RSC
member
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2016
- Messages
- 160
- Age
- 74
- Location
- Sierra Nevada foothills
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Male
I was diagnosed with Stage IV osteoarthritis in the left hip in 2007, but have managed pretty well until the last couple of months, when my hip suddenly deteriorated. It is very clear to me that I am now ready for THR. Surgery is scheduled for November 7.
My surgeon has a very good reputation and has done over 3000 knees and hips. He's conveniently located close to home and I think he's a good choice.
My main misgiving is the restrictions on movement (such as internal rotation of the femur) to avoid dislocation. I can see myself accidentally violating the restrictions, say by facing left while keeping the feet pointed straight ahead.
My surgeon is pretty firm on never violating the restrictions. He told me that he had one patient experience a dislocation six years after surgery. However, my neighbor across the street had THR this year at the VA, and they told him to go home and do whatever he wanted to do. He didn't know what kind of surgery he had, but he showed me the scar and it looked like he had a posterior approach. My surgeon is doing a posterior approach in which the gluteus maximus is split (not cut). There are two small muscles that are cut and sewn back. He has done anterior, but doesn't see any real advantage in the end result.
Is this just a question of some surgeons being more conservative than others? Would an anterior approach reduce the risk of dislocation? Would I then have to avoid external rotation? This would be much more difficult for me than avoiding internal rotation.
Thanks,
Ray
My surgeon has a very good reputation and has done over 3000 knees and hips. He's conveniently located close to home and I think he's a good choice.
My main misgiving is the restrictions on movement (such as internal rotation of the femur) to avoid dislocation. I can see myself accidentally violating the restrictions, say by facing left while keeping the feet pointed straight ahead.
My surgeon is pretty firm on never violating the restrictions. He told me that he had one patient experience a dislocation six years after surgery. However, my neighbor across the street had THR this year at the VA, and they told him to go home and do whatever he wanted to do. He didn't know what kind of surgery he had, but he showed me the scar and it looked like he had a posterior approach. My surgeon is doing a posterior approach in which the gluteus maximus is split (not cut). There are two small muscles that are cut and sewn back. He has done anterior, but doesn't see any real advantage in the end result.
Is this just a question of some surgeons being more conservative than others? Would an anterior approach reduce the risk of dislocation? Would I then have to avoid external rotation? This would be much more difficult for me than avoiding internal rotation.
Thanks,
Ray