Mil Hips

[Islay]

Following xrays on MIL right hips due to back pain. MIL has been told that her bones are thin and this could be as a result of taking steroid for so long.

She has been given 3 option

painkillers
physiotherapy
operation - I am assuming this mean hip replacement

Whats her best course of action. She 78 years old.

Thank you

[woofgang]

Her best course of action is to ask for the pros and cons of each option.....

[Peter Pedant]

Islay

chrissakes - this is something the gel herself should discuss with the orthopod.

and yes steroids are bone thinners
and the resullts of THR in those with steroid induced osteo really is better discussed between pt herself and the dr

[Islay]

Peter do you know you can be a real arrogant at times!!!

my MIL is nigh on 80 - English is not her first language and she is worried and upset - she asked us the question which we don't know - so we came on here.


She was put on the spot by the girl who gave her the results over the phone and she feels completely under pressure!

[bednobs]

Hi, i would want to know the outcomes from hip replacement if she does have osteoporosi

[bednobs]

Ps you are not always sweetness and light yourself islay :)

[Hopkirk]

You may not like Peter's answer, but I think he is right.

A subject and decision this serious merits a face to face discussion with a highly qualified medic, with an interpreter if necessary.

[jourdain2]

Islay, she does really need to discuss the options with someone with more medial experience than most of us. Is her GP approachable and is there someone who could translate accurately for her?

I don't know why she was on steroids for so long, but it is her present problem to look at. I can only speak from personal experience. I had back pain as a result of a wearing hip (still have pain, but now from arthritis) and I had many pain-free years as a result of a hip replacement. Years later, same thing, other hip replaced, same result. Back pain now controlled by osteopath and physio - but they could not have stopped the pain before - and it's not good to take painkillers long-term, in ever-increasing doses.

My surgeon operated on a 90yr.old lady the day after he operated on me.
As I say, I'm no medic, it depends on the state of her bones - an 85 yr-old neighbour had a hip replacement at Xmas.

[ladybirder]

PP is seriously ill himself nevertheless he comes on here and gives very good advice most of the time.. Seems it's OK to have a dig at him lately and I wish people would stop. It's unkind.

[bookbinder]

Last year, my wife had a hip replacement operation. She was then aged 74, and she has also had osteoporosis for many years. She says that the pain that she had after the operation was preferable to the pain that she had beforehand, because the 'after' pain would fade (which it did), whereas without the operation, the 'before' pain would never go away. She can now walk much better/easier than before the operation, although she cannot walk quickly. She says that if your MIL goes for the first two options, she will not really be rid of pain, so my wife recommends the operation.

[jennyjoan]

different strokes for different folks - there is no serious risk with painkillers and physio but the operation would be different.

[Peter Pedant]

no sweet one I am not arrogant
I am saying in clear language that there are times that you cannot be a clear conduit of information for informed consent in a third party

let alone haha asking walk-ins on AB the ins and outs of a difficult clinical issue [ you know like how many people here have had experience of steroid induced osteoporosis and subsequent THR . I am the nearest and the surgeon said afterwards " oh it wasnt steroids it was straight osteo .... "

if that is arrogance then I am guilty as charged .....

[cupotee2]

A recent form for a pre op assessment asked the question "do you need and interpreter" so am sure the hospital should be able to provide on to answer all the necessary questions.

THR are the only answer to get rid of the dreadful pain from worn out joints. If at all possible I would recommend one.

[woofgang]

a girl gave the results over the phone and told her to choose?????? Are you sure she understood the conversation?

[jennyjoan]

woof - I would believe re the girl on the phone. I have a friend who has been diagnosed breast cancer and has since got the two breasts removed about 4 weeks ago.

One of the wounds was leaking/bleeding - she contacted the "girl" on the phone - oh that's ok, if we were to take the bandage off it would bleed more. I say no more - this is all without seeing it.

[trt]

Was she taking the steroids for back pain Islay, and if so for how long?

[Sqad]

Pain killers....fine, if they relieve the pain.
physiotherapy.....aged 78yrs....maybe a logistical problem getting her back and forth to the department and then she may need surgery later.
Operation.....seems the best choice to me. It is hip replacement and i would bet that in the majority of patients undergoing this operation, have osteomalasia due to one cause or another.

[Islay]

Well of course I realise that she is going to have to speak to the 'specialist' about this but I was hoping to give her some advice!!

She has been on steroids for asthma for over 25 years plus a whole load of other medication for diabetes, and lord only knows what else!

[trt]

## She has been on steroids for asthma for over 25 years plus a whole load of other medication ##

25 years, that's interesting Islay, as taking steroids long term can do lots of harm to other parts of the body.

Were they of high or low dose, and how many a day?

[Islay]

3 times a day tablet form plus inhalor's!