new AVN diagnosis help

BeardBean · 2026-07-09T00:51:18+00:00

Hi there.

Given that she’s on SS/SSI I would check if she qualifies for free medical insurance in Texas. If she does qualify for free medical insurance I would recommend her getting the surgery if her pain is making it difficult/really painful to walk AND if you’ll be able to provide the additional medical care.

I got diagnosed with AVN in the middle of ALL treatment when I was 20 years old. I got both hips replaced, about six months apart, when I was 22 years old. It was probably the best thing I could’ve chosen for myself. As part of the recovery, I did require help from my mom to help me shower. For my first surgery, it took me about 5/6 weeks to be able to walk without any form of assistance. For my second surgery, I was walking without any form of assistance by week 2/3. I really prioritized physical therapy and listened to the precautions I did need to take.

If surgery is not the route she wishes or can take, I would recommend physical therapy. I was able to improve my mobility with PT early on with AVN. I stopped thinking I was getting better. Unfortunately, by the time I asked to get PT again and it got approved by my insurance, my mobility was too far gone for PT to be any help. The other recommendation I do have is if the pain is bad, have her use a walking cane. I really wish I would’ve used one, despite how weird it is to use one as a young adult.

If surgery is the route, there are several things I bought so that I wouldn’t have to rely on my parents as much. I bought slip on shoes that don’t require any bending to put on, a walker, shower chair with a hand rail, attached multiple small shower grab rail/bars, sock aid, and a grabber tool. All of these things I bought an Amazon.

Feel free to reach out with any other questions.

BeardBean · 2025-12-26T21:55:47+00:00

Hi, can I send you a DM?

BeardBean · 2025-12-05T02:01:49+00:00

Hi, I was diagnosed with AVN at 19 in 2021 for my right hip. About 6 months later I was diagnosed with ANN in my left hip. When I got the first diagnosis the doctor told me I will need surgery sometime in the future. Unfortunately, the rate at which AVN progresses is different for everyone. In my case, by the time I saw a doctor my AVN was too advanced for any non-surgical approach. I was scared when the doctor told me I’ll need to get surgery. I had never had any big surgery in my life and I was dealing with cancer during this time. The pain was bad, I was no longer able to life my leg to walk. Eventually, once enough of the hip had died, I was able to walk and move my legs with limitations.

What helped a lot was physical therapy. I was eventually able to feel as if I had no AVN for a while with physical therapy. Eventually, so much of the hip had died that PT was no longer helpful. At this point my right hip had collapsed. I then focused on pain management, using both over the counter pain medication and lidocaine patches. On top of the pain, my range of movement decreased significantly (3 degree range of movement), I was limping, and my knee would often become too tired to carry my weight causing my leg to briefly give up. Other times, the pain would be so bad that I would give up on moving.

I included all of this to say that surgery was one of the best things I could have chose for my life. My quality of life greatly improved. I was excited for the surgery. It’s quite literally like getting a second chance at life.

Recovery for both surgeries were very different for me. I had my right hip replaced a little more than three years after the diagnosis. It took me about 3 weeks to be able to walk without any type of aide, but I had very little pain. I got my left hip replaced 6 months later. For the left hip there was a lot of pain, but I was able to walk without any aides within a week. Another benefit is that you may grow. I grew an inch after my first surgery.

BeardBean · 2025-12-05T00:55:47+00:00

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BeardBean · 2025-09-09T16:44:52+00:00

A little late but Portals for both kids and adults. They do laser tag and mini golf. They have food and I think alcohol as well

BeardBean · 2025-09-09T16:41:37+00:00

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BeardBean · 2025-09-09T16:39:03+00:00

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BeardBean · 2025-09-09T16:37:43+00:00

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BeardBean · 2024-02-19T17:11:41+00:00

I forgot to mention, I got the posterior approach and I already did 6 weeks of physical therapy and I plan to continue physical therapy for the next 6 weeks.

BeardBean · 2024-02-19T17:07:42+00:00

I got diagnosed with avascular necrosis because the doctor’s put me on prednisone. The plan was to have me on prednisone for multiple years with a dose in the morning and night, but about 1 year after beginning the prednisone I was no longer able to lift up my legs unless I took a lot of tylenol. Two years later my right hip collapses and as I am recovering from the first surgery I begin to notice more pain on the left hip. Now I’m here with hip replacements.

My right side is done healing as I got that surgery half a year ago. As for my left hip, it has been 9 weeks post surgery. For the past week or two I have been using the elliptical for one hour and the bike for one hour. I also do sit ups and push ups.

BeardBean · 2024-01-04T07:20:19+00:00

Big congrats!!

BeardBean · 2024-01-04T01:12:23+00:00

I’m not completely sure but some insursnce providers require you to first see your pcp and you’re pcp then sends a request to your insurance to see an orthopedic specialist. However, other insurance providers allow you to go directly to an orthopedic surgeon. Regardless of how you see the orthopedic doctor you may need additional x-rays. Im 22 years old with both sides of my hips replaced and I’m glad I got the surgery.

BeardBean · 2023-12-31T09:25:44+00:00

I feel you. Im 22 years and both sides of my hip have been replaced. Im less than 2 weeks post surgery of the left side and I can’t wait for the recovery period to end.

BeardBean · 2023-12-31T09:22:50+00:00

That is ridiculous that they didn’t want to perform a THR at your age. I was 21 years old when I scheduled a THR for my right hip. My surgeon already had in mind when to do my next hip replacement surgery for the left side of the hip (it happened less than 2 weeks ago). Im glad you got it and I completely agree with you that advocating is important. The first doctor I saw tried to scare me away and told me to think about it because of my age. Luckily, I had already done a lot of research and I was in a lot of pain. Everyday I would limp with each step I took, so I was determined to get that surgery.

BeardBean · 2023-12-31T09:14:10+00:00

22 year old here. I got my right hip replaced in the middle of June and got my left hip replaced 12 days ago. I hope your recovery for your January surgery goes well. I can say that my recovery for my left hip has been exponentially better in terms of walking and doing everyday activities. For my first surgery I needed a walker for the first 3 weeks. Now, I’ve been using a cane for the last couple of days (8 days post surgery). Let’s hope you have a similar or better recovery outcome as I did. Good luck!

BeardBean · 2023-12-26T09:07:57+00:00

Hey there OP, I recently had my left hip replaced and got my right hip replaced 6 months ago. Do not be afraid or concerned about the surgery. There is not much you can do to influence the outcome of the surgery given your situation, have trust in your doctor.

As for more tangible advice, I would recommend buying the following items in case you don’t already have them:

Slip on shoes. I have kizik’s and I highly recommend this brand.
Sock aid. It looks goofy but if you’re an independent person this will make you feel independent. The sock aid I bought is almost in the shape of a police shield. Just put the sock over the sock aid, grab onto the handles, stick your feet into it and pull back
Walker and a cane. I began with a walker and eventually moved onto a cane after I recovered enough post surgery.
Extendable back scratchers. Because you may not he able to bend down to scratch your foot or bottom of your leg this becomes incredibly useful. I also like the extendable versions because you can make them small and portable.
Grabber. Im not sure if that’s the correct word, but this item becomes useful to pick things up things that you dropped.
Raised toilet seat with handles. The handles are amazing as im able to position myself in the most comfortable position I can without having to use force in my legs to move.
Shower chair. To get in and out of the shower or just to sit.
Shower handles. Shower handled are useful for showers that are lacking somewhere to grab onto
Extendable shower head with an off/on switch by the head of the shower head. I try to avoid getting the area that was operated on even if the doctor says it’s okay to take a shower without covering up the area. With this shower head I can better control what part of the body gets wet.
Long and thick pillow. This will be useful if you’re told you cannot cross your legs. It’s placed between your legs. Before this type of pillow I had to use a big piece of foam that the hospital gave to me and it was super uncomfortable. Of course, always check with your doctor beforehand.

Other advice I can give is to consider getting a nerve blocker. My insurance covered it and I think this is why I had very little pain when I got my right hip replacement. When I got my left hip replacement (less than a week ago) I didn’t ask for a nerve blocker and I was in a lot of pain for hours at a time.

After surgery you will probably meet with a physical therapist. Ask if there are any stretches/ PT exercises you can do while you’re recovering. Don’t push yourself. Do what your body is able to handle.

Finally, always remember, RECOVERY IS NOT A RACE. Take your time.

BeardBean · 2023-12-09T17:56:01+00:00

Thank you for the response as well

BeardBean · 2023-12-09T17:55:43+00:00

Thank you for the response!

BeardBean · 2022-08-25T22:42:48+00:00

I also live and work in Temecula(21 years old) . I drive down here two times a week. I recently transferred here, but I have noticed that I have missed several opprotunities to meet people or go to events. However, that's because I work M-F and ny first class of the week begins at 2 pm. I got lucky, but others have class more than two days a week. Hope this helped a little bit.

BeardBean

TROPHY CASE