Hello, I had a stroke five years ago which left me with post traumatic seizures, whichseem to be under control,just. However I have worsening osteoarthritis in my hip.
I have seen a consultant who recommends a full hip replacement. However my decision is hard as my stroke was a severe bleed, and I recovered well, and im not sure wether to risk the op or not. Another stroke could leave me worse rhan I am now. Which means little and painful walking. A very long talk with gp is what I need I think, if I can get one. I guess my situation is no worse than many others, but i am going in circles here.Its not fair to ask but what would other do
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Didn’t you discuss this with the consultant at the time?
How bad is the pain and discomfort from that hip?
I had mine done several years ago before my stroke. I waited until it got to the point of the hip locking up whilst sitting. So I’d have to do a bit of wriggling around on the floor and then flick the leg down to get it straighten so I could walk. That got a bit more awkward when getting out of the car though. So up to that point I’d been managing quite well with just pain killers as and when needed. My other hip (stroke side) is going to need it done at some point in the future, but I will hold off until it’s in a similar condition to the other one before I will decide.
I don’t know if you’ve had this op before, but just to give an idea. It takes a year to recover from a hip op. Yes 6-8 weeks for the wounds to heal. No weight baring, two crutches and keeping the leg straight as much as is humanly possible, and sleeping flat on your back. Then there’s the rehap, to build that muscle back up the strength and stability, that’s what will take the year. It takes patience and tolerance, but then, you’ve had 5 years of that already recovering from your stroke.
It’s well worth having it done, if you can. They’re never 100% as good as your own but certainly a heck of lot better than the pain of osteoarthritis. So there some precautions you will have to continue to take, such as not trying to wrap it around the back of your neck in some complex yoga position for instance 
If it were me, I would continue to put it off for as long as I could live with it, like last time. But we are all different, with different levels of tolerance to pain and such. But do speak with your GP before you make any decisions either way.
Lorraine
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Thank you for your reply. My daughte wants me to do it. But it would be me living with the effect of a possible second stroke.The thought of being totally dependant and incapacitated scares m and would put evenmore strain on others.. Im not into Yoga. But I do like gardening. Swinging on the occaisional tree to saw off a branch.
Themore I think the less keen I am.Finally I know it ism y decision, but my poor husband will have to pick up the pieces.Daughter needs space to live her own life.
Also my starting point is age 75. Consultant did discuss most issues, bu the is concerned about my other co morbidities as he calls them. AF being the root of all my troubles. Apowerchair to scoot around in is a posibility.unless things get so bad I cannot walk at all.Having the pre op assessment form has bought all these thoughts tothe fore.
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@Pamp it is ultimately ypur decision but if it was me I would speak to the consultant about risks vs benefits.
My mum had a total hip replacement last year after a fall and she had it done with an epidural I think. Maybe this would be an option for you?
Best wishes
Ann
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@Pamp
My husband is almost up to his 1 year post stroke anniversary and on the waiting list for surgery.
We were advised by the consultant to go to the pre op assessment when given an appointment because of hubby being high risk we would be seen by the anaesthetist who deals with high risk.
We were given as much time as we needed to ask questions and a lot of very valuable time from the senior anaesthetist who advised that at 1 year research has shown massive improvement in risk factors that meant it was easier to weigh up the odds.
He showed us graphs and gave us printed information to bring home but ended by saying he was happy to accept my husband for surgery if he decided to go ahead. He also said take as much time as we needed to think about it and let them know our decision. If it is more than six months after the assessment when his name comes up for surgery there will be another quick pre op assessment.
Gave us honest answers and info.
My husband is 78.
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I don’t know if this will help in your decision making, but you are already in that risk category anyway. And there’ll be no more swinging on trees to cut down branches if you got for the op, you risk damaging the replacement hip if you fall
How well are you currently managing with your hip? Does your daughter think you could do so much more if you had the replacement?
Lorraine
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Hello Pam,
I think @EmeraldEyes , @Mrs5K and @elljay1 have all given some thoughtful responses which hopefully have helped make things clearer for you.
I personally cannot offer anything more above and beyond what the others have said as it is a personal choice and would depend on how you feel, how comfortable you are and what the benefits would be of having the hip replacement.
If the consultant is recommending it, then I would want to make sure all your concerns have been taken into account when the recommendation was made.
As Lorraine said, the risk of stroke is already there and your current care plan addresses the risks in the form of medications that you are likely taking. Whether there is additional risk if you have the hip replacement might be something the consultant can clarify for you.
I am sending you moral support and wish you all the best.
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I am about to do a video clip on magnesium (after electrolytes). After stroke we are literally petrified - we turn to stone from stress. 80% of our metabolism depends on Magnesium, which many now are coming to realize, is the antidote.
ciao, Roland
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@pando Look forward to your next video. I am interested in the benefits of Magnesium but have been unsure which ones to take.
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Hi @MarnieT,
You’ll have to experiment, of course. Presently I am saturating my body with Mg. I take 80% Glycinate, as it’s the most bioavailable (80% absorption) form, - Some Citrate (we absorb 50% of this) the remainder is excreted / laxative - Some Threonate (crosses the blood / brain barrier and binds with Vitamin C to get into the brain.
Those are the highlights which I take spread out through the day ; I take about 1,200 mg total (not true total / elemental) and feel less like a petrified lump of rock, & more like a plant… a lot more flexible. I also use Mg chloride skin spray, and Epsom salts (Mg sulfate) for feet / hands; miraculous for awakening nerves.
I can also eat a little Calcium ++ / cheese, since I take so much Mg++ ; but naturally there are 10,000 to 1 - Mg to Ca in a cell. When there isn’t enough Mg to guard the gates then Ca floods a cell and it goes on overdrive, & usually apoptosis. With stroke, Ca floods Mitochondria cells and they die. Everyone who has a stroke needs to be aware of a phenomena which is killing everyone ; Inflammation / Stress / Calcification. Medics agree it’s all one & the same process. Mg is the antidote.
The book I’m reading on magnesium says things directly, not gently as I do !!
Ciao, Roland
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I recently needed surgery after I fell and broke my ankle. They gave me an injection in my back (epidural?) rather than a general anaesthetic as they said they didn’t want to do anything that may affect my nerves. Operation was fine and now, after 6 weeks non weight baring, I’m starting my rehab in earnest.
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Thank you for all your replies, ultimayely the decision is mind I know. But it is still vry hard t o kno whst is best.I have been passed as fit and stable on the cardiovascular ide, anf sm waiting for the aoointment with the high risk anas thetic clinic, which is noy ungil august. Meanwhile I can barely walk. Trying to come to terms with the possibility of permenant dissability. Its hard not to get despondant. but I keep thinking of others I know who came through ok.. I doesnt help that consultant has gone on annual leave.
Family al think Ishould go ahead, especially as I am being monitored closely on all sides.. Still swinging one way then the other. Will no be doing ang activities to risk the hip when its done. Others will have to do the hard stuff.
Thank you and best wishes to you all.Pam
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I’m in a similar position with cancer of the womb.
My surgeon made it sound I’d be leaving in a body bag! I don’t think I can make that decision for you, but I can empathise with the worry. Good luck
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Definitely going to watch with interest
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Getting older is no fun. Currently looking at getting a powerchair, so daughter can get me out to places, Husband will be 80 in 2 weeks so it would be nice to go out all together to cellibrate.
I think my surgeon is more optimistic, he seems concerned I actualy survive the operation. Which is what I want providing they can prevent another stroke. More discussions about risks needed before final decision.
Will be watching for your progress.
Best wishes Pam
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