[quick67bird]

Originally Posted by lust4speed

All I had were different muscle pains, most of which were in front of the joint. Never had anything like you described, but figure that they were pushing and pulling muscles out of the way to get to the joint - not to mention fighting the new joint in place. I'd run it by the surgeon if you haven't already.

I am the same as Mick here. Just some muscle pain.

[ponjohn]

Just saw this, I work for a major orthopedic company.

Best you do is research the doc and his / her outcomes. A valid question to ask is what is their revision rate? And why?

Ask what manufacturer they use for implants then research recalls from those companies. Be involved in the process, WHat technology are you getting, metal on metal, metal on poly or ceramic on ceramic. Are you a candidate for a dual mobility cup ( more range and motion).

Trust your gut, if you don't like the doc or have reservations get a second opinion.

[61 vent]

Ok it has been almost 3 weeks and the Dr. has released me to do anything but jogging, says he would like to make sure that the bone gets set up around all the new pieces first. So now the next hurdle will be the work Dr's. Amazing how tight muscles get when not used for 3 weeks. Slow and easy I will get them stretched back out so I can sit and cross my legs, with my ankle on top of my opposite knee. I will keep updating, until I am back to work. Thanks for everyones responses and advice. Andy

[61 vent]

Well it has been 6 weeks and I am back to work, still working on some more flexibility, when crossing my legs. Man I wish I had this done 3 years ago. I was able to tie my shoes for the first time in 4 years, may not seem like a huge thing but I sure thought it was. Good luck to all you Hipsters.

[mike nixon]

Good deal! I'm glad it's working out well for you.

Mike

[ron cozzo]

If you guys don't mind I'll keep this thread alive for awhile longer. Thanks to those posting their progress. I'll be going in for a left total hip replacement June 13. Talked to three different surgeons before choosing this one. He's going to do a ceramic/plastic joint, anterior approach. I was kind of hoping to do both hips, bilateral avascular necrosis, at the same time, but none of the three surgeons thought it was a good idea. The left hip is significantly worse recently, so I'll be happy to have this one fixed soon.

[74gto]

Originally Posted by 61 vent

Well it has been 6 weeks and I am back to work, still working on some more flexibility, when crossing my legs. Man I wish I had this done 3 years ago. I was able to tie my shoes for the first time in 4 years, may not seem like a huge thing but I sure thought it was. Good luck to all you Hipsters.

I've been wearing slip on shoes for at least 2 years now. Things people take for granted are harder or impossible for us. Clipping toenails or putting on socks is a major chore. A customer dropped off an Issuzu Cab over truck to work on his fertilizer sprayer, and I could'nt even get in the truck to move it. Anyone else "dogtrack" to go up a set of stairs???

Being self employed, I only have insurance on my wife and kid. Anyone know the cost to have this operation done is?? My cousin had this done about 6 months ago at the Clevland clinic. The doc there said they might be able to do it for a reduced price if I could be used as a subject. Anyone else ever do this?? JOHN

[ponjohn]

Originally Posted by ron cozzo

If you guys don't mind I'll keep this thread alive for awhile longer. Thanks to those posting their progress. I'll be going in for a left total hip replacement June 13. Talked to three different surgeons before choosing this one. He's going to do a ceramic/plastic joint, anterior approach. I was kind of hoping to do both hips, bilateral avascular necrosis, at the same time, but none of the three surgeons thought it was a good idea. The left hip is significantly worse recently, so I'll be happy to have this one fixed soon.

The reason why Docs don't perform bilateral (hip or knee) is the compensation from the insurance company is not double as if they did them separately.

Sometimes they'll "stack" the schedule and do one side and while you're still in the hospital they do the second side. Needless to say insurance companies are wise to this strategy.

Any prognosis as to why you have AVN?

Good luck!!

[ron cozzo]

Originally Posted by ponjohn

The reason why Docs don't perform bilateral (hip or knee) is the compensation from the insurance company is not double as if they did them separately.

Sometimes they'll "stack" the schedule and do one side and while you're still in the hospital they do the second side. Needless to say insurance companies are wise to this strategy.

Any prognosis as to why you have AVN?

Good luck!!

Ponjohn, thanks for the insight. No certain idea why I got AVN, but I do drink and did smoke for twenty years before quitting three years ago. Those are factors. I know people who smoke and drink more, but are fine. Doesn't matter at this point I suppose, the damage is done. I wish someone could tell me why I got it or how to prevent it, but no one's tried.

[wheelspin]

Originally Posted by ponjohn

The reason why Docs don't perform bilateral (hip or knee) is the compensation from the insurance company is not double as if they did them separately.

Sometimes they'll "stack" the schedule and do one side and while you're still in the hospital they do the second side. Needless to say insurance companies are wise to this strategy.

Any prognosis as to why you have AVN?

Good luck!!

At my urging, my doctor performed bi-lateral knee replacements on me at age 57 in 1997. I had totally worn out my cartilage, leaving my knees bone-on-bone. I convinced my doc that my wife's and my quality of life was at stake, and that I recognized that I might have to have them done again in 10-15 years. Every couple of years I request x-rays and so far everything is in good order. At 73 years old I no longer jog, play tennis, or desert race my Husky so I hope to outlive the need for a second surgery.

TUFF recovery, having both knees replaced at the same time . I used a passive knee exercise machine for one hour on one knee, then switched to the other knee for most of my waking hours. For me it was worth it since I was able to half the rehab time compared to doing them separately.

The surgery was performed by Cigna, my HMO at the time.

[td_65]

I am all for this hip replacement. 6 weeks and walking ok. Some muscle tighness and most pain is in my knee. That's what got me to the doctor - knee pain. He said knees looked good as gap goes but miniscus cause swelling. Then said look at that hip - not good. I thought I could live with it. He said most guys try the tuff guy contest and just let him know when I give up. Said he has not had a spontanious healing yet. I went almost a year and gave up. I had had pins in my hip from when I was 11 so he sent me to a specialist. Young guy, looked like one of the kids on my little league team. Great Doctor - really smart. He removed the pins and replaced my entire hip. Told me the pin holes needed extra time to fill in as they created a week spot. Asked me to limit crossing my leg and be careful not to dislocate the hip. I just fine it hard to believe that 6 weeks ago someone cut the top of my leg off and I am back walking already. I am back working on my cars again (as I can). The pain was making me want to just sit im my chair. I am a happy camper again. 65 Today - got a card from AARP yesterday. Glad the wife decided to restore insted of getting something new. Remember OLD STUFF IS COOL!

[hottrodd]

Hi, I'm is the same situation as u, in 2005 July 28, I had a construction accident, where I fell 16" & my landed on a aluminum
Extention Ladder that was laying on the ground, I shattered my right hip & the to lower L4 & L5 disc in my back bone, & severe nerve damage I broke the "ball" off the femoral neck, the femoral neck was shattered into 7-10 pieces. Was in the hospital for some time & many surgerys.
As of today I can walk! But my right hip is a deformed mess, I have no femoral neck anymore, the ball is connected directly to the long straight femer , so now my leg is 3/4" shorter than it use to be. I can only move my leg forward & backwards, I cannot I've it out. I have severe nerve damage pain, but atleast I can walk. & am not on a wheelchair!!!! I have developed AV (avascular necrosis ) in the ball & need my hip replaced also. I have been putting it off as ling as possible due to my age( I just turned 35 when I had the accident , I will be 42 years ago this coming June 1,2012.
I have done alot of research on hip replacement. I was told by my Ortho doctor & have read , that it will most last only 10-12 year. The younger u r, the shorter time the replacement will last, the u should think of the fake hip, like a tire instead of think in miles for wear, think in "steps". The replacement hips are good for xxxxx number of steps. The younger & more mobile u r, the faster it will wear out!!!!!
When I get mine in the next year or so, I will be having a metal on metal installed, it is the most durable type, & in lab sudies it lasted 50+ years!! the only concern , & potential hazard in the mircoscopic metal ions the get worn off the hip replacement. They Iver time, they do not know what effect the metal ions building up in ur bloodstream will cause over 20-50 year. It may cause cancer or some unknown health problem, or do nothing!!!
So I am very interested in this thead

[lust4speed]

I wasn't the shining example of a great recovery so I would have been a lousy subject for having both done at the same time. It was enough of a problem getting around the first few weeks, and not having the untouched hip to support most of the weight would have stopped me cold.

As far as waiting. My 45 year old daughter has arthritis which has deformed her hands and feet. The wiz-bang specialist of the day when she was in her early twenties told her that the surgery would only last so long, and to wait as long as possible to have the reconstruction surgery. She waited as instructed, and finally could not wait any longer. The specialists down at UCLA Medical Center said it was a shame she had waited because of the soft tissue damage. They said that she would have been much better off getting the first surgery and then would have had only minor corrective surgery later on and the surrounding tissue and muscle would have been in much better shape.

I would look at it like you can have the hip replaced, and because of the normal joint movement and lack of pain you will lead a full life and you will wear the hip out. Or you can hobble around and not enjoy life trying to get the last ounce out of the bad hip.

Thinking of the hip like a tire, I'd go for the new set and run the hell out of my car instead of trying to get by on bald tires and never take the car anywhere for fear of a blowout.

[61 vent]

Good luck to everyone that is going in to have something done, My first Dr. told me to just tough it out and that I was to young for a hip. I would like to kick him right in the junk. After seeing my life changing for the worse and becoming limited on mobility, my wife talked me into seeing another Dr. I am sure grateful to her for it now.

I am unsure of the cost since I have not seen any of the bills yet.

[td_65]

Save some of the pains meds as the bills will come. Good luck. I'am into Physical Therapy now but its great getting better each day and not getting worse.

[ron cozzo]

Well my left total hip replacement is in. Unfortunately I was my doctors last surgery of the day, so I didn't get to my room until after 6pm. By that time the physical therapists had gone home for the night. First walk will have to wait until Morning. I should be heading home tomorrow late afternoon or early evening. My wonderful wife is here being drill sargent to get me to do my excersises on schedule. Pretty comfortable, but still on paid meds. I'll update again when I'm on my feet.

[ron cozzo]

Got out of bed this morning, that was not fun. The leg was heavy, stiff and painful. Took a walk down the aisle and back and up and down a flight of stairs. That was pretty easy with the walker. Had a nice omelet with toast and coffee for breakfaat. Just had the drain taken out, so I can get dressed soon. Still need to make more urine and pass some gas. Already started on the stool softeners and plan to take religously. Excersises are easy. Getting ready to order some lunch and head home this afternoon.

[quicksilver97ta]

Originally Posted by ron cozzo

Got out of bed this morning, that was not fun. The leg was heavy, stiff and painful. Took a walk down the aisle and back and up and down a flight of stairs. That was pretty easy with the walker. Had a nice omelet with toast and coffee for breakfaat. Just had the drain taken out, so I can get dressed soon. Still need to make more urine and pass some gas. Already started on the stool softeners and plan to take religously. Excersises are easy. Getting ready to order some lunch and head home this afternoon.

Sounds good. Keep up the good work and congrats, to you and all the others. Joint replacement is really tuff stuff but some of it is getting easier and success stories are encouraging.

[Richman]

Originally Posted by quick67bird

Hey John,

You left hip conditions describe my right hip to a T. I have been researching a lot on hip replacements and have found that most of them now last between 15-20 years and some 25 years.

I have a thread about this on yellowbullet and it seems like a lot of guys our age have had this surgery. I will update this thread with any other information that I find to help you too.

Robert

Why so much worry about it not lasting so long? Get it done to get rid of the pain and lead a "normal" life doing what you want to do. Every person I have ever met say they waited too long before having a THR done.

[ron cozzo]

Well, I'm still in the hospital this morning. Had a hard time getting my bladder volume down and some gas passed. Finally at 11pm last night both were accomplished. Just ordered up some breakfast, then maybe a shower and hopefully discharged before lunch.