Re: when to say when?

[Guest guest]

Amy,

This is a very good question and one I struggled with for some

time. Depending on your definition, I fit into option 2. I am 40

years old with bilateral OA from a long career in athletics.

I had a difficult time because I was familiar with, and I had a high

tolerance for pain from many knee operations and other injuries.

Three years ago I ran a 2:32 marathon as a recreational runner and

did not have the pain and disability consistent with many of us out

there. This made my decision very difficult. In the last six

months my pain became constant, but bearable. My biggest issue was

my limited range of motion. I became limited in my ability to enjoy

all the simple sports ativities that were central in my life, but I

continued to do them in pain.

My decision was made easier when I met with my doctor and it was

clear that my window of opportunity to be a successful resurfacing

candidate was closing due to the damage to my joint. I continued to

struggle with the decision and there was no convenient time to

schedule this type of operation. In fact, I ran 7.5 miles 12 hours

before I had surgery and I continued to struggle with the decision

until they started injecting me to keep me still long enough to

operate. I also did this now because I wanted to be there for my

two little aspiring athletes and the coming years were too important

to miss due to the hip pain. Someone also gave me some good advice

about the prospects of my OA getting any better and only

progressively worse with time. I am two weeks out and happy that I

did this now. I am quickly on the road to recovery.

Best with your decision and timing.

C+ Dr. Amstutz 5/04/04

> I know you guys get tired of answering the same old questions over

> and over again, but I am going to risk being a pain. Although I

know

> the decision about when to have surgery is complex and personal.

No

> one can tell me when I am ready, but I can't fight the temptation

to

> poll the group.

>

> It sort of seems to me that there are two directions you can come

at

> this thing. 1. Your hips are/have been so dreadful that

technology

> finally has something to offer and you are so disabled you are

> desperately hoping you can have resurf and not a THR. and then

> option 2. You are one of the 'luckier?' ones like me that is

young,

> has OA, knows about this procedure, and knows that it is an

> inevitable probability. My question is then, how far down the

> deterioration slope do you go. I would love to hear from those

who

> have been in this situation. What tipped the scales to embrace

the

> risk. Obviously you have to experience enough discomfort and

> diability that you are willing to play the surgery lottery and so

> that you are mentally and emotionally ready for the pain and

> struggles of post-op. I guess what I'm kind of getting at is for

> those who have been there, is it the bad to good day ratio, the

> severity of pain, the disability in day to day functioning

(putting

> on your undies), or frustration for not being able to do the

things

> in life that you feel you should be doing?

>

> Thank you all!

>

> Amy

[Guest guest]

Hi Amy

From my experience, where I was a whisker from having left it too

long to have the resurface, I recommend you take a surgeon's advice.

I was devastated when I was told I had left it too long. It had

looked fine four months earlier. However, I was lucky - my surgeon

agreed to try and when he opened me up found he could do it.

Sadly, has posted this evening to say that she was not so

lucky. Between December and now, her hip had deteriorated too much to

have the operation.

Take care.

ine

RHS 4/2003

LHS 3/2204

> I know you guys get tired of answering the same old questions over

> and over again, but I am going to risk being a pain. Although I

know

> the decision about when to have surgery is complex and personal.

No

> one can tell me when I am ready, but I can't fight the temptation

to

> poll the group.

>

> It sort of seems to me that there are two directions you can come

at

> this thing. 1. Your hips are/have been so dreadful that technology

> finally has something to offer and you are so disabled you are

> desperately hoping you can have resurf and not a THR. and then

> option 2. You are one of the 'luckier?' ones like me that is

young,

> has OA, knows about this procedure, and knows that it is an

> inevitable probability. My question is then, how far down the

> deterioration slope do you go. I would love to hear from those who

> have been in this situation. What tipped the scales to embrace the

> risk. Obviously you have to experience enough discomfort and

> diability that you are willing to play the surgery lottery and so

> that you are mentally and emotionally ready for the pain and

> struggles of post-op. I guess what I'm kind of getting at is for

> those who have been there, is it the bad to good day ratio, the

> severity of pain, the disability in day to day functioning (putting

> on your undies), or frustration for not being able to do the things

> in life that you feel you should be doing?

>

> Thank you all!

>

> Amy

[Guest guest]

For the 2 years that I had serious pain, I thought it was my lower back; coupled

with " periformis syndrome. " Just as soon as I found out that it was

bone-on-bone OA in my left hip, I knew that it was not going to get better. The

pain (which actually came on gradually over the last several years, had reached

crescendo on my scale, and I saw no reason to delay doing something about it.

Well, actually, if THR had been my only option, I might have delayed it. But I

don't know. I was already on Vicadin and wasn't allowed, by policy, to do my

job while on that med. So, with the certainty of hip resurfacing I didn't

hesitate. Called Dr. Gross's office, sent in the films, etc., in mid January

and took the open slot of Feb 2nd. So, from the time I saw the X-rays until my

actual surgery was about 4 weeks. Joyce (Dr Gross, LHR)

when to say when?

I know you guys get tired of answering the same old questions over

and over again, but I am going to risk being a pain.  Although I know

the decision about when to have surgery is complex and personal.  No

one can tell me when I am ready, but I can't fight the temptation to

poll the group.

It sort of seems to me that there are two directions you can come at

this thing.  1. Your hips are/have been so dreadful that technology

finally has something to offer and you are so disabled you are

desperately hoping you can have resurf and not a THR.  and then

option 2.  You are one of the 'luckier?' ones like me that is young,

has OA, knows about this procedure, and knows that it is an

inevitable probability.  My question is then, how far down the

deterioration slope do you go.  I would love to hear from those who

have been in this situation.  What tipped the scales to embrace the

risk.  Obviously you have to experience enough discomfort and

diability that you are willing to play the surgery lottery and so

that you are mentally and emotionally ready for the pain and

struggles of post-op.  I guess what I'm kind of getting at is for

those who have been there, is it the bad to good day ratio, the

severity of pain, the disability in day to day functioning (putting

on your undies), or frustration for not being able to do the things

in life that you feel you should be doing?

Thank you all!

Amy

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