Yvonne, full time teaching Deputy Head,
from Buckinghamshire had been suffering from arthritis since
her 30s which prevented her from continuing her many hobbies
which include gardening, camping, and dancing.
I am a fulltime teaching Deputy Head at a combined school in
Buckinghamshire and had many hobbies such as gardening,
walking, going to the gym, dancing, playing golf, DIY and
camping, which I pursued before my arthritis prevented or
made it difficult for me to participate in. I was born in
1952 and first noticed I had a problem in my 30s. This seems
to have been a hereditary thing as my mother also suffered
with it though not quite so young.
It progressively became worse until in my
late 40s I was waddling and found I could not walk very far
or carry out any of my interests without being in pain at
the time or suffering afterwards. I also found it difficult
to sleep at night as I could not get comfortable. The GP
said I was too young for hip replacement. So I soldiered on
with cod-liver oil tablets and aspirin when the pain became
too bad. I was determined not to take anti inflammatory
tablets as I did not want to become dependant on drugs. I
tried various alternative remedies including Aloe Vera juice
none of which solved the problem of the pain. I finally
tried injections which were also unsuccessful. By this time
I was under the hospital and asked the surgeon about
resurfacing as an alternative to full replacement. He agreed
and I was put on the waiting list which was a year long.
Within the year I had a date and at the pre op meeting with
the surgeon I asked if he would do both hips at the same
time as they were both equally as bad. Although he agreed I
had to wait for three weeks before he had a theatre slot
long enough to perform the four hour operation.
After coming round from the operation the first thing I
noticed was the lack of pain. I was out of hospital after
six days walking on two crutches and able to climb stairs
with the crutches. Once I was home I loaned a wheelchair
from the Red Cross and set about my rehabilitation. I had
physio- exercises which I stuck to religiously and walked
every day aiming for two miles in six weeks. The hardest
part was training myself to walk without a lilt and towards
the end of the six weeks I reduced the distance and
concentrated on the quality of movement. By the time I went
for my six week check I was walking without sticks but I had
to really concentrate to walk smoothly. After my check up I
started to drive again and returned to the gym to strengthen
my muscles. I gradually became stronger and less tired.
After three months I returned to full time work, but I found
it exhausting working 50 hours a week and ended up having
three weeks off in December to rest as I had over done it.
Unfortunately I was not in a job I could ease back into
gradually. Returning to work after Christmas I regained my
strength and each month I felt stronger. By February 2004 I
was back dancing rock and roll once a week and hope to take
medals in October.
It has now been nearly two years since my operation and I
live a full and active life taking up all the hobbies I had
before my arthritis. I am hoping to take up sailing again
next year. Having the operation was the best thing I did and
my quality of life is back as it used to be before I had
arthritis. I would recommend it to any one!
