HIP REPLACEMENT or CORTISONE INJECTION?

[Reston Easy]

Tough decision,

One Dr. said hip replacement.
2nd opinion doc says cortisone injections could possibly buy a little more time.
Both docs see "severe" condition from MRI

Appreciate your help, I'm in pain.
Thanks!

[Mudder]

Well buying more time sounds like a good idea, but meanwhile everyday you are getting older. If both docs said severe I'd go for replacement, why wait?

[Iknowwhaturthinking2]

Cortisone injections don’t work for everyone. Your doctor is only allowed to give them at the most 4 times a year. You can try them but don’t expect to get more than 3 months relief and some people it doesn’t even last that long. I hope you get some pain relief prior to what sounds like a eventual surgery.

[Bjeanj]

I know several people who have bit the bullet and had hip replacement. 100% of them said they were sorry they waited, and recovery is very fast.

[MartinSE]

Buying more time at our age is not always a good thing. Surgery becomes more difficult as we get older. Recovery is hard and takes longer as we get older. I have not had any joint replacements, but everyone I have spoken with that has was sorry they waited. It is NOT a minor deal. It is hard work, but you can regain almost all of your functionality if you work hard after the surgery.

Good luck. It is a hard decision that only you can make in the end.

[Stu from NYC]

I would ask doctors if it was him needing new hip what would he do?

[patfla06]

I’m sorry you’re in pain. If it were me I would go for the hip replacement.
Wishing you luck whatever you decide.

[richardcapozzi]

I had hip replacement in 07 ..now the titanium hip is acting up.I am now 69yrs..and I play lots of tennis..factors that are most important is your age and activity level..if you elect to have the surgery get your weight down it will make recovery that much quicker..and know that there are choices as to what replacement hip to use..ceramic, plastic, metal..etc

[Two Bills]

Injections delay the inevitable. I would go for it.
Recovery does not improve the older you get.
Hip replacements are a very successful surgery.
My ten cents.
Good luck.

[DaleDivine]

Cortisone injections don’t work for everyone. Your doctor is only allowed to give them at the most 4 times a year. You can try them but don’t expect to get more than 3 months relief and some people it doesn’t even last that long. I hope you get some pain relief prior to what sounds like a eventual surgery.

Agree. Cortisone only puts a band aide on the inevitable.
:pray::pray:

[thevillages2013]

Tough decision,

One Dr. said hip replacement.
2nd opinion doc says cortisone injections could possibly buy a little more time.
Both docs see "severe" condition from MRI

Appreciate your help, I'm in pain.
Thanks!

Was Dr Duke (in Ocala) one of those Drs? My wife had hip replacement on 12/21/2021 by Duke and came home the same day. He doesn’t cut all the muscle but spreads it to get access . I couldn’t believe she was going to come home same day but literally 4-1/2 hours after surgery was completed she was in my car. She is jumping around on one of those mini trampolines (rebounder) now.

[HeleneGB]

Tough decision,

One Dr. said hip replacement.
2nd opinion doc says cortisone injections could possibly buy a little more time.
Both docs see "severe" condition from MRI

Appreciate your help, I'm in pain.
Thanks!

Don't wait too long to get hip replacement. The longer you wait the worse it will get and the worse your rehab will be.

[Bridget Staunton]

My friend just had a hip replacement, after a few weeks she is walking without a cane. Why wait it’s inevitable, you will need one someday soon. Don’t wait harder when your older. God bless

[Oneiric]

I was in that exact situation years ago. Cortisone shots are painful, very temporary and just prolong the inevitable. I was amazed how easy the hip surgery and post-op recovery were. Totally different from other joints.

[KsBob]

I’ve had two total hip replacements. One in 2010, the second in 2015. All I can tell you that while there was some pain from the surgery (as should be expected), it was nothing compared to the pain experienced before the surgeries. Just be sure to follow through on all PT. I golf and play Pickleball with no pain whatsoever.

[golfing eagles]

Tough decision,

One Dr. said hip replacement.
2nd opinion doc says cortisone injections could possibly buy a little more time.
Both docs see "severe" condition from MRI

Appreciate your help, I'm in pain.
Thanks!

I never give specific medical advice to specific individuals on this forum. That being said, I can't say I disagree with the majority of opinions posted on this thread.

[martine48]

If you are in so much pain it sounds like injecting won't work for long.
I had a hip replacement over 10 years ago following a accident. It is a minor operation especially as pain is concerned compared to a knee replacement which I had 6 months ago by Dr Duke in Ocala. I would seriously recommend Dr Duke for your surgery. It's all he does, hip and knee replacements. According to his web site he has done more than ten thousand. He has a very well run organization and I think you would we well satisfied

[BruggsNC1]

Another bad part about waiting is....your gait pattern is affected by your arthritic hip. This affects the kinetic chain. So, you will start to tear up your other joints as well. You will probably start to notice that you are having knee pains, or ankle pains or back pain.

[Villages Kahuna]

Having had both hips done myself, I’d ask you “why buy time”. Getting a new hip, walking normally again, not living in constant pain—the decision is a no-brainer.

When you select an orthopaedic surgeon make sure he will do the procedure using the anterior approach. As opposed to a large incision on your hip/buttock, the anterior incision is a small one on the front of your hip. Recovery and rehab time is materially shortened if the prosthesis is installed using the anterior incision.

An excellent Orthopaedic surgeon is Dr. Steve Nguyen. He operates at Dr. Phillips Hospital in Orlando and has offices both in Orlando as well as on Route 44 here in The Villages.

[MrFlorida]

Do it now, all my friends that waited were sorry they didn't do it sooner.

[vagent711]

I have the same situation. Got two opinions. Both said I could try the shots and see what happens. I did and so far pain free for 6 months. Will keep getting the injections until they don’t work for more than 3 months. Then, I’ll go for replacement

[airstreamingypsy]

Seven years ago, my hip hurt so much I thought I would need a hip replacement. Went to Dr. Messiah and he gave me cortisone injection...... it has never bothered me since.

[kansei]

I had a shot but it didn't really help. Hip replacement scheduled. Have the shot , it may help Temporarily. Keep in mind , at some point, you may need a replacement. Better to have it at an earlier age .

[Belva100$]

If you have never had metal put into your body before, the toughest part of the surgery is the mental part. Just had a new should put in. Did the PT. and on my way to using the arm again.

[mikemalloy]

I am 13 days post op as I write this. Received a cortisone injection in Dec. and had relief for less than 3 weeks. Decided to forgo any further delay and have the hip replaced. Recovery seems to be going well and I hope to be driving a car in 2 weeks and a golf ball in 4. Glad I chose the replacement.

[Stu from NYC]

Remarkable how far along this surgery has come in past 35 years since my mom had her hip done and spent weeks in a rehab facility.

[LianneMigiano]

Well buying more time sounds like a good idea, but meanwhile everyday you are getting older. If both docs said severe I'd go for replacement, why wait?
I've had cortisone shots in various places with pain over the past 4+ years. They only lasted a short while and then the pain returned with a vengeance.
:ohdear:

[Bishop]

I had a total hip replacement in 2019 and have had not problems with it since. My doctor was Timothy Van de Leur and the surgery was done at The Villages Hospital Joint floor. I stayed overnight only because my surgery was in the afternoon. Recovery was fairly rapid and uneventful. Don’t wait - your hip will only get worse.

[Toymeister]

All of the advice given so far, except one poster, has been given without reference to the ages of the patient are of limited value.

I would wait because I am young enough that I can outlive the serviceable life of a replacement hip.

[collegeref]

I had shoulder pain that would bring tears to my eyes and bags of ice for hours.
Doctors:
1. Injected 2x said I need surgery.
2. Injected again (no relief) said I didn’t need knife.
3. Said injection wouldn’t work
I needed surgery and I would be fine after 9 month recoup
4. Ah Doctor 4 in NC that my first words to him was how soon can you do the surgery.
He replied back this:
“ I make my money doing surgery, if that were my shoulder I wouldn’t have surgery done “
I replied with disbelief are you suggesting another shot ?
He replied, “ I would “.

Cured.

[Mhope]

Had a hip replaced after bad accident. Fast recovery. Consulted same doctor about my knee pain and surgery or cortisone. He suggested cortisone at first with surgery as last resort. He told me that I would tell him when to do the surgery not him telling me.

[Ronnieslager]

If the cortisone shot does not work, you have to wait at least three months before you can have surgery.:icon_wink:

[MandoMan]

Tough decision,

One Dr. said hip replacement.
2nd opinion doc says cortisone injections could possibly buy a little more time.
Both docs see "severe" condition from MRI

Appreciate your help, I'm in pain.
Thanks!

My advice is that you get a new hip and stop stalling. I got a cortisone injection (it hurt going in), and the only benefit I could see was a day without pain because of the local anesthetic mixed with the cortisone. A month of Medicare-required physical therapy increased my range of motion, but it still hurt.

I had a new hip installed January 11. It was a Mako procedure with Robotic arm assist so the leg length would be right. Antero-lateral incision is seven inches, but better exposure and doesn’t cut the muscles. I chose Dr. Radnothy in Eustis and AdventHealth Waterman as he has an outstanding reputation, and AdventHealth Waterman is the closest hospital with an A rating. (All the Ocala hospitals and The Village hospital have B ratings.). I had a pelvic nerve block done during the surgery to cut pain for a couple days after surgery. (A long-lasting local anesthetic,), in addition to a general anesthetic.

I stayed in the hospital two nights because I live alone. It’s just nicer to have professional nursing care, and Dr, Radnothy recommends it. (Then a friend stayed with me for five days, in case I fell.) I had a narcotic injection the first night. After that, just one long-lasting NSAID pill a day (like ibuprofen) and occasional regular Tylenol. NO PAIN! Radnothy is conservative and doesn’t want you out golfing in a month, but nurses all say he gets the best results. My new hip is a super-smooth polymer supported by titanium, and it is expected to last twenty to thirty years. (The polymer is more slippery than metal, so it doesn’t wear out.) Following the doctor’s orders, I always used a walker for a month, but I practiced walking without a limp. The walker helped with balance and took some weight off. I drove to Sam’s Club and the grocery store in two weeks, though I used a walker and was exhausted. After a month, with the doctor’s permission, I dumped the walker and just walked normally, without a limp and without pain. I never used a cane, as that can cause favoring one hip, which leads to limping. One leg used to be half an inch longer than the other. Now they are the same length. No more back pain from limping and favoring one hip. No more foot pain or heel lift in one shoe. I had physical therapy at home for a month, and that was pretty minor and easy. Then I spent a month at Dr. Radnothy’s physical therapy clinic, three two-hour sessions a week. Those really helped with range of motion. They are crucial and required. Also exhausting, but they didn’t hurt. Driving 17 miles each way was easier a month after surgery than it was before surgery, when it hurt. Now I’m ten weeks post surgery and completely delighted.

Don’t put it off! Get the hip! Why would you want to wait?
https://youtu.be/XYQnIlE2yH8

[Jacob85]

I had problems with my hip and got a shot. I asked my doctor if there was anything natural I could take. He suggested Cacu 95 which is from tumeric. I took two pills each day of 500 mg for two months and the pain went away and has never returned as now I take one pill a day. It’s for inflammation

[bioman419]

Tough decision,

One Dr. said hip replacement.
2nd opinion doc says cortisone injections could possibly buy a little more time.
Both docs see "severe" condition from MRI

Appreciate your help, I'm in pain.
Thanks!

Had procedure done on January 26th. Just had my eight week follow-up with surgeon (Dr. Joseph Locker at The Orthopedic Institute ) I'm a complete "GO", including golf, tennis, bike riding etc. As he said, you still need to let your body do the talking.
Wonderful team in his office as well as at West Marion Community Hospital. Go For It.

[La lamy]

My advice is that you get a new hip and stop stalling. I got a cortisone injection (it hurt going in), and the only benefit I could see was a day without pain because of the local anesthetic mixed with the cortisone. A month of Medicare-required physical therapy increased my range of motion, but it still hurt.

I had a new hip installed January 11. It was a Mako procedure with Robotic arm assist so the leg length would be right. Antero-lateral incision is seven inches, but better exposure and doesn’t cut the muscles. I chose Dr. Radnothy in Eustis and AdventHealth Waterman as he has an outstanding reputation, and AdventHealth Waterman is the closest hospital with an A rating. (All the Ocala hospitals and The Village hospital have B ratings.). I had a pelvic nerve block done during the surgery to cut pain for a couple days after surgery. (A long-lasting local anesthetic,), in addition to a general anesthetic.

I stayed in the hospital two nights because I live alone. It’s just nicer to have professional nursing care, and Dr, Radnothy recommends it. (Then a friend stayed with me for five days, in case I fell.) I had a narcotic injection the first night. After that, just one long-lasting NSAID pill a day (like ibuprofen) and occasional regular Tylenol. NO PAIN! Radnothy is conservative and doesn’t want you out golfing in a month, but nurses all say he gets the best results. My new hip is a super-smooth polymer supported by titanium, and it is expected to last twenty to thirty years. (The polymer is more slippery than metal, so it doesn’t wear out.) Following the doctor’s orders, I always used a walker for a month, but I practiced walking without a limp. The walker helped with balance and took some weight off. I drove to Sam’s Club and the grocery store in two weeks, though I used a walker and was exhausted. After a month, with the doctor’s permission, I dumped the walker and just walked normally, without a limp and without pain. I never used a cane, as that can cause favoring one hip, which leads to limping. One leg used to be half an inch longer than the other. Now they are the same length. No more back pain from limping and favoring one hip. No more foot pain or heel lift in one shoe. I had physical therapy at home for a month, and that was pretty minor and easy. Then I spent a month at Dr. Radnothy’s physical therapy clinic, three two-hour sessions a week. Those really helped with range of motion. They are crucial and required. Also exhausting, but they didn’t hurt. Driving 17 miles each way was easier a month after surgery than it was before surgery, when it hurt. Now I’m ten weeks post surgery and completely delighted.

Don’t put it off! Get the hip! Why would you want to wait?
https://youtu.be/XYQnIlE2yH8

Fantastic review of your procedure and aftermath. Thank you for all this info and all the best to you.

[Larchap49]

Tough decision,

One Dr. said hip replacement.
2nd opinion doc says cortisone injections could possibly buy a little more time.
Both docs see "severe" condition from MRI

Appreciate your help, I'm in pain.
Thanks!

Had my rt hip done in November after a couple years of pain and 3 injections. Best thing I ever did. Dr. John Locker. I should have done it a year earlier. Back to playing golf and riding my bicycle in 6 weeks.

[Tjackson]

Be sure to ask your doc if the anterior hip replacement is appropriate in your case. Also know that not all surgeons can perform this technique. My wife had this procedure done. The operation stated at 7:00 am. At 3:00pm she walked to the car and we went home. She didn't even use half of her prescribed narcotic pain meds (10 tablets). Physical therapy consisted of performing her normal daily activities. Check out the YouTube vids.