Re: Hip Replacement - 5 Week Update - RETIREMENT!

[Dave Swanson]

Dave, how and what is your range of motion?
My wife had her total hip replacement 25 years ago snd only has about 70% bending range.

I haven't covered the specifics with the doc or PT yet, but I have been told that certain things will always be out of the question which are ROM related.  One in particular that I was told not to do the rest of my life was to cross my right leg over the left to put my sock and shoe on.  This is to prevent popping the ball out from the socket. 

[Bulldog9]

Great news Dave!

[SIR REAL ED]

I haven't covered the specifics with the doc or PT yet, but I have been told that certain things will always be out of the question which are ROM related.  One in particular that I was told not to do the rest of my life was to cross my right leg over the left to put my sock and shoe on.  This is to prevent popping the ball out from the socket.

That's interesting.  I was told by my surgeon that was only for a period few weeks after the operation.

Seems urealisticly fragile to me.  I'm not buying into that one...... hopefully I won't lose my license to practice virtual medicine.   

[Bulldog9]

I haven't covered the specifics with the doc or PT yet, but I have been told that certain things will always be out of the question which are ROM related.  One in particular that I was told not to do the rest of my life was to cross my right leg over the left to put my sock and shoe on.  This is to prevent popping the ball out from the socket.

I find this interesting. I heard all the horror stories, on hip (and now knee replacement). People talked about crossing legs, bending over too far while seated, pivoting too quickly, etc etc etc.

NONE have proven true. I brought this up to my surgeon who said "The risk of dislocation after primary total hip arthroplasty is approximately 2%" and that is usually for very old or sedentary people with no muscle tone.

Strength training is essential, if you let your muscles and tendons go sloppy, and you are inactive and sedentary, you are looking for all kinds of troubles. I was walking 2-3 (with occasional 6-8), biking 10 -20 miles, and leg pressing 400lbs 4 months after my hip replacement without issue. Of course Back to ZERO now with knee replaced on OCT 6, but will get it back. My DOC said the best thing I can do is walk, do stairs, and stretch.

In fact, one of my stretches is to lay flat on my back, pull knee up to at least 90 degrees (sliding heel up towards butt) then let the bent knee fall out away from the body, with the goal of laying knee flat on the ground making a figure four. Ultimate goal was to pull ankle on top of knee.

Bottom line is outside of your PT, DONT push to extremes. If you can cross your legs comfortably, do it. If not, don't force it. But, your doctor knows you, your implants and situation, so talk with him.

[geoff in almonte]

I find this interesting. I heard all the horror stories, on hip (and now knee replacement). People talked about crossing legs, bending over too far while seated, pivoting too quickly, etc etc etc.

NONE have proven true. I brought this up to my surgeon who said "The risk of dislocation after primary total hip arthroplasty is approximately 2%" and that is usually for very old or sedentary people with no muscle tone.

Strength training is essential, if you let your muscles and tendons go sloppy, and you are inactive and sedentary, you are looking for all kinds of troubles. I was walking 2-3 (with occasional 6-8), biking 10 -20 miles, and leg pressing 400lbs 4 months after my hip replacement without issue. Of course Back to ZERO now with knee replaced on OCT 6, but will get it back. My DOC said the best thing I can do is walk, do stairs, and stretch.

In fact, one of my stretches is to lay flat on my back, pull knee up to at least 90 degrees (sliding heel up towards butt) then let the bent knee fall out away from the body, with the goal of laying knee flat on the ground making a figure four. Ultimate goal was to pull ankle on top of knee.

Bottom line is outside of your PT, DONT push to extremes. If you can cross your legs comfortably, do it. If not, don't force it. But, your doctor knows you, your implants and situation, so talk with him.

While NONE have been proven to be true.......  ?  So what?

While I was recovering from hip replacement surgery my GP, surgeon and PT all told me, in no uncertain terms, NO high impact activities (running. jumping, etc.), NO deep bending from the hip, NO extreme twisting from the hip.  I was devastated.  At 65, my NHL career was over.  sigh.

My point being that when all of my health care professionals agree it's either a conspiracy, or they know what they are talking about.

Having said that, I still put on my socks (while standing), tie my shoes (while standing) and do all of the chores required around the house, except snow removal - I contract that out.  And I walk 4-8km daily.  I have problems sitting in a car (bucket shaped) seat or a sling type lawn chair for more than a short time and I avoid lifting heavy and awkward things.  I find it uncomfortable to sit and cross my right leg (new hip) over my left leg above the ankle.

It has not impacted my ability to ride a motorcycle.  I sold my CalVin because it was too large to push around the garage.  The Triumph T120 I replaced it with is much (like 300lbs lighter) easier to manhandle.

As with all things, YMMV.

Cheers!

G

[Dave Swanson]

The physical therapist related a story yesterday while she was putting me through the paces.

One of her prior hip replacement patients was in his early 50s and quite fit.  He sailed through the PT and was doing extremely well.   About 6 months later so would have been about 9 months after the replacement he was back in PT.   He was operating a jackhammer while busting up some cement in his basement.   There was something about the combination of lifting the jackhammer and pivoting from side to side that popped his ball out of the socket.  Of course he hit the ground like he was shot, and was off to the ER.   The ER doc reset the ball into the socket without anesthesia and he related that it was one of the most painful experiences of his life.  Not the end of the world, but dislocating the ball and socket does result in quite a bit of soft tissue injury. 

Note to self - no jackhammers!   

And I LOVE this new hip!! I am walking almost like a normal person now. 

[i HONK]

My 80 y.o. wife had her hip replaced on Oct 21 and is back to 100% and of today. It was a great experience. We are both super happy.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

I haven't covered the specifics with the doc or PT yet, but I have been told that certain things will always be out of the question which are ROM related.  One in particular that I was told not to do the rest of my life was to cross my right leg over the left to put my sock and shoe on.  This is to prevent popping the ball out from the socket.

Thats funny, I broke my hip/pelvis on the right side, it's screwed & wired together with all manner of hardware. I can cross my right leg over my left, but not the left over right?

[SIR REAL ED]

The physical therapist related a story yesterday while she was putting me through the paces.

One of her prior hip replacement patients was in his early 50s and quite fit.  He sailed through the PT and was doing extremely well.   About 6 months later so would have been about 9 months after the replacement he was back in PT.   He was operating a jackhammer while busting up some cement in his basement.   There was something about the combination of lifting the jackhammer and pivoting from side to side that popped his ball out of the socket.  Of course he hit the ground like he was shot, and was off to the ER.   The ER doc reset the ball into the socket without anesthesia and he related that it was one of the most painful experiences of his life.  Not the end of the world, but dislocating the ball and socket does result in quite a bit of soft tissue injury. 

Note to self - no jackhammers!   

And I LOVE this new hip!! I am walking almost like a normal person now.

I always get my wife to do anything that requires a jackhammer......

[Chuck in Indiana]

And I LOVE this new hip!! I am walking almost like a normal person now. 

Egg Sellant! 
I sometimes grumble about the medical community, but they *can* do some wonderful things.
I've gotten to the point that I can barely use the clutch and am going in next week to get my clutch hand  rebuilt.

[Dave Swanson]

I've gotten to the point that I can barely use the clutch and am going in next week to get my clutch hand  rebuilt.

What involved in the rebuild?

[Chuck in Indiana]

Replacing the bone in the base of my thumb, and I'd rather not know the rest. 

[Markcarovilli]

Chuck

It’s hell being out of warranty....

Mark

[Chuck in Indiana]

Chuck

It’s hell being out of warranty....

Mark

  Yeah. Stuff quits working all the time, and they want you to pay to fix it. So far, so good. <shrug>

[Dave Swanson]

Replacing the bone in the base of my thumb, and I'd rather not know the rest. 

That sounds quite involved.  Keep us updated Chuck!

[RinkRat II]

    If they're using OEM parts who is the donor? Abby Normal? Personally I'd use the High Zoot aftermarket stuff
     Good Luck with the process, Chuck.

      Paul B

[Chuck in Indiana]

    If they're using OEM parts who is the donor? Abby Normal? Personally I'd use the High Zoot aftermarket stuff
     Good Luck with the process, Chuck.

      Paul B

No, apparently not OEM. We've sprayed anti rejection stuff on PEEK artificial joints in Yurp for years. I'm assuming it's something similar.
Oh, and thanks. I've thought long and hard about doing it, but it is getting to the point that I can't play with my toys any more. I took the Guzzis out to get their layover fill of non alcohol fuel, and had a hard time modulating the clutches. It *will* slow down my airplane project.. the cutter says 12 weeks before I can use it. 

[Muzz]

All the best with it Chuck.

I must admit I am finding it difficult to reconcile you doing nothing for 12 weeks while it heals.  For some reason the terms "stir crazy" and "cabin fever" keep coming to the fore...

[Chuck in Indiana]

All the best with it Chuck.

I must admit I am finding it difficult to reconcile you doing nothing for 12 weeks while it heals.  For some reason the terms "stir crazy" and "cabin fever" keep coming to the fore...

You say *you* are having trouble reconciling that.. Shirley  I can varnish with one hand. Maybe run machine tools? Lots of stuff to do if I'm going to fly this sucker next summer. Maybe detail my scooters? A Guzzi Guy from Oz is sending me a brazillion Kindle files. Maybe I can catch up on my reading if worst comes to worst. <shrug> Ahh, the glass is always half full. I'll be fine.

[Bulldog9]

All the best with it Chuck.

I must admit I am finding it difficult to reconcile you doing nothing for 12 weeks while it heals.  For some reason the terms "stir crazy" and "cabin fever" keep coming to the fore...

That's why the Good Lord gave us two ;-)

This is been a year of limited mobility for me, had my right hip replaced in March, and right knee replaced in early October. Definitely put a damper on activities, but was able to refresh a Convert, and a 1200 Sport, and a few other projects. Of course the whole 'shut down' thing was going on so things were limited anyhow, but I actually liked the slower pace.

Arms/hands are different though. In the 80's while in college and training for a marathon, I took a bad fall due to the city digging up the sidewalk, and leaving a section out and a 6' deep by 10' long hole in the ground where the sidewalk should have been. I woke up in the hole with a compound fracture of my clavicle, fractured elbow and dislocated shoulder.  I spent almost a year with my left arm taped to my chest, and had 4-5 surgeries. Was a real PITA.

Still, I managed, and was able to do more than I thought.

After the first 2 weeks, and with good pain management and PT, you will be able to more than you fear you cant. Good luck!

[Dave Swanson]

5 weeks along and I almost have nothing to remind me that I recently had a fairly major surgery.  The appliance and my PT is going so well I feel like a normal human again.  I love the new hip!

I had planned to retire at the end of April.  Originally I wanted to put off the hip replacement until that time, but the agony I was in changed the timing.   I started thinking about pushing the retirement date up that first day in the hospital bed. Yesterday I made the decision.  I have already turned in my badge and laptop. 

OFFICIALLY RETIRED!     Retirement and another major change in my personal life this past year will lead to much more riding in 2021.  The Norge will start seeing some serious miles for the first time. 

[cliffrod]

Very cool.  Congratulations, Dave.

[lucky phil]

While NONE have been proven to be true.......  ?  So what?

While I was recovering from hip replacement surgery my GP, surgeon and PT all told me, in no uncertain terms, NO high impact activities (running. jumping, etc.), NO deep bending from the hip, NO extreme twisting from the hip.  I was devastated.  At 65, my NHL career was over.  sigh.

My point being that when all of my health care professionals agree it's either a conspiracy, or they know what they are talking about.

Having said that, I still put on my socks (while standing), tie my shoes (while standing) and do all of the chores required around the house, except snow removal - I contract that out.  And I walk 4-8km daily.  I have problems sitting in a car (bucket shaped) seat or a sling type lawn chair for more than a short time and I avoid lifting heavy and awkward things.  I find it uncomfortable to sit and cross my right leg (new hip) over my left leg above the ankle.

It has not impacted my ability to ride a motorcycle.  I sold my CalVin because it was too large to push around the garage.  The Triumph T120 I replaced it with is much (like 300lbs lighter) easier to manhandle.

As with all things, YMMV.

Cheers!

G

One thing to take into account is the health professionals are going to add a large dose of "covering their ass". That's why professional racers and sports people dont use your everyman surgeon because if they did their careers would be finished about every 6 months.
My wife is now about 4 months past her hip replacement and doesn't cross legs anymore. I wouldn't describe her as a Gym rat but she loves the gym and running. I just joined her in our home gym for the exercise routing her hip rehab person provided her with which she's been doing for 4 months now with increasing degrees of requirements and holy hell it was hard work for me. No holding back in her case except for the leg crossing. Her surgeon has worked on Olympic athletes as well.

Ciao

 

[Canuck750]

OFFICIALLY RETIRED!     Retirement and another major change in my personal life this past year will lead to much more riding in 2021.  The Norge will start seeing some serious miles for the first time.

CONGRATULATIONS !!

I pulled the pin January 31 2020, no regrets, next year hopefully the virus will be behind us and I plan on many miles on two wheels as well.

[greer]

Retirement, way to go!

Sarah

[Dave Swanson]

Thanks for the nice words.

This is actually my 2nd retirement.  I retired from a large aerospace company 4.5 years ago when they had a buyout for early retirement.  I was asked to come back as a contract employee immediately afterward and accepted.  The contracting gig was a good thing for me as a transition to full retirement.  I had only planned to work through the end of this yearly contract which was to expire in April 2021, but recovering from this hip surgery gave me time to re-think, and also to get used to not going into work.  It will be a good thing!

[Dave Swanson]

CONGRATULATIONS !!

I pulled the pin January 31 2020, no regrets, next year hopefully the virus will be behind us and I plan on many miles on two wheels as well.

That's great Jim!  I am happy  for you.

[Stevex]

Congrats on your retirement.
I've got 2 years, 3 months and 4 days to go...not that I'm counting.

[s1120]

Congratulations on the retirement!!  Sounds like your in a good place to enjoy it.  Good news on the hip also. Heres hoping for a nice, active 2021 for you.

[Gliderjohn]

Good for you. Doubt you will miss work much. I retired a bit over five years ago and love it. It is like being a kid again but with more money.
GliderJohn