more OS opinion equals more confusion

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

Like most people here at one time or another, I am frustrated and

confused. I am 32 with bilat ideopathic OA. I was diagnosed at 26.

I have heard so much hot air from different doctors that I don't know

what is up or down anymore. I went to OS here that I had been to

before he said terrible things to me (although I am sure he didn't

mean to say terrible things...)like, " Why do you keep coming here

when there is nothing anyone can do for you? " and " No one can help

you because you are too young for THR. Come back when you are over

50 and are ready for THR. " So I told him of resurfacing (he didn't

know of anything beyond the Wagner) and asked his opinion. He

said " If it works, it may be the best possible plan of action in your

case. I could refer you to an OS here that is the forerunner in all

replacement technology, but he will probably laugh at you and tell

you to learn to live with it. " I am absolutely not kidding. Of

course, I will never see that doctor again.

Since then, I made myself an appointment with the specailist figuring

that any respectable doctor would not 'laugh.' He did say I am not

ready for surgery or even close and he will not discuss the option.

He did at least order some tests to try to figure out the cause of

the OA. One thing he said that bothered me (again reflecting the

attitude of previous OS) was, " It only hurts you when you walk,

right? " First of all, I am only 32! Pain when I walk is an issue!

I am very active and work on my feet all day and hope to have

children. Secondly, I do have pain when I walk, but also wakes me up

at night. Running (even after a frisbee) left years ago. As I

understand things the status of my OA is that right hip is worse

(boy, don't I know it!), I have joint space narrowing and starting to

get bone on bone at top of the right hip. I have a lot of sclerosis

in both, and osteophytes. I am still functioning pretty well though

through the aid of glucosamine and NSAIDs. My ROM is 10 degrees

internally on right and 110 hip flextion on right (compared to 140

degrees on left leg) so it is starting to go.

I am tired of feeling scolded and ridiculed when I am just trying to

plan my life and my pain management. I am sick of being laughed at!

Although, I know that it may not be time for resurf next week, but

seems to me that it is something that is coming down the pike in a

few years. My question is quite sincerely, am I misunderstanding the

role of hip resurf for young patients as well as the prognosis?

Should I just wait until I am really severely disabled before I ask

about resurf?

I welcome and trust your collective input. Thank you all for helping.

Amy