New guy needs both hips replaced with questions

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TBONE
I needed one for a while after microfracture surgery. I printed the temporary app., my surgeon signed it, I went to the auto club office and got it immediatley. I live in California. It was extremely useful.

Judy
 
From Hop
Maybe you should ask the doctors to explain the reason of their choice of implant. Your situation is different, having bone growth, I wonder if that affected any decisions of choices. Do they know the reason for the bone growth? Is that like bone spurs?

To Hop--The doctors have told me that it's mostly just wear and tear, but that most hips like mine have a genetic component to them. They just don't get that bad this quickly without some genetic component. Anyway, the only difficulty with the bone growth, I think, is that MIS is not a suggested option..as there is just too much to do in there and I have an increased risk of bone growth, or heratopic bone growth, I think it's called. An elderly friend of mine fractured his and had emergency surgery and has it...it's a big problem. My risk will be addressed with pre-op localized radiation, which seems like a bit of a trick, since they want bone to grow around the cementless implant but not near the unwanted bits. Nevertheless, I am told that that is not a big deal.
 
Hi Hop, Yes, my tag is temporary, I think because I got it specifically for my recuperation period. I never asked for one before when I could have really used it (when my hip was causing me so much pain).

Laurie
 
Ha! So I just went for my 8 wk checkup 1 no ago, telling my OS how remarkable my recup is going, He only wanted to grant me a 3 month handicapped sticker,,,,I was lucky I had him extend it to 6 mos, One of my cloeest frienfs just got one for 5 years! It sure WILL be tough to give up! Very useful w bad weather conditions!
 
I'm really jealous - the authorities in my area don't do temporary disabled stickers. That really sucks!
 
It DOES suck, Jo!!!!! And it's NOT FAIR!!! Can we petition for you???? I'd be the first to sign!
 
From your lips to their ears, Judles!
 
Folks--OK I'm seeing another specialist on Friday to see if I am a candidate for simultaneous bilateral hip replacement. It is not available close to me. Not sure if I will go that route as it is a bit of a trip to this doc, and there are some other issues, including insurance issues, but I will have a few additional questions for this doc, who also comes highly recommended.
But here is a question for the group.
I've heard of the advantages of an anterior and/or anterior/lateral incision, but I haven't heard of any advantages of a posterior incision. Does anyone know of any?
Is there anyone who had simultaneous bilateral THP who would have done it the other way if they had it to do over again?
Thanks
 
Good luck on the bilateral surgery. If it makes you feel any better, one of the ultrasound techs my wife works with had bilateral hips and went home THE NEXT DAY. There's only one guy in town I know of who does that - her doctor. She did well, by the way.

As for anterior vs posterior. If your anatomy allows it and your surgeon is comfortable with it, anterior approach offers a nice short-term benefit regarding "hip precautions" - i.e. how far can you bend over, etc. I am told by my surgeons that long term research shows no clear difference at about 1 yr.

Beware, however, as there are MANY variations on incision. I've seen people with 12 inch incisions. My posterior incision is 4 inches. I've heard of anteriors that are longer. The concept is that the muscles that support the hip in it's vulnerable position are spared from incision, thereby making precautions less important while things heal. Once things are healed up, you should expect similar results from either.

Don't push your surgeon to work through a small hole and compromise excellent placement of the components just to have a small scar and earlier return to work, though! Think long-term.
 
I posted this in another thread just yesterday

Well, like I said - surgeons all do their own thing. They may get out a book of Watson-Jones Recommended Approaches For Orthoapedic Surgery and study it like mad the night before (I'm speaking of chaps in training here!) but when it comes to it, the scalpel is in their hand and they will do what seems meet at the time.

Think of it this way - you're making a blouse. You look at the pattern but the blouse ends up being cut and sewn according to what you think is good. And no two seamtresses or tailors are going to do it the same.

There y'go! You're a blouse now! (But not a big girl's blouse!
ai21.photobucket.com_albums_b286_flagady15_smilies_heehee.jpg
)

 
Thank you Jo, as always, for your input. I went back and scanned most threads and read many of yours. I've learned a few things: First, many people have gone through what I'm going through. Second, listen to Josephine as you have provided input on many of the same issues multiple times.
And I'll be thinking of you (and the blouse) when it's my turn.
Tom
 
I have a secret stash in here where many of the regular replies are saved and when the occasion presents itself, I just copy and paste. It's easier than sending someone to an old post!
 
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