29 BHR Candidate?

[ajking981]

So I will tell you a little bit about myself.

I am 29 years old, and have been diagnosed with Bilateral Hip Dysplasia for about 10 years now.  I first starting experiencing discomfort during Air Force Basic Training but that went away as soon as I stopped running 5 miles a day after I left basic training.  I was an F-16 Crew Chief in the Air Force and walked on concrete flightline for 12 hours a day.  After about 2 years I complained to my doc about hip pain, and wanted to get something for it.  Ensuing Xrays were done, and before I knew it I was medically discharged from the Air Force.  At the time I had 40% coverage on my left hip, and 60% on my right.  Now 10 years later my left hip bothers me on a daily basis.  I can't exercise or the following day I am hobbling around like a cripple, even having sex pains me. 

I am wanting to go into Law Enforcement, and have read alot about THR and how you are unable to run afterwards.  I haven't seen a doctor yet, although there is a really good doctor in the Seattle area that has done 1500+ BHR's.  Is 29 too young for a BHR?  I really don't want to be stuck at a desk with a job I hate for the rest of my life, and from everything that I am reading a BHR allows you to return to an active lifestyle.  I long to be able to run again, to just walk without pain.

Thanks for your input.

[katekosar]

Hi, AJ, and welcome to the "hippy place."  And thank you for your service in the military.  Without good folks like you, our freedoms would not be secure. 

I came into the resurfacing world for the same reasons you are coming into it.  The pain for me developed over a period of years until I couldn't sleep, roll over, walk, or do daily functional activities any more (i.e., bend down to pick up stuff, run the vacuum, mow the lawn, sweep the porch).  My doc (Dr. Brooks in Cleveland) assures me that if I give him a year, I will be able to do whatever I want to do.  In my former incarnation, I was a long-distance runner and triathlete.  I'd like to resume all of that.  He assures me that I'll be able to.

I had the LBHR on 04/27/11 and the recovery is coming along normally.  Slow but steady.

I'm sure others here will give you more concrete insight into their situations.  There's a search function on the website also ... maybe a search on "dysplasia" would give you further information?

Here's wishing you all the best.

Kate

[Dannywayoflife]

Hi aj,
        im sorry to hear about your situation. I too am  a young candidate for a HR im 28. I am currently searching for the most experienced surgeon i can find although im in the UK. From what i have learnt through this site alot depends on seeing the best surgeon that you can possibly find.
I dont believe that 29 is too young as if you need a new joint you need a new joint!
I also was untill about 9 months ago a fairly high level athlete.
Everthing i have read says that if a HR is correcly implanted and revcover goes well once bone density returs to normal you can return to normal activitys.(once again it seems to come down to seeing a great surgeon!) If i were you i would see several surgeons and than pick one. Im sure someone one here will sugest Dr Gross and i confess if i were state side i would go to him also!
I wish you all the best in your search and you will find alot of help and support on this site!
All the best Danny

[halfdone]

Hi AJ.  Welcome to the Board.  I’m sorry that you have to deal with this at a relatively young age. This site is an extraordinary resource â€" I hope it helps you find the information and expertise you need.  A few thoughts for you:
Despite the bad press, the track record of HRs is very good.  For BHRs - which have the longest track record â€" it is great. You will choose a good doctor and you are young.  You will (pre-hab and) rehab carefully, patiently and thoroughly.  All this points to a very high probability of high performance “running again” hip joints.
But, only the experts can tell you what the dysplasia history means for you.  There are no absolute guarantees.  Because of your age, it’s much more likely that revisions will be in your future than for us “old” folks (we are told to expect a future revision to THR, but many of us secretly hope that our HRs will last longer than the rest of us).  â€œDevelopmental dysplasia” leads to higher revision rates than OA according to studies like this:
http://www.dmac.adelaide.edu.au/aoanjrr/documents/aoanjrrreport_2010.pdf
(look at the stuff around page 75)
But even with the "buts" I expect HRs are going to be your very best option with a good future for you.
I strongly recommend you watch some of the surgeon videos on the site (Gross, Brooks, etc.)
Best wishes and good luck.

[hipnhop]

AJ, get the best advice there is. I know your pain and I didn't want it anymore.  Just think - sex without pain.  We don't talk about that much on this site but c'mon - it's a huge motivator.  And for my hippy Fam - who really waited for six weeks before knocking the boots?  Keep it real?

Aj I will tell you I am a happy man and my lady is too. Get your hips right.

HipnHop

[Tin Soldier]

Yes, I agree with everyone here.  I probably should have had a an HR or 2 at 35, but at 41 I'm happy to be here with a new left hip.  I always thought this stuff was for the late 50-yr old or beyond.  I feel your pain, bro.

Poke around here for a while and learn as much as you can and talk to a few of the docs that folks here recommend and you'll probably end up with the one of the best in the world to work on you.  I'd do a search for dysplasia, only because I believe most of the cases here tend to be good ol osetoarthritis and impingement.  But there is talk of dysplasia.  I'm sure there are folks here or that have been here that had hip problems related to dysplasia and I suspect you'll find some nuggets of info if you dig a little.  If not, stick around and ask lots of questions, everyone here is supportive and wants to help and will provide their advice and story.  Great group of folks.   

Take Care.   

[hernanu]

Hey AJ, welcome! I'm going to echo the rest and tell you that information, and a real talk with an experienced surgeon will let you know the path you want to walk.

We all took different ways to reach a decision, but there are some common threads. Most folks here will tell you they waited too long, that the pain made their world smaller and that the operations opened it up again.

This is a great site for information and common support. I came here before my decison was reached, and it guided the steps I took, but in the end, it's your call. When you talk to a doctor, find a good one experienced in resurfacing. That is the best way to clear up things in your mind and to find out if waiting makes sense, or if you are ready to have a resurfacing. Pat's list of surgeons is an excellent resource.

I know I'm getting my life back little by little, recouping from the operation, but the pain was gone from the start. As to getting one at 29, the only thing that means is you face a revision down the road, but in the meanwhile you have your life back. Worst case, you go to a MOM THR and very few restrictions, but in 20 years (hopefully) or so, who knows what other options will be available. In the meanwhile you can be active, play with your kids when you have a family (if you don't now) and do all that you value.

I don't think it's so much age as your medical condition. Sorry that it's hit you young, but from my experience, if you're a good candidate, this is a great option.

[phillwad]

AJ

Welcome - as others have said you have reached the right place to ask and inquire about hip resurfacing.  I am 6 weeks from surgery, just off crutches and doing good, was never much of a runner but as Kate and HipnHop said with the right recovery you shoudl be able to get where you want to be.

Again - welcoem - ask questions and we will all share our experiences

Cheers - Phill

[Marymk]

Hi AJ, I am home after having a right hip resurfacing in Seattle last Monday. I used this site to learn about Dr. j. Pritchett and was glad I did. My regular ortho guy in Arlington only does THR. I was able to consult with Dr. Pritchett without a referral (although I had one) within 10 days of my call. He was very informative. I could have scheduled my surgery within one month but I had commitments and waited five wks.

After only meeting the doctor once prior to surgery he instilled me with confidence. Now, having said that, on the day of surgery he checked on whether or not we had talked about cup surfaces...we hadn't...so, I went into surgery leaving the decision to him as the expert.

I had a bad experience with pain meds but regardless came home on day 2 post-op. I have walked 3x @ 15 mins each today and the middle time with no assistance. I've managed my exercises 3x as well. I only take aspirin and quick release Tylenol for my daytime pain relief.

Anyway, good luck! I totally recommend Dr. Pritchett.