need help navigating

[Jamie]

I agree.....have a frank discussion with your surgeon and tell him exactly what you are concerned about. I believe he will be straight with you.

 

[MagnoliaMs]

Friends---Have almost decided--90%--on a DAA surgeon about an hour away. My other option was to go to Houston which I could do more easily if I only had one hip to do. But I have two--and logistics and such--practically, this seems the best choice. My surgeon inspired confidence, has done hundreds, and has had no infections. The hospital is highly rated in joint replacement--so even though he is a fairly young doctor, I am going for it. I am going to "trust my instincts" as has been so soundly advised right here on the forum.

But I can't seem to pick up that phone and actually schedule an appt. I am such a coward. In my mind I am not fearful--I have a philosophy that I could slip on a banana peel tomorrow. But wow--that other system--the fight or flight stuff--sure doesn't follow any intellectual decisions!

 

[Josephine]

No, it doesn't, does it? I used to feel like that just thinking of picking up the phone - to make a dental appointment!
Face your fears, Magnolia, and get it done!

 

[Jaycey]

I felt the same way Magnolia. I was literally frozen with fear. But somehow setting things in motion did help. Once you make that call you are on your way to a better life.

Make the call and then come here and tell us about it. We have been there and we do understand! Ready - set - GO!

 

[Jamie]

Magnolia.....I understand that fear. I had it too. You know you need the surgery, but you keep second guessing yourself and thinking you can make it another few days....or weeks. It's "elective" surgery and that makes it MUCH more difficult to say, okay...THIS is the day!

But you need to just take a deep breath and make the appointment. Remind yourself that you are not going to get better, only worse. The sooner you do this, the sooner you can get on with your life.

It's like the old saying about "When is the best time to plant a tree?" The answer is "Five years ago!"

 

[MagnoliaMs]

Thanks Jamie---I have to bite the bullet and within the week make the call. I also have to stop trying to have everything perfect. The exactly correct implant, the exactly correct protocol for infection prevention and blood, the exactly correct anesthetic, the exactly correct incision system, the exactly correct....you name it---I almost feel like I have to go to medical school and become my own orthopedic surgeon. :rolf:

 

[Jamie]

It's the nerves that are driving that perfection. You'll do it......just take that big breath and get 'er done! You'll find that, once you make the call, you'll feel like a HUGE weight has been lifted from your shoulders.

 

[Josephine]

It's also about having to put your trust in total strangers - some of whom you won't even set eyes on. But remember this, whilst for you it's a one time, life changing experience, for them it's just another day at the office. They know what they are doing and they do it well - actually, most of us have spent our entire lives doing it! They'll also take care of you well. So just buckle up and resign yourself to the start of an amazing journey! :th_hugzz: :th_hugzz: :th_hugzz:

 

[MagnoliaMs]

Just out of curiosity--why can some have bilateral and others have to stage the double hips? Both docs I consulted with (anterior) prefer at least four weeks apart. Just wondering----:

 

[Jamie]

It's normally the surgeon's preference, Magnolia. Doing two surgeries is more demanding than just doing one. Some just prefer not to do it that way.

Also, some patients prefer to have one "good" leg to work with in recovery. We hear this a lot from folks, but in reality the bi-lateral patients do just fine.

 

[Viv50]

Hi Magnolia

Sorry can't help you on the medical side as things are different in the uk, but like you I was in a panic about things and at one point was even going to pull the plug on having my hip replacement. Then I found this community, how I wish I had found it months or even years ago. Everyone is so supportive and they've put to rest so many of my fears regarding my forthcoming operation and the wonderful thing is that I know they'll be there too when I need them post op. Hope all goes well for you..

Best wishes
Viv.

 

[MagnoliaMs]

Thanks so much Viv! Good luck on the 18th--my wedding anniversary! Will be thinking of you. :THUMB:

 

[Jaycey]

and the wonderful thing is that I know they'll be there too when I need them post op.

You bet we will Viv! Please keep posting. It does help both pre and post op. We all had the nerves and the pain. And we do understand! :th_console:

 

[MagnoliaMs]

Hi Bonesmarties--as you can see I am scheduled for an April procedure. I chose DAA because I have both hips gone badand wanted the faster recovery if possible. My doc uses a fluoroscope for alignment. One of the other surgeons in the practice uses CAN but not the DAA with the Hana table. Now--my pre-op is the 23rd of March--hoping not to get allegies, sinus infection, bad tooth, skin rash, urine infection, hangnail, gout before the surgery!!!!! I know some friends here have had to cope with a myriad of stressing circumstances and I find their courage under fire inspiring--so should I have a problem I hope their examples of grace under pressure will give me strength.

The nurse asked me which hip i was doing first. I suggested the one that seems to be the most tender. However, I will get the OS's opinion. Here is the question. I have different leg lengths. About a quarter of an inch. So should I have them do the shorter leg first no matter what, so the length can be set to that rather than to the shorter leg? I guess what I am asking is do I have to do whichever leg I want changed as the first side to be done? Who wants to be shorter?? I have already gone from 5'5" to 5" 4"!!!

 

[grateful]

MagnoliaMS,

I feel for you! I have several things in common with you here. I also went from 5'5" to barely 5'4" - complete bummer. Especially since my weight hasn't gone in the same direction.

My hips also were pretty comparable in terms of both needing to be done yesterday. My surgeon told me "flip a coin"; I chose the one which looked a little more deteriorated on x-ray, thinking I didn't want any more deterioration to happen. This was actually the leg that was slightly less painful, because somehow the muscles were somehow fractionally less compromised. I didn't have any data on length discrepancy.

So I had the one done in November, and the second 15 weeks later (this Tuesday). In general, I'm told, any leg does become somewhat lengthened with the procedure. I did notice a slight difference with the operated leg feeling a bit longer - no concern because I knew the second surgery would shortly follow. The day after my surgery, my anesthesiologist told me there was a very significant discrepancy found and that the surgery time had doubled while my surgeon worked to match the legs up (I always seem to get the inside scoop from the anesthesiologist rather than the surgeon). When I asked my surgeon about it, he said that although he put the exact same hardware in each leg, that the anatomy was different in the second one, so he had to spend some time making adjustments to make the length match (and I'm not sure whether this one was longer or shorter). Totally downplayed there being any real issue and I knew better than to push for any more information. He said that on the x-ray it looks like my leg lengths match. Being only a few days after surgery it's too early for me to tell; my surgical leg is still very swollen and stiff and doesn't move normally anyway. I am trying not to worry about it.

Based on my experience, Magnolia, my only advice is to direct your very good question to your surgeon. Let him/her know about your concern with leg length, your history with it, and if that is more of a priority than taking care of the one that hurts most first, let them know that. It seems like they would just try to make them match as well as possible, but maybe they can intentionally stretch you out! Good luck and let us know how your appointment goes. Kim

 

[MagnoliaMs]

Thanks Kim---I guess if you do have some discrepancy you can use orthotics to adjust. But your experience suggests I absolutely have to bring this subject up! At some point----we just have to be satisfied we did all we could to promote a good outcome. Best of luck as you go through your post-op journey.:THUMB:

 

[TEXAS JACK]

Dear Magnolia,

Great to hear you pulled the trigger. You will never,never regret going foward. We will reserve a spot for you amongst the Anterior Alumni.

Best of Everything

Jack

 

[Josephine]

The day after my surgery, my anesthesiologist told me there was a very significant discrepancy found and that the surgery time had doubled while my surgeon worked to match the legs up (I always seem to get the inside scoop from the anesthesiologist rather than the surgeon). When I asked my surgeon about it, he said that although he put the exact same hardware in each leg, that the anatomy was different in the second one, so he had to spend some time making adjustments to make the length match (and I'm not sure whether this one was longer or shorter). Totally downplayed there being any real issue and I knew better than to push for any more information. He said that on the x-ray it looks like my leg lengths match.

Actually, this is quite a usual part of the procedure. Granted some cases are more of a struggle than others, but always the surgeons check, double check and adjust before finalising the implants.

 

[grateful]

Yes Jo, the surgeon certainly acted like it was no big deal. I think it was bigger for the anesthesiologist because he had to keep me under for much longer than he was accustomed to with this surgeon, and he wanted to make sure I didn't suffer too many after-effects.

 

[MagnoliaMs]

Oh drats---now I am not sure about which leg to do first for sure--the left leg which I felt was the more solid (ha! relatvely speaking) has started to "give way" and I totally feel like it is going to collapse if I turn just the right way. So that would be the "good leg" on which I would rely for support after the first surgery. Maybe this isn't going to be so straightforward afterall. I imagine the OS will have some reassuring suggestions---:skeptical: