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Update!!..And a Question Mostly for Josephine

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YoungGuy

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Apr 15, 2008
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37
Location
Saskatchewan
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Country
Canada Canada
For those who don't know, i am 20 years old, 6'3"...I had a full left hip replacement 3 weeks and 5 days ago.

I am already walking without a cane or crutch, and i have been driving again for several days. Of course there is pain, mostly in my quads...But that will take time to strengthen, which i expect, and know.

I am no longer using my raised toilet seat either, for there is no pain whatsoever sitting at normal height....I can already sit properly (I have not been able to sit properly for 4 years).

My question for Josephine, or anyone who wants to give their opinion:

I am a very physically fit person, and i am young. I've always wanted to persure a career in law enforcement, since i could remember. Now, this is a hard question since most people with a hip replacement on this site are already 40+...But i am wondering, when my bone grows into my metal ball, and i start the strength training...And if somehow i get my leg feeling amazing....Is there any possible way i can still persue this career?

The only thing i am worried about, not to much the running...It is the hard physical need that training has...For example Self defense courses...Alot of tossing and what not.

Now, i am not looking for someone to shatter my dreams, i have a out for what i am going to do for my career if people think this is a 100% NO...So i expect a straight answer if i could get one.

I appreciate it, and the time it took to read, thanks.

Tyler.
 
I think you've pretty much answered your own questions... can you take a "hit" -- probably not. Can you run full speed without putting someone else (your partner) in jeopardy? Can you pass the physical fitness standards?
Good luck in your career choice.
 
I think you've pretty much answered your own questions... can you take a "hit" -- probably not. Can you run full speed without putting someone else (your partner) in jeopardy? Can you pass the physical fitness standards?
Good luck in your career choice.

This is the thing, i have been told i cannot do things my whole life, when my medical issues started. I wasn't supposed to be able to walk again 4 years ago when i first went in the hospital after a freak infection that tore apart my left leg. Not only did i walk again, i started running again...And not only that i played Provincial level basketball at probably the most competitive level there is.

This was all when i shouldn't have been able to get out of a wheelchair. Now i am already seeing a vast improvement...And a quick one to be percise. I have answered my own questions, but i am stubburn, so of course i would Try to do what i cannot do...Since i will do it in the end. I am just wondering how "easy" it is to actually dislocate the hip itself, like i said...I have VERY strong legs....Major weightlifting has been done on them....And even more when i am at my 3 months. I am not one to sit down and take a smack to the face, i get up and i do the immpossible, I just need to know from someone who has Experienced it or Seen it...how EASY it actually is to dislocate a hip.....And i also know about the pressure put on the hip how it goes away quicker when it is used more...This does not worry me. Im not looking for a google definition on how a hip will dislocate, im looking for personal experience.
 
I think an opinion from Josephine might help you most. Have you discussed your career thoughts with your doctor? Since he/she knows you inside and out, that also might be a good source for information. You also might check to see if there are any rules in the police department about members of the force having replacements. No matter what, you will need to be up front with all if you choose to pursue this career. I wish you luck and peace with whatever decision you make.
 
I think an opinion from Josephine might help you most. Have you discussed your career thoughts with your doctor? Since he/she knows you inside and out, that also might be a good source for information. You also might check to see if there are any rules in the police department about members of the force having replacements. No matter what, you will need to be up front with all if you choose to pursue this career. I wish you luck and peace with whatever decision you make.

Thank you for your response.

Well, i live in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan....Our Doctor's/Surgeons here are quite the skeptics.....For example it was my other Surgeon who was the one who told me i would never walk or play sports again, Yet the outcome of that was in my favor.

The answers i get from many people...Many "experts" is that of which is from a Book or something...Me being young they tell me has alot of effect on it..Because here anyways they do not usually have a 20 year old who gets a full hip replacement.

My physiotheropist, who has dealt with many hip replacements before has no doubt in his mind that i will even be able to lightly play basketball again, Which every surgeon and doctor told me i would not be able to...But the difference between my physiotheropist and the doctors....Is the physiotheropist has been working on a man whom is now 50, who got a replacement when he was 32....And he still has played basketball since, and he still plays Even now!

But yes...The law enforcement issue i know is a big one, a hard one to answer...I try to follow my own road, but sometimes help is necessary, i will ask about the Replacement factor (My hope is to work my way up to detective, i am very smart...I have a high GPA) but the problem is, i can't just start as a detective...There is many years of field work before the big step.

Im hoping Josephine see's this and gives her "Two Cents"...Im open to every single opinion...Good or bad.
 
Hi Young Guy,
I think we all have to live our own lives. You had this surgery so that you did not have to live compromised any more. I do think you need to give yourself a year to make sure your body has fully recovered.
I was told by the surgical nurse that the prosthesis is stronger than the bone they take out of you and that I can not 'hurt" the replacement parts. That doesn't mean you can't fracture the bone around it but hey you could take a wrong step and fall down your attic stairs and do that.
I guess my point is the risk of injury is there for everyone even people without replacement parts! Once your are fit and recovered it is your life and the risks you take are yours. Live courageously! You only get one.

FWIW,
Donna
 
I think your going to have to check on what the physical qualifications are for the job with the municapality. They will probably want a medical history. I spent 20 years as a professional firefighter with a pair of bad hips. I had not had my THR until a few years later. I know of a couple of other firefighters that have had THR and are still working. They had their surgery after they had been on the job for a while though.
Good Luck, being a cival servant is very rewarding.
 
YoungGuy - I am with you 100%. People are always doing the impossible with these implants! You know up front that you face at least 2 revisions in your life but whether that influences your choices is your decision and no-one else's.

But one thing I can talk about is the dislocation thing. Now generally, hip joints dislocate for two principle reasons ...

1. violent impact like a big fall or a serious road traffic accident
or
2. lack of tone in or damage to the ligaments and muscles surrounding the joint.

The second issue is the one you need to address or course. Any and all exercise that you can do to strengthen those muscles with stand you in good stead.

However, there is more to this than just a dislocation. The other complications that can arise are

1. loosening - lower grade complication because you have a cementless prosthesis which tends to be more secure than those embedded in bone cement
2. breakages of the prosthesis - however, when these occur they are more often on account of a faulty positioning of the femoral implant than any mechanical failure of the metal.
3. breakages of the bone - however, bone strength is directly in proportion to the stress applied by the muscles attached to it. The more bone is stressed, the more mineral/calcium is laid down and the denser/stronger it is.
Ergo, fit, strong muscles are attached to fit, strong bone.
4. wear of the prosthesis - always an issue but in my opinion, often overplayed. Considering the number of primary hip replacements carried out each year in any given country, if even 10% of them had to have revisions then there would barely be any theatre time left to do primaries anymore! And that is NOT the case! Wear is going to happen but when and if ever it ever reaches the proportions where revision is necessary is far from conclusive. However, for the younger patients this does come as more of a reality as I said before.

So far as the defense training, etc., is concerned, I would thing the crucial issue is learning how to fall properly. I know this is part of the training so I would simply advise you to discuss your needs with the trainer beforehand and ensure you are taught properly up front!

Other than all that, people are proving over and over how they will do what they will do regardless. I hope this info has helped somewhat and wish you all the best if you manage to get into police training.
 
I am 44 years old, and had a total hip replacement in January of 2008 and am back to full duty as a Law Enforcement Officer. The biggest hurdle you will have to overcome is the pre-employment physical. All Doctors have there own oppinion about what type of restrictions are placed on people after this type of surgery. You also need to be realistic about what is realy involved in Law Enforcement.

In my 12 years of LEO expeirence, I have been in some pretty good physical confrontations, and fortunately they have all come out for the best for all involved. I think the key is staying in the best shape possible and learning how to properly defend yourself in this type of situation. The defensive tactics portion of the academy can be very physicaly demanding especialy when it comes to Tactical groundfighting.

If possible, go to a local Police Academy and ask to observe some of the Defensive Tactics training. I'm sure you will have to explaine why you want to do this, but this way you will know how to prepare yourself if you are chosen. DON'T GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!! Be prepared to live them when the time comes.
 
YoungGuy,

I am a 38 y/o M Deputy Sheriff, 28 days post op from a LTHR. Although I work in corrections, before my condition and surgery became apparent, I was tenatively slated to attend the Patrol Academy, and that hasn't changed one bit. In my mind, it's never been a question whether or not I will be able to perform to standard. I have spoken at length with my OS, my PT, my PCP, and my Sheriff, and all have, and continue to support me, and don't deny I will be able to do so. I am scheduled to return to work at the end of this month, and I will be working in Dispatch for 3-5 months to allow my prosthetic to bond to my bones, and my muscles to realign and strengthen, and then I will return to full duties in the jail. Our jail houses over 400 inmates, and we have the worst of the worst, including quite violent gang members, and it's no stretch to state that in my duties, I have to "wrestle", or "subdue with necessary force" psychotic and violent inmates MORE often that my street counterparts do; we also attend the same type of self defense training, which is very strenuous and demanding. I'm almost 2 decades older than you, and I have no doubt I will regain function to the level which will be required to continue my duties in the jail, and eventually the Patrol Academy. Every municipality and State has differing requirements for physical fitness, but for your age in my Academy, you would be required to run 1.5 miles in under approx. 14 minutes, do about 42 push-ups, be able to put your hands approx. 8 inches past your toes (seated), and do an agility run through cones 25 meters and back in less than 30 seconds. (I don't have the exact numbers in front of me, but those are approximate, and would be the minimum required upon entry to training). Futhermore, you would learn extensive tactical self defense moves, which would require bending, falling, and striking from several positions. As long as you have the blessing of your Physician and local Agency, and you prepare by doing safe strength training exercises, there's no reason whatsoever you cannot achieve anything you set your mind to.

Good Luck,
~Dalton

I went to the website for the State approved Police Academy, and I was close on what I said, but off a bit, here's the link (scroll down to the bottom, and it's classified according to age)

https://www.dps.state.ms.us/dps/dps.nsf/Training/T?OpenDocument

If the link isn't active, just do a search for: Missississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy, "MLEOTA"
 
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