Anybody had hip replacement surgery?

[OnMyWay]

On 4/24/2019 at 5:22 PM, GeoffH said:

Because I spend half the year in Australia and half in the Philippines I tend to buy as much medicine as I can in Australia where it is generally cheaper (or subsidized in some cases).    In the case of the Glucosomine and Chondriton Wagner have large plastic bottles with 200 in them and that's more than enough for 6 months.  They cost $24.99 at Chemist Warehouse (about 1000 peso).

*Edit* watsons web sit says they sell Glucosamine & Chondriton 90 capsule for 1595 peso (which sort of shows why I buy in Aussie).

 

I went to S&R yesterday and it seems they are not carrying much Costco/Kirkland vitamins now.  They have a lot of Webber Naturals which I think is originally a Canadian company.  I bought these:

p1399 for 240 (not 120 like the pic) = p5.8 each, but you need 5 per day.  Still a decent price compared to online prices I have seen and these include MSM, also touted for joints.

[OnMyWay]

I forgot to mention in my opening post that the doc also prescribed me Celcoxx, which is Celebrex in the U.S.  I remember many years ago Pfizer had a huge ad campaign when they brought it out and all the handsome arthritic old people in the ads were very happy.  Subsequently I think they had some lawsuits due to some serious side effects, especially for long term use.  The doc said take for 14 days max.  I have taken it for 3 days and I think it helps a bit, but I will probably stop.

[Mike J]

7 hours ago, OnMyWay said:

I forgot to mention in my opening post that the doc also prescribed me Celcoxx, which is Celebrex in the U.S.  I remember many years ago Pfizer had a huge ad campaign when they brought it out and all the handsome arthritic old people in the ads were very happy.  Subsequently I think they had some lawsuits due to some serious side effects, especially for long term use.  The doc said take for 14 days max.  I have taken it for 3 days and I think it helps a bit, but I will probably stop.

If memory serves me right, long term use can cause serious damage to your stomach.  Corrosive effect leading to ulcers and bleeding.  With some of these medical problems, the medicine side effects really put you between a rock and hard place when making choices.

[OnMyWay]

2 hours ago, Mike J said:

If memory serves me right, long term use can cause serious damage to your stomach.  Corrosive effect leading to ulcers and bleeding.  With some of these medical problems, the medicine side effects really put you between a rock and hard place when making choices.

Also increased risk to heart attack and stroke!

[Nickleback99]

On 4/24/2019 at 2:00 AM, OnMyWay said:

Has anybody tried "glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate" supplements"

Don, I recently saw my ortho here inWA for knee issues, who used to be an ortho for the Denver Broncos during Elway’s Super Bowl wins. He said it’s now proven the noted supplements do not work via a large number patients studies using blind testing and placebos, as well as the buffing down of the joint surfaces they often do during surgeries; insurance companies quit paying for the later as a result .  Said jury still out on stem cell injections, due to numbers needed to verify it works or doesn’t work.  Said he’s seen apparent good results, but did not try sell me on anything.  I had same meniscus issues as you in past as well, which this doc fixed before.  In the end, since I still work out a lot, I quit leg extensions and keep on the squats, and the knee pain vanished.  As for hips, only experience I have is nerve related as someone else mentioned.  For sure a second opinion is wise, but at least hip replacements are much quicker to be up and going than knee replacements.  Good luck and keep us posted. 

[Arizona Kid]

On 4/24/2019 at 5:10 PM, OnMyWay said:

My wife was asking about this and got me wondering too.  Before hip replacement was available, what happened to everyone?  It just deteriorates until walking becomes too much and a wheelchair is needed?

Or a cane? I bought one for just in case. I don't need it yet but it's there if I need it.

[OnMyWay]

4 hours ago, Nickleback99 said:

the buffing down of the joint surfaces they often do during surgeries; insurance companies quit paying for the later as a result

Thanks for the info.  What is this buffing down?

It might be all in my mind, but my hip pain has gotten much better since I started the supplements shortly after making the original post here.

With all the docs, I take their advice with a grain of salt.  Like the ortho I saw.  He is a surgeon.  Most likely his cure is surgery.  I'll try alternatives until I have no more options except surgery.

[Nickleback99]

6 hours ago, OnMyWay said:

Thanks for the info.  What is this buffing down?

It might be all in my mind, but my hip pain has gotten much better since I started the supplements shortly after making the original post here.

With all the docs, I take their advice with a grain of salt.  Like the ortho I saw.  He is a surgeon.  Most likely his cure is surgery.  I'll try alternatives until I have no more options except surgery.

The buffing or smoothing out (I don’t know technical term for it) is removing/smoothing out the rough or jagged edges of the arthritic joint.  I’ve only heard of it involving knees. Used to be big thing, earlier this century at least, when getting meniscus repair, till insurance said no more.  I think used to also be done simply as a treatment for arthritis damage to knee joints regardless if no other reason to scope the knee. 

I agree on the different doc ideas and supplements.  If it provides one guy relief, but not another, then good for the guy it does help.  Costco sells a few supplements  I use such as the Qunol liquid turmeric 1000 mg, the boron joint supp and the Mega Red krill oil supp That also has hyaluronic acid in it...they often don’t have it now, so I need to buy in line again.  Do Any or all these work?  I don’t know, as don’t know at this point how would feel if stopped.  As long as I can afford it, will continue.  Worry most about knees, hands and shoulders, since I’ve abused heck out of ‘em....as my older brother says, “This getting old crap suck the life out of ya!” Lastly, gotta stay as physically active when possible, since being sedentary only hastens the damage and breakdown.  I did Keto and some version of IF for a bit too to get my weight back down to 175 and feels much better.  Anyway, sorry for writing a “book” here!  Good luck on the hip.  If it works for you, do it!

[OnMyWay]

On 4/24/2019 at 4:10 AM, earthdome said:

I would make absolutely sure the surgery is required. Perhaps there are other things you can try first.

Several years ago i had a growing problem with hip pain, then it extended to the front of my lower leg sometimes. It turned out that the bottom most disk of my spine next to the tailbone had been crushed at some point. (Rest of my spine looks perfect) This affects the nerve bundles exiting the spine to my legs. Bottom line the pain was caused by nerves. 3 months of physical therapy helped to adjust something to the point where i rarely have any pain. This avoided more intrusive therapy like spinal injections or eventually, surgery.

What type of doctor did you see for this type of diagnosis?

I said earlier that my hip pain had gotten better with supplements.  Then tonight I am having extreme leg pain in my left leg.  Some hip pain but the most pain is in the left side of the knee and then a bit in the foot.

Last weekend when I was hospitalized my left foot was bothering me.  All of this is starting to seem nerve related.

[bastonjock]

I spoke to a Cambridge University educated specialist on Knee joints ( I know the subject is about hips)

She told be the best thing to do is to cycle , it keeps the joints naturally lubricated and avoid impact related damage