Obviously you should do what’s best for you! However, if you are taking votes I would recommend trying the less invasive option first. A total hip may be what you’ll eventually need down the line but the recovery can take awhile and afterwards you will have limited movement and flexibility which may be an impediment while still touring and performing. Also, if the less invasive option works great then you’ll know you made the right choice by not automatically going for the full replacement.
Now even if you do end up needing the full hip done, the less invasive option will at least delay the inevitable. A total hip at 40 is still relatively young and they may want to put it off since there’s a chance you could need it replaced again in 20 years or so and two hip surgeries done on the same side in your lifetime can be an ordeal. Hope you’re taking care of yourself by resting and letting yourself heal in between shows!
I'm going to be serious because I love to see you smile and don't want you to be in pain!
First things first: Get a second opinion from a doctor in LA. If the same procedures are indicated, start with arthroscopic surgery (or even more conservative measures). It's less invasive and there is less recovery time. Also, your immune system - the immune system of anyone healthy - will attack the implant placed during a joint replacement and you will have to have a second hip replacement in 15-20 years after it wears down.
And talk about gruesome! They will cut the head of your femur off and hammer the implant into the end. They sometimes use regular DeWalt tools for these operations. (Seriously, they came at me once with a cordless drill in the OR!) I also witnessed surgery on a knee joint in which the patient's artery was knicked and he lost so much blood, all over the floor, that he needed emergency vascular surgery. It wasn't malpractice, that's just a risk you take when having major surgery. And don't forget that when you have your replacement replaced, they will have to cut off the end of the bone again, and you might end up with one leg shorter than the other.
Please take care of the beautiful, flexible, strong, talented body you have, and person you are, by starting with the least risky procedure. Prevention and preservation over invasive interventions!
Feel better soon!
Alexandra, the professional orthopedic patient (and former wannabe doctor)
-Left and right arthroscopic ACL reconstructions
-2 arthroscopic removals of diseased knee joint lining
-ACL screw removal (the drill incident)
-Bilateral shoulder impingement that was resolved by a year of physical therapy instead of surgery
-Became extremely allergic to cortisone after multiple injections into joints
As someone who HAS Femoral Acetabulum Impingement on BOTH hips as well as the equivalent on my left shoulder, DONT HAVE THE HIP REPLACEMENT. Have the spur (usually called a CAM) shaved off. Recovery is MUCH faster and far less painful.
When you were explaining your hip issues I did start wondering if it was FAI. It can be something congenital or something that develops - especially if you are athletic - and we all know you are Katya with your bending and splitting 24/7.
I have been told that I need a double hip replacement as the health service won’t pay for the bone shave (cheaper and makes sense right? No apparently not to the NHS) so I’ve just carried on taking oxycodone and powering through the pain in the hopes that the NHS will come to their senses and give me the cheaper surgery.
Please start with the least intense option first. I have several family members who have had the hip replacements...avoid it for as long as possible. The pain and the recovery of a hip replacement is not pretty or fabulous.
I had this done two years ago, same exact condition, same shitty symptoms. I didn’t get the option for hip replacement, but did the arthroscopic surgery where they shaved my bones, clipped my psoas, and pinned my labrum back in place (even though the diagnostic test they did to see if my labrum was damaged came back negative, it was apparently garbage when they went in). When I was first diagnosed, I didn’t want to do any surgery and I dealt with it until it became positively unbearable — stupid. I’m now back to yoga, which was impossible before, and don’t hate my life.
Id say go for the less intense since they usually try to avoid replacement till people are much older. Also based on what youve mentioned its not like arthritis where the fluids gone forever or whatever but you have a protrusion thats causing the pain and inflammation so surely when they shave it down you should find a lot of relief. Idk a total replacement seems so drastic I would want to try the intermediate option first to see how well it works since ye can always get the replacement further down the road if still needed.
Radiologist here - I’m sorry your hip is causing you so much pain. FAI is no joke. Also, I love that they gave you FILMS of your MRI (not digital)!
Of course you will have a more thorough workup when you get home, but getting another more detailed MRI in LA (+arthrogram with another long needle into the joint, sorry) and second opinion Ortho consult is a good place to start before making any surgical decisions. You don’t want to miss any additional underlying issues. FAI is commonly bilateral as well, so ask for imaging of your other hip even if it’s asymptomatic. In the meantime, be easy on your hip, take care of yourself, and have an amazing rest of the tour!
As a nurse we usually recommend to use the least invasive measure first. Once you replace a joint it’s never the same. It could help the pain and discomfort however you won’t be able to do splits and tricks. Whatever is best for your health we will support! Ps loved the MRI proof of Injury #WeLoveAVisual
Shave it! A full hip replacement takes a pretty long time to heal from - it could really interfere with touring/performing. Plus, you’re a young, hot mama and would likely have to replace the replacement. Finally, Trixie will never let you hear the end of it.
Thank you for sharing. Your knowledge of physiology and imaging details is very impressive.
I am sorry you are dealing with such chronic pain. I deal with mine everyday. Cannabis does help, specifically CBD (the non-high part of cannabis). I'm waiting for Canada to allow CBD Isolate. It's available in the States. CBD Isolate is in a powder form and easily mixes with water or the liquid of your choice. Some folks put in with their meal preparation.
As a former X-ray technologist who performed imaging in the hosptital and in the surgical suite, I suggest you do the arthroscopic procedure. It's less invasive and you'll recover much faster than a new hip joint. Smaller scar too!
A hip replacement is good for about 15-20 years. You can expect another surgery to replace the first.
get a new hip mama! in between the australia and the europe tour? side note: be careful with the injections that you are not then overworking the joint because the pain is less - the benefit of the injections means you can do physiotherapy exercises to help heal the root cause of the issue by strengthening muscle imbalances and correcting movement patterns without causing you pain. sometimes the injections make it temporarily feel like the injury is improved and then by going full out with feeling while it feels good it can actually aggravate the problem and make it worse in the long run and make the effects of the injections last less long! good luck with the tour <3
That sucks. I hope that whatever you decide, you are pain free and back to your normal self quickly. Ain't nothing gonna stop you from being the badass bitch you are - remember that!
OMG hun I had the same thing, FAI! I had a cam protuberance and labral tear, and was immediately offered the less intense operation to fix it which took about six weeks non-weightbearing on crutches, and rehab from there. I wasn’t offered a full hip replacement and my hip is a-ok now, I’m even a runner (aged 51). One amusing story is that I told a doctor proudly about ‘having my labral tear fixed’ BUT I SAID LABIAL TEAR and I only realised many hours later, with a sudden start! 😂 Honestly, Katya, if the recovery is the same for the full replacement then maybe go for it - but be aware your other hip might go in time? My right hip was fixed but I have left hip pain a bit and a doc who looked at my MRIs said my root issue is that the tops of my femurs are round but my hip joint is kinda flat, hence the grinding of bone and all the screaming. Please don’t worry though, you will be fine but you will need rehab, so some time off, and get the best physio you can. Being in terrific shape will help you too. Any q’s, hit me up. My op was done in England in about 2011 xx
I'm sorry your hip is being a flop. As a 32 year old who has several unhappy body parts I feel you.
You have to do what's best for you. I agree with the other comments and vote for trying the less invasive surgery first to see if that works? Then replace the hip if needed when you haven't got such an intense schedule and pressure to recover. Also vote for a second doctors opinion.
Can you keep the old hip if you go for the replacement?
Obviously you should do what’s best for you! However, if you are taking votes I would recommend trying the less invasive option first. A total hip may be what you’ll eventually need down the line but the recovery can take awhile and afterwards you will have limited movement and flexibility which may be an impediment while still touring and performing. Also, if the less invasive option works great then you’ll know you made the right choice by not automatically going for the full replacement.
Now even if you do end up needing the full hip done, the less invasive option will at least delay the inevitable. A total hip at 40 is still relatively young and they may want to put it off since there’s a chance you could need it replaced again in 20 years or so and two hip surgeries done on the same side in your lifetime can be an ordeal. Hope you’re taking care of yourself by resting and letting yourself heal in between shows!
I'm going to be serious because I love to see you smile and don't want you to be in pain!
First things first: Get a second opinion from a doctor in LA. If the same procedures are indicated, start with arthroscopic surgery (or even more conservative measures). It's less invasive and there is less recovery time. Also, your immune system - the immune system of anyone healthy - will attack the implant placed during a joint replacement and you will have to have a second hip replacement in 15-20 years after it wears down.
And talk about gruesome! They will cut the head of your femur off and hammer the implant into the end. They sometimes use regular DeWalt tools for these operations. (Seriously, they came at me once with a cordless drill in the OR!) I also witnessed surgery on a knee joint in which the patient's artery was knicked and he lost so much blood, all over the floor, that he needed emergency vascular surgery. It wasn't malpractice, that's just a risk you take when having major surgery. And don't forget that when you have your replacement replaced, they will have to cut off the end of the bone again, and you might end up with one leg shorter than the other.
Please take care of the beautiful, flexible, strong, talented body you have, and person you are, by starting with the least risky procedure. Prevention and preservation over invasive interventions!
Feel better soon!
Alexandra, the professional orthopedic patient (and former wannabe doctor)
-Left and right arthroscopic ACL reconstructions
-2 arthroscopic removals of diseased knee joint lining
-ACL screw removal (the drill incident)
-Bilateral shoulder impingement that was resolved by a year of physical therapy instead of surgery
-Became extremely allergic to cortisone after multiple injections into joints
As someone who HAS Femoral Acetabulum Impingement on BOTH hips as well as the equivalent on my left shoulder, DONT HAVE THE HIP REPLACEMENT. Have the spur (usually called a CAM) shaved off. Recovery is MUCH faster and far less painful.
When you were explaining your hip issues I did start wondering if it was FAI. It can be something congenital or something that develops - especially if you are athletic - and we all know you are Katya with your bending and splitting 24/7.
I have been told that I need a double hip replacement as the health service won’t pay for the bone shave (cheaper and makes sense right? No apparently not to the NHS) so I’ve just carried on taking oxycodone and powering through the pain in the hopes that the NHS will come to their senses and give me the cheaper surgery.
Please start with the least intense option first. I have several family members who have had the hip replacements...avoid it for as long as possible. The pain and the recovery of a hip replacement is not pretty or fabulous.
I had this done two years ago, same exact condition, same shitty symptoms. I didn’t get the option for hip replacement, but did the arthroscopic surgery where they shaved my bones, clipped my psoas, and pinned my labrum back in place (even though the diagnostic test they did to see if my labrum was damaged came back negative, it was apparently garbage when they went in). When I was first diagnosed, I didn’t want to do any surgery and I dealt with it until it became positively unbearable — stupid. I’m now back to yoga, which was impossible before, and don’t hate my life.
Id say go for the less intense since they usually try to avoid replacement till people are much older. Also based on what youve mentioned its not like arthritis where the fluids gone forever or whatever but you have a protrusion thats causing the pain and inflammation so surely when they shave it down you should find a lot of relief. Idk a total replacement seems so drastic I would want to try the intermediate option first to see how well it works since ye can always get the replacement further down the road if still needed.
All the best and look forward to more of MJW
Radiologist here - I’m sorry your hip is causing you so much pain. FAI is no joke. Also, I love that they gave you FILMS of your MRI (not digital)!
Of course you will have a more thorough workup when you get home, but getting another more detailed MRI in LA (+arthrogram with another long needle into the joint, sorry) and second opinion Ortho consult is a good place to start before making any surgical decisions. You don’t want to miss any additional underlying issues. FAI is commonly bilateral as well, so ask for imaging of your other hip even if it’s asymptomatic. In the meantime, be easy on your hip, take care of yourself, and have an amazing rest of the tour!
As a nurse we usually recommend to use the least invasive measure first. Once you replace a joint it’s never the same. It could help the pain and discomfort however you won’t be able to do splits and tricks. Whatever is best for your health we will support! Ps loved the MRI proof of Injury #WeLoveAVisual
Shave it! A full hip replacement takes a pretty long time to heal from - it could really interfere with touring/performing. Plus, you’re a young, hot mama and would likely have to replace the replacement. Finally, Trixie will never let you hear the end of it.
Thank you for sharing. Your knowledge of physiology and imaging details is very impressive.
I am sorry you are dealing with such chronic pain. I deal with mine everyday. Cannabis does help, specifically CBD (the non-high part of cannabis). I'm waiting for Canada to allow CBD Isolate. It's available in the States. CBD Isolate is in a powder form and easily mixes with water or the liquid of your choice. Some folks put in with their meal preparation.
As a former X-ray technologist who performed imaging in the hosptital and in the surgical suite, I suggest you do the arthroscopic procedure. It's less invasive and you'll recover much faster than a new hip joint. Smaller scar too!
A hip replacement is good for about 15-20 years. You can expect another surgery to replace the first.
Love you, xoxo
get a new hip mama! in between the australia and the europe tour? side note: be careful with the injections that you are not then overworking the joint because the pain is less - the benefit of the injections means you can do physiotherapy exercises to help heal the root cause of the issue by strengthening muscle imbalances and correcting movement patterns without causing you pain. sometimes the injections make it temporarily feel like the injury is improved and then by going full out with feeling while it feels good it can actually aggravate the problem and make it worse in the long run and make the effects of the injections last less long! good luck with the tour <3
That sucks. I hope that whatever you decide, you are pain free and back to your normal self quickly. Ain't nothing gonna stop you from being the badass bitch you are - remember that!
OMG hun I had the same thing, FAI! I had a cam protuberance and labral tear, and was immediately offered the less intense operation to fix it which took about six weeks non-weightbearing on crutches, and rehab from there. I wasn’t offered a full hip replacement and my hip is a-ok now, I’m even a runner (aged 51). One amusing story is that I told a doctor proudly about ‘having my labral tear fixed’ BUT I SAID LABIAL TEAR and I only realised many hours later, with a sudden start! 😂 Honestly, Katya, if the recovery is the same for the full replacement then maybe go for it - but be aware your other hip might go in time? My right hip was fixed but I have left hip pain a bit and a doc who looked at my MRIs said my root issue is that the tops of my femurs are round but my hip joint is kinda flat, hence the grinding of bone and all the screaming. Please don’t worry though, you will be fine but you will need rehab, so some time off, and get the best physio you can. Being in terrific shape will help you too. Any q’s, hit me up. My op was done in England in about 2011 xx
I'm sorry your hip is being a flop. As a 32 year old who has several unhappy body parts I feel you.
You have to do what's best for you. I agree with the other comments and vote for trying the less invasive surgery first to see if that works? Then replace the hip if needed when you haven't got such an intense schedule and pressure to recover. Also vote for a second doctors opinion.
Feel better soon hunty diva <3
Is there a rhinestone option?