Can anyone suggest a way to reduce joint pain while waiting for hip replacement. In Canada we wait forever.?

Question

So far drugs, (anti-inflamatories) and exercise have not helped.

Answer 1

Weight reduction, prevention of osteoporosis, massage and exercise of the knee, control of rheumatoid activity if that is the reason of your joint replacement (the ESR would have to be brought down), are some of the methods which shall be of definite help to you along with Tynol (as and when required).

Answer 2

I have a total hip and a total knee. I can tell you that there is not much you can do but take the anti-inflamatories or get cortisone shots in your hip while you wait. Exercise will definitely help. Water exercise is best as it's non-weight bearing. Yes, it might be sore for a few days, but, hey whatchagonnado? I can tell you a joint replacement is not a walk in the park (no pun intended) You will still have aches and some pains AFTER the replacement has healed up. Mine is 5 years old, and there are days are good and days that's not so good. Do what you can and if you're overweight, try to lose some beforehand. It will benefit your recovery greatly. Godloveya.

Answer 3

As a former hip patient (I've had both of my hips replaced), I recommend using crutches to reduce pain. Another possibility is to get a walker. I think you get more mobility with crutches than from a walker but that's a personal preference. A second choice would be a cane; however, using a cane can cause problems with hand pain because canes are most appropriate to steady the gait, not bear weight. Crutches were designed to bear weight and taking the weight off your painful hip may be the best thing you can do at this point to get additional pain relief. In addition, the crutches (or the cane or walker) will be needed during your recovery.

I had both of my hips done several months apart. In the interim between surgeries, I did all the exercises 3x per day on both legs. I really think it made a dramatic difference in my recovery from the 2nd THR. I was able to graduate to one crutch by the 4th week post-op.

Don't stop your meds or your exercise, however. Research has shown that a pre-op exercise program helps. See this:
"Effect of preoperative exercise on measures of functional status in men and women undergoing total hip and knee arthroplasty" Arthritis Care & Research Published Online: 29 Sep 2006
Objective
To evaluate the effect of a short preoperative exercise intervention on the functional status, pain, and muscle strength of patients before and after total joint arthroplasty.

Conclusion
A 6-week presurgical exercise program can safely improve preoperative functional status and muscle strength levels in persons undergoing THA. Additionally, exercise participation prior to total joint arthroplasty dramatically reduces the odds of inpatient rehabilitation.
Here's the link to the complete abstract:
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/113385138/ABSTRACT?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

Obviously it would be great if you could get an exercise regimen prescribed by a PT or could get the regimen from your OS. What I did pre-op was the set of exercises that were prescribed for me post-op. I was told to do what I could from that regimen 3x per day for 6 weeks before surgery. The OS office gave me a video illustrating the exercises.

Answer 4

I am looking at having a total hip replacement in May. I'm waiting by choice as I don't work in the summers. Nothing has relieved my pain with the exception of darvocet and soma (a muscle relaxer). Soaking in a hot tub seems to relax the joint a bit, though.

Answer 5

Thank you for posting the numbers. I think sadly there are a lot of uniformed people out there who simply do not understand that government run health care is typically a disaster, where ever it is. These are the people that the Democrats are hoping to gain support from before they become aware of the full facts of Obama's health care plan. Government run plans also always increases tax rates. Some of these countries with such plans have 58 percent tax rates for employed people. Given the debacle that is presently called medicare-medicaid, which is a government back plan, I don't know how any reasonably sane person could trust the government to run healthcare. Medicaid-medicare is filled with waste, fraud, neglect, mismanagement and too many other problems to itemize here. Just say "NO" to government run or backed healthcare.

Answer 6

I have very bad arthritis in my knee and don't believe in prescription drugs so I started taking Alfalfa and Joint Health Complex which has helped me alot.

Alfalfa is a natural anti-inflamatory. I take 3 in the morning 3 at lunch time and 3 at night it won't hurt you .

Joint Health Complex Helps with arthritis, osteoarthritis and any joint pain I take 3 of these aday.

Answer 7

Joint pain due to arthritis and other reasons can be reduced and cured by making small changes in the diet and lifestyle of the affected person. I found the information at http://aches.in/naturalcuresarthritis.html useful.

Answer 8

I have bad knees, so I can empathize. Best thing I ever did was start using fruit Pectin. One tablespoon in six ounces of juice every morning. Yes, the stuff you use to make jams and jellies...I know it sounds wierd, but it does work. Takes about two weeks before you will notice a difference, but then it just gets better and better. At least it did for me.

Answer 9

I'm from Canada and the wait for hip surgury is forever. However, there is no excuse for you to be in pain during that time. Your doctor is not doing his job at releiving your pain. In Canada, the doctors are so timid about prescibing narcotics. Your in serious pain and thats what narcotics are for.

Ask your doctor about going on a fentanyl patch.

http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=19813&name=DURAGESIC

Another drug available in the US, with is not addictive is Ultram/tramadol Its available in Canada only together with tynenol under the name tramacet. You might want to try that first.

http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20281&name=ULTRAM

Answer 10

I think the most important thing is your diet. Lots of omega 3 , and 6 too. These (healthy) Fats are extra good for joint pain (and they can taste great too!)