Please excuse me while I whine a bit

[Imperini]

Back story I've had hip pain since I was 19 years old, I stopped riding for years because of it but then I was tired of not riding so I just ride a couple of times a week and it hurts but I do okay. Last year decided it was time to look into getting something done, so I went and got x-ray's which led to an MRI as it showed bilateral bone spurs on both hips.

So I took my hips to a surgeon last week who told me to stop riding, take anti-inflammatory drugs every day, walk in a swimming pool, and preferably wait until I'm older to get my hips fixed. So frustrating. After he saw how I looked at him when he said to stop riding he recalled that advice and he did say he would perform the surgery before I'm older but wants to try conservative options first, despite the fact that this issue does not typically respond to conservative treatment (and he agreed when I mentioned it). Considering a second opinion, but wondering if everyone is going to say the same thing.

I'm now in a position where I could feasibly purchase and support a horse, but was thinking I should wait until after the hips have been fixed (or at least attempted), and it just feels like this is going to drag on forever before it even gets started, and then of course the recovery is quite long especially since it's not just one side and they would do them separately.

In any case I'm just venting so please excuse me. I probably will go for a second opinion and keep dreaming about having my own horse again some day in the distant future .. or accidentally get a horse sooner than planned

[Josette]

http://orthopedics.about.com/od/hipinju ... 7-0-ab_gsb

I would inquire for a 2nd opinion from another specialist very experienced in the newer surgical procedures. Is it possible that this could be a minimal invasive procedure and not like major hip replacement? I'm unclear why you are being told to wait until you are older and put your life on hold until then? You need to pursue further as it sounds like you have been living with this condition a long time. Hugs to you.'

[Chisamba]

i would get another opinion, and i would do so from a doctor who rehabs athletes, ie has the goal to return you to soundness

[Ike]

I have a friend who had to have both hips replaced at age 25. She recovered and was riding fairly soon after the surgery.

[Imperini]

This wouldn't be a hip replacement, instead they would fix the bad things going on in there, at least that's the idea. Originally I tried to get a referral to a surgeon who was supposed to be familiar with this sort of thing but the referral was rejected for whatever reason and then it took ages for me to figure out what was going on and get another referral. The one I saw at the beginning of the month doesn't do arthroscopic but is familiar with the issue, but I do think I am going to call and see if I can get another referral for a second opinion. Just feels like this is going to drag on forever, but a good portion of that is my fault for not making calls right away.

[Artemis]

Speaking as a mom who had to find an ortho for her daughter's back surgery - I would absolutely talk to another doc for a second opinion. Get a third if you don't like either doctor.

Communication is super important - make sure you have a doctor you feel is on your team, you understand, you like.

Good luck with whatever you decide - hope you get that horse soon!

[Kyra's Mom]

Definitely pursue other opinions. You are probably going to need to find someone that does hip arthroscopic procedures and I don't think they are particularly common. There has been a bunch of threads over on the COTH about arthroscopic surgery for hip issues like torn labrums. My take--it is a difficult surgery and not that successful (if you use that population as a guide). Don't discount hip replacement which is very successful. It just gets rid of all those parts that don't work . Just because you aren't "old" doesn't mean they can't be replaced. The newer implant materials are much improved and should last many, many years (20-30 yrs +)The implants can be revised if they wear out or come loose. So...I don't think that age alone precludes young people from replacement (obviously dependent on the surgeon but they are out there).

For anyone to tell someone they basically need to quit living until they are old enough ...this isn't the first time I've heard that.

I am the owner of a shiny new hip as of 2/15. I didn't realize how crippled I was until I didn't hurt anymore.

Good luck.

Susan

[Imperini]

So the saga continues. I have an appointment with another surgeon mid-January that was made in June so I really hope she's going to be helpful rather than encouraging me to just rest and/or take pills. In the meantime I'm still riding, now 3 days a week in a hunt seat saddle because the shorter leg position makes a fair bit of difference with regards to how I feel when I'm done riding. I've also started incorporating exercises meant to help with my problems into my routine and have lost 25 lbs so making other good changes despite my hips continuing to deteriorate (as in I'm starting to have a hard time getting my left shoe on or my leg in or out of pants). Perhaps those problems will make a better case for surgical intervention than I want to be able to ride better lol

[PaulaO]

Congratulations on steps to make your body healthier. I'm with the "don't discount hip replacement" crowd, but definitely seek this new doctor's advice. There's nothing wrong with having surgery so that you don't hurt when you ride. Cuz if your body ain't happy, you ain't happy. And why live with pain?

[galopp]

Why not ride side saddle, that protects the hips.