I need a hip replacement

I have for over a year. The pain is constant now even with less and less movement. I went to a new Ortho and after he looked at the xray, he confirmed it. Any suggestions for what I need to know or do for an easier process. Any questions I should ask? I am not looking forward to this but my "good leg" has more pain now from depending on it so much. I running out of legs!

I wonder how long before I can get back to exercising and weight machines.

6 Comments

sorry, my old computer has

by janetinak - 2012-09-11 01:09:00

lost the "h" key & I missed a few in the above post

Janet

I have had both knees replaced

by janetinak - 2012-09-11 01:09:58

2 ytrs after getting my PM. As noted above find a very experienced Ortho surgeon. I did & it went well for me. I did a few wks of PT before surgery to get used to the exercises for after & to strengten myself. Recently read that this is now highly recommended. Also have spoken with a few people that have had a newer version of the surgery where they go in from the side rather than the front with a faster recovery & less PT time. Watever you do follow te Dr's orders & do the PT/exercises.

Good luck,

Janet

Hip Job

by donr - 2012-09-11 08:09:25

Grateful: Plan on a reasonable drive to get the job done. It is a specialty that requires a Dr/ who has done a lot of them. Vet your surgeon well. I'll send you my comment on vetting a surgeon for lead extractions, the principles are the same!

Our #2 Son just had a hip replaced at age 52. He was down to bone on bone & nearly unable to walk. He attended that institution of higher learning just across Storm King Mtn fro you & spent 28 yrs in Uncle Sam's Army abusing his body running, hiking, etc. Just plain wore the hip out.

He researched the subject & found a surgeon in Madison, WI who did NOTHING but hips & was using the latest technology of essentially smoothing off the ball & reaming out the socket, then putting liners on each for the contact surfaces. Apparently that is the way to go.

The old method of cutting the ball off, reaming out the femur & inserting a new ball attached to an armature that extended down into the reamed out hole does not have a long lifespan.

He had his done on 2 August & is full functional now & can walk multi miles in a day now. Only uses a crutch for emergency balance purposes. I found out after he told us that he needed the job done that he had vetted his surgeon the way I suggested.

Good luck to you on this job.

What you have been told so far is spot on.

Don

Thanks to All

by Grateful Heart - 2012-09-11 11:09:13

Sparrow: I think I’ve tried all the other possible remedies, including denial…lol.
Physical therapy, stretching, cortisone shot…they missed their target and hit a nerve and my leg was paralyzed for 5-7 minutes (it seemed much longer at the time). The doctor (not the same one) kept telling me to move my leg…I kept telling him it won’t move, it was scary.
It’s confirmed it is my hip, bone on bone with a large bone spur. I can see it all on the x-ray. This doctor has a great reputation in the area. He has been doing hip replacements for 12 years. I have spoken to some people who had him do their surgery. 3 physical therapists recommended him and 1 had her own knee replaced by him…good sign. I know what you mean about moving, that is why I was wondering about how long before I can get back to it.
I don’t smoke or do drugs, never did. Drink socially, occasionally and have been eating very healthy for the past 4 years…no junk.
It’s good to hear your mom and aunt are doing so well, I have a lot to look forward to at 55 yrs…no grandkids yet. Not that I am rushing it…when the time is right. The machine that circulates the cold water sounds great; I have to ask about that.
Don: West Point of course. You must be very proud and you daughter too if I am correct. (I was thinking that when you got stuck on the mountain). Tell them I said “Thank you for their service”. Today is a solemn day for all. Hard to believe it was 11 years ago. My husband was in law enforcement for 29 years. He just retired last year. He worked down at the Trade Center for 3 months after the attacks, on the pile and then the pit.
Anyway, I have to look into that new technology, I haven’t heard of that, thanks. It’s great to hear I son is doing so well after just 1 month. Obviously, I will not be that fast to recover but it is good to know. He must be in great shape after all those years in the Army.
Janet: It is also good to hear all went well for you. Success stories…that’s always good to hear. Thank you all for taking the time for me. I have to schedule the date.

Knee Joint Replacement ?

by donb - 2012-09-11 11:09:58

HI Janet, My wife (cardiac nurse) needs both knees repaired & has been putting it off being afraid of hospital bugs & failed surgical procedures including infection. AS pounding the hospital floors 12 hours a day she has given up & has 8 working days left till retiring.

After reading the above posting with wthe new procedure of placing liners between the joint sounds interesting. Wife has had regular injections for years & has helped a lot. AS she sees our orthopedic surgeon at work & he always wonders how she can even walk yet as X-rays showed bone on bone in both knees. She is also a cardiac patient hosting a few heart stents. Wife Sharon just asked about the new procedure you mentioned Janet. She has been working Cardiac floor for the last 20 some years so she doesn't see many "bone" patients. Years ago she floated from floor to floor & saw more patients with differant problems. Hopefully she will be on the receiving end of care rather than giving !!

two new hips 10 years ago

by jessie - 2012-11-13 07:11:25

hi i received 2 new hips 10 years ago. my surgeon was good and had done them for years so my recovery was uneventful. i have to keep moving tho as have arthritis and so it helps to walk do exercises for my back and generally eat well and take good care of myself. we eat lots of fruits and veggies. look in to the new technologies for sure. i wish you well jessie

You know you're wired when...

You read consumer reports before upgrading to a new model.

Member Quotes

A pacemaker completely solved my problem. In fact, it was implanted just 7 weeks ago and I ran a race today, placed first in my age group.