I find out if I need surgery tomorrow

[arod636]

I am a t-9 asia A complete... I have had a really tight right hip. My leg is always bent and my hips are uneven. My hip pops out and cracks when I get stretched at therapy and when I get in my kafos. I had got an xray done and they told me I had osteoarthritis. I have a hot burning sensation in my hip constantly. So I know its hurting because if I can feel that then it must be bad. Scistep told me that my leg is bent as a defense mechanism because its in pain. I got an mri done last week and the orthopedic specialist told me I might need a hip replacement if its bad. I know I don't walk and my attitude isn't the best when it comes to hope for a cure. As much as I want to try stem cells I just don't think I am going to get better. Since my sci everything that could go wrong has gone. Way too much shit to list right now. I just want to know if anyone has had this happen to them. Also if I do get a hip replacement and if I do get better by the so called "cure" will I still not be able to walk because my hip was replaced. I hate everything about my life now. I love my son the few days a month the courts allow me to see him due to being in a wheelchair. Other than that I think I would have killed myself a while ago. I hate life and this is just another thing that adds to that hate. I was a very athletic person before my accident and now I might need a hip replacement at 26(what the fuck is that about) Thanks for listening to whoever reads this...

[LaMemChose]

I'm sorry to hear you are having so many problems with your hip.

As for a replacement, make sure the orthopaedic surgeon works with SCI patients. We're a different lot in a number of ways.

There can be complications from hip replacements, including infections. Given the frequency of UTIs, etc., I have heard about hip replacements being a site of major secondary infections. In other words, an infection in another part of the body setting up in the replacement. I hope the SCI-Nurse or Dr. Wise Young will respond about that.

Get a second opinion (even a third) on the necessity of having a hip replaced and also, possible alternatives to such a major surgery.

Just make a completely informed decision about your hip, about what will and won't help.

I hope you get relief soon.

[arod636]

Its hard to get 2nd and 3rd opinions because I am on medi-cal and I am only approved by certain doctors. Also many doctors don't really care about your problems below your injury since that part of your body doesn't work. Its quite frustrating. thanks for getting back to me

[LaMemChose]

Its hard to get 2nd and 3rd opinions because I am on medi-cal and I am only approved by certain doctors. Also many doctors don't really care about your problems below your injury since that part of your body doesn't work. Its quite frustrating. thanks for getting back to me

I hear you on many doctors not caring so much about anything below injury level. I was denied x-rays in an e.r. for multiple broken bones because I could not feel them, wasn't using that leg and ankle and foot.

Hello?:zombie:

If it were me and I had limited medical options, I'd do my best to insure the replacement surgery would alleviate the burning pain as you've described it. I would not want to go through such a major op only to have the same or greater pain.

Will a different hip socket and ball decrease the tightness in that hip? If yes, I'd seriously think about it. If that's an unknown, I might hold off a while longer, search high and low for other options.

It sounds as though you'll need to do as much research on your own about your hip and leg as possible. This site is a great resource. If you have not already, Google what you're looking for in the very upper right hand corner of this screen. You may find other threads about joint replacement surgery and other options for hips.

Search online elsewhere to find what you can about what's happening to you. See if you can find others with SCI who have had the replacement surgery. I know we are each very different and no two SCIs are the same, but it could be helpful to know the outcomes others experienced.

I'm sorry you're hating life. I get it. When I'm having big trouble with my body is when I feel that most acutely. I think it's that way for many of us.

Thank goodness for your little boy. Love him, see him when you can and hang onto that love the two of you share. He needs his Daddy. He needs you in his life. You two need each other. I'm glad for that. Don't give up if for no other reason than your love for your son and his love for you.

As I just wrote in another thread a few minutes ago, we are here for each other. No, we are not here for each other in the physical sense, but we are here for each other. People care. I'm glad you wrote what you did here at CC because you are reaching out. That means you have not given up.

Keep looking for the answers about your hip. Keep hanging onto life.

[arod636]

Well I just got back from the specialist. He told me I tore my labral. I have hip snappin syndrome. Basically he told me since my muscles dont work down there they cant keep the hip in an thats why its dislocating. He told me they could out a metal hip in so that would stop happening. I have been walkin in my kafos for the past 6 months i had started to get good at it i was doin almost 100 feet and now I can't even stand because that will further mess me up. Frustration can even begin to explain how I feel. I have been working so hard in therapy, busting my ass and now I am back confined to this god damn piece of shit wheelchair.

[michele b]

Wow! I am so sorry to hear the outcome but happy that we were able to help while you were out here at SCI-Step.

As you know, we have seen this before and you saw her, she is up walking in KFO's again without her hip joint! She is actually doing much more now than she was before the surgery. It may be a setback and a hard road ahead but look what you have dealt with thus far...

Hang in there!
Michele

Matt is going to call you later today.

[arod636]

Wow! I am so sorry to hear the outcome but happy that we were able to help while you were out here at SCI-Step.

As you know, we have seen this before and you saw her, she is up walking in KFO's again without her hip joint! She is actually doing much more now than she was before the surgery. It may be a setback and a hard road ahead but look what you have dealt with thus far...

Hang in there!
Michele

Matt is going to call you later today.

Michelle,

Hey I really appreciate you guys checking up on me. I talked to Matt earlier and he expressed his concern and gave me his and your facilities support. I don't care what people say about people from Ohio, you guys are cool in my book lol... Sorry I'm trying to be positive. Anyways I did see that a hip problem isn't the end of the world. I am just frustrated with all the therapy I've been doing and instead of getting me better I actually fucked myself up more. So I am going to try some electric stimulation for a month or so and see what it does for me. I'll keep you guys posted and again thank you for checking up on my situation. I sincerely appreciate it.

Armando