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[RJ749]

Well, the time has come.  It probably came a year ago but I had things to do and now seems to be a good window to get it done.

Saw the surgeon last week and scheduled it for April 30th.  I can be riding by mid-July when the weather gets to the point you can count on it up here.

For those familiar with the procedure it will be an anterior method, the surgeon has done them this way for ten plus years and was one of if not the first to bring the procedure to Seattle.

If you have any good advice let me know.  We're pretty well set with the necessary things around the house like shower grab handles and the like along with the grabber to pick stuf up and help get dressed etc.

[Twolanerider]

No advice to offer Rog.  Only good wishes for an effective replacement and a fast recovery with as little discomfort as possible.  Still remember Gary's and Brian Webb's afteraction reports.  Theirs and the reports of others who have had the work done nearly universally suggest life is better after than before.  So godspeed and quick to heal.

[RJ749]

No advice to offer Rog.  Only good wishes for an effective replacement and a fast recovery with as little discomfort as possible.  Still remember Gary's and Brian Webb's afteraction reports.  Theirs and the reports of others who have had the work done nearly universally suggest life is better after than before.  So godspeed and quick to heal.

Thanks Don, of the joints the hips do seem to be the speediest recovery and I know it will be much better after.

[JCZ]

Not sure what the "anterior" method is Roger.  However, I got an artifical hip approx. 6-7 yrs. ago.  Mine is all titanium (just a few weeks after the FDA approved it for all three pieces) and I've not had any problems with it since.

As soon as I came to, I had the pain from the surgery itself but the pain I'd been dealing with prior to the surgery was gone and I knew immediatly it was the best thing I'd done.

Recovery for a hip is a lot faster than for a knee.  I'd just caution you about those "feel good" days that come pretty quickly.  For me, I had been in pain so long that as soon as I felt the first couple of "feel good" days I though I was ready to start riding again.  I mean I'd snuck off an hour here and an hour there.  Then Jim asked for somebody to ride to Reno with him.....I volunteered.  By the time I got to Reno....even with the pain meds, I couldn't get off my bike.  I was in trouble and I knew it and so did Jim.  I told Jim "when we get back on the bikes I'm heading for home and I'm not stopping until I seem my driveway (120 miles)".  Took 3 or 4 Norco and got on that bike and rode....higher than a kite....still in excruciating pain.  Never got back on the bike for another month or so.

Good luck with it Roger.  I hope in the end that you're as happy with yours as I am with mine.

[Twolanerider]

Thanks Don, of the joints the hips do seem to be the speediest recovery and I know it will be much better after.

I certainly envy you getting it done.  My left side needs work.  Docs don't just agree but suggest it.  I can put it to the back of my mind most of the time and dismiss the obvious.  But it makes itself apparent more and more.  Always rationalize that there's not time or it can wait until I'm whatever age is still a few years away.  It's out there though.  Again, be well and heal quick.  Trailblaze for the chicken chits in the bleacher seats.

[Gank]

my wife had it done last year.  Buy the toilet seat insert to raise your toilet up 3-4 inches... makes a huge difference.

buy the little portable toilet to place beside your bed... yes beside your bed.  When you wake at 3 am and have to pee, buy the time you get out of bed walking to the bathroom is just too long.  Take that from experience, she was so embarrassed... and I was not impressed cleaning up the mess

Do all the physio.  Do all the physio

She said the pain she had lived with was gone, the recovery pain was different and short term.  Best move she ever made, not she looks forward to spring to ride with me... she has never been able too!!

[RJ749]

I hear you JC, the doc said his biggest problem is "guys" especially make a feel good recovery before it is time to use it 100%.

The anterior is a frontal approach and does not require the muscle to be cut from the bone.  They weave the replacement between the muscle and the incision is only 3-4" compared to the traditional method from the back side.

Thanks for the tips gank, hadn't thought about a bathroom malfunction. The toilet riser I have in hand and our toilets are already handicap height since we are both tall enought they are much more comfortable.

Don, it's up to you and I would have done it a year ago but wanted to make sure I didn't have a couple more years in this one, when it went it was quick.  I was getting around on the occasional ibuprofen but now even with ibu or aleve it doesn't help much.  looking forward to riding again.  That's when I know you'll get it done, when your groin range of motion goes and you can't sit on the bike without pain.

[HUBBARD]

Don't cross your legs!  Later--HUBBARD

[RJ749]

Don't cross your legs!  Later--HUBBARD

LOL, good advice I should have known 20 years ago as well.  Who knew crossing your legs causes hip problems?

Of course you couldn't have told me then and made a difference either.  I do recall when my dad had his hip replaced that was a big no-no, they told him not to ride motorcycles then too.  Thank goodness that isn't an issue any longer.

[Twolanerider]

Don, it's up to you and I would have done it a year ago but wanted to make sure I didn't have a couple more years in this one, when it went it was quick.  I was getting around on the occasional ibuprofen but now even with ibu or aleve it doesn't help much.  looking forward to riding again.  That's when I know you'll get it done, when your groin range of motion goes and you can't sit on the bike without pain.

That's the same thought I keep having Rog, that it'll go a "couple more years."  The docs tell me it should hurt more than it does and that it should be more limiting than it is.  But whether it's not that bad or I'm too stupid to notice I'm not there yet.  Will be following your recovery with interest though.  Everything I've read suggests your surgical method of choice is the current preferred approach.  Hopefully that will be speak well to a quick recovery with the least discomfort possible .

[Fired00d]

Roger first off best of luck w/your surgery.

Once you have it done you'll be wondering why you waited so long to have it done... nite and day difference from what you are probably feeling now.

Couple things I'll reemphasise....

Pain control - Take the pain meds as needed... actually before you think they will be needed. Don't wait to feel pain then take them... you'll be miserable until they kick in

Rehab - Do this as soon as they will let you and do as much and as often as they let/prescribe

Crossing your legs - I think what Hubbard is referring to is after hip surgery crossing your legs has the possibility of pulling the joint out of the socket and requires a second operation/procedure to put it back in place.

Toilet seat - sounds like you have that covered but you definitely don't want to be sitting low on the regular height seat.

I want to see you doing this eight weeks after surgery ...

I can't remember if you have it, but I'll PM you my number if you have any specific questions/concerns.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Fired00d]

That's the same thought I keep having Rog, that it'll go a "couple more years."  The docs tell me it should hurt more than it does and that it should be more limiting than it is.  But whether it's not that bad or I'm too stupid to notice I'm not there yet.  Will be following your recovery with interest though.  Everything I've read suggests your surgical method of choice is the current preferred approach.  Hopefully that will be speak well to a quick recovery with the least discomfort possible .

Before I had mine replaced I asked my Doc when would I need it replaced and he told me... "You'll know when I can't tell you.... when it starts affecting your sex life then it will be time". When I decided to have it done I told him... "It has started to affect my sex life... I can't swing off the chandelier anymore". Knowing good and well I haven't been able to swing my lard @$$ off the chandelier in years but it sounded good. Anyway... you'll know when it is time nobody will be able to tell you.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[phato1]

good luck with the procedure.

I had major reconstruction done on my knee over 10 years ago... so far so good  . It wasn't an artificial joint but an ACI procedure where they sample some good cartilage from the joint, basically clone it in the lab, then use it to replace all the worn out stuff. The doctor said I was to young at the time for an artificial joint and really I still am, honest 

Anyway I suggest following the doctors advice, Doing the rehab and therapy as directed, and on those "good" day when you feel great -- sit the hell down!! -- you don't want to overdo it because it will come back to bite you in the a** -- or hip as it were.

[RJ749]

good luck with the procedure.

I had major reconstruction done on my knee over 10 years ago... so far so good  . It wasn't an artificial joint but an ACI procedure where they sample some good cartilage from the joint, basically clone it in the lab, then use it to replace all the worn out stuff. The doctor said I was to young at the time for an artificial joint and really I still am, honest 

Anyway I suggest following the doctors advice, Doing the rehab and therapy as directed, and on those "good" day when you feel great -- sit the hell down!! -- you don't want to overdo it because it will come back to bite you in the a** -- or hip as it were.

  I have heard all the stories about not doing the P T. To the letter on that and avoid the trauma.

[Twolanerider]

Before I had mine replaced I asked my Doc when would I need it replaced and he told me... "You'll know when I can't tell you.... when it starts affecting your sex life then it will be time". When I decided to have it done I told him... "It has started to affect my sex life... I can't swing off the chandelier anymore". Knowing good and well I haven't been able to swing my lard @$$ off the chandelier in years but it sounded good. Anyway... you'll know when it is time nobody will be able to tell you.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

Paid close attention to your afteractions Gary knowing then it was a one-of-these-days things.  I don't do the off-the-beaten-path travel nearly so much as I used to so don't have to be concerned about boogeymen.  Can still throw the (ever bigger) kid up on shoulders or join her on the trampoline (though this gets aghast looks from the orthopod).  The other bits still function mostly without detriment as well.  If I paid attention to it it would hurt like a bitch sometimes.  But I'm still able to not pay attention to it.  Like you and Rog and Brian, all of whom I have or will watch going through, will know when it's time.  But I'm still 23 years old so we're not there yet.