osteoarthritis? advice from any divers?

[bowly73]

HI can anyone offer me advice? I started diving 2 years ago i am 33. i had hip operations when i was 16 and over the years had regular pain only last year my specialist told me i had osteoarthritis in both hips. I had to stop diving this year because of the discomfort .Is there anyone else out there with the same sort of problem? Is there any way around it because i have missed diving alot this year. cheers mark.

[Alison Boler]

Hi Mark
Poor you. My sympathies - have seen how painful this can be. Anyway, what did your doc say? Is the discomfort only when diving or general? If it is only when diving, then maybe we could recommend some sort of kit/technique modification that would help. For instance, changing from a hip weightbelt to a shoulder harness or other style which puts the weight on your shoulders rather than your back/hips.

Allie

[bowly73]

hi thanks for replying! the pain is with me all the time i`ve had to stop all real exercise not much i can do. swimming isn`t too bad but the diving has been a no no. i was bought a weight harness but didnt get to try it out maybe it will help. my other options are to have hip replacements but maybe i`m too young, find out from specialist in december. have you had trouble or know anyone?

[Alison Boler]

Hi
No one as young as you but my mother had it in both hips and had them replaced. The relief from pain was fantastic.
I hope the specialist can help you. I don't think you are too young (they use a different technology for younger people I believe ie cemented not ones that induce bone growth around the implant), but I'm not in any way medically qualified so don't take what I say in this, I just used to work for a leading orthopaedic implant company so I know a little bit about it.
First thing to do anyway is to get yourself sorted out, get out of discomfort and then come back to diving in the future once the docs give you the all clear. I think a weight harness would help and also being careful with walking/carrying heavy kit.

All the best
Allie

[Nigel Hewitt]

My 'acting' son-in-law has just had both knees done.
I don't think he is pain free but the painkillers have gone from heavy industrial stuff that has to be changed regularly before it becomes addictive to stuff you see in pharmacies.

He's not quite thirty yet.

[Fiona]

Don't know about hips but I am too young for knee replacements, I think it is the only thing I am too young for.

Opps just noticed I am older than Nigel's son-in-law.

[John_C]

In a small way I can sympathise as I have arthritus in my right hip, which gives me real agro after diving. I find regular daily doses of codliver oil and glucosamine tables helps a lot. At least it only hurts after a days diving. I dont know if it will help you, but I also find exercise of the muscles around the hip also helps, it aches at the time but helps in the hours and days after/between sessions.

[RST]

Hi Fiona
I developed osteoarthritis when I was about your age and now have it in about 80 joints (60yrs old next bd). Ive managed to dive until last June when I gave up when both my hands and feet gave out. However, I had a long consultation yesterday afternoon with a specialist who told me to take pain killers and get back in the water and continue to be active. I have to say that in some ways this is diametrically opposed to the advice I had from the orthopaedic surgeon - so although people will always tell you to take properly qualified medical advice - its going to be down to you in the end.
If you are anything like me your generally OK in the water - its getting there - lugging heavy kit around- thats the problem. There are sometimes ways around this - can you get anyone to help you carry stuff?. That can be one of the great things about being in a BSAC club -there are often people around willing to help you out.
Good luck lass.

[Neil R]

My daughter has Juvinial Arthritis and had if from the age of 4. This time of year is bad for her, cold and damp. The up side is she has an injection of something called infleximab ( proberbly spelt wrong ) every 8 weeks 4hours on a drip, but it has helped her learn to snorkel and swim. I know she won't be able to do the same as other kids her age, but she does what she can and enjoy's life to the fullness of her abilaty.

We encorage her to do everything which she is managing to do in her own way.

Neil :)

[Mike Halligan]

If you are anything like me your generally OK in the water - its getting there - lugging heavy kit around- thats the problem. There are sometimes ways around this - can you get anyone to help you carry stuff?. That can be one of the great things about being in a BSAC club -there are often people around willing to help you out.

For anyone wishing to formalise this need for support, there are BSAC resources available to amend the QRB and, more importantly, update the mindset of DOs, DMs, etc.

Anyone wishing to explore this should contact me off-forum. Seasonal wishes, etc,

Mike

[Fiona]

Hi Fiona
I developed osteoarthritis when I was about your age and now have it in about 80 joints (60yrs old next bd).
If you are anything like me your generally OK in the water - its getting there - lugging heavy kit around- thats the problem. There are sometimes ways around this - can you get anyone to help you carry stuff?. That can be one of the great things about being in a BSAC club -there are often people around willing to help you out.
Good luck lass.

Cheers, yes I am fine in the water. Swimming is fine as long as I don't do too much breastroke legs and I need to cycle more to keep the joint mobile.

As for diving I don't do ladders and since moving from twin 7's up to 10's and now 12's I will only be using boats with lifts :D

I also find regular daily dose of omega 3 fish oil and glucosamine tables help, or at least they don't do any harm.

I don't dive with a club just a group of mates who I find are more than happy to help.

[RST]

If moving weight around is an issue you might seriously consider reverting to a single cylinder - I think my next cylinder is going to be a single 10.

[Fiona]

If moving weight around is an issue you might seriously consider reverting to a single cylinder

:eek: :D

[Ian(kipper)]

Hi
to any of the poor unfortunates suffering from this problem.
I don't pretend to know alot about the condition so I will get straight to
what I read about it only today in the tabloids.A medical paper has just been written and released by a doctor in Sweden.During the courseof his research he used "Rosehip", with what he reports considerable improvements and results.Maybe worth trying or talking to your doctor about it.
Cheer Ian.

[monkeebiz]

Hi all,

I had a hip "resurface" a year ago (at the age of 38) which obviously isn't the whole hog (although I am told that I will eventually have to go the whole hog).

I've had no probs diving since and even returned to playing ice hockey within 3 months of the op.
Most specialists will shy away from a full replacement at a "young" age (maybe up to 45) due to the fact that thay will invariably need replacing yet again at some stage.

My resurfacing used a relatively new design which is titanium (metal to metal) and specifically designed for more active people and people involved in sports.

Been 200% better ever since and so relieved to get away from the constant pain that had dogged me for three years.

[purple vonny]

The hip resurfacing sounds like a good solution. It is a fairly new procedure though and not a lot is known about the long term results.

With resufacing, they just cover the "ball" of the hip joint rather than replacing the whole joint. It is a good solution for anyone under 65 who is active. But it would be a good idea to ask your GP to refer you to an orthopaedic surgeon to discuss the pros and cons and to let you know the overall success rates as well as the possible adverse affects of the procedure.

Non Steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) like Voltarol and Brufen are useful for the days you are diving. They can make you a lot more comfortable but don't make you drowsy or impair concentration like opiate pain killers.
(Don't take NSAIDS on an empty stomach - they might give you stomach ulcers)

I'm not a diving medicine expert, but I am a pain managment nurse. It is sensible to check with a diving medical expert before using any new drugs and diving.

Good luck.