Rebekah and the hip specialist

Danaus29 · #1 02-06-2010, 03:13 PM

According to the hip specialist Rebekah needs reconstructive hip surgery. Some background first though, when she was 7 Rebekah was diagnosed with Legg-perthis disease. Legg-perthis is a condition in which part of the hip bone dies. With exercise and therapy the bone will at some point in time start to grow again and continue to grow normally. The part of her hip that died was the top of the joint. The bone did start regrowth and grew pretty much normally but she does have a dip in the top instead of a nice round ball. What this specialist wants to do is reconstruct the socket. It's pretty much the same surgery I had but she would have screws in her bone and be confined to bed for 8 weeks. (I had no screws and wore a cast for 8 weeks). Rebekah is pretty wimpy when it comes to pain and discomfort. She went through 3 courses of pain meds after her tonsillectomy. She does not walk with a limp. Her affected leg is not shorter than the other. She walks better than I do and much faster.

I told her she is nuts if she has this surgery. All that risk in the hopes of minimizing a little tiny bit of occasional discomfort. There are no long term studies of this type of surgery. One study done in Japan found the surgery made no difference in patients with non-round balls. (medium term study) It even said that most patients could walk without aids for 30 minutes! She can walk hours without a cane or crutches!

She already has the MRI and follow-up scheduled. Both Tim and I plan on attending the follow-up appointment.

Pray that we can talk her out of this, please.

Skywatch_NC · #2 02-06-2010, 05:13 PM

Surgery should be a VERY last resort option. An operation can at times do more harm than good for an individual.

Bird Lover · #3 02-07-2010, 12:21 PM

Surprising to hear that she is even considering this surgery, if she has such a low tolerance for pain. I agree, it should be a very last option. We're behind you Danaus!

petal*pusher · #4 02-07-2010, 02:55 PM

Boy! I sure wonder about the reasoning behind this surgery also Rhonda! YOU know her better than anyone...her entire life story...meaning what she can and will be able to endure. If the outcome makes no difference to what has been "normal" for so many years.....what could actually improve?

Sometimes our youngins' do better with our gentle guidance...they just need to be guided in some areas! Thinking of you.....Pam

greenasagourd · #5 02-07-2010, 05:21 PM

I think Petal said it ... Mama knows best! I hope Rebekah listens to you. This also makes me think about the old adage of "the devil you know verses the devil you don't know". I imagine even after a sucessful surgery that there is no guarantee of no pain whatsoever or pain down the road when she's older. I'm praying for her that she will find the proper solution.

alpaca_freddi · #6 02-07-2010, 11:28 PM

Good luck with this....here's hoping the right decision is made.

Skywatch_NC · #7 02-10-2010, 05:38 AM

She already has the MRI and follow-up scheduled. Both Tim and I plan on attending the follow-up appointment.

What day(s) are those on tap for?

Danaus29 · #8 02-10-2010, 02:12 PM

Follow-up is the 25th, the MRI is the 17th.

I told her with her pain tolerance if her hip would hurt like mine she wouldn't be able to get out of bed most days. Today is one of those days.