Hi
I posted here last year when I was having problems with my hip and responses from the forum were very re-assuring. My consutlant was looking at new implants but decided, after talking with colleagues, that another allograft would be the best option at my age. Transferred to new consultant (young) working in same hospital as my previous one; my old consultant said the new guy had new ideas/more experience on the kind of op I needed.
28th November 2007 (My 5th hip! since 1983 - I'm now 51)
I had a new allograft & socket, he wanted replace the femur head but (apparantly after hitting with a hammer) he couldn't get it off - he only wanted to replace it so he could get better leg length for me; but length looking good so far.
It has been the most pain free op ever, I had an epidural + some sedation in theatre, some IV paracetamol in recovery, epidural for the day after surgery and oral paracetamol post op on the ward (under advice of nursing staff-even though I didn't feel I needed it) - Currently in no need of any pain releif.
I'm 5 weeks post op now, I FEEL GREAT, NO PAIN and the scar has healed so well. I know I'm only partial weight bearing at the moment but it still feels better than pre op. Follow up in 3 weeks with XRay, then he might say I can start full weight bearing; that's when I'll know how it's really doing. Consultant was even kind enough to cut away all previous scar and start with a new neat line (it's like having a nip & tuck!); I've had no bruising either so he must have been ever so gentle. If this works I could get another 10 years or more out of this hip, then who knows what technology will have in store for me.
I'm hoping this year is the start of another era for me - all I want is to walk unaided (not miles) and get my independance back. I must take it slowly and ensure I recover fully before returning to work, my consultant said minimum 3 months, realistically 5/6 months; Work seem OK about it. I've a loving hubby who has helped me through all my ops over the years, couldn't have done it without him.
I became very depressed last year thinking that my pain, lack of mobility and loss of independance was going to be the life for me, but had to be positive and keep talking with my surgeon. I've been lucky, yet again, hopefully anyone in pain/awaiting surgery or those recently post op will have a better 2008 - I'm sure I will whatever the outcome.
Karen
I posted here last year when I was having problems with my hip and responses from the forum were very re-assuring. My consutlant was looking at new implants but decided, after talking with colleagues, that another allograft would be the best option at my age. Transferred to new consultant (young) working in same hospital as my previous one; my old consultant said the new guy had new ideas/more experience on the kind of op I needed.
28th November 2007 (My 5th hip! since 1983 - I'm now 51)
I had a new allograft & socket, he wanted replace the femur head but (apparantly after hitting with a hammer) he couldn't get it off - he only wanted to replace it so he could get better leg length for me; but length looking good so far.
It has been the most pain free op ever, I had an epidural + some sedation in theatre, some IV paracetamol in recovery, epidural for the day after surgery and oral paracetamol post op on the ward (under advice of nursing staff-even though I didn't feel I needed it) - Currently in no need of any pain releif.
I'm 5 weeks post op now, I FEEL GREAT, NO PAIN and the scar has healed so well. I know I'm only partial weight bearing at the moment but it still feels better than pre op. Follow up in 3 weeks with XRay, then he might say I can start full weight bearing; that's when I'll know how it's really doing. Consultant was even kind enough to cut away all previous scar and start with a new neat line (it's like having a nip & tuck!); I've had no bruising either so he must have been ever so gentle. If this works I could get another 10 years or more out of this hip, then who knows what technology will have in store for me.
I'm hoping this year is the start of another era for me - all I want is to walk unaided (not miles) and get my independance back. I must take it slowly and ensure I recover fully before returning to work, my consultant said minimum 3 months, realistically 5/6 months; Work seem OK about it. I've a loving hubby who has helped me through all my ops over the years, couldn't have done it without him.
I became very depressed last year thinking that my pain, lack of mobility and loss of independance was going to be the life for me, but had to be positive and keep talking with my surgeon. I've been lucky, yet again, hopefully anyone in pain/awaiting surgery or those recently post op will have a better 2008 - I'm sure I will whatever the outcome.
Karen
United Kingdom
