Anyone have a hip replaced?

[killswitch]

Found out about a month ago I have avascular necrosis in the head of my left femur. Going to the ortho tomorrow morning to see what the damage is. From what I've read, there's a good chance I'm going to have to have it replaced. Anyone else gone through this?

Maybe the metal legs will really be worth it...

 

[sloppy]

I know a few people that have had it done.. The fat ones didnt fair well, the healthy lighter weights bounced right back..

 

[killswitch]

I'm 34, so hopefully I'll fair on the better side... Age should be an ally with the bounce back. Any idea how long they were actually down for after the surgery?

 

[ratterd]

My mother who is 70 had her hip replaced back in november,The doctor's had her in a walker the day after the sergury waking up and down the hallways.After about a month she was useing a cane.

 

[sloppy]

I'm 34, so hopefully I'll fair on the better side... Age should be an ally with the bounce back. Any idea how long they were actually down for after the surgery?

Fella(late 30's) I work with was only out about a month then he was back using a cane(very short lived to stuborn) Now he is moving around fine.. Another guy(Late 30's) I work with had both done and was out about 2 months he has some other issue's to but is moving around pretty good..

Then I know about 4 extremely over weight people that had hips done.. And they are all a wash just getting fatter and laying around cant move because of the "hip" :roll:

At your age you should be able to bounce back just fine.. "thumbsup"

 

[TexasSP]

My uncle had it done about 2 years ago. His hip joint was basically gone. He is also in his late 60's. Went pretty well all things considered, he needs the other one done too and has been very happy with how well it all went. My aunt has been fighting breast cancer which is the only reason the second has not been done.

From what I have seen with joint replacements (mother-in-law had both knees done last year, father in law just had right shoulder) it seems people were in so much pain before that the after surgery pain is a huge improvement.

I definitely wish you the best man!

 

[k goodrich]

My dad, 80 had a hip replacement. The joint was so bad the surgery took 3 hours. Within three months he was walking great. He wishes he would have done it years ago.

 

[Scattman]

I was told by my Orthopedic specialist at UF that I will have to have mine replaced in the near future(42 years old now). Right now the replacements only last about 15 years before they wear out and need to be replaced and the 2nd time never goes as well as the 1st.(amazing that technology can't make a hip replacement that lasts anywhere near as long as our own hips)

He is pushing for me to wait as long as possible before I have mine done. I was in a wreck 1.5 years ago when we rented the go-kart track for a day. I saw the wreck coming and locked my legs to brace myself and my femur tried to push it's way through my pelvis and busted my pelvis all to hell. :roll:

 

[irok22s]

My mom (age 54) just had her left hip replaced yesterday afternoon. Something happened with the nerve endings because she can not feel her leg yet. The doctors are thinking the nerve block was still in effect?!.. Not sure what is really going on as of now. I haven't spoken to her sense this morning. I'll keep you posted of her recovery process if you want. LMK

 

[JeremyH]

(amazing that technology can't make a hip replacement that lasts anywhere near as long as our own hips)

I see a lot of hip replacements (in patients and on their CT scans) in my line of work.....I believe what fails isn't the actual femoral head, but the acetabulum (socket) and how they separate that from the rest of the pelvic bone.

 

[caymin last]

From what I understand, it's a pretty routine procedure with excellent results. I've been batteling with arthritis and chronic bursitis in my left hip and right knee, the doc said there is only moderate bone loss, and I should wait for a few years, I'm in my mid fifties and it sicks to have to hobble around all the time.

 

[killswitch]

He is pushing for me to wait as long as possible before I have mine done.

That's pretty much what my doc told me yesterday. It needs done, but to try to wait because of my age.

I see a lot of hip replacements (in patients and on their CT scans) in my line of work.....I believe what fails isn't the actual femoral head, but the acetabulum (socket) and how they separate that from the rest of the pelvic bone.

Yup. The nylon socket is what wears out. One of my employees/friend when I managed the LHS was a orthopedic implant salesman (he worked for me for the discount on his toys). He said that it's what wears out/fails 99% of the time.

From what I understand, it's a pretty routine procedure with excellent results.

My friend always said it was like bloody carpentry :lmao: Hopefully when I do have it done, mine will be very routine.

 

[JeremyH]

My friend always said it was like bloody carpentry :lmao:

That is a good way to describe that! Some of the ones I see have a crazy amount of very painful looking hardware! :ror:

 

[donhd04]

Take from first hand experience. Im 36 and I had my right hip, not replaced but resurfaced, back on November 16th 2011. I had a Birmingham Hip Resurfacing. Few tips about it also. Ask who the manufacturer of the implant is. If its Smith Nephew(owned or owns the MCMINN INSTITUTE) go for it. If its any other manufacturer run out of the office and find a different doctor. Here is the reason why... First Dereck McMinn from the MCMinn institute is the creator of the BHR from Birmingham England (hince the name) Foundry process includes using Chromium Colbalt in a Polished mold. NOT POLISHING THE METAL. By polishing the mold first and then pouring the Chromium Cobalt liquid metal in makes for a EXTREMELY smooth surface on the metal implant. The other manufaturers polish the metal after it comes out of he mold and by doing so heats up the metal essentially anealing the metal opening the pours back up thus creating pockets for bacteria to set up in and cause infections which is the reason why there was a recall for DUPUY models a year or so ago.

Next pick a doctor that does at least 25-30 a month. The process requires extremely good sculpting skills of the bone.

Now recovery: I was in the hospital 3 days. If a doctor tells you less then he or she is wrong in the process. Any sooner and you don't have the care to keep from getting blood clots. Also they should put on a blood thinner like cumidan immediately after surgery.
I started light physical therapy while in the hospital and even the same day as surgery I was up on a walker. 2 weeks after i came home i started regular outpatient physicall therapy and returned to work 6 weeks later. Im now 3 months after surgery and just got a semi release from my doctor this past friday. Only thing is it takes a full year to regain full function back like running and jumping. But with a BHR after a full year you can return to full competitive sports as with a traditional hip replacement your pretty much stuck to light walking, swimming and some golf depending.
My pain is now gone and Im back to coaching soccer again and loving life. I can now walk 2-3 miles and not have pain at all.
If I had to do it over again I would in a heart beat. Thats why my left one is going to get done with in the next five years. lucky me for having arthritis in both hips from 30 years of soccer.

Wish you the best of luck in your decision hope everything goes great. This is the actual implant you can see it doesn't remove hardly any bone at all compared to a traditional hip. I really hope you can have this procedure done. At 34 having a traditional will really limit your physical ability.

 

[donhd04]

That's pretty much what my doc told me yesterday. It needs done, but to try to wait because of my age.



Yup. The nylon socket is what wears out. One of my employees/friend when I managed the LHS was a orthopedic implant salesman (he worked for me for the discount on his toys). He said that it's what wears out/fails 99% of the time.


My friend always said it was like bloody carpentry :lmao: Hopefully when I do have it done, mine will be very routine.

dont wait go on and do it now, its not gonna get any better
use metal on metal (chromium colbalt) and the average time is uped to 20-25 years minimum.
Bloody carentry means that someone had a crack head doctor. Sorry but very true.


Research your doctors on this one and don't go with one opinion. Try a larger University or look up BIRMINGHAM HIP RESURFACING. It will have a list of doctors that perform the procedure in or near your area. Then find out what ever you can about those doctors, ask for recommendations and you can even call the implant distributor (yes its legal) and find out who they sell the most implants to Doctor wise. This will give you an idea of who is doing most if not all the surgery's in or around your area. It proves very helpfull in the end. Use every avenue of research possible before you make a decision. this thing will be in you possibly for life. Make sure you do it right the first time.

 

[cavie98]

Take from first hand experience. Im 36 and I had my right hip, not replaced but resurfaced, back on November 16th 2011. I had a Birmingham Hip Resurfacing. Few tips about it also. Ask who the manufacturer of the implant is. If its Smith Nephew(owned or owns the MCMINN INSTITUTE) go for it. If its any other manufacturer run out of the office and find a different doctor. Here is the reason why... First Dereck McMinn from the MCMinn institute is the creator of the BHR from Birmingham England (hince the name) Foundry process includes using Chromium Colbalt in a Polished mold. NOT POLISHING THE METAL. By polishing the mold first and then pouring the Chromium Cobalt liquid metal in makes for a EXTREMELY smooth surface on the metal implant. The other manufaturers polish the metal after it comes out of he mold and by doing so heats up the metal essentially anealing the metal opening the pours back up thus creating pockets for bacteria to set up in and cause infections which is the reason why there was a recall for DUPUY models a year or so ago.

Next pick a doctor that does at least 25-30 a month. The process requires extremely good sculpting skills of the bone.

Now recovery: I was in the hospital 3 days. If a doctor tells you less then he or she is wrong in the process. Any sooner and you don't have the care to keep from getting blood clots. Also they should put on a blood thinner like cumidan immediately after surgery.
I started light physical therapy while in the hospital and even the same day as surgery I was up on a walker. 2 weeks after i came home i started regular outpatient physicall therapy and returned to work 6 weeks later. Im now 3 months after surgery and just got a semi release from my doctor this past friday. Only thing is it takes a full year to regain full function back like running and jumping. But with a BHR after a full year you can return to full competitive sports as with a traditional hip replacement your pretty much stuck to light walking, swimming and some golf depending.

Wish you the best of luck in your decision hope everything goes great. I really hope you can have this procedure done. At 34 having a traditional will really limit your physical ability.

Well, I would have to say that this is somewhat acurate. Each persons experience is going to be completely different. I will agree that the BHR may be what to ask about at your age, but not the only option.

As an Orthopedic RN in surgery, I have dealt with this stuff specifically for the last 8 years. There is some truth to what was stated above. But...

Smith Nephew is NOT the only one who uses cobalt chromium, as a matter of fact, Depuy also has cobalt chromium implants(I know this because I opened some up yesterday on a hip replacement case), as well as other implant companies. I have also worked with surgeons that did the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing and have now changed to what they feel is a better hip replacement. It it a matter of opinion from the doctors view as to what they use. I know docs that use different companies and techniques for different people. The BHR is not for everyone nor is a traditional hip replacement. It is a great choice for some people and at your age it may be the right choice.

I will agree that you should do your own research and ask questions of your doctor. If he is not willing to give direct answers and not willing to listen, you should possibly see someone else.

I'm not wanting to step on anyones toes but I don't want the wrong information to be given if they are not 100% sure of what they are talking about.

A hip replacement can be a painful surgery and there can be more blood loss than lest say a total knee, due to the lack of a tourniquet being used, but at your age it should be straight foward and you should be able to recover well if you listen to your doc and do the rehab exercises. I could give a lot more information if needed, just don't feel like typing it all.

Hope this helps. PM me if you have any other questions.

 

[donhd04]

Well, I would have to say that this is somewhat acurate. Each persons experience is going to be completely different. I will agree that the BHR may be what to ask about at your age, but not the only option.

As an Orthopedic RN in surgery, I have dealt with this stuff specifically for the last 8 years. There is some truth to what was stated above. But...

Smith Nephew is NOT the only one who uses cobalt chromium, as a matter of fact, Depuy also has cobalt chromium implants(I know this because I opened some up yesterday on a hip replacement case), as well as other implant companies. I have also worked with surgeons that did the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing and have now changed to what they feel is a better hip replacement. It it a matter of opinion from the doctors view as to what they use. I know docs that use different companies and techniques for different people. The BHR is not for everyone nor is a traditional hip replacement. It is a great choice for some people and at your age it may be the right choice.

I will agree that you should do your own research and ask questions of your doctor. If he is not willing to give direct answers and not willing to listen, you should possibly see someone else.

I'm not wanting to step on anyones toes but I don't want the wrong information to be given if they are not 100% sure of what they are talking about.

A hip replacement can be a painful surgery and there can be more blood loss than lest say a total knee, due to the lack of a tourniquet being used, but at your age it should be straight foward and you should be able to recover well if you listen to your doc and do the rehab exercises. I could give a lot more information if needed, just don't feel like typing it all.

Hope this helps. PM me if you have any other questions.

First i didn't say thay Smith Nephew is the ONLY one using chromium colbalt. I did say that the foundry that smith nephew gets their implants from has a totally different method of making the implant.
Second are you saying that the information that i posted is not 100% true????? Because all that information came from 2 doctors who where trained by Dereck MCMinn the creator of the BHR AND The MCMinn institute in Birmingham England. I have the 56$ phone bill to prove it. Im not wanting a arguement here but i just spent the last 4 years of my life researching this.

 

[cavie98]

Second are you saying that the information that i posted is not 100% true????? Because all that information came from 2 doctors who where trained by Dereck MCMinn the creator of the BHR AND The MCMinn institute in Birmingham England. I have the 56$ phone bill to prove it. Im not wanting a arguement here but i just spent the last 4 years of my life researching this.

I agree, no argument, just descussion.
I understand where you are coming from but...

You are a patient, right? That means that some drs. are going to tell you what they want you to believe and what implants they want to use. Now if you did the research then that is great. I'm not saying that you are wrong but you mentioned certain things that I felt from my experience that were not quite acurate. Like you stated " If it is any other manufacturer run out of the office and find another dr." It sounds like you work for Smith Nephew. I'm not saying you do. That just sounds like something a sales rep would say.

The quote is what I feel is not acurate as I have been in countless cases where we have taken out bad Smith Nephew implants for whatever reason. It is all relative to the patient. Depuy, Smith&Nephew, Biomet, Zimmer, Conformis... these are just a few names of implant companies and they all are good. They all have recalls, it is part of the business.

Like I said, you are a patient and as such you can only research so much. I have experienced this first hand and know about the implants and the choices. The BHR is fine and a great procedure but I have also been involved in BHR revisions from well know Drs. it just happens sometimes.

I only mention this because as most things in this world, surgery and implants are a business. Drs go from one thing to another, one implant company to another and it's all about the business. I know some Drs. that will do a THA(Total Hip Arthroplasty) the same way every time with the same company's implants every time, no matter what the condition of the patient is. (These are not cases I like to be in, for obvious reasons). Lol. It's not right but that is what it is.

And the Dr. that I work with that did the BHR, and did them well, also trained under Dereck McMinn, but he still decided to change to another technique. I'm not sure why because that was his choice. I'm not saying that he hasn't or won't do them again but he has switched as of now.

I completely agree that it is a good procedure and am happy that your results were as great as they have been. That is what I(we) in surgery want is for you to have great results. I have just seen many different ways of doing it, both good and bad.

I didn't mean that you didn't know anything about what you stated. You have and I have different perspectives on this, you as a patient and I as an orthopod RN. I have seen patients make the wrong choices because they didn't have all the info or did any research on the surgery they were having. Also as you stated, and I agree, that at his age the BHR may be the choice for him.
I feel we both have something to offer him in the way of information."thumbsup"


Later,


Dan