FiremanSam - need reassurance!

[confused newb]

@FiremanSam, it sounds like you need to do a bit of research outside of this forum in regards to the specific policies of your employer. Your local HR contact may be a good start, your union rep (if applicable), or even an employment lawyer to find out what applies to you. Some policies that I have seen indicate that they will review on a "case by case" basis, or simply state that the individual must pass the Firefit testing, etc...
Regardless, it's something that you should look into. Either way you will at least know what you're dealing with, which is always better than suffering through the 'what ifs'.

 

[FiremanSam]

I can still pass the fitness tests now and only get aching and the odd jolting pain if walking long distances so if told I need replacement(s) not sure whether to delay until I feel pain??


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[confused newb]

I can only say what I would do in your situation...
Like you, my hip isn't a constant source of "pain"... it aches constantly, range of motion is limited, etc... but if push came to shove, I could probably outrun a zombie in the event that the Walking Dead ever comes to pass.
However, that being said... when I do get the jolting pain from moving the wrong way, it can bring me to my knees. I know I wouldn't want to be carrying someone through a fire in that situation.
I think you need to arm yourself with the information, make sure you know what the policy is and specifically how it impacts you in your particular situation.. then you can make the best decision for you and everyone around you.

 

[Jaycey]

not sure whether to delay until I feel pain

Confused is right - waiting may result in extreme pain. My left hip collapsed as I waited too long. That was a longer more complicated recovery.

 

[Irish Joe]

@FiremanSam.
I had 2 hips done together about a year ago and am delighted I did.
My OS,said to avoid running but he also said I can run if I need to for work in other words he meant if I need to I can.
One of my friends is a Station Sub Officer here in Ireland and he knows of 2 guys on active duty who have had hip replacements.
I'm an active enough lad myself and I currently cycle, swim and do a bit of yoga all in moderation though.
There are many first responders on this forum who have gone back to active duty so have a wee search back on the threads and you'll find some.
One things for sure Sam. You'll be getting worse if you do nothing and you'll be getting better if get them done. No easy ride but worth it for sure.
Be Well Sam.
Joe........

 

[FiremanSam]

Really appreciate your comments and so glad I found this forum/site. I know a few that have had a single hip replacement and are back operational in just fearing it's a different scenario if you need them both doing.
I have been chatting to a mate that joined the fire service at the same time as me and he had THR ceramic on ceramic due to its apparent longer lasting properties when he was 31. He's advised me of a firefighter that is back operational in Devon with a false leg!!!!


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[Irish Joe]

There you go Sam.
I know a lady who has her hip in 31years and she's still fine and I'd imagine technology and implants have moved on a lot since then.
The trick I think is to talk to the experts and get there advice.
Anytime Sam.
Just tag me like this @FiremanSam. (no need to quote).
Joe.....

 

[Josephine]

Who are the best surgeons for younger, active patients in the north of England???

Sam, you've got that wrong. 'Younger active patients' are not a specific category in the hip surgeon's mind though some do take an interest in treating such patients. Hip replacements are the same whether for a 15yr old or a 90yr old! Don't be misled by firm's websites and advertising hyperbole!

The nearest cities are Bradford and Leeds, but I'd be willing to travel to Manchester and I also hear Wigan is the best hospital???

Funny, I have never hear Wigan mentioned in that sphere!

However, I have done some research and found these surgeons at the Wrightington Hospital would be good for you plus the number of hips they did1 April 2015 - 31 March 2016
Anil Gambhir (237) if you look at his site, Mr Gambhir lists "Young Adult Hip" as one of his specialities.
Peter Kay (210)

You will need to tell your GP which one you want to see and ask him to refer you directly to that surgeon.

 

[FiremanSam]

Thank you so much @Josephine. I honestly don't know whether I'm coming or going since being told I'd got arthritis in both hips.
After doing a bit of research I'm pretty sure that if I can get back fit and pass my work fitness tests then they would have no choice but to keep me operational, which has lightened the burden somewhat.


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[Josephine]

Sam, face all that when you've had the surgery and know where you are. You can drive yourself mad trying to see into the future.

BTW, Mr Gambhir does bilaterals if you're interested. Something you might want to consider. Pop over to the recovery forum and see all the threads with the

prefix. If you click on any one, you'll get up a search of all the bilateral hips that have been done.

 

[Irish Joe]

I'm one of them that the "wise one" refers to.
I'm so glad I got both done at the same time.
Tougher recovery but its over when its over and no going back for more.
Certainly discuss it with someone.
And ask me anything. But tag me or I mightn't see it.
Keep well.
Joe...........

 

[FiremanSam]

@Josephine do you know of the best surgeons for hips in West Yorkshire??
@Irish Joe how are your hips now?? Are you restricted at all? Can you squat down and walk at a decent pace??


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[Josephine]

Sam, I just left you that information - didn't you see it? In post #48 and more in post #50

 

[Irish Joe]

Sam.
Hips are fine now. Pull, drag , bend ,lift are all things I do in my job.
I can squat all right but wouldn't chance butt to the grass if you know what I mean. I climbed a ladder the other day also.
But all this took time.
Joe.......

 

[Delphi]

Hi Sam,
Just to add to Josephine's advice - thoroughly recommend Wrightington from my experience, and the two surgeons mentioned. My sister in law had her knee replaced by Mr Gambhir and was delighted with the outcome. Prof Kay was recommended to me by a number of others and proved to be an excellent choice for my hip replacement.
Hope you manage to get it sorted,
Diane

 

[FiremanSam]

@Josephine I was just wondering if you know of any surgeons in the Leeds/Bradford area as this is much closer to me. If nobody as good as those at Wrightington I'd gladly travel the 60 miles


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[FiremanSam]

Massive, massive phew from me tonight. I've just heard from a union rep that a lad had both hips replaced and was still operational once recovered!!!!
I know I'm probably doing people's heads in but my job means a lot to me and to me it's not just a job.
Knowing if I do need to have both my hips done that I can still be operational is massive and totally changes my outlook.
It makes me more positive and I feel with that carrot dangling in front of me I'd make sure I'd do everything possible on my side to make any surgery/recovery a success.
I'm so pleased to have found this site and love how everyone is so supportive of each other and it's a pretty awesome, HIP club!!!


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[Josephine]

I already checked them and never found anyone I be comfortable recommending.
Wrightington really is the best as it was where joint replacements all started back in the 1970s!
The only place better is the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London!


Can I also add that you are not alone in being in love with your job! Most of us have felt that way and been very, very worried that this surgery might mean we had to give it up. You are not alone in this so express yourself as often and as meaningfully as you want to!

 

[FiremanSam]

@Josephine thank you so much. It really does mean so much and I am getting reassurance which I suppose is one of the points of this forum!! Sure I'll still have my down days but I know there is light at the end of the tunnel!! It's just all come at a bad time as I have an interview on Friday for a recruit instructor position and it's a job I really want, even though I love being on the front line and going to jobs I really want to be an instructor


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[zauberflöte]

And if I'm being really greedy, allowing me to get back to indoor rowing, cycling, weight lifting, walking big hills and elliptical trainer!!

I didn't get through all three pages of your thread, so I don't know if somebody has already covered this-- I think you need have no fear about getting back into all those activities! A year after my hip, we moved into a house at the bottom of a nearly mile-long hill. So much more fun than a treadmill! As I got back into shape from not having done hills in 7 years, I enjoyed booking it up the hill as fast as my sweat would allow me. I also got back into "lady-like" weight-lifting, which made me very happy and much stronger By two summers later, other health concerns (left hip gone bad, and cardiac) had come along, and hard exercise was limited. Fast forward to now, with a deteriorating left hip but a renovated heart, I look forward to scheduling my left THR at the surgeon's earliest convenience, probably this summer!

We have 20-something ballet dancer, older contra-dancers, horse-women, ski instructor and skiers, kayakers, competitive runners and bikers, scuba divers, and as has been mentioned, a number of first-responder types, who've all gone on to regain their abilities to do the jobs they are passionate about. Regarding the elliptical, I was told that the elliptical would be my friend from now on-- I really would like to die with this original hip in place, which could mean another 25 years, given my mother's age! I am allowed to run, but if I want to prevent wear, I should not do it for exercise, only sprinting the parking lot in the rain or the like. I have a doctor whose wife is tiny (105 lbs), and only after her bilateral hips in her 40's was she able to run!

I also love my job-- I am an orchestral musician, which involves sitting absolutely still in a chair for long rehearsals and performances. The new hip improved my ability to do that with less pain! (still have S-I joint and piriformis garbage going on, but the new hip is splendid!)

Best of luck!