Hip Surgery this Thursday

[Chrisamx]

My first surgery was Dec 1991. It was repaired after a car wreck.
Second was May of 2005. The 1991 reconstruction gave out. Total replacement.
The last was Feb 2024. The Other hip gave up the ghost after 73 years of abuse.

'91 wasn't too bad. It just had to be repaired.
'05 replacement was such an improvement, recovery was a breeze!
'24 has been a bit problematic. Rehab has been slow.....but I was 20 years older!
......but it's getting better!

My recovery was a bit different with the two of mine. First one May 2012 went well and I didn't do any rehab. Second Feb 2017 was a little tougher. Both are good performers and I hunt and hike in the mountains where I live.

 

[Amos Keeto]

My recovery was a bit different with the two of mine. First one May 2012 went well and I didn't do any rehab. Second Feb 2017 was a little tougher. Both are good performers and I hunt and hike in the mountains where I live.

My recovery would have probably been much better, but I had other lower extremity damage due to the car wreck.
Left foot fractures healed just fine.
Right calcaneus (heel) being crushed has caused balance and agility problems. In 2017, due to pain, the ankle had to be pinned. That caused even more balance and agility difficulties.
Plus the fact that I don't have any weight bearing structure left undamaged.
BUT.....I can still walk....just not very far or very fast! LOL!

 

[Pony Soldier]

A field geologist friend of mine developed gangrene in his toes and had them removed (unwillingly). He told me yesterday that he can walk but has some problem with steep hills especially where they cut off the toes behind the joints.

Whatever we have gents, there is somebody who has it worse. Count your blessings!

 

[Billinsd]

A field geologist friend of mine developed gangrene in his toes and had them removed (unwillingly).

What caused the gangrene? Diabetes?

 

[Pony Soldier]

He said no idea. No injuries. No physical signs. He just woke up with unbearable pain and checked into the hospital.

They couldn't give him a reason either.

 

[Amos Keeto]

He said no idea. No injuries. No physical signs. He just woke up with unbearable pain and checked into the hospital.

They couldn't give him a reason either.

Fecal matter occurs!

 

[Chrisamx]

My recovery would have probably been much better, but I had other lower extremity damage due to the car wreck.
Left foot fractures healed just fine.
Right calcaneus (heel) being crushed has caused balance and agility problems. In 2017, due to pain, the ankle had to be pinned. That caused even more balance and agility difficulties.
Plus the fact that I don't have any weight bearing structure left undamaged.
BUT.....I can still walk....just not very far or very fast! LOL!

Do you use a brace of any kind?

 

[Amos Keeto]

Do you use a brace of any kind?

No, it's hard enough getting dressed every morning without adding a brace! LOL!
I spend the first few minutes of "awake" gathering phone, glasses and loosening up joints so I can stand and walk.

 

[Chrisamx]

No, it's hard enough getting dressed every morning without adding a brace! LOL!
I spend the first few minutes of "awake" gathering phone, glasses and loosening up joints so I can stand and walk.

That lower extremity damage sucks. Is there anything they can do such as additional surgeries?

 

[Amos Keeto]

That lower extremity damage sucks. Is there anything they can do such as additional surgeries?

Maybe, but at 74, I'm no longer willing!
I'll take what's going on. I've had about all the surgery recoveries I care to experience.

I'm looking at having to replace my left elbow. It's bone-on-bone and can be very painful.
I've already had 6 orthopedic surgeries. I'm riding this elbow until it's absolutely unbearable.

BTW! That's not counting the 4 hours I spent in a cath-lab having 3 stents inserted.

 

[Chrisamx]

Maybe, but at 74, I'm no longer willing!
I'll take what's going on. I've had about all the surgery recoveries I care to experience.

I'm looking at having to replace my left elbow. It's bone-on-bone and can be very painful.
I've already had 6 orthopedic surgeries. I'm riding this elbow until it's absolutely unbearable.

BTW! That's not counting the 4 hours I spent in a cath-lab having 3 stents inserted.

You're the first person Ive heard of getting an elbow replaced. Good luck and let me know how that turns out.

 

[Amos Keeto]

You're the first person Ive heard of getting an elbow replaced. Good luck and let me know how that turns out.

There is a reason. According to the surgeon who does the replacement, it's not to be taken lightly!
An elbow replacement is only good to pick up 5 to 10 pounds.
Should you fall and damage the implant, it can't be repaired! You're just SOL! Due to my loss of stability and agility, a fall could be catastrophic.
Doctor's suggestion was wear an elbow brace. When the pain becomes intolerable, THEN consider an implant.

 

[Chrisamx]

There is a reason. According to the surgeon who does the replacement, it's not to be taken lightly!
An elbow replacement is only good to pick up 5 to 10 pounds.
Should you fall and damage the implant, it can't be repaired! You're just SOL! Due to my loss of stability and agility, a fall could be catastrophic.
Doctor's suggestion was wear an elbow brace. When the pain becomes intolerable, THEN consider an implant.

That's crazy. I'd be worried sick

 

[Amos Keeto]

That's crazy. I'd be worried sick

Me too.
Ergo, no surgery until I just can no longer tolerate the pain.

I had a "trigger" thumb. Crazy thing would wake me up in the middle of the night. Finally, after sleepless nights, I gave up and had the thing repaired.
Same with my shoulder. It got to where I couldn't get a full night sleep.
The "kicker" was trying to shoot a skunk in the front yard. The recoil hurt so bad I almost dropped my vintage Rem "Sportsman"!
Walked back in the house and called to set up an appointment.

 

[Chrisamx]

Me too.
Ergo, no surgery until I just can no longer tolerate the pain.

I had a "trigger" thumb. Crazy thing would wake me up in the middle of the night. Finally, after sleepless nights, I gave up and had the thing repaired.
Same with my shoulder. It got to where I couldn't get a full night sleep.
The "kicker" was trying to shoot a skunk in the front yard. The recoil hurt so bad I almost dropped my vintage Rem "Sportsman"!
Walked back in the house and called to set up an appointment.

I find that aging and staying in the game can be quite challenging