Sinking while swimming

Posted , 14 users are following.

I have read that each prosthetic weights between 3 and 5 pounds and it is made of sinking materials. Far less bone mass is removed than titanium installed.

My question is if anyone has noticed if they are less buoyant in the water afterwards.

I will have my second THR this summer and spend a lot of time at the lake with the kids. I just wondered if swimming would be like having 6-10 pounds worth of metal in my shorts.

Just curious.

3 likes, 26 replies

26 Replies

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  • Posted

    Thats an interesting thought. Im only 2 weeks post op but i cant wait to get back in the pool in the future.
  • Posted

    Am not sure of the exact weight but thought it was less , about 300gms - they,re not heavy when you pick them up ( used to manage ortho outpatients so got to play!) ive had 3 different hip replacement surgeries and haven't noticed any difference in the swimming pool , certainly didnt list to one side after the first one ! And didnt notice that much increase in weight post op 😀I dont  think you need to worry  🏊🏊🏊🏊🏊🏊🏊
    • Posted

      Thank you, that is good to know. I was telling the girls I may end up sinking to the bottom of the lake (jokingly).
    • Posted

      I just googled this and the info is all over the place. Some sites say 250-300 gms, others say 3-5 pounds, and I have found everything in between.

      Since you havent sunk yet I'm not going to worry about it.

    • Posted

      That is interesting Bini,

      I think we should all be allowed to handle the hardware!  Think it would be reassuring to see how smoothe the components glide. Also won't be able to blame the new hip on my increase in weight!  Darn!

      😀

    • Posted

      Thats a good point. I want even told what he had put in me because theres different types arent there?
    • Posted

      I insisted on knowing exactly what he'd put inside me, as there is a chance it might break in future, and I want to be in a position where I can tell another surgeon what hecan expect to find in me before I get opened up again.

      Mine is all BioMet cementless.

       

      Exceed ABT 15° Titanium Acetabular Shell, Porous and Hydroxyapatite Coated, f58mm

       

      Exceed ABT Ceramic Insert (This is the bit that is stuck at the wrong angle), Biolox Delta Material, For f58-60mm Shells 

       

      Biolox Delta Modular Ceramic Head, 36mm- 3mm Neck, Type 1 Taper

        

      Taperloc Complete Primary Femoral, Porous and Bonemaster Coated Titanium Stem, 12 x 144mm Standard Offset Type 1 Taper

      and a couple of Low Profile Dome Titanium Self Tapping Screws 6.5 x 25mm

      Quite a parts list !

      Graham - 🚀💃

    • Posted

      Go to the national joint register. Fill in the form with details of hospital, op date, surgeon etc. They will forward you the information
    • Posted

      Thank you I have just emailed the form to them xx
  • Posted

    Sarah , all prothesis in UK have to be registered on the National Joint Registry (NJR) , you should have been asked to sign a consent form for this . The info will be in your notes so if you ask for a copy they should give you one . Lists all coponents down to the individual screws that were used ( its in case theres problems later) 

    Chris - the consultants all kept a couple of spares so could show patients what they looked like / how they worked - I presumed that was universal practice , but guess not  which is a shame xx

    • Posted

      Kris I meant ! Sorry 
    • Posted

      I think i only signed a form to consent to the surgery, dont remember signing anything else
    • Posted

      I,d be surprised if you didnt , they have to get consent to share your personal details with the NJR , and I think all trusts are now signed up to it in UK - DO ask at your next appt because they are at fault if they didnt ask you to sign . I felt I ended up with so many bits of paper re my ops that I was drowning in them! Xxxx
    • Posted

      Hmm i will ask. But quite frankily my hospital experiance was pretty crap sp it wouldnt surprise me at all haha. I wrote a thread about it including my "discharge letter" x
    • Posted

      Just googled it , look it up by the 3 initials - at the bottom of the page under the patient tab it says you can contact them under the freedom of information act and get a copy if your op details. I was given a photocopy of mine , along with op notes after i had my second surgery but i think thats because that one was done in a private hospital , although paid for by NHS . The info for my first and 3rd op is in my NHS notes , although I think I,ll get a copy of them just so i have all the records
    • Posted

      Ill look into it thanks. Ill also take a look at the few biths of paper i came home with haha
    • Posted

      Haha it couldnt even be classed as a discharge letter tbh xx

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