Help Me Make the Right Decision

[Gretsch6]

Hi - I am a 47 yr old extremely active male and former D1 college hockey player.  For the last 3-4 years I have been suffering for hip flexor and groin pain.  I just thought is was muscle/tendinitis pain from my deadliest, squats, running and skating.  I visited a Orthopedic specialist about year ago for what i thought was a sports hernia. I was informed I had OA in both hips.  My two femoral heads are large and flat on one side vs bing round.  Space narrowing, a few spurs, some bone on bone, etc…  Right is worse than the left.  It all makes sense as my whole life  - specifically when  i was a teen and and early twenties playing elite level hockey (signed NHL contract) - I always had groin and hip flexor problems.  Perhaps it was due to my hip shape rather than muscles etc… 

I have stopped the intense workouts - no heavy squats and deads -  a lot of body weight excersises and biking.  I have had two cortisone injections on both sides and have taken celebrex/NSAIDS off and on.  All of this has helped big time.  If I don't do much i am fine.  However, if I walk 18 holes (another sport i forgot to mention), and run more than a mile.  I am hurting.  Skating intensely is pretty much out of the question even though i am on the  ice frequently with the team i coach ( i don't demo drills that much).  I don't want to just get by however, I want to run , skate, golf and workout!!!  I have consulted with a top surgeoron (500 plus procedures) in the city where i live that does a ton of BHR.  He said I am a perfect candidate.  My question is - when do i do it?  Do i nurse my hips with more injections and do minimal exercise or do I take the plunge.  I must say, the idea of major surgery with metal in my body is not something I look forward to.  Its kind of scary.  Any input would be much appreciated.   

[livendive]

Maybe this will help. :-)
http://m.espn.go.com/nhl/story?storyId=10367157

I can't speak with any authority, but I'm a 46 year old guy with an interest in different sports (skydiving, snowboarding, cycling, running) and ran across that story this week as I've been questioning my options. I'm currently a couple blocks from the hospital where I'll be getting my first hip resurfaced tomorrow morning. I have pretty good jitters, as I'm discarding OEM parts, with no returning to stock afterwards. Still those parts (my hips) are worn out and due for upgrades. Best of luck with your decision and return to an active life.

[dfox]

Hi Gretsch6,

Welcome to the site.  Glad you found your way here and hope you are able to gather all the information you need to make your decision.

It's just my opinion, but I would absolutely recommend a hip resurfacing as soon as you can get it scheduled.

I had my hip resurfaced 7 1/2 months ago and I am thrilled with the results. My new hip works perfectly and is pain free.  I am gradually increasing my activity level and should be back to my former activity level by the 1 year mark.

I decided fairly quickly to get the hip resurfacing done. I really didn't like that I couldn't run and walked with a limp. I wanted to get it done while I was still in good shape so my recovery would be easier.     

[Dannywayoflife]

I would get the surgery done as soon as is clinically appropriate pointless waiting any longer

[MPH]

Hi and welcome. My story seems to mirror yours, the only difference being the chosen sport. Mine was A grade and professional rugby. I'm also 47.
I can still function but some days limp a fair bit and playing in the park with the kids is leaving me quite frustrated at my inability to chase etc etc.
So, for me, the choice was easy once I found the right surgeon, and next week I have my 1st BHR. After coming off the NSAIDs for the surgery you realise how much the body has been relying on them. I hate taking tablets and can't wait to stop. I want to be fully active again as soon as I can, the longer I leave it the less chance to do the fitness things and watersports activities I love.
After researching everywhere, reading most of this superb resource, it became a no brainer. Get it done, return to my active job being active again, and enjoy life to the full once more. It isn't a dress rehearsal so I'm for replacing the worn part with a new one as soon as possible.
Yes, I'm a little apprehensive, but the benefits have to be better than what I'm living with now. Good luck with your choice.

[Pat Walter]

Welcome to Hip Talk.  Sorry to hear you have hip problems.

Of course I am pro hip resurfacing for the right candidates using the top experienced surgeons.  Also my BHR is 9 years old in March.

You can wait too long to have a hip resurfacing and miss the window of opportunity if things progress too far.

Here is a long list of stories about athletes with hip resurfacing.

http://surfacehippy.info/hipresurfacing/athletes-stories

Good Luck.
Pat

[chuckm]

Gretsch6, hello. You should go get resurfaced soon. I had my left hip done at the age of 46 a couple of years ago. I had been very active too and had to shut it down. I had to quit all of the heavy duty activities. I endured pain for a few years and the surgeon said It was a good thing I had not waited too much longer because the femoral component just fit. I"m a 6'1" 185 pound soccer player and I didn't just pick up where I left off after surgery, I actually picked up where I left off at least 10 years earlier because of all the flexibility the surgery restored that I had been losing for years and not knowing it. The longer you wait the tighter your hip becomes and the longer the recovery. If you are a candidate now there is not point in waiting.

Chuckm

[Snowbound]

Gretsch6 that sounds exactly like me, except I'm 54 and nowhere near that good of a hockey player.  :)

I played hockey twice a week year round until last spring when I had to give it up. It's been getting progressively worse the last few years and I was in pain all the time when I quit (I really miss playing). I also gave up skiing a couple of years ago. My hip flexors, groin, adductors all very tight. I can't cross my legs and getting my socks on is a challenge. I can't spend long periods on my feet. 20 minutes of standing and I'm getting quite uncomfortable, social events like house parties are killers. For the past 4 months my right side has ached most of the time if I'm not taking advil.

I have flattening of the femoral heads and the right side is worse. I wonder now if it's always been like that. Even when I was young on occasion someone would mention that I was walking with a limp, which I never really noticed.

I'm scheduled for bilateral hip resurfacing at the end of this month and I'm really looking forward to getting it done and getting back on my feet. Currently the only physical activity I'm doing is going to the gym. I stay away from hip weight bearing exercises and have also been doing yoga. Some yoga moves I can't do, but it's really helped with flexibility.

Good luck on making your decision. I want to be active now so I jumped at it when they doctor said I was a candidate for resurfacing. I've talked to a few people who've had it done and not one of them has regretted it, they were all very pleased with the results. One guy was a competitive soccer player and had it both done when he was in his early forties, and a couple of guys in my age range who've returned to playing hockey. I even know a defenseman in his late sixties who had a THR a couple of years ago and is back playing hockey 5 days a week.

[Gretsch6]

Thanks everyone for your encouraging words!  I am pretty sure I will be getting it done later this year!  Soon to be a hippy! 

PS - Thanks Pat fir this site!!! 

[Granton]

Another vote for BHRs here! Fifteen years one side, just over a year on the other. Perfect. No problems at all.

Do look into surgeon very carefully, even if you think he is a lovely guy. Surgeon skill is hugely important, so get the best and most experienced at BHRs you can. And one who does them frequently.

Best of luck with it.

[moe]

I will second what everyone else has already said. 5 and half years for me, both at the same time, never regretted it for a moment. Could barely get on and off my bike before surgery. Back to full speed, road riding, mountain biking, weights, hiking, climbing ladders. There is no point in waiting, it only gets worse. Choose your surgeon wisely. Good luck.

[hernanu]

Hi Gretsch,

I had both hips done in 2010. I've gone back to martial arts and more importantly, to living life with abandon.

The hips are just dandy, no problems or complaints and am looking to get to my fifth anniversary; personally it's one of the best things I've done for myself.

[Sandspinner]

Hey Gretsch6,  Former competitive age class marathoner here whose now 60 years old.  Had both hips done independently (2009 & 2014).  I've chosen not to go back to serious running to prolong the life of my replacements but I am very active (hiking, kayaking & cycling) and continue to workout each day.  But most important of all I am PAIN FREE and I have mobility I haven't had in a lot of years.  As others have written here it is important you get the best Dr. you can find.  I'm in NY and am very fortunate to have access to Dr. Edwin Su.  I have no regrets getting both hips done, I have my active life style back and love it.   Good luck with your decision. 

[luann again]

Well, don't wait too long. If the offending hips are ruining your life...do it! I waited about a year too long ( you know, that hind sight thing). 
My favorite saying is (especially if you are a little scared, and WHO ISN't??) when it becomes scarier to imagine your life if you DON'T do the surgery ,rather than going ahead with it, it is very much time.
Good luck. Best big decision I ever made.
Lu

[comtiger]

Gretsch6,

I read your post and really feel for you. , living with agonizing groin pain as most of the wonderful people on this forum  has, for over ten years (45 yrs old now). It was tough to not be able to do the things you used to because of hip pain.

My experience: I pondered total hip for years and the Dr's telling me to hold off as long as possible. Until I found hip resurfacing on the internet (as none of the previous 4 Dr's I went to didn't mention Resurfacing). I pondered resurfacing and surfed on this wonderful website for about a year, I decided to searched for a surgeon, scheduled an appt. and visited him.

Now, 5 months out I feel completely recovered (although according to my Dr., it takes 1.5 yrs. due to full bone growth) and completely pain free. I sleep great now and have resumed my martial arts career (going for my 3rd degree black belt next year), albeit slowly and cautiously.

For me this is one of the best decisions I have made in my life, reading on this forum allowed me to make the decision confidently, and is great support!!

My advise, if you find a surgeon you trust to perform this surgery. Your gut will tell you what and when you need to do.

Good Luck!!!

[packman]

I don't think you need any more help as the earlier testimonials cinch it. I might just add that with you having a pretty active lifestyle unless you watch your food intake, a reduced exercise regimen due to the pain, may promote some weight gain. That should contribute to getting your research for a surgeon and booking it.
I am coming up almost 2 years on a RBHP, and am more active now (3 times a week in the gym) plus golf in the non-winter months, than I was in the 2 years leading up to the surgery. Being able to eat what I want when I want is a comfort.
One of the best decisions I ever made and I don't think much about my right hip anymore other than I don't run/pound the joint but do more elliptical / short light runs

[karlos.bell]

Hi Gretsch6.
If I had a choice it would have been back in 2007 "If someone came along and said all that to me". You can miss a lot of years of your life. Just remember all surgery comes with a risk so when the time is right for you, you will know, it should be your decision at the end of the day.
All the best, good luck.