Hip resurface

[cota95]

Hi gang,

I am 2 1/2 weeks from a hip resurfacing linky and I'm getting a little nervous. I figured I'd check here to see if anyone else has had it done. This approach seems to be the best for getting back to an active life.

Background: I got Lyme disease around 4 years ago and it has been downhill ever since. Had to have my right knee drained 6 times and finally operated on to clean it out. Next the left hip got serious arthritis to the point that I can only ride around a half hour without getting off for a break (use to take at least one trip per year of 4 to 8k miles).

Comments?

George

 

[SwollenRaccoon]

Can't comment about the hip (but had my shoulder repaired 8 weeks ago), but I'm guessing that after your recovery, you'll be MUCH more comfortable in the saddle. A riding mate had his hip replaced about 5 years ago, and can now last quite a while in the saddle. I don't really know anyone who's had a "resurfacing" though.

As far as Lyme disease, I can sympathize. My wife (54 yrs old) caught it many years ago, and was misdiagnosed for probably 5 years. Finally, when a different doctor suggested a Lyme test, her indicators were off the chart. She'd had it for years, and it won't get any better from here. She has no problem sleeping 12 to 15 hours a night. Her body almost always aches, and she feels guilty about not being able to do all the things she used to do. I feel bad for her.

As you already have found out, avoid Lyme Disease at all costs. Slather yourself in repellent with DEET, and check yourself for ticks.

 

[scubatech]

Cota,

One of my best fiends has had both hips resurfaced two years apart. They turned out very well. He can do anything he did before the surgeries. He told me the muscles tend to stiffen up so stretching will be a daily routine. I remember with therapy and healing the time frame was around three months. His was do to a lot of hereditory arthritus. Overall he is very satisfied. I wish you good luck and a speedy recovery.

 

[Willie]

While this is not directly related to your situation. I had both of my knees replaced 1.5 years ago. While I could ride for hours with the bad knees, getting off and simply walking for 50 yards I was in agony. Finally it got so bad, I was essentially crippled and finally made the decision, that surgery had to be better than this.

Best thing I have done in along time. Only problem was I needed the surgeon to fix the rest of the body at the same time. The pain level and dibilating (sp?) situation compels one to take a different course of action. I hand the surgery right around Thanksgiving time and back riding the 1st of March.

If your expected results are the same as mine, you will wonder why you waited so long. It sounds like you may have some of the physical torture involved that they call therapy. Make sure you do it and often. It will speed your recovery.

HTH, Willie

 

[Mr Bill]

Comments?

Ouch!

Like Scuba said, stretch. I'm sure you're going to physical therapy. I have normal arthritis for my age and found the stretching and strength exercises really help with saddle pain in my knees and hip.

 

[cota95]

Can't comment about the hip (but had my shoulder repaired 8 weeks ago), but I'm guessing that after your recovery, you'll be MUCH more comfortable in the saddle. A riding mate had his hip replaced about 5 years ago, and can now last quite a while in the saddle. I don't really know anyone who's had a "resurfacing" though.

As far as Lyme disease, I can sympathize. My wife (54 yrs old) caught it many years ago, and was misdiagnosed for probably 5 years. Finally, when a different doctor suggested a Lyme test, her indicators were off the chart. She'd had it for years, and it won't get any better from here. She has no problem sleeping 12 to 15 hours a night. Her body almost always aches, and she feels guilty about not being able to do all the things she used to do. I feel bad for her.

As you already have found out, avoid Lyme Disease at all costs. Slather yourself in repellent with DEET, and check yourself for ticks.

Lyme was often misdiagnosed until the past few years. I wish her well.
The major difference between the resurface and total replacement is that the resurface can be done if your bones are good and does not cut off the top of the leg bone.

 

[cota95]

Cota,

One of my best fiends has had both hips resurfaced two years apart. They turned out very well. He can do anything he did before the surgeries. He told me the muscles tend to stiffen up so stretching will be a daily routine. I remember with therapy and healing the time frame was around three months. His was do to a lot of hereditory arthritus. Overall he is very satisfied. I wish you good luck and a speedy recovery.

Thanks, I like a success story.

 

[CAJW]

George,

That really sucks! Hope your procedure goes well and you're able to do recovery therapy on your trials bike until strong enough to get back on the FJR. Good luck!

John

 

[bluejag]

Hi George Gail and I wish you the very best in your upcomming rebuild! Gail had her shoulder and knee done. I had Lyme disease a few yrs ago.. caught quickly had 2 months of a.b treatment It (the symtoms) scared the **** out of me I thought I was really Fu$#ked. I was lucky others are not so. We'll check in on you later.

 

[cota95]

George,

That really sucks! Hope your procedure goes well and you're able to do recovery therapy on your trials bike until strong enough to get back on the FJR. Good luck!

John

Hi John,

Riding the Cota in competition again is one of my goals. I should be ready by next season.

 

[cota95]

Hi George Gail and I wish you the very best in your upcomming rebuild! Gail had her shoulder and knee done. I had Lyme disease a few yrs ago.. caught quickly had 2 months of a.b treatment It (the symtoms) scared the **** out of me I thought I was really Fu$#ked. I was lucky others are not so. We'll check in on you later.

Thanks John. You and Gail have a great time at NERDS, we'll be missing it this year.

PS: The Ride to the Rock is most certainly ON.

 

[TechJunkie]

Don't know anything about your specific procedure but I can say that pain really takes the fun out of life quickly. My left knee was so bad it had to be replaced. Vacations were less fun and even ridding the bike any distance lost its appeal. Now that it has been replaced quality of life has returned and I just finished a the Iron Butt SaddleSore 1000. This years vacation I was able to do all the things I couldn't before.

My advice is to find the best surgeon you can and enjoy life again! Life is too short to live in pain when you don't have to. IMHO.

 

[Bounce]

Had my right knee "cleaned up" several years ago. Recovery was going great until i got my foot tangled up in something while trying to heard cats. It caused the leg to bend very quickly instead of the slow/steady stretching I was doing for rehab. There was a crack and it hurt like hell. The next 2 weeks were like the first day after surgery. Since then, while better than before surgery, it's never been as good as before the events that lead to the need for the surgery.

On the bright side, I now have a permanent handicap placard and can park closer.

During my last visit to the surgeon, I was told I'd probably need a replacement knee in 15 years as some of the cartilage over the joint was completely gone. That was... er... some time ago. Somewhere after 2003.

 

[cota95]

My advice is to find the best surgeon you can and enjoy life again! Life is too short to live in pain when you don't have to. IMHO.

Sounds like good advice

 

[GinaMcD]

In 30 years of marriage, I've watched my husband go through six knee surgeries (last two were total replacements) and surgery to repair a ruptured bicep tendon. One piece of advice he was given early on, which I think is why he had such good outcomes, is to find a good physical therapist to work with post-op. They will see you through your recovery and follow you more closely than your doctor will since they will be seeing you more frequently.

As for immediately after surgery, don't hold off on the pain meds if you need them. I saw what he went through when he tried to cut back on them too soon following one of his knee replacements--it took along time for the meds to get ahead of the pain again.

My advice to Marcia is to get lots of rest during the time you're in the hospital. She won't be getting much after you come home and become her patient!

Here's to a successful surgery, a speedy recovery, and a pain free future!

 

[BobbyBlue]

Hey George,

On the subject of bone healing, Yoko had a triple lumbar fusion mid April and we took a 60 mile ride 3 weeks ago and while not totally comfortable she wasnt in agony either and was thrilled to be back in the saddle ! Whatever you do, DONT listen or heed any BS about not riding from most in the medical community...i got 10 mi's and as many bypasses/pacer/defib and i rode 2 great second gear wheelies not 3 hours ago...handicap plate,bags and all...soooo...YOU CAN DO IT !!!!!!! The pain will pass and we can live with suffering a little to get better, Good luck and stay positive !

Blessings

Bobby

 

[cota95]

In 30 years of marriage, I've watched my husband go through six knee surgeries (last two were total replacements) and surgery to repair a ruptured bicep tendon. One piece of advice he was given early on, which I think is why he had such good outcomes, is to find a good physical therapist to work with post-op. They will see you through your recovery and follow you more closely than your doctor will since they will be seeing you more frequently.

As for immediately after surgery, don't hold off on the pain meds if you need them. I saw what he went through when he tried to cut back on them too soon following one of his knee replacements--it took along time for the meds to get ahead of the pain again.

My advice to Marcia is to get lots of rest during the time you're in the hospital. She won't be getting much after you come home and become her patient!

Here's to a successful surgery, a speedy recovery, and a pain free future!

Thanks, I'll pass the your advice onto Marcia.

 

[08FJR4ME]

I will ask around with the folks I work with. We make the hips Knees and spine stuff to put everyone back together again. Metal to Metal implants are no longer used in the industry. That's like first generation and is no longer done. In the almost 3 years with my company no one has mentioned this type of surgery. My mother inlaws two hip implants are well over twenty years in use. She is still getting around well. I would ask the doc if the resurfacing implants are metal on metal. It kind of looked that way in the video. If so I would steer clear. That is what all the current fuss is all about in the industry. Back in the day they didn't realize the metal would break down slowly and infect the surrounding bone and muscle tissue.

Now as far as lime desease goes! :angry: Many,Many,Many years ago (my 20's) after gettng a bullseye ring rash and feeling poorly being sick for a couple of weeks I decided to see the doc. New job and all I didn't want to take any time off but it got to the point I couldn't stand the pain and sickness anymore. I did some research (as usual) I concluded I had lime desease. During my visit I tell the doc I think I have lime desease. By this time the bullseye rash was gone. He refused to do any testing and sent me on my way and diagnosed me as having the flu. Mind you at this time Lime was unherd of and there weren't any recorded cases for over 20 years . Pretty much his words during the visit. Every morning I would get out of bed and drop to my knees in pain with tears in my eyes. This went on for 3 more weeks. Meanwhile suffering with flulike symptoms also. My whole body ached. During the day the more I moved around it seemed to help. Eventually the flu symptons went away but the back pain and joint ache remained. Wouldn't you know 3 months after my visIt it was front page news "LIME DESEASE RETURNS" in the paper. So now I distrust doctors with a passion. The pain went on for over two years till finally it disapated. I was still young at the time so my imune system was doing it's thing and making me better. I pretty much have to be close to death to get me to see a doctor anymore. For now I just type natural cures in google and it seems to work for me. I take suplements everyday now and eat more organic food.

Good luck George with what ever descision you make,

Dave

 

[cota95]

I had the same questions about the metal Dave after the news broke a month or so ago. They assure me that the resurface uses a different metal that the total replacements and that they don't seem to have any issues. It's a tough decision but I hate to cut the top of a perfectly good leg bone off, smoothing the head off seems like a much better option. George