

Hope these ideas are helpful to you. It has taken me three years to be back to my normal self so the sooner you start to take action the better. I'm now 75 by the way so you are certainly not too old to take action.
 
I have had both hips replaced (30 days apart) and I can tell you that it gave me my life back. I was terrified to have the first surgery, but it wasn't really bad at all, and the recovery was no big deal. My surgeon doesn't send people to inpatient rehab unless they are very medically fragile; his reason is that for hips almost nobody needs to be in rehab and being in a rehab facility increases the chances you will get an infection. I live alone and went home after two nights in the hospital and did fine with a few visits from family and friends to help out. I felt better right after the surgeries than I had in years, and did just fine with my walker around the house. I had very little post op pain (nothing compared to what I was having before).

I understand that knee replacement recovery is harder than it is for hips.

Just be sure you find a surgeon who specializes in hips (they usually do knees, too) and who is board certified. I had medicare and a medicare advantage plan and had very little out of pocket expense.
 
"My surgeon doesn't send people to inpatient rehab unless they are very medically fragile; "

I would have been more inclined to have the surgery if I could have found that. But the four I consulted would not consent to surgery without rehab . One of them actually admitted it was due to ins/co demands , having to do with law suits. And he said the reason for that was purely because i live alone.

 
rgp said:
"My surgeon doesn't send people to inpatient rehab unless they are very medically fragile; "

I would have been more inclined to have the surgery if I could have found that. But the four I consulted would not consent to surgery without rehab . One of them actually admitted it was due to ins/co demands , having to do with law suits. And he said the reason for that was purely because i live alone.
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Maybe has something to do with your state's insurance regulations or something. My sister had her hip replaced a year later and she had the same experience, and she also lives alone -- but she actually did come and stay with me for several weeks because she was fearful of being alone so soon after surgery.
 
I don't know much about this. However! I am experimenting with taking MSM. I already take turmeric but it is not helping my hands enough, so I did some reading and MSM is supposed to be a top-notch anti-inflammation supplement. I find that some people take one (powdered) teaspoon, twice a day with lots of water and some folks even take three tablespoons, yep that is tablespoons, spaced out during the day. (Again, they drink lots of water with this so the toxins can move out of the body.) I have started with only one teaspoon a day and will slowly add to that. Some say MSM gives them headaches, but I have read the headaches are a "de-tox" response to toxins moving out of your body as you are taking MSM. I can back off on the dosage and go more slowly if I get a headache. So far, no headache. Apparently, the toxins in your body can cause inflammation and thus, swelling and pain. I do not take any drugs for any conditions though my doctor would like me to. I think drugs increase inflammation. I'll probably get scolded for some of this, but it won't do any good. :D ...just thought others might find this interesting. I love herbs, supplements and natural body healing where possible.
 
I can't believe the prices for hip replacements in the US!! Here in Canada my replacement and rehab were free.
I had mine done 5 years ago at age 83 and I have been pain free since. I now have some arthritis in my knee
but will not have replacement due to age and heart condition.
 
RiverUp said:
I don't know much about this. However! I am experimenting with taking MSM. I already take turmeric but it is not helping my hands enough, so I did some reading and MSM is supposed to be a top-notch anti-inflammation supplement. I find that some people take one (powdered) teaspoon, twice a day with lots of water and some folks even take three tablespoons, yep that is tablespoons, spaced out during the day. (Again, they drink lots of water with this so the toxins can move out of the body.) I have started with only one teaspoon a day and will slowly add to that. Some say MSM gives them headaches, but I have read the headaches are a "de-tox" response to toxins moving out of your body as you are taking MSM. I can back off on the dosage and go more slowly if I get a headache. So far, no headache. Apparently, the toxins in your body can cause inflammation and thus, swelling and pain. I do not take any drugs for any conditions though my doctor would like me to. I think drugs increase inflammation. I'll probably get scolded for some of this, but it won't do any good. :D ...just thought others might find this interesting. I love herbs, supplements and natural body healing where possible.
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I tried all that stuff myself, but my hips deteriorated so far they were in danger of collapse, so there was no other option than replacement because the bones in the hip were basically mush.
 
Butterfly said:
I tried all that stuff myself, but my hips deteriorated so far they were in danger of collapse, so there was no other option than replacement because the bones in the hip were basically mush.
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Hi Butterfly, That is good you tried out some alternative supplement ideas. It sounds like your surgery was a super idea for great improvement in your life. I'm glad for you! Sometimes surgery is really the best option.
 

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