Is this the right degree/career for me?

What can I do about my right hip with severe post truamatic arthiritis?

• History: at age 13, I dislocated my right hip. I can not externally rotate my right hip. I'm 36 now. I went to an orthopedic doctor (surgeon) Feb 15th and I have severe post traumatic arthritis of my right hip (Which I knew I had). I'm not in a lot of pain, unless the weather changes. When the weather changes, I'm in a LOT of pain. I asked the doctor if I will ever get the flexibility back in my right hip so I can reach my right foot so I can put my own sock and right shoe on. He said "No, exercise will not help any flexibility you already lost. You can do exercises to help PREVENT further stiffness". What I want: to be able to reach my own right foot. I can't reach it to wash it, to cut my own toe nails. Shoot, I don't have any money coming in from SSI so I can go to nail place for THEM to cut my toe nails. What I have: I have a mom that helps me (we live together) but she will die someday. I don't have a boyfriend or a girlfriend to help me with my sock and shoe. I CAN NOT be dependent on my mom forever. I CAN work. What is preventing me from living independently is getting dressed specific to socks and shoes of the right foot. I also can't reach the outside of my right leg past the middle part of my calf, such as around my ankle. The orthopedic doctor said I can not externally rotate my right hip since my right hip bone is right in the socket and there is NO SPACE between my right hip and the socket. That is why I can't move my right leg out that far and that is why I can't reach my foot, why I can't squat. Yes, I did purchase a sock helper from a website and it has yet to come in the mail. That will hep me with socks and nylons. However, it will not help me tie my right shoe, nor help me to wash my right foot or reach the outside of my calf so I can shave my leg! The bad news: The orthopedic doctor said that the ONLY WAY for me to get the flexibility back in my right hip so I CAN reach my right foot is to have a TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT. yes, I know I'm "too young" (I"m 36) for that surgery. However, I DO want to have this surgery now since I'M NOT working now! I also want to lose about 50 pounds and get down to 150 pounds before having this surgery. I tried to get on SSI back in 2008 and I was told that I can work in "Janitorial work" since I did it before, but the SSI office didn't think about me getting to work and getting READY for work and didn't think about me living ALONE. My questions: 1. Does ANYONE know if I can get on that In-Home Support Services for a simple problem like mine? I can cook for myself. I can dress myself. I can wash my hair. I can drive. The only thing I can't do is specific to my right foot, right calf due to my right hip. 2. Has anyone had a problem like this and before in the past could not reach their right foot and through exercise, was able to reach it again. (I am going to get a second opinion from my GP and see what she thinks about this). 3. How long does it take to start walking again without crutches after a hip replacement? 4. Does anyone have experience with dislocating their hip and was able to reach their foot again after losing 50 pounds? Any doctors out there that can answer this question? I'm not looking for funny answers. I know I need to go tell my GP what the orthopedic doctor said. I know I need to inform her that I DO want this surgery now.

• Answer:

  Getting the sock helper is a step in the right direction. To make your life even a little easier, get a long-handled shoe horn and wear only slip-on shoes. The shoe horn will help you put on the shoe and can also help push a sock off your foot when undressing. Here's one example of the shoe horn. http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/essential-medical-deluxe-metal-shoehorn/ID=prod1059757-product?ext=gooHome_Medical_Supplies_ampersand_Equipment_PLA_Dressing_Aids_prod1059757&adtype=pla Visit a drugstore, discount store or medical equipment provider (or online) to find one. I've had both hips replaced and these are some of the tools that I used. I needed these for several months until I got flexibility back in my hip. Now I can do my own toenails, tie shoes, shave legs. These won't help you cut nails so your only option is to get someone to do it for you. As for your Q about how long it takes to walk without crutches after hip replacement, there's no set answer because each patient is different. I had my surgeries because of severe osteoarthritis. I used a walker or 2 crutches for about a month, then graduated to a single crutch, then a cane. I was walking without any walking aids about 2 mos. after my second replacement. I kept my cane in the car for awhile after that "just in case". Didn't need it much however. As for getting some help with grooming your foot, I would discuss this with your doctor. As I understand it, you do have help now so the problem isn't imminent. You are worrying about something that hasn't happened yet. Ask your doctor what you can do if your mother can no longer help you. BTW, hip replacement is, in my opinion, a miracle surgery. I couldn't take a step without a cane by the time I had the surgery. Now no one can tell by looking at at me that I have 2 fake hips.