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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Arthritis / October 2005Arthritis Treatment For Beginners
Hi everyone, My wife is 29 years old and suffers from arthritis in her hips due to being born with her hips and sockets not being correctly in place. This was adjusted as a child, but unfortunately, she has developed a hip spur and recently has started increased pain. She spent so much time as a child in hospital for treatment, that she really does not like the idea of hip-replacement surgery and the lengthy recovery period from said major surgery. On top of this, she has also heard that replacements only last 10 years or so, so doesn't want to do this every ten years for the next however many years. I am trying to do some research into some other therapies or medications that are available (possibly even minor non-replacement surgery) for her. I've been looking into gold injections (Have you ever had gold injections? If so, how well did they work? how long did the relief last? How expensive is it?) and other anti-inflammatory medications, but was hoping that you all may be able to help with some helpful experience or advice you may be able to give, or suggest some new medical ideas/treatments that we may not have thought about. Thanks again so much! - Bob. > Hi everyone, > > My wife is 29 years old and suffers from arthritis in her hips due to being > born with her hips and sockets not being correctly in place. This was > adjusted as a child, but unfortunately, she has developed a hip spur and > recently has started increased pain. What treatments are available for this spur? Surely there must be something easier than hip replacement. Has she sought a second opinion? > She spent so much time as a child in hospital for treatment, that she really > does not like the idea of hip-replacement surgery and the lengthy recovery > period from said major surgery. It's better than the alternative, though. I can empathise with her: I hate hospitals, too (I have to spend far too much time having unpleasant things done to me in them). I had my first hip replacement at 25 and the next at 27. > On top of this, she has also heard that > replacements only last 10 years or so, That's incorrect. > so doesn't want to do this every ten > years for the next however many years. She won't. They make them out of the same materials they use in the space shuttle's heat shield and airframe (also for armoured personnel carrier armour, now protecting coalition troops in Iraq). > I am trying to do some research into some other therapies or medications > that are available (possibly even minor non-replacement surgery) for her. What does her surgeon say? Have you sought a second opinion? > I've been looking into gold injections (Have you ever had gold injections? > If so, how well did they work? They're not appropriate for her type of arthritis. they will have no effect. > how long did the relief last? How expensive > is it?) and other anti-inflammatory medications, but was hoping that you all [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Thanks again so much! > - Bob.  Signaturespammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply I'm going to die rather sooner than I'd like. I tried to protect my neighbours from crime, and became the victim of it. Complications in hospital following this resulted in a serious illness. I now need a bone marrow transplant. Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant, too. Please volunteer to be a marrow donor: http://www.abmdr.org.au/ http://www.marrow.org/ Hi Bob: I am sorry to hear about your wife's problems. Has she been to see a rheumatologist? That is the type of doctor that can help doagnose the type of arthritis she has. Drom the sounds of if, she may be dealing with osteoarthritis, and that requires a different treatment protocol than RA for which gold is used. (There are over 170 types of arthritis, by the way). Secondly, an othopedic surgeon may need to see your wife to evaluate the extent of her hip problems and to determine what type of surgery will corect her specific problems. Rose @}>->-- Being educated means that rather than fearing the unknown, one seeks to understand it. RB Please remove "Ima" to reply. I would be more worried about gold treatments than a hip replacement even if that was the correct treatment. Gold is a med used very very carefully for inflammatory diseases such as RA. It involves once a week blood tests and once a week injections and every 2 week injections and blood tests after 6 months. It is very toxic to the body and many doctors refuse to use it anymore. In any case it is not used for hip spurs. I am assuming from your post that she has consulted with an orthepidic surgeon and it is him that has suggested a hip replacement? I am assuming also that the hip spur has been wearing down the hip and she is ready for a replacement. No med will rebuild that surface if that is the case. The replacement will be the answer and a very successful answer it will be if that is the case. many here have had successful replacements. As for the 10 year - that depends on whether the person has inflammatory disease, how much stress the person puts on the hip (ie very overweight, does excessive exercise such as marathons etc.) My uncle's hip replacement is over 20 years and has never been done. Others on this newsgroup have had well over 10 years. Technology and medical techniques have changed as well. Make sure you are reading things that are very recent - ie: 6 months old. The best idea I can give you is to check with specialists and also to ensure your wife is getting physio to strengthen the leg muscles etc. Exercise (a planned exercise session - such as water exercise) will help with the pain if done correctly and regularly. Watching weight also helps in recovery. Check into a good orthopedic surgeon for proper diagnosis. Make sure she has orthotics if she needs them. Good luck - send you wife here and let her tell her story. Lots of good people here for support and information. Does not take the place of a good doctor though for proper diagnosis and treatment. Nice to see you involved in her options too. Give lots of gentle support but also make sure she is participating in options. She needs to be involved in weeding out the scams from the reality. Kelly >I've been looking into gold injections (Have you ever had gold injections? >If so, how well did they work? how long did the relief last? How expensive >is it?) and other anti-inflammatory medications, but was hoping that you all >may be able to help with some helpful experience or advice you may be able >to give, or suggest some new medical ideas/treatments that we may not have >thought about. Well as others have mentioned Gold treatments are for Rheumatoid Arthritis not Osteo Arthritis. Gold would only be appropriate if the arthritis was caused by her immune system. Gold treatments have been nearly discontinued by the manufactures so I am not sure you can even find it anymore, because there are newer much better RA treatments available. Has she ever considered acupuncture? Visit my website: http://www.mzuschlag.com Your wife needs an orthopedists and an orthopedic surgeon. Hip replacements lasts minimum 20 years....10 yrs is wrong. It doesn't sound like your wife has an autoimmune problem so all the meds associated with that (gold, plaquenil, mtx, enbrel, etc) are not for her. The hip replacement surgery has changed.... the cuts are shorter and recovery is a lot easier. Arthritis Today had an article regarding just this subject. Age wise, it would be much easier for your wife to have a replacement now (if that's what's needed) than in 10-15 yrs. > Hi everyone, > [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > Thanks again so much! > - Bob. Thank you all for your advice and support! I really appreciate it! I'll try and get her to use this group herself. -Bob Bob. I am sorry to hear about your wife's trouble, all the more so because I also have a hip that will have to be replaced. For info take a look at http://www.richardvillar.com It is a UK web site but it does give you info on alternatives, complications, longevity and the like. Good luck Peter You might also look at http://www.totallyhip.org. Gwen > Bob. > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Peter |
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