OP
OP
THR New hip 3/7/12
- Thread starter VThereandnow
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Poppet
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You betcha VThereandnow... sending hugs and love from down under xx
OP
OP
VThereandnow
graduate
Josephine Since the doctor in Vermont called and said he no longer needed the CT, that the one I had was sufficient, it made me pull the CT rpt from May and really look at it. What does this mean? If I am reading it correctly, it is saying there was a 2mm gap and that did not change since my surgery, which means the bone did not grow in, especially in certain areas. Is this correct? ...or is a gap normal?
The acetabular cup component of the prothesis appears transfixed to the acetabulum via 3 screws, the screws are intact. The degree of inclination of the acetabular cup does not appear significantly changed when compared with the immediate post operative radiograph. There is approximately 2mm of space between the acetabular bone particularly on zone 3 between the cup and the medial wall of the acetabulum.
The acetabular cup component of the prothesis appears transfixed to the acetabulum via 3 screws, the screws are intact. The degree of inclination of the acetabular cup does not appear significantly changed when compared with the immediate post operative radiograph. There is approximately 2mm of space between the acetabular bone particularly on zone 3 between the cup and the medial wall of the acetabulum.
OP
OP
VThereandnow
graduate
Thanks again all for your support. Nothing too much new, waiting on the follow up Nov 4 with the doc in NH, and trying to decide if it is really necessary to go under fluoroscopy once again for the surgeon here, for as the ortho doc said, to see if the hip is the pain generator. The reason I hesitate (though I might have to per the surgeon if I choose him to operate) is that the osteopath I have been seeing has kind of freaked me out about how much radiation I have been having with all these tests and I just did this one with the doc in NH and it really did nothing. I might delay the test until I see the NH doc because if I choose him to operate, he already did the test.
The other thing is that unlike before THR, where it was clear my groin pain was coming from the bad hip, this is not so clear. I have back pain from gimping around, I sometimes have hip pain, sometimes butt pain, and recently sometimes groin pain, and sometimes when i stnd from sitting it gives out on me a bit. I don't think at this point some numbing medicine is going to turn off any pains. That being said it is clear to me it is from the hip, but from lack of function, not like before with bone on bone pain. The lack of stability in my hip creates pains in different areas of my body, not necessarily so tied directly to a spot. Does this make sense to anyone or am I just making stuff up? It is like the overcompensating body pains will not be able to be directly tied in to the shot which is why I feel when done in NH I got no results.
I am tired, I am worn out and I wish I had some magic ortho genie that would swoop in, look everything over, choose a surgeon and set it all up. My plummeting emotions leave less good energy to make all these decisions. I look at my signature about everything being alright in the end and that dang rainbow and I wonder who that cheery person was.
However, I will keep keeping on
![[Bonesmart.org] New hip 3/7/12](https://bonesmart.org/forum/attachments/afreesmileyface-net_smiley_zen_levitation-gif.44144/ "[Bonesmart.org] New hip 3/7/12")
The other thing is that unlike before THR, where it was clear my groin pain was coming from the bad hip, this is not so clear. I have back pain from gimping around, I sometimes have hip pain, sometimes butt pain, and recently sometimes groin pain, and sometimes when i stnd from sitting it gives out on me a bit. I don't think at this point some numbing medicine is going to turn off any pains. That being said it is clear to me it is from the hip, but from lack of function, not like before with bone on bone pain. The lack of stability in my hip creates pains in different areas of my body, not necessarily so tied directly to a spot. Does this make sense to anyone or am I just making stuff up? It is like the overcompensating body pains will not be able to be directly tied in to the shot which is why I feel when done in NH I got no results.
I am tired, I am worn out and I wish I had some magic ortho genie that would swoop in, look everything over, choose a surgeon and set it all up. My plummeting emotions leave less good energy to make all these decisions. I look at my signature about everything being alright in the end and that dang rainbow and I wonder who that cheery person was.
However, I will keep keeping on
sharonslp
Former BoneSmart staff member
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Cathy, you're darn right you will keep on keeping on! Here's what I'm hearing:
1. You're stuck in a waiting limbo period right now, until your 11/4 follow-up.
2. While you're stuck, you're constantly thinking, analyzing, questioning, searching for more hard answers.
3. While you're stuck, you're also still in pain.
4. Really, you just want a hard and fast answer to the problem, and then take action on it to fix it.
5. But....see #1.
Would it help at all to think of the next few weeks as being similar to the immediate recovery period after surgery, when you can't do much, and you just have to get through the next 4 weeks with the least amount of pain and the most amount of distraction? With that in mind, what can you do to address the pain? Meds, massage, ice, rest....whatever. What will distract you? If this were me, it would be books, friends, knitting with friends, lunch out with friends, TV or movies, difficult convoluted logic games. I don't know what works for you....what helped during your early recovery time?
I can't remember (CRS disease)....are you working now? Can you get any time to get away to someplace you can manage and would enjoy being there? A resort, a state park (since the national parks are closed!!!!), an interesting small town, a spa type place, someplace where the fall colors are amazing....whatever? A weekend in Vegas, if that floats your kayak?
Just know that this is a safe place to vent, and we care. That won't fix a thing, but it's better than not having a safe place to vent, or no one caring. Treat yourself well....assume that if you had a crystal ball, it would show you a good outcome when this particular stressful period is done and over.
Sharon
1. You're stuck in a waiting limbo period right now, until your 11/4 follow-up.
2. While you're stuck, you're constantly thinking, analyzing, questioning, searching for more hard answers.
3. While you're stuck, you're also still in pain.
4. Really, you just want a hard and fast answer to the problem, and then take action on it to fix it.
5. But....see #1.
Would it help at all to think of the next few weeks as being similar to the immediate recovery period after surgery, when you can't do much, and you just have to get through the next 4 weeks with the least amount of pain and the most amount of distraction? With that in mind, what can you do to address the pain? Meds, massage, ice, rest....whatever. What will distract you? If this were me, it would be books, friends, knitting with friends, lunch out with friends, TV or movies, difficult convoluted logic games. I don't know what works for you....what helped during your early recovery time?
I can't remember (CRS disease)....are you working now? Can you get any time to get away to someplace you can manage and would enjoy being there? A resort, a state park (since the national parks are closed!!!!), an interesting small town, a spa type place, someplace where the fall colors are amazing....whatever? A weekend in Vegas, if that floats your kayak?
Just know that this is a safe place to vent, and we care. That won't fix a thing, but it's better than not having a safe place to vent, or no one caring. Treat yourself well....assume that if you had a crystal ball, it would show you a good outcome when this particular stressful period is done and over.
Sharon
OP
OP
VThereandnow
graduate
sharonslp -I always enjoyed your posts. For me, you were/are and one of the "wise ones" on the forum. You are absolutely right in your assessment. Part of the reason I have been upping my meditation is to try and stay in the moment. My mind is ALL over the place. I am trying to stay busy with things I like to do. If you remember, I did a bit of canning so I have been dong some of that, for some reason (non weight bearing) I can still bike on the, hardly any hills, bike path etc., I am not working, so spend a lot of time alone right now and we are still establishing our community here in Vermont. I feel I waste so much time these days on the computer etc. I am judging myself a lot, but that is my MO anyway.
I have been feeling like i just want to jump in the car and get away. We have tix to see Dianna Krall on Wed night and on Thursday I am doing just that, but in a scaled down version than what was in my mind, but more manageable I think. I am driving to the Adirondack Mountain area where my friends have a camp. I will be there by myself Thursday and Friday till they arrive Friday night. I will have some time by myself in the woods, then have a nice visit with them, have the morning with them, then head out to meet some friends from Syracuse in New Paltz NY where there is the Million Womens drummers Happening. As a hobby, I drum. In Syracuse I was in an African drum group with these women, here in VT I am in a Brazilian drum performance group. I will stay in a hotel with my friends sat night and we will all go to the big event on Sunday. There are workshops etc. my friend in NY is scheming ways for me to wheel my drum around instead of carry it haha. These are some of my closest friends and it will fill me up greatly to be with them. We'll stay over again on Sunday night and I will meander back home on Monday. Not sure if I will again swing by my other friends or not. I think, though I will talk about my health with my friends, it will take me out of being immersed in it and fill me with the love of my friends.
Thank you so much Sharon for your understanding of where I am at. Very astute of you and it made me feel a bit less harsh with myself. I am grateful for both things.
Cathy
I have been feeling like i just want to jump in the car and get away. We have tix to see Dianna Krall on Wed night and on Thursday I am doing just that, but in a scaled down version than what was in my mind, but more manageable I think. I am driving to the Adirondack Mountain area where my friends have a camp. I will be there by myself Thursday and Friday till they arrive Friday night. I will have some time by myself in the woods, then have a nice visit with them, have the morning with them, then head out to meet some friends from Syracuse in New Paltz NY where there is the Million Womens drummers Happening. As a hobby, I drum. In Syracuse I was in an African drum group with these women, here in VT I am in a Brazilian drum performance group. I will stay in a hotel with my friends sat night and we will all go to the big event on Sunday. There are workshops etc. my friend in NY is scheming ways for me to wheel my drum around instead of carry it haha. These are some of my closest friends and it will fill me up greatly to be with them. We'll stay over again on Sunday night and I will meander back home on Monday. Not sure if I will again swing by my other friends or not. I think, though I will talk about my health with my friends, it will take me out of being immersed in it and fill me with the love of my friends.
Thank you so much Sharon for your understanding of where I am at. Very astute of you and it made me feel a bit less harsh with myself. I am grateful for both things.
Cathy
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VThereandnow
graduate
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
Take a screen shot - https://www.take-a-screenshot.org/ and send it to me in an email - I'll pm you my email addy
OP
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VThereandnow
graduate
forbesy
post-grad
Hi Cathy
Popped in to see your thread not good news, I really do feel for you and really hope they can find a solution to your problem sooner rather than later. xx
Take care Cathy
Billy
Popped in to see your thread not good news, I really do feel for you and really hope they can find a solution to your problem sooner rather than later. xx
Take care Cathy
Billy
OP
OP
VThereandnow
graduate
Hip Hip Hooray!!! pardon the pun 
Finally! I had my follow up with the surgeon in NH who at first thought it was my back. Now that the bone scan showed loose acetabular cup, it was like meeting with a different surgeon. He was friendly, engaging, full of information and did not rush us at all. He does a ton of revisions (z, he said he has no idea why someone would give me such a small number when i called) Both Cheryl and I were really pleased and I walked out of there "knowing" this is the guy I want doing my surgery. Finally I felt clarity and confidence in what someone was saying. ...and more important hopeful I can get some function back.
He feels I will do well with the revision. Even though he is not removing the stem, he thinks he can get me about 1/2 inch back on my LLD, which was a total surprise to me. He said he has cup options and the way he reams out my socket that can make a difference. He is the first person to use the word "mistake" when showing me my X-rays and scans. ...but I don't want to dwell on that now. I am glad for the explanations and the validation of what I felt in my body. I will need all my energy on positive things. Now is time to move forward.
I have a side incision and though it is not a way he chooses to do his surgeries, he wants to go in the same way. Though the cup is loose, he is not sure my limp is all from that. He said he has seen many patients with side incisions end up with a limp form a damaged muscle, so he is going to try and check that out too. He said IF it is damaged, a repair working, would be a "bonus" . Hey, after what I've been through the past year, if I ended up with a little limp, no biggie to me. Getting the 1/2 inch, if it truly happens, is huge to me. That means I can even out with something IN my shoe instead of having to send them in at $70 a crack to have 3/4 inch put on the outside, which is what I am doing now.
I have not felt this good in a long time. I know there are no guarantees, but I have a good feeling about this revision. It will be a haul, as I have lost a lot of strength from not being able to walk well, but I am up for the challenge. I will be a bit behind Z with a surgery date of Dec. 18th.
I CAN HARDLY WAIT
Finally! I had my follow up with the surgeon in NH who at first thought it was my back. Now that the bone scan showed loose acetabular cup, it was like meeting with a different surgeon. He was friendly, engaging, full of information and did not rush us at all. He does a ton of revisions (z, he said he has no idea why someone would give me such a small number when i called) Both Cheryl and I were really pleased and I walked out of there "knowing" this is the guy I want doing my surgery. Finally I felt clarity and confidence in what someone was saying. ...and more important hopeful I can get some function back.
He feels I will do well with the revision. Even though he is not removing the stem, he thinks he can get me about 1/2 inch back on my LLD, which was a total surprise to me. He said he has cup options and the way he reams out my socket that can make a difference. He is the first person to use the word "mistake" when showing me my X-rays and scans. ...but I don't want to dwell on that now. I am glad for the explanations and the validation of what I felt in my body. I will need all my energy on positive things. Now is time to move forward.
I have a side incision and though it is not a way he chooses to do his surgeries, he wants to go in the same way. Though the cup is loose, he is not sure my limp is all from that. He said he has seen many patients with side incisions end up with a limp form a damaged muscle, so he is going to try and check that out too. He said IF it is damaged, a repair working, would be a "bonus" . Hey, after what I've been through the past year, if I ended up with a little limp, no biggie to me. Getting the 1/2 inch, if it truly happens, is huge to me. That means I can even out with something IN my shoe instead of having to send them in at $70 a crack to have 3/4 inch put on the outside, which is what I am doing now.
I have not felt this good in a long time. I know there are no guarantees, but I have a good feeling about this revision. It will be a haul, as I have lost a lot of strength from not being able to walk well, but I am up for the challenge. I will be a bit behind Z with a surgery date of Dec. 18th.
I CAN HARDLY WAIT
Poppet
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Hi Cathy, finally, finally a surgeon to whom you can relate, trust, understand and feel confident with.. You are on a winning streak with this one!
I am so thrilled for you and it will be all over by Christmas and we will have our Cathy back
Hugs and much love always xx
I am so thrilled for you and it will be all over by Christmas and we will have our Cathy back
Hugs and much love always xx
Kim22
supremo
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Hi Cathy That is wonderful news for you I am so glad that you have found a new OS who can sort your hip out and who is approachable as well.You have been through so much but as you say it is time to look forward and December 18th will be here before you know it.Sending you positive thoughts.
Z15
graduate
Cathy,
I think this surgery will provide lots of answers and just as many fixes. After you get the post surgery run down it'll be like all these lights going off in your head as you say, "Sure now that, and That and THAT all make sense!"
Then there is the healing and recovery period which still take time. After my first revision I had the whole "I need a nap" phenomenon just like the original. And when my body said NAP...I listened!
Looking forward to lots of good news. And if you want to mix a complaint in here or there, you are welcome to do that too. That's why we're here....
Z
I think this surgery will provide lots of answers and just as many fixes. After you get the post surgery run down it'll be like all these lights going off in your head as you say, "Sure now that, and That and THAT all make sense!"
Then there is the healing and recovery period which still take time. After my first revision I had the whole "I need a nap" phenomenon just like the original. And when my body said NAP...I listened!
Looking forward to lots of good news. And if you want to mix a complaint in here or there, you are welcome to do that too. That's why we're here....
Z
rider1960
post-grad
Whew! I can feel the relief and hope in your "voice" as I read your post. Such good news!!!!! I have such high hopes that this will fix your problems and you can get back your mobility. YIIIIIPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
Dorothy
Dorothy
((((Cathy)))) Oh that is such good news!!! I am delighted you found a surgeon who is not only very experienced with revisions but also is a communicator and who sounds like a really fine person too! And it's wonderful that you were able to schedule the revision surgery so quickly - not much longer to wait! I'm looking forward to seeing the post op reports and pretty soon (she said with high hopes) we'll be seeing you 
and 
(we don't have a kayaking emoticon - this was the closest I could find ;) )
and (we don't have a kayaking emoticon - this was the closest I could find ;) )
Hello Cathy, what wonderful news that you have found a surgeon whom you trust, and who is going to sort out your hip. I am so, so happy for you. I'm not around here much, having found an online forum for my own (rare) cancer where I can share in a more appropriate setting, but I do occasionally waft past to see how my old friends are doing, and I wanted to thank you especially for encouraging me to meditate. It's being a huge, huge help for me in my current battles, and I hope that you continue to use this powerful tool to get you through the hard bits. I'll come back after 18th Dec to see how you are doing and wish you a happy hippy pain-free Christmas.
Love and hugs, Jane
Love and hugs, Jane
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