Hip replacement
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 104
From: Prescott, AZ
RE: Hip replacement
ORIGINAL: ScooterGrrl
Way to go, Fly Fast....glad to hear you're doing well!
Hip replacements are not as scary as they used to be, and the heal time is much faster.
A client of mine with severe cartilage degenerative disease had a radical hip replacement last year, after putting it off for three years and living in agony as a near-cripple all that time....now he's walking around just fine, working out, climbing stairs, etc.
Papa Travis...sorry to hear about your back pain. I have chronic severe nerve pain in my lower back, from years of doing massage therapy plus having a fibromyalgia condition. I know the agony of trying to wait out the pain to go to sleep. There was a time when I took hydrocodone for it, but, it didn't actually help after a while. That was in my "pre-Bill-W" days, nowadays I don't take anything stronger than Aleve.
But I recently pulled off about 15 lbs and was amazed at the difference it made in my back pain. Plus, I've been doing some abdominal exercises to strengthen the core abs and hip adductors, increased my daily calcium intake to 100 mg, and I wear a back brace whenever I'm going to be on my feet for any length of time....all in all my back is muuuuch better.
Way to go, Fly Fast....glad to hear you're doing well!
Hip replacements are not as scary as they used to be, and the heal time is much faster.
A client of mine with severe cartilage degenerative disease had a radical hip replacement last year, after putting it off for three years and living in agony as a near-cripple all that time....now he's walking around just fine, working out, climbing stairs, etc.
Papa Travis...sorry to hear about your back pain. I have chronic severe nerve pain in my lower back, from years of doing massage therapy plus having a fibromyalgia condition. I know the agony of trying to wait out the pain to go to sleep. There was a time when I took hydrocodone for it, but, it didn't actually help after a while. That was in my "pre-Bill-W" days, nowadays I don't take anything stronger than Aleve.
But I recently pulled off about 15 lbs and was amazed at the difference it made in my back pain. Plus, I've been doing some abdominal exercises to strengthen the core abs and hip adductors, increased my daily calcium intake to 100 mg, and I wear a back brace whenever I'm going to be on my feet for any length of time....all in all my back is muuuuch better.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Hip replacement
I was 42 at the time of theTHR ... had the acetabular poly liner replaced 7 years later ...
Now age 58, ride around 5000 miles/year, mostly with my wife, on the 2000 Electra Glide. Most important thing following THR is to follow the therapy program. It took me six months of aggressive rehab to get to 80% of presurgery strength, another year to get the last 20%. Still do the Nordic Track 5x each week ... as good for the heart as for the hip.
The technology gets better with each passing year. As my doc said, put it off til it interferes with your quality of life. This is something you want to have done only once per lifetime[X(]
The jury is still out on which type procedure is better. One doc said “There have been very few—if any—solid, evidence-based scientific studies that prove the benefits of minimally invasive total hip replacement surgery over traditional surgery,†he says. “You’re taking an established procedure—proven and with a relatively low complication rate— and making it a little more difficult with minimally invasive techniques. A smaller incision leaves the surgeon with less room to maneuver the instruments and position the prosthesis.†Also, if a surgeon has started a minimally invasive total hip replacement through a two-incision approach and experiences complications, it’s very difficult to convert to a revision procedure at that time, he says."
Tons of info on the web, as well as from the docs. A second, third, or fourth opinion is cheap compared to a bad result on THR.
Now age 58, ride around 5000 miles/year, mostly with my wife, on the 2000 Electra Glide. Most important thing following THR is to follow the therapy program. It took me six months of aggressive rehab to get to 80% of presurgery strength, another year to get the last 20%. Still do the Nordic Track 5x each week ... as good for the heart as for the hip.
The technology gets better with each passing year. As my doc said, put it off til it interferes with your quality of life. This is something you want to have done only once per lifetime[X(]
The jury is still out on which type procedure is better. One doc said “There have been very few—if any—solid, evidence-based scientific studies that prove the benefits of minimally invasive total hip replacement surgery over traditional surgery,†he says. “You’re taking an established procedure—proven and with a relatively low complication rate— and making it a little more difficult with minimally invasive techniques. A smaller incision leaves the surgeon with less room to maneuver the instruments and position the prosthesis.†Also, if a surgeon has started a minimally invasive total hip replacement through a two-incision approach and experiences complications, it’s very difficult to convert to a revision procedure at that time, he says."
Tons of info on the web, as well as from the docs. A second, third, or fourth opinion is cheap compared to a bad result on THR.
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 955
Likes: 2
From: Missouri
RE: Hip replacement
ORIGINAL: btefft
After reading this thread, it appears to me that you guys would recommend not putting the surgery off if it is needed, right.
Hack
After reading this thread, it appears to me that you guys would recommend not putting the surgery off if it is needed, right.
Hack
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Hip replacement
I am so happy to be reading this thread, I have been living with hip pain for ages and was scheduled for right hip replacement last April, but had to postpone until maybe October. Riding my EG this year has been a fairly painfull challenge with the hip problem, cant wait to be past all this later in the year. Thanks all for the encouragement and support.
diz
diz
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
RE: Hip replacement
I had both of my Hips Replaced.1 last year & 1 early this year. I almost sold my Road King last year because they couldn't find the problem for my pain. The pain was so bad it brought tears to my eyes when I walked. Riding was out of the question. Thank GOD for Hip Replacement. ( NO PAIN ) !!!!!!!!!
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Hip replacement
I am in a similar situation, already have had four surgeries : on hip, both knees, and cervical fusion, next up is left hip replacement, right knee replacement. I'm putting it off as long as possible. 6'4" 240 lbs, 55 yrs old. Will probably have hip done this winter. Getting old ain't for Sissies. Jim.
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Hip replacement
I was in a snowmobile accident in February and been limping ever since.
finally it got bad enough that the wife made me got to my doctor.
I'm 36 and just found out i need my left hip replaced.
He says between my neck and hip i'm in pretty good shape for a 65 year old.
just the kind of thing you like to hear.
finally it got bad enough that the wife made me got to my doctor.
I'm 36 and just found out i need my left hip replaced.
He says between my neck and hip i'm in pretty good shape for a 65 year old.
just the kind of thing you like to hear.