Failed Hip Prosthetic

[katemary63]

I have an aritficial hip due to congenital hip dysplasia. I had surgery eight years ago at age 39. I have had 7 1/2 years of glorious pain freeness. I've been able to run this farm and ride horses and do everything I love. A couple of months ago, I started having mild pain that soon turned acute. I've had several tests (CT scan, blood tests for infection and metalosis, bone scan) and will see the surgeon this coming Friday to get the results. But I know there is something terribly wrong with my prosthetic and I am devastated. I haven't been to the barn in a month. I'm on crutches to keep the weight off the joint. I am sitting here useless with my family having to cook, clean and do all the barn chorse I normally do. I am very afraid I'm going to have to have a revision, which is very risky in someone as young as I. (46) I just want to say....CRAP. I really wanted this dang thing to last me 20 years and I'm grieving the fact that it didn't and I'm scared for my future. I know I will live if I can never ride again. But.....I will have a terrible time trying to find something that brings me that kind of joy. Crap. :crying::crying:

 

Prayers would be appreciated.

Edited July 16, 2010 by katemary63

[Kathleen in VA]

:grouphug: I'm sorry this has happened to you. I think it's wonderful that you had 7 years of no pain, though - that's awesome. I can relate to all that you are feeling. I had back surgery 9 years ago and I was only pain free for about 1-2 years (it's all a fog now). Anyway, it is carpy to be disabled and have to sit around while everyone else does "your" work and then wonder about your future and if you will ever enjoy the things you once did and worry about your life as you age. I totally get it and I'm very sorry you are in this situation. Hopefully, your surgeon will say, "Well, now we have a new method for solving your problem and it should last you another fifty years!" Praying for you.:grouphug:

[JudoMom]

I have an aritficial hip due to congenital hip dysplasia. I had surgery eight years ago at age 39. I have had 7 1/2 years of glorious pain freeness. I've been able to run this farm and ride horses and do everything I love. A couple of months ago, I started having mild pain that soon turned acute. I've had several tests (CT scan, blood tests for infection and metalosis, bone scan) and will see the surgeon this coming Friday to get the results. But I know there is something terribly wrong with my prosthetic and I am devastated. I haven't been to the barn in a month. I'm on crutches to keep the weight off the joint. I am sitting here useless with my family having to cook, clean and do all the barn chorse I normally do. I am very afraid I'm going to have to have a revision, which is very risky in someone as young as I. (46) I just want to say....CRAP. I really wanted this dang thing to last me 20 years and I'm grieving the fact that it didn't and I'm scared for my future. I know I will live if I can never ride again. But.....I will have a terrible time trying to find something that brings me that kind of joy. Crap. :crying::crying:

 

Prayers would be appreciated.

 

I'm sorry :grouphug:. I'll be praying.

[2cents]

I think you should try to avoid thinking the worst until you see the specialist. Maybe it is something that won't require full replacement. That is easier said than done unfortunately. You're in my thoughts. :grouphug:

[Rivka]

Oh my gosh, I am so sorry.

 

I had a hip replacement for the same reason when I was only 23. I've just recently started to have more pain around the hip, and it makes me worry that it's wearing out and that I'll need another. So I absolutely understand what you're going through!

 

I agree with the advice not to borrow trouble until after you've seen the specialist. Once before I struggled with a lot of new pain and it turned out that my muscles had gotten deconditioned due to changes in my activity level. (I had recently had a baby. Yep, that changes your activity level, all right.) I personally find that only a little less exercise leads to big mobility and pain changes for me.

 

Hopefully your problem is one that will be easily fixed. But also, if you do need a second replacement, I know that the quality has improved dramatically in the last several years. So the next might really be your last. That's what I hope for myself, too.

[Rivka]

Also: even if you are on crutches and can't cook or do barn chores, you are NOT useless. Your value comes from who you are, not what you do.

[katemary63]

Oh my gosh, I am so sorry.

 

I had a hip replacement for the same reason when I was only 23. I've just recently started to have more pain around the hip, and it makes me worry that it's wearing out and that I'll need another. So I absolutely understand what you're going through!

 

Wow! Rivka, can I ask how old you are now? How many years have you had the hip? I have a metal on metal hip and one of the possible diagnosis is Metalosis, which is a reaction to the metal ions being shed into the tissues surrounding the joint. This would be good because then only the ball and lining of the socket would have to be replaced and not any part that is attached to bone. I am hoping for this. Do you know what kind of joint you have? Metal on metal or ceramic or plastic liner? I am just wondering.

[Rivka]

Wow! Rivka, can I ask how old you are now? How many years have you had the hip? I have a metal on metal hip and one of the possible diagnosis is Metalosis, which is a reaction to the metal ions being shed into the tissues surrounding the joint. This would be good because then only the ball and lining of the socket would have to be replaced and not any part that is attached to bone. I am hoping for this. Do you know what kind of joint you have? Metal on metal or ceramic or plastic liner? I am just wondering.

 

I am 36 now, so I've had my hip for 13.5 years. I, too, am really hoping to make it to 20. I know that 23 is crazy young to get a hip replacement, but I was having to use crutches and take narcotic painkillers every day, so I finally decided that it made no sense to delay. I wanted to have my best years when I was young & relatively poor & having kids, even if it means that I may have more trouble when I am older and have worn out two or more hips.

 

I have a cementless joint, which was a brand new thing when I had it done in 1996. The ball and spike are titanium and the socket is mostly plastic, although I think it has a metal base and I know that it's partly held in place by metal screws.

 

I am interested that you ride horses, because I was told that horseback riding was the one thing I couldn't do because of the stress it would put on the inside joint there. Maybe that isn't really true?

[Denisemomof4]

:grouphug: I'm SO sorry. I know there's a very real chance this is what could be going on, but please don't get yourself too worked up until you have your final answer. I have a friend, 40, who has congenital hip issues and has also put off artificial hip replacement due to her age, knowing that it can only be done so many times. I think twice?

:grouphug:

[gingersmom]

Hoping for good news from the doctor! :grouphug:

 

There was recently an article in the NY Times about artificial hips/knees and how they were wearing out much sooner than they were supposed to.

 

I am 45 with a rare knee issue but do not want to get a knee replacement now and then have to do it at 65 and 85.

 

So for now I limp around with my cane (aka fashion accessory).

[PollyOR]

:grouphug: Hoping for the best news possible.

[celticmom]

My mother recently had both hips replaced and she wastold that they should last around 30 years rather than 20 so perhaps the quality is improving.

[katemary63]

 

There was recently an article in the NY Times about artificial hips/knees and how they were wearing out much sooner than they were supposed to.

 

 

I've read this article and it is the type of problem I may have since I have a metal on metal joint.

[Guest ToGMom]

:grouphug: I'm praying for you...

 

I was born with congenital hip dysplasia...my hip was completely dislocated. When the doc started surgery, it was discovered that my hip socket wasn't completely formed. So they placed the ball where the ball joint should have been and cast me. I wore a cast from my ankles to my waist from the age of 3 months until just over a year old.

 

I am now 40 and so far so good...I haven't had any issues.

[katemary63]

I have a cementless joint, which was a brand new thing when I had it done in 1996. The ball and spike are titanium and the socket is mostly plastic, although I think it has a metal base and I know that it's partly held in place by metal screws.

 

Mine is cementless too but with a metal ball and metal socket. That may be turning out to be a poor choice. I may have to have the socket lined with plastic. (The part that is implanted to the bone and the screws are always metal.)

 

 

I am interested that you ride horses, because I was told that horseback riding was the one thing I couldn't do because of the stress it would put on the inside joint there.

 

I was told by two seperate surgeons that I could ride - just don't fall off, which I never have. I have never had any pain associated with riding. Even the pain I have now did not originate while riding and was never induced or made worse by riding. I sure hope I can resume riding again someday. It's been a month already and I've started to dream about it.

 

I've read a couple of articles about riding with joint replacements and they were very encouraging. I even read about a guy who had BOTH hips replaced and still barrel races! Wow! John Lions has had both knees replaced and still rides.

 

I know that there are many worse things that could happen to a person then to be told they can never ride again, but.....I've got 12 horses! I'm the leader of our 4-H riding club! Riding is a HUGE part of my daily life!!! If this is what I'm told, I will have a very difficult time adjusting, though I know I will.....I am hoping for the best, but just trying to prepare myself for any possible news as I don't want to fall apart at my appointment.

[Guest ToGMom]

I'm reading this with great interest because I've never been told there are things I shouldn't do...I pretty much do it all including water skiing, horseback riding, hiking, etc.

 

Is the limitation due to the fact that you've had joint replacement?? (just curious...sorry for the hijack)

[katemary63]

I'm reading this with great interest because I've never been told there are things I shouldn't do...I pretty much do it all including water skiing, horseback riding, hiking, etc.

 

Is the limitation due to the fact that you've had joint replacement?? (just curious...sorry for the hijack)

 

I'm not quite understanding the question. Is it for me? I do have a total hip joint replacement. I've not been told I can't ride. I may be facing a revision (taking old replacement out and putting in a new one) and at that point, may be told I can't ride depending on how it heals/ holds.

[Mom22ns]

I will be thinking of you and hoping for positive answers from the doctor. I have an aunt who had her first total hip replacement 21 years ago. The bad news is she has had to have it redone twice since then. The good news is that each one has been a total success and has given her complete pain free movement again. I hope you have better luck at making them last, but the same wonderful success at having each one work great while it is there!

[Spy Car]

Is the problem with the shaft coming loose, or the joint wearing badly?

 

I've never heard of a metal on metal joint. Ceramic or plastic lined were the options my wife had.

 

If it is the joint, are the parts "modular"?

 

If so (while it is never "fun" to have a surgery) they can just pop-off the old pieces, and pop-on new ones, without messing with the shaft.

 

Best wishes for good news from your surgeon.

 

Bill

[Guest ToGMom]

I'm not quite understanding the question. Is it for me? I do have a total hip joint replacement. I've not been told I can't ride. I may be facing a revision (taking old replacement out and putting in a new one) and at that point, may be told I can't ride depending on how it heals/ holds.

 

Sorry for the confusion...I'm just getting back from a week's "vacation" with 20 teenagers...:tongue_smilie:

 

The question was in relation to a comment rivka made about horseback riding...BUT this makes me think: Were you limited BEFORE having the surgery? If so, was the limitation due to pain? Or were the limitations by doctor's recommendation? (I use the term "you" generally -- not necessarly to the OP.)

 

I read a couple of articles online last night and honestly I never realized that people with congenital hip dysplasia needed a hip replacement...I naively thought everyone had a similar experience as my own.

[Rivka]

I read a couple of articles online last night and honestly I never realized that people with congenital hip dysplasia needed a hip replacement...I naively thought everyone had a similar experience as my own.

 

ToGMom, I also had a congenital dislocation and no proper socket, and they put me in a cast from the armpits down for I think an entire year. In my case, however, being immobilized in the cast led to something called "avascular necrosis of the femoral head." That means that blood flow to the ball of the hip joint was cut off, and the bone died. I wound up with a weird football-shaped head (ball) of the femur that never fit into the socket right and caused a lot of pain and disability.

 

I also had several surgeries as a child to try to carve out a socket and reshape the joint. None of it worked until the hip replacement.

[Guest ToGMom]

ToGMom, I also had a congenital dislocation and no proper socket, and they put me in a cast from the armpits down for I think an entire year. In my case, however, being immobilized in the cast led to something called "avascular necrosis of the femoral head." That means that blood flow to the ball of the hip joint was cut off, and the bone died. I wound up with a weird football-shaped head (ball) of the femur that never fit into the socket right and caused a lot of pain and disability.

 

I also had several surgeries as a child to try to carve out a socket and reshape the joint. None of it worked until the hip replacement.

 

WOW -- thanks for sharing your experience!! I am continually amazed at the information gleaned on this board.

 

I never realized what could have happened...my parents don't talk about it much...other than to say they were crushed when they discovered I had Congenital Hip Dysplasia. They didn't know if I'd ever walk correctly, etc.

[katemary63]

Is the problem with the shaft coming loose, or the joint wearing badly?

 

This is what I will find out Friday. I am hoping that none of the components that are attached to bone are loose and that is will just be a matter of changing parts. Thanks for the well wishes.

[katemary63]

The question was in relation to a comment rivka made about horseback riding...BUT this makes me think: Were you limited BEFORE having the surgery? If so, was the limitation due to pain? Or were the limitations by doctor's recommendation? (I use the term "you" generally -- not necessarly to the OP.).

 

I became unable to ride at some point in my 30s due to pain. However, I did not own horses then. One time we all went on a family outing to a livery stable and I had so much pain that I knew it was the last time I would ever ride.

 

I read a couple of articles online last night and honestly I never realized that people with congenital hip dysplasia needed a hip replacement...I naively thought everyone had a similar experience as my own

 

A child or infant who is diagnosed with hip dysplasia can be cured completely during the first year of life. My own DD9 was born with it and wore a brace for only 12 weeks. By age 13 weeks, she was 100% normal. A child who is not diagnosed at birth may need to wear a brace or cast longer as in your case.

 

However, a child who is born with it and never diagnosed, or not diagnosed until after the sockets are fully bone can not be cured any way other then surgery. This is what happened to me. The best option is an osteotomy or hip joint reconstruction which is what I was supposed to have. The reconstruction often results in lifelong usefullness of the deformed hip with no limitations in activity. This is what my surgeon promised me. However, I did not understand that there was a window of opportunity and that the surgeon had to have a heathy joint to work with. I tuffed it out for years thinking delaying the surgery was best for me. But by the time I was ready for it, I had nothing but a colapsed hip with no cartilage to work with and was no longer a candidate for the reconstruction. That is when hip joint replacement became my only option to live a pain free life. For a while anyway....:(

 

Consider yourself very blessed that you were diagnosed young and a cast for a few months was all that was needed to cure you! What a blessing! (The vast majority of cases of hip dysplasia are caught at birth in the hospital by the staff pediatrician. It is very easy to detect.)

[Guest ToGMom]

Katemary63,

 

You've been on my heart...I can't explain it but I haven't been able to stop thinking about you and how our situations have turned out so differently.

 

I'm praying for you and for the doctor you will see. I pray that the doctor will be able to bring you back to complete health.

 

After learning about this condition, I consider myself very blessed. :)

 

Up until yesterday, I only knew one other person from my school that had Congenital Hip Dysplasia. Her parents didn't have $$ for the procedure when she was a baby, so she had a very difficult time getting around. I haven't seen her since the last class reunion, but at that time she was using a walker.

 

~Amy

[katemary63]

Well, the appointment with the surgeon is over. I’ve got some answers. The needle aspiration showed no infection: good news. The blood test for metal ions was completely normal: good news. The CT scan was very inconclusive: frustrating news. There is some sign of slight bone irritation from metal particulates in the area of the socket, but no other obvious problems. (Gosh, I thought it would be more informative then that )

 

So what does this mean? It means the decision to do surgery or not is based on my pain. The Dr. asked me to take a few steps and try to make it hurt so I could describe my pain exactly. The conclusion is that some or all of my hip prosthetic needs to be replaced.

 

There are 4 components to a prosthetic hip. The shaft and ball which make up what was the end of the femur, and the cup and cup liner that sit in the socket. The shaft and cup are imbedded in bone. The ball and cup liner are not and can be replaced more easily. The situation is that we will not know exactly what needs to be replaced until they look and see. Unfortunately, my Dr. does suspect, based on my pain, that my shaft is probably loose: potentially bad news. Of course, I’m hoping he’s wrong…….

 

Surgery is September 20th. They set it up for Sept. 13 at first, but that is the week of the county fair…..and I said no. Skipping the county fair is not an option. We’ll scale back from what we normally do , of course, since I won’t be able to do anything but watch. But we’ll be there! I’ll be on crutches till the surgery, if only to prevent my pain from escalating.

 

So, that’s the scoop. Thanks for all the prayers. Keep ‘em coming. I'm counting on a complete recovery and a return to most of my normal life as soon as possible. And....I really hope I get to ride a horse again...someday.....?

 

Lisa Marie

[Spy Car]

Well, the appointment with the surgeon is over. I’ve got some answers. The needle aspiration showed no infection: good news. The blood test for metal ions was completely normal: good news. The CT scan was very inconclusive: frustrating news. There is some sign of slight bone irritation from metal particulates in the area of the socket, but no other obvious problems. (Gosh, I thought it would be more informative then that )

 

So what does this mean? It means the decision to do surgery or not is based on my pain. The Dr. asked me to take a few steps and try to make it hurt so I could describe my pain exactly. The conclusion is that some or all of my hip prosthetic needs to be replaced.

 

There are 4 components to a prosthetic hip. The shaft and ball which make up what was the end of the femur, and the cup and cup liner that sit in the socket. The shaft and cup are imbedded in bone. The ball and cup liner are not and can be replaced more easily. The situation is that we will not know exactly what needs to be replaced until they look and see. Unfortunately, my Dr. does suspect, based on my pain, that my shaft is probably loose: potentially bad news. Of course, I’m hoping he’s wrong…….

 

Surgery is September 20th. They set it up for Sept. 13 at first, but that is the week of the county fair…..and I said no. Skipping the county fair is not an option. We’ll scale back from what we normally do , of course, since I won’t be able to do anything but watch. But we’ll be there! I’ll be on crutches till the surgery, if only to prevent my pain from escalating.

 

So, that’s the scoop. Thanks for all the prayers. Keep ‘em coming. I'm counting on a complete recovery and a return to most of my normal life as soon as possible. And....I really hope I get to ride a horse again...someday.....?

 

Lisa Marie

 

I'm assuming the shaft is "cement-less" (meaning the bone actually grows into ridges in the shaft forming its own bond) so if it is "loose" is there anything you can do to encourage the bone to heal itself? Rest? Exercise? Supplements? Anything?

 

I hope your body heals itself before September.

 

Best wishes,

 

Bill

[katemary63]

I'm assuming the shaft is "cement-less" (meaning the bone actually grows into ridges in the shaft forming its own bond) so if it is "loose" is there anything you can do to encourage the bone to heal itself? Rest? Exercise? Supplements? Anything?

 

I hope your body heals itself before September.

 

Best wishes,

 

Bill

 

Yes, the shaft is cementless. I've never heard of anything that will help with reattachment although I really don't understand why. I mean, if it attached once, you'd think it could again. But I've always been told that if it comes loose, it has to come out. :( Thanks for your wishes. :)

[Spy Car]

Yes, the shaft is cementless. I've never heard of anything that will help with reattachment although I really don't understand why. I mean, if it attached once, you'd think it could again. But I've always been told that if it comes loose, it has to come out. :( Thanks for your wishes. :)

 

I'm sorry for what you are going through. Facing a revision has to be nerve wracking. Hopefully it will just be the simple (modular) parts that need replacement.

 

But I understand how disappointing this must be :grouphug:

 

Bill