THR Some worries and questions... day 6

[Poppet]

Hang in there Kelly, advice on the way.

In the meantime ring up the OS you have the appointment with and find out his history of doing revisions.. As Jamie said you need a specialist in that field (for example, my new OS told me he doesn't do revisions)

xx

 

[newhipchick]

Thank you Jamie for your compassion and logical look at this... I am not being logical at all at the moment because I am so scared....

as for your questions about my trust in the OS... I do trust him, I realize we are all human and make mistakes... I feel a bit selfish when I say it stinks I am one of his mistakes... I am eight weeks into this now... and the "rush" is that the bone is obviously starting to "fuse" to the cup and the longer we wait the harder it will be to readjust it without doing damage to the pelvis.... they are talking about doing the surgery very quickly... like possibly next week.... of course I am on Coumadin and I believe I have to be off that for a week before surgery (please correct me if I am wrong on that)

 

[newhipchick]

Hang in there Kelly, advice on the way.

In the meantime ring up the OS you have the appointment with and find out his history of doing revisions.. As Jamie said you need a specialist in that field (for example, my new OS told me he doesn't do revisions)

The 3rd OS I am going to on Monday does not do revisions... he is offering me is opinion only and possibly giving me options as to other doctors and such.....

 

[Poppet]

The way I see it gorgeous ( and I am not experienced in this) is that if the cup is not in the right position I would imagine you have to have it revised sooner rather than later.

Let's hope Jo will be on line soon to give you good advice.

If your time zone is still Tuesday, this gives you three working days before the weekend and if the revision were to be done end of next week and you have to be off the blood thinners for a week, that still gives you time.

You are going to be fine Kelly, I know right now you don't feel that way, but you will.

Keeping hanging in there lovely lady

 

[newhipchick]

thank you Sandy... I have to keep telling myself in the big picture there are many people who have gone through/and will go through worse... (hugs to you... I will be thinking of you on the 13th) .... I am really just sorta thankful that I wasn't just being a baby and imagining that there was something wrong (not that I am glad that there IS something wrong.. but it is sorta nice to know I am actually in touch with my body) ... I knew from the start that there was something wrong... I just need to toughen up here and figure out a course of action... I think I am going to tell my OS to go ahead and schedule something.... see if he wants me off the blood thinners now... and keep my appointment on Monday just to be sure... that way things are in action...

oh... did I forget to mention BREATH AND REMAIN CALM... lol.... I need to move that up to the top of my list....

it is still Tuesday... nearly 10pm though and I am exhausted and off to bed where I will hopefully NOT dream about my day.....

 

[Jamie]

Kelly.....please do check with your surgeon to make sure he is very experienced with revisions. This is important.

I am concerned that he is trying to rush you into surgery in just a few days. Bones don't grow quite that fast and you do have some time to take a breath and consider exactly what is best for you to do.

At least wait until you hear from Josephine before making a firm decision.

 

[Poppet]

Goodnight beautiful lady

I think you have worked out a good strategy. My hubby has just come home and he thinks your strategy is a good one. Your current OS knows exactly what is wrong and knows how to fix it as he is willing to do the surgery. I agree keep Monday's appointment as you can always cancel with your current OS.

Your current OS would want to put 150% in to fix it, he knows it is in the wrong place and he was the surgeon.

This is the logic of my hubby talking to you Kelly he also said try and get some sleep and I echo that for you honey

Will catch up with you tomorrow xx

 

[Jaycey]

Hi Kelly, so sorry to hear your update. But Smja is right - do you have faith in your OS?

Frankly I would find someone else to do the revision. Yes your OS did own up to the mistake. But I wouldn't give him a second chance.

And do get it done ASAP. You don't want to get to a point where you can't move.

Just consider this a slight step backwards. You will get the other hip done. Your body can go through a lot more than you realise.

Please keep us updated Kelly. We are here for you!

 

[C Mac]

Hi Kelly,

Your plan of action sounds good -- keeping the Monday appointment with the other OS, getting on the surgical schedule, looking for a revision specialist. It is always easier to call and cancel something than to get onto someone's schedule promptly.

Is there a list in the BS library of revision docs?

I'm sorry that you are going through this and hope that a solid plan will come about for getting your hip into good shape.

Take care,
Cardie

 

[nanamac]

Hi Kelly, I am SOOOOOO glad that you decided to come back, and so very sorry about the revision. However, I had a revision 2 1/2 weeks after my THR and had it done by the original OS. I am still experiencing problems and wish I had gone to a revision specialist but every OS that I have seen since says the replacement is perfect!

I think you really need to find out how many revisions he has done. From what I am now hearing, I am having a reaction to the metal used in the implant. I have constant inflammation. But, that has nothing to do with the revision, just my body.

The revision was really no big deal to go thru except you will be starting all over again. You already know what to expect and now you won't have any problems so it will be easier. They should get you off the blood thinners ASAP as I lost a lot of blood during the revision.

To me, if your OS is admitting he screwed up, says a lot about his character so I like him in spite of that. Mine has never admitted any wrong doing and he fractured my femur. Needless to say, he is history.

You will know what to do in your gut. I know so much more now than I did back then but it's water under the bridge now. Please let us know what you decide. See, I told you we really do care. Good luck Kelly.

 

[special lady]

Kelly,


So sorry to hear you have to have the shell replaced. I know you must be feeling anxiuos or a bit nervous about it. So I wanted to let you know in my experience with one of my revisions they only had to replace the shell/liner/head and it truly wasn't even close to be the same recovery as a THR or complete revision extracting the stem as well. I immediately felt better the day after the surgery then prior to it when the cup was cracked and causing the problems.

I hope you can calm down and realize that it's not as big of a surgery as your THR. It's surgery, and because an OS has to remove the old shell/cup it may take up a bit more bone to have a good fitting shell but it's TRULY not as bad as what you might be thinking it is when it comes to the recovery. It's not going to strain all your muscles and cause the thigh discomfort/pain that people have with a complete revision or their THR. If your OS doesn't have to use up more bone then you probably will be shocked and relieved as to how you feel the same day or day after.

I would certainly call your GP or your OS before you quit taking your blood thinners. It's not an emergency surgery, so you will have time to get things in order, stop the medications you will need to stop, and get all your pre-op work done. Just try to relax and calm down about it, and take it one day at a time, everything will be fine, I promise!!! I'd suggest using your crutches if the pain your feeling is too much until you have the surgery, and as long as your not putting full weight you more then likely will not cause any further damage. Which will allow you to take the time you need to make sure you have the right OS in which you can feel 100% confident in, and feel comfortable going in for this partial revision... (hoping it's a partial revision).

I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Josephine]

I am eight weeks into this now... and the "rush" is that the bone is obviously starting to "fuse" to the cup and the longer we wait the harder it will be to readjust it without doing damage to the pelvis

Please don't worry - there won't be any damage to the pelvis. Lots of people having revisions have uncemented hips and might even be years old. Many also don't get to find out about malalignments until months or a year or two after the surgery.

they are talking about doing the surgery very quickly

Well, don't let them. And don't let them freak you out with this nonsense! You have plenty of time to find yourself a decent surgeon who will correct this for you. Nothing disastrous is going to happen except the symptoms might get a bit worse.

 

[gizmo]

Dear Kelly
So sorry to hear that it has all been so difficult for you. You have been so brave to listen to your own heart and act on your fears and gut instincts. I would be the same as you - I can never rest until I find my own answers. Listening to people on the forum is just one one of those avenues we can choose to go down. There is so much knowledge, expertise and genuine concern on this site and I do feel that anything said is said with the best intentions.

However any forum - or for that matter any advice from anyone - has its limits. Ultimately we find our own paths and listening to ourselves is the most important part of that. What has worked for one person or even most is not always the path another individual needs to follow and yet thinking about their journeys can inform our own even if we do the complete opposite. I tend to find my own tangent on things. Like you I find pain meds make me feel weird and have my own agenda. You have been proved right in following your instincts. I do really feel for you.

To some extent I can sympathize as my legs are now different lengths it seems. (The PT did comment on it the other day.) Also I am concerned that my operated leg doesn't align in the same way as my other leg. Hip replacement is traumatic and as it is early days we are still in the trauma of the first op so for you to be faced with more surgery and more trauma is so hard. It is also exhausting just fighting your corner to be heard. (I've had years of trying to persuade my GP I had a problem at all. I wasn't taking enough pain killers!!!!) However you are in a good position as you know what the problem is and what needs to be done -- it may be a scary turn of events and frustrating as you've been knocked off course and a straight forward recovery is hard enough in itself -- but in the overall scheme of things it is a positive place to be. (Far better than not knowing what the problem is or not knowing if anything can be done to help)

In the long term you can be strong and can keep pushing forward towards your dreams and goals. It would be great if you could stay on line and let people encourage you and just for you to have somewhere to blow off steam where at least some of what you are going through is understood. Even more than this we can all learn from you. You have already demonstrated powerfully the need to listen to that inner voice of the individual ; a need for other people to encourage and suggest but never to assume too much. We can also be inspired by you and your determination and you will be such a help to others with similar difficulties. It is good to read of straightforward recoveries but your journey is so important. I wish you all the best wishes I can muster. The road may be a more difficult route than planned but you are still heading in the right direction. You have a great deal of fighting spirit and you are strong.(sorry if I've rambled it is a tendency of mine)
Gizmo

 

[newhipchick]

Thank you Gizmo.... your post really means a lot to me

 

[newhipchick]

So I had my appointment with a 3rd surgeon on Monday.... sadly the news is the same.... I need to have the cup repositioned...... sooooooo.... that being said I am scheduled for the revision surgery on this coming Monday.... I have chosen to go with the original surgeon and I hope that decision doesn't bite me in the behind. I felt that he has already been in there... he knows what he is looking for, and I do think he is a good surgeon... a mistake was made..... yes a bummer it was on me.

I did learn that I have very small "sockets" (I am not really good with all the technical terms) and that they are a a bit of a different angle... a birth defect of sorts.... so hopefully the surgeon can position the cup properly this time....

I know I may be hoping for the moon... but I am still hoping to have the left hip done by the end of the year as well......

 

[nanamac]

Kelly, I think you are doing the right thing! I liked him from the moment he admitted wrong doing. Have faith honey. You will go thru the surgery and then the "normal" recovery will begin. Your suffering was certainly far from it, as has mine been.

I too am going back to the original OS, but I have a plan there. I will post more on my thread about that later, but just wanted you to know that I do agree with your decision.

Listen, you will be a differnt woman after this is resolved, and it will be resolved on Monday. We are here for you and I am so glad you have come back.

I admire your courage and strength Kelly. Hang in there !

 

[gizmo]

I agree Kelly. Go with your instincts with regard to your surgeon. Its the best any of us have to go by. He will already have a picture in his head of all thats going on inside and is probably thinking ahead of how to put it right already. You are already bouncing back with a plan as you will do again after your op. Always good to have a plan as it gives a sense of direction and control. Keep us posted Kelly and keep believing in yourself.
Gizmo

 

[C Mac]

Hi Kelly,

Good luck on Monday, I'll send up some prayers and healing thoughts for you. We'll be waiting here for you when you're done and up for chatting.

Take care,
Cardie

 

[nanamac]

Hi Kelly. Just want you to know that I am thinking about you as I know today is the big day. Please do update when you are up to it. ((HUGS)).

 

[newhipchick]

Home again :biggrin:

I got released today (Thanksgiving in the US) so thankfully I didn't have to spend the whole day in the hospital... not that the family and I did a whole lot, but still it is nice to be home for the holiday.

The revision went good.... I guess the body tends to forget pain pretty quickly because I honestly couldn't say whether this pain is the same/worse/better... LOL. Of course they didn't have to mess with my femur so there is no upper thigh pain as well this time, which is good. My original cup and ball were metal on metal... this time the surgeon placed three screws into my pelvis to hold the cup in place so there is a liner between the cup and ball and so he had to use a smaller ball (the original one he used was very very large).... whether that is good or bad I don't know, I just know there is now more equipment that will wear over time, and I DON'T want to go through this again (grin). I hobbled around the house a few times with the walker, and will try to keep getting up every hour to at least take a few steps to keep from stiffing up. I pray that this time it was done right and I will heal properly. My OS was very kind, took tons of time explaining what was going to happen, and then a long time after the surgery to explain what did happen. He was very humble, and very concerned, and made me feel quite good about my decision to use him to repair the hip. I am still hoping for the moon and hope to have the left hip done before the end of the year (**IF** I choose to do it, 'cause I am more on the fence about this than before).

So far there is NO popping, another plus

I thank you all for your concern and thoughts... I will post again as the process continues (again.... )

Hugs,
Kelly