Carol, 42, a Medical Secretary at Basildon Hospital has now been able to
resume her keep fit regime which she had given up prior to her operation
because of the pain.
At the age of 35 I was diagnosed with a spur on my hip, which had eroded
the hip socket and had caused me considerable pain. Due to the fact that
I was born with this and obviously the deterioration was gradual, I was
unaware of the problem. In fact, I only went to see my GP because I was
sick of people telling me I was limping when I felt I was not. During a
consultation with my Orthopaedic Surgeon he showed me my X-rays and I
was then fully aware that there was a serious problem, and within two
years I was using a walking stick to aid my walking. The surgeon
informed me that I would require a hip replacement operation but because
of
my age to try to put this off until after
my fortieth birthday, or for as long as possible. I was
actually put on the waiting list for a hip replacement two
months prior to my fortieth birthday because the socket had
deteriorated so badly. Fortunately a new surgeon had arrived
at the hospital by the time I was due to have my operation
and he asked whether I would consider the Hip Resurfacing
operation instead of the total hip replacement.
I had my operation on a Thursday morning, and although I was in
considerable pain when I came round from the anaesthetic, by the
following Sunday I was not taking any pain killers because I was able to
bear the discomfort and control it by walking around, with crutches
obviously, and not allowing my joint to stiffen up. I went home on the
following Tuesday and then started my exercise program as dictated by
our COMBAT team. This involved exercising three times a day and an ice
pack on my knee afterwards and also a daily walk, obviously gradually
increasing the distance. Due to the fact that we had heavy snow two days
after I left hospital the daily walk was around my home for a few days
but within a couple of weeks I was able to walk for ten to fifteen
minutes each day around the block.
I was able to use stairs, again with crutches, within three days of the
operation, and once I got used to the way to do it found it very simple.
I was unable to get into a car for about six weeks, because I found it
difficult to lift my leg to get it into a safe position to get into the
car seat, but after my six week check up I was informed that I could
drive again. The most frightening thing was that after six weeks of not
driving my first drive was around the block at 20 mph and I felt as
though everyone was rushing at me, total lack of confidence!
The only problem I can honestly say affected me was the lack of sleep
for the first five or six weeks, because I was told to sleep on my back
and propped up as I was napping for a couple of hours and then waking
up, probably because I was trying to roll over. By the time I was told I
could go back to sleeping normally I was absolutely exhausted. Although
I found it a little uncomfortable to sleep on my side for a few weeks
because I suppose my body had also forgotten about this. Now I am able
to sleep in any position I feel and do not wake up several times each
night as I used to prior to my operation.
I also found I felt very vulnerable after the operation, possibly
because I am an independent person and obviously for a few months you
are dependant on other people for many things. This vulnerability lasted
for months, even after I was able to do gradually increase my self
sufficiency. I also found that after I stopped using my crutches, after
six weeks, I would get dizzy when walking across a room etc. My surgeon
has since explained this was due to the fact that my body was now
upright and my brain had to learn that the correct position was vertical
and not leaning at an angle as I had been for many years. This also
caused back pain but again once my body was used to the correct position
it went away.
My post operative life has been so amazing. I am able to walk around the
shops without having to take a rest after half an hour to rest my hip.
Four months after my operation I visited Dover Castle and anyone who has
been there will know the amount of walking up and down hill that it
involves, and I was able to do this all day with no problem, although I
did feel it the next couple of days with sore legs!
I now feel I am able to live a normal life, although obviously I am
careful about putting my hip under pressure, but other than being
sensible I can honestly say my life is much better now than it was prior
to the operation. I was unaware of how much pain I was in because of my
hip because it was constant, now it has been taken away and I feel, and
I am told I look, much younger and much fitter.
I was so terrified of having this operation because I felt it was going
to ruin my quality of life, if only I had been able to see how fantastic
I would feel after the operation I would gladly have run to the
operating theatre much sooner.
I believe this operation is a fantastic thing and would encourage anyone
to give it a try, maybe I was one of the very lucky ones, but my life
has improved so much since this operation I cannot thank Mr Shoaib
enough each time I see him.
