Hip dysplasia / pain / arthritis in the hip

[HellenaHandbag]

I wondered if anyone has similar experiences.

I had hip dysplasia as a child with 3 corrective surgeries on one side. I have always understood that the joint was not expected to last my full lifetime and would need to be replaced in adulthood.

I had an xray at age 32 when getting increased pain, showing that the cartilage was worn away and the joint was effectively worn out. I was told to come back when pain increased and they would try physio first. For several years it's been much more manageable.

Now at age 45 things are much worse and I would say it is almost constantly painful to varying degrees. Walking is painful, going up stairs is difficult and I find it harder to get in and out of the car. I am aware of the pain in my hip though out the night while sleeping and sometimes can't lie on that side. Turning over in bed also hurts.

I have a GP appt in a month where I hope to ask what the next steps are. However I am wondering if they will first refer me to physio and if so, really how effective this can be for a worn out joint? I am also concerned that since I am overweight I will be refused any treatment before losing weight - while I can see this would be helpful it is not going to replace the cartilage in the joint, if you see what I mean?

How bad has the hip got to be before they will replace it, and how easy is it likely to be to seek a referral and agreement for surgery? I am concerned that if there are other things to be tried first this will delay the inevitable and I could be seriously struggling with daily life with only a little more deterioration. Grateful for any advice or experiences.

I have hip arthritis and femoral anteversion - femur bone and pelvis in the wrong places so the pain is similar to dysplasia.

I think what happens with the hip referral process is down to your NHS trust. Where I live the process is now that the GP refers to physio and the physio decides if you get an X-ray and depending on that if you get referred to a consultant. I think the process is designed to slow down the waiting lists.

I am very lucky to have been referred to a specialist ortho hospital before these rules came in and they won't discharge me as a patient so I am not sent to a local hospital without the hip expertise.

It may be worth checking out if there is a specialist hospital near you and if any of the surgeons say they have an interest in young hips - at 45 it is!

At 45 they may say they would worry about replacing the hip now as revision surgery and a second hip replacement is harder but your current quality of life is important ! I did not get the major surgery I needed in my teens so my back , knees and foot are shot with my walking oddly for so many years so that may be something to ask if they suggest more waits or steroid shots into your hip joint.

As for weight, I was a size 6 and 7 stone when I first saw an ortho surgeon , weighed 13 stone when I had hip surgery to try and stop the hip subluxing , and am now 9 stone and the pain has been consistent throughout - but it is worth trying to lose some now in case someone says surgery should be deferred.

The best way to lose weight in my situation was walking in water or swimming as no pressure on the hip joints. No breast stroke though. Also weight loss will make post op physio a lot easier.

I’ve got hip dysplasia only diagnosed 2 years ago though. I’d been saying about hip pain for over 10 years prior to the diagnosis.

I’ve had 2 hip arthroscopy procedures to sort labral tears, and shave the ball and socket joint. Arthritis has been found in 1 side. But at 38 I am too young for hip replacements. I see my consultant in a few weeks and need an idea what the next step is as the daily pain is tiresome.
he did say physio and steroid injections won’t solve the problem. I do physio monthly at the moment but that’s post operative following the arthroscopy in March.

Ask to be referred to a orthopaedic consultant who specialises in hip dysplasia as arthritis is strongly linked to it. you have my total sympathy hip pain is horrendous and I totally understand how it feels being in pain all day and your day to day life being so affected.