Peta
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Watson-Jones’ notes from that era document his instructions of [B said:four months [/B]and not a day less in a plaster hip spica."[/I]
I am NEVER going to complain about my procedure and recovery again....![[Bonesmart.org] Am I ready for a THR at 58?](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg' width='50' height='50' viewBox%3D'0 0 50 50'%2F%3E "[Bonesmart.org] Am I ready for a THR at 58?")
Far out.......! Me neither!
Am I ready for a THR at 58?
- Thread starter prairienut
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Far out.......! Me neither!
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
"Watson-Jones’ hip procedure, which he described in JBJS in 1956, utilized long Smith-Petersen nails that were placed across the joint. “He would then put them in a hip spica for a long time,” Hamblen said. Watson-Jones’ notes from that era document his instructions of four months and not a day less in a plaster hip spica."
I am NEVER going to complain about my procedure and recovery again....
As a student nurse, I cared for people in a plaster bed who'd had spinal fusions with plates and bone grafts (no rods then, Judy!!!). The beds were made a few weeks pre-op and the tech in the theatre did them. I often helped. He had bolts of cotton muslin and a big bin of plaster of paris powder. The patient would be stripped and covered all over with a thick layer of vaseline! They lay first on their stomach. We'd get a double sheet of muslin, rub it into the POP powder and then dip it in water. This would be laid over the patient from head to toe and worked in around the body. When we'd used about 20 or so layers, which differed according to the height and weight of the patient, it would be given about 20 mins to set and then carefully lifted off. The patient then turned onto his back and the process was repeated.
The two shells were then sent to the carpenters who would trim them, cut out toileting apetures, smooth the insides and edges, line it all with felt, attach straps and then make a special wheeled trolley with reinforcing struts for the bed. When nursing, the patient would spend about 3-4 hrs in the posterior shell and then we would put on the anterior shell, fasten it with the straps, then turn the patient face down and remove the posterior shell. We did this also to carry out to carry out nursing procedures like bed bathing and treating pressure areas as well as to give the patient some relief in a change of position. When they were on their face, there was a shelf underneath where they could have a book or a newspaper to read!
Oh yes, and they would spend that statutory 4 months in this thing! the only movement permitted - apart from use of arms, was to bend up their knees but they couldn't move them outward or inward. It used to take them about 6 months to rehab after that and you know what? Their lack of mobility was always blamed on the surgery!
Just thought you'd like another dip into my distant past!
By the way - getting the vaseline off the patients was often fun - specially if it was a good looking feller! (tsk tsk!)
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
No but we did have to deal with all the emotional crises of long term incarceration like depression, anxiety states, hysterics sometimes, not to mention poor appetite and constipation. Enemas ruled the day!
Troweltalk
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Seeing how far we've come, just imagine how far we will go over the next 20 - 50 years...
As a plasterer by trade who have done many body/face/hand casts sort of as a hobbie, I can't comprehend what the patient must have gone through emotionally, being restrained like that for such a long period of time. Its hard for me to keep models still sometimes just for 15 - 30 minutes to make a mold.
Interesting bit of trivia: Remember the actor Michael Keaton? He played Batman in one of the early movies. The reason he did not reprise the role is becasue that Batman suit must be form fitted, and a plaster body cast has to be made to create the inner shape of the outfit. Michael refused to go through the process a second time for another movie, I hear he was claustrophobic and barely got through the process the first time.
As a plasterer by trade who have done many body/face/hand casts sort of as a hobbie, I can't comprehend what the patient must have gone through emotionally, being restrained like that for such a long period of time. Its hard for me to keep models still sometimes just for 15 - 30 minutes to make a mold.
Interesting bit of trivia: Remember the actor Michael Keaton? He played Batman in one of the early movies. The reason he did not reprise the role is becasue that Batman suit must be form fitted, and a plaster body cast has to be made to create the inner shape of the outfit. Michael refused to go through the process a second time for another movie, I hear he was claustrophobic and barely got through the process the first time.
Jo, your stories are always so very interesting!!! By today's standards, what you describe seems barbaric! But back then, I'm sure the medical profession felt it was doing a wonderful thing. Did people actually heal and live better lives after this type of treatment? It seems like it would be so difficult to recover!!!
I agree that the upcoming decades will probably bring changes that are greater than we could ever imagine. I say, bring 'em on!!!!
And, Jo....you naughty nurse, you......the vaseline comment!!! You are so funny!! I can imagine the nurse-to-nurse conversations about what happened at "the office" today.....just sayin'.....
I agree that the upcoming decades will probably bring changes that are greater than we could ever imagine. I say, bring 'em on!!!!
And, Jo....you naughty nurse, you......the vaseline comment!!! You are so funny!! I can imagine the nurse-to-nurse conversations about what happened at "the office" today.....just sayin'.....
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
Wondered if anyone would spot that, Jamie! Had to be you!
I'm not sure if people did lead better lives after those procedures. I know peoples expectations were a lot less then.
I'm not sure if people did lead better lives after those procedures. I know peoples expectations were a lot less then.
JudyS
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OK so I am not to complain now!!! I can not imagine that or agreeing to do that they must have been in so much pain before.
Poor things could not even end their llife if they could not handle it. And the muscle pain after when trying to move again. Just horrible
Now ,as my new pain doc explained, they have implantable pain pumps.
My brother in fourth grade was a little skinny kid, playing football in the neighborhood was tackled. He ended up with a broken nose, hip, bones in his leg, pelvis. anyway he was in a body type cast and had to learn how to walk when he was all healed. I was in 1st grade and did enjoy being his nurse or slave as he probably termed it. But looking back it must have been so difficult for my mom and brother. I wonder why he has not had arthritis problems in his joints?????
Judy
Poor things could not even end their llife if they could not handle it. And the muscle pain after when trying to move again. Just horrible
Now ,as my new pain doc explained, they have implantable pain pumps.
My brother in fourth grade was a little skinny kid, playing football in the neighborhood was tackled. He ended up with a broken nose, hip, bones in his leg, pelvis. anyway he was in a body type cast and had to learn how to walk when he was all healed. I was in 1st grade and did enjoy being his nurse or slave as he probably termed it. But looking back it must have been so difficult for my mom and brother. I wonder why he has not had arthritis problems in his joints?????
Judy
Peta
supremo
Oh I spotted it Jo..............! Just didn't know how to go there...........!
Peta
Yeah, I spotted it too! It was also likely enjoyable for the fellers, too--probably the only "fun" they had for months!
Troweltalk
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Still.....must have been at least somewhat interesting on some days!!!
OP
OP
prairienut
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Hello gang, I hate to divert this thread back to a mundane THR case after the fascinating sidebar on full-body casts (wow!), but I thought I would give my latest status. I am still on track for an April 2 surgery. Because I had many detailed questions left after my initial consult with the surgeon, the nurse had the surgeon give me a call this morning. I will be getting a ceramic ball with metal cup for longevity. I'm not a candidate for resurfacing because there's too much bone destruction (he does both replacements and resurfacing). His incidence of LLD requiring a lift is once in five years. I've had a presurgical visit with my family doctor. Had an echocardiogram to check on an atypical valve she's been tracking for several years. I don't expect it to be a show stopper but she wanted to be sure it hasn't changed for the worse. Just after I hung up with the surgeon this morning, a nurse from my insurance carrier called. My surgery has been authorized and she is my case coordinator. She offered suggestions on where to get research-based information on the web re. the procedure and the hospital facility. She has coordinated several cases for Dr. Tigges and all were good outcomes. We talked about arranging for PT. It was a helpful call.
So you can see I have been getting more attention lately, and I'm glad of it. I will now try to focus on a smooth recovery and a good outcome. This forum has been endlessly entertaining and helpful. Thanks.
Gail
So you can see I have been getting more attention lately, and I'm glad of it. I will now try to focus on a smooth recovery and a good outcome. This forum has been endlessly entertaining and helpful. Thanks.
Gail
JudyS
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Gail
I am glad all is going so well for you. It really is an awesome surgery, you will be happy when all is said and done.
The mantra around here when I was getting ready was take your pain pills on time and also your stool softeners.
I did and was very glad
Judy
I am glad all is going so well for you. It really is an awesome surgery, you will be happy when all is said and done.
The mantra around here when I was getting ready was take your pain pills on time and also your stool softeners.
I did and was very glad
Judy
You seem filled with GOOD anticipation, Gail, and that's a terrific thing. Everyone always seems to think it's bizarre, but I actually looked forward to my THR rather than being nervous. You're fortunate, too, to have caregivers who are not just knowledgeable, but willing to answer questions & be supportive. (My insurance company nurse was the nicest person you could imagine, but had never even heard of anterior approach for THR! Our 30-minute conversation was mostly ME educating her!)
Wish you all the best and hope you continue to post!
Wish you all the best and hope you continue to post!
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