Hip replacement in your 40s

[Arghmyhip]

I'm 47 and have run all my life. My left hip has hurt a lot for the past year and I've been to see not one but two hip surgeons, both of whom say I need a hip replacement. Ball and socket the wrong shape for each other and all the cartilage is gone. GONE.

I was initially horrified as I consider myself quite 'young' and active and fit and strong. But a couple of months after this awful bombshell (yes I do know there are much worse ones you can have), I'm starting to think maybe I should go ahead with it. I'm in pain the whole time and don't want to become addicted to painkillers. TBH nurofen etc only takes the edge off it, anyway.

Has anyone else had a hip replacement quite young? I'd love to hear all stories as I feel a bit unsure as to whether to go for it now or limp on (literally) for a bit longer.

Not me but my mother. When I was little she had a walking stick due to a genetic condition. I was about 4 so she would have been early 30s. When I was 12 she had a ball and socket hip replacement. Within 6 months of recovery she was completely off the walking stick and for the first time in my life at that point I saw her run. She was a completely new person.
I would say do it now. You're young enough that you'll likely recover quickly and be pain free.

My partner has had both done in his 40s. He wasnt in pain but had limited mobility and had back pain which triggered investigation. The surgeon said it was the worst damage to a hip joint he had seen and had no real idea why he was pain free. He had his first one done and advised hed need the other within 5 years
Within 8 weeks of first op he was back hill climbing . Same with second a few years later.
Damage was from running and football. He loved running and I scold him if I find out he has been hill running as it ruins his back now.
He was lucky enough to access private health care through his work.

I haven’t had hip replacement surgery, but have had reshaping of the ball and socket, along with other repair work/ drilling done. I assume your surgeons haven’t deemed preservation of the existing hip possible? It is a specialised technique, you’ll need to be see someone who is an expert.

I have zero regrets from the surgery but really couldn’t have gone on as I was, so no choice. I’m not sure if hip replacement is different but it was stressed to me that the biggest opportunity for success was my attitude and commitment to physiotherapy afterwards. The physio was tough but worth it.

A friend had hers done in her late 40s. It seems to have been very successful - she's much more active since, walking long distances etc.

My friends husband had a hip replacement 2 years ago aged 48, he's now back playing England masters hockey.

Thank you all so much, this is so encouraging. No, I've been told my hip is most definitely beyond repair - that's why I sought a second opinion as I couldn't believe there was nothing else they could do.

This is positive to read, thank you. I also have insurance through work so am minded to go for it sooner than later.

A colleague had one done in her mid 30s.
She had psoriatic arthritis

I have been so rebuilt you could recycle me as a ford escort, both hips and both knees replaced in late 40 early 50,s best thing ever as i was in pain, barely walking or exercising and putting on weight, depressed with the constant pain im 59 now and do about 5 miles a day sometimes more, changed my life and i am so grateful to the nhs for doing this as i know may people are refused surgery as they are deemed ‘too young’.

James Cracknell's had a new hip, I think?

Key thing is to make sure they put a long life replacement in, to avoid lots of revisions over time.

I had a hip replacement at 20 due to a condition at birth. My surgeon was reluctant to do it so young as they do wear out and mine was both ball and socket and if I needed it repeating in the future I would eventually run out of thigh bone ! I'm do glad I had it done though , it wasn't all plain sailing , couldn't walk for 3 months then not fully recovered for 12 months. Then i was the 'lucky' 3% who had ongoing pain - I went back in for a revision which wasn't possible but somehow just them having a tug around with it all seemed to sort all the problems haha! I've had it over 20 years, still going strong (touch wood!) and am so pleased I had it done. Better to be fit and able now if you can than wait until you're old and exhausted anyway 🤣

Hi
I’ve just had my right hip replacement aged 47. After years of pain, originating from a groin injury, I am on the other side of it and initially it was painful after the surgery. However it was acute pain and not the chronic pain I’d been having for years. I am having my left done hopefully in the not too distant future. I was initially gobsmacked at the diagnosis of arthritis at my age and the fact that it had gone way past the point of pain relief only. I can certainly say I’m glad I had it done as I can see a future of getting my quality of life back, walking and cycling mainly, but just to be able to walk from the car and around the supermarket pain free will do for now.

A friend who is not skinny but extremely fit and strong (yoga teacher, wild swimmer, long distance walker) had one at 51. Absolutely brilliant recovery. She says she had no idea how much she was limiting herself from doing due to pain until it stopped. She was a physio superstar and I wonder if even getting some pre-op physio advice might be a good idea? (Not an expert).

I agree. I didn't realise just how bad my mobility and the pain were until after the op. I'm just over a week post op and already I can see the improvement.

And I'm on very little painkiller wise now to add

Waiting lists are absolutely horrendous at the moment (assuming you are going the NHS route) so I would get on the list now as it may take a while for you to get to the top of the list by which time it may be more painful.

I had a total hip replacement at age 44. The pain from the surgery was brief ( maybe 48 hours) Physical therapy began very quickly, the very next day. My total recovery time was about 6 weeks. I would have it done again if I needed to. Good luck, op! 💐

I had mine replaced at 27. I am due my knees, elbow, shoulder and other hip replaced in the next 12 months. I am already on the list for 2. It is the best thing I did and I can't wait for the rest so I can be me again.

Husband had THR at 39 - not a sportsman, no trauma, not linked to any specific condition, just that joint had worn away
Getting pain again now (@ 15 years later) but think it is referred pain coming from his knee that probably needs replacing

He recovered well, was back walking short distances day after discharge (4 day LoS from memory) and no trouble at all until this new pain started @ 18 months ago.
So glad we pushed for the operation when we did as whilst he was on regular 8 - 10 paracetamol a day, being he was so young Consultant wasn't keen. It was a life changer at the time for him

Yes you need to get listed ASAP, you can always defer if the timing isn't right for you. I should have had mine done 12 months ago but with covid it was obv postponed. As soon as surgeries were started again I was contacted and they put me on the list for the left done immediately in case there were more covid delays and also based on the fact that there is obv a longer waiting list now because of those postponements. I did think about the need for a revision later in life but on balance it's now I need quality of life and there's a better chance of healing and success being younger.

There is a Facebook group you might want to take a look at or join. Link below

www.facebook.com/groups/1415451062028433/?ref=share

I know a couple of people who have had it done and it was really good for them. One is an IT specialist and drawls under desks etc and has no problems.

I know two people who had their hips replaced in their 40s. Both said they wished they'd done it years earlier. They had lived with the pain for so long it had become normal to them, so when the hip was replaced and there was no more pain anymore it was apparently like being reborn.

Following.