Superpath Hip Replacement 3 weeks post op

Merry Christmas Everyone!

?Oh Martin... 4 generations of family, as hectic as it is sounds amazing.  How many families are there that celebrate like that!  Have a couple of cocktails and you wont notice a thing about your hips! lol  Interesting to hear about Royal Ortho Hospital in Birmingham. Don't know if I would want to be one of the first patients they practice on! But I'm glad Superpath is being expanded on your side of the pond. Is that hospital also part of the NHS?  Martin... being 62 myself, if I loved to ski and there were no restrictions after THR, I would give it a try...maybe not in the 1st 6 months. I think we have a lot of life left and having this done is supposed to give us all back 100% of our lives. Judith is a living example of why you should be skiing! Look how great she's doing!  I stay away from the Strip if I can help it.  lol  When you live here the last place you want to be is with all the tourists. Same thing when I lived in NYC.  Never would go near Time Square! lol.. You def need to come back and spend a bit more time here!!

?Thank you moderators for posting my response about Superpath.

?Wishing everyone an amazing, safe holiday!!!  xoxoox

 

Hi Gerri I think going through these hip issues awakens a realisation that life is for living for too long I had taken everything for granted and I don't think you really appreciate things when you do that . This journey certainly is not just physically changing it really makes you start to look at life from a different/better perspective. Certainly learned a lot mire about patience and acceptance. Anyway, yes at 62 life certainly should have a lot to offer really looking forward to getting back to skiing again soon I have 2 motorcycles waiting to be ridden and 2 big dogs missing their early morning long walks trying so hard now to be upbeat and optimistic .

Agree that might be best not to let them practice on you with this procedure I could potentially have it done through the NHS and save a considerable amount of money but I feel happier going with a surgeon who has had experience.

Hope all your holiday preparations are going well and that you have a great break

Martin x

Hi Martin,

i  agree with you. Where I live is pretty hilly. With the weather being gorgeous here most of the year, I used to love putting on my headphones and just walking,walking ,walking. It’s just simple things like walking your dogs that you never think about. You’ll be on your motorcycle in no time!!

i would definitely go with a surgeon with experience in what he specializes. I think that’s ultimately they way to get best results. I believe the is a surgeon in Vegas that does Superpath. He learned from Dr Chow. Besides the fact that they never called me back, I would rather go to the teacher than the pupil, at least when someone is cutting into my body! 

You up will be doing great by end of February,,don’t know about motorcycle riding...but walking the dogs for sure!!!

xo

Hi Martin I’m off to Val d’Isere, probably my favourite  ski area. It usually  has plenty of snow right up to May. Hope you’ll be skiing again in 2019, and I hope we will all have many more years of skiing ahead of us! At 59 I’m only a few years behind you. Have a great Christmas, and you too Gerri!

Hi Judith great skiing there did an early December weekend in Tignes many years ago my step son was out there end of November he works for Inghams and was out there training reps plus a bit of snow time .Wishing you a good Christmas

Cheers Martin

Dear Gerri

I agree that the most important decision once you need a total hip replacement is choice of surgeon. Looking at hospital records to find a surgeon with an excellent track record is crucial to a successful outcome.

It really does not matter that much if you like or do not like them though obviously liking your surgeon will give you a better feel good factor.

As regards to method I had my hip replaced twenty years ago using the tried and tested posterior approach using a poly cup and titanium stem. I had a very easy times of it and only needed one walking stick to walk out the hospital.

The stick was dispenced with a day or so after getting home and I was walking well on very rough country tracks almost as soon as I was home. My one mile walks soon became a lot longer. I was not told to take any precautions and after leaving hospital I took no pain relief because I did not need any.

I was back at work at about ten days and looking after a flock of sheep on a steep hill farm...driving at three weeks.

The hip lasted for twenty years of pretty tough work. When the poly wore through it and the ball were replaced with slightly larger versions of the same and the posterior approach was again used. Recovery has been good though slower for other reasons but still pretty fast.

Happy Christmas everyone!

Richard

Hey gerri and martin and everyome else

Manic as christmas day sonwill reply more tomorrow or day after but wanted to say MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all.

Love Gary xx

Dear Richard,

?   Totally agree with your comment about the surgeons experience. When I flew out to meet Dr Chow, I was hoping to "like" him, although even if I didn't I would have used him for my surgery. Turns out he is a very likable, caring Surgeon. He was running about 2 hours behind in his appts ( and I actually had to change to a later flight home). But it goes to show you how he takes his time with each patient. So the fact that I liked him, made me even more confident. The day of surgery when he came to speak to me, he had a nice smile on his face, addressed any concerns, and the last thing he said, was don't worry, I am going to take excellent care of you. We probably all say that to our surgeons, or our family/friend does right before being wheeled in..so it was nice that he just wanted to put my fears to rest.

?Now lets talk about how amazing your surgeon was from 20 years ago!! How incredible is it that with the older method, you didn't need crutches and you were walking the rocky terrain right away, with no precautions. That's amazing! Is it the same surgeon you used for the replacement? That kind of recovery is nothing short of a miracle, really!

?To all my new friends here...I wish you and your families a most wonderful Christmas Holiday!

xoxoxo

Dear Gerri

Without the internet or any idea what to expect as to recovery tines etc I went into the surgery with no fixed pre-conceptions. However my wife at the time who was in nursing warned me that the surgery may be unsuccessful and that I could end up in a wheelchair for the rest of my life....great support!

I quite often feel that a number on this forum allow themselves to have low expectations of speed of recovery so it becomes a bit like self fulfilling thing!I do not suggest for one moment that one should push too hard but rather do not let your progress be governed but someone else's experience because we are all very different. Being positive is very important IMHO.

Due to having moved 180 miles (a long way in a small country like the UK) into a different health authority and my original surgeon having been about to retire I had to find another surgeon

I wanted a surgeon well experienced in doing hip revisions and started looking at the records of appropriate surgeons close to home but found none that had the necessary experience so looked further afield and made a appointment with a man who fitted my criteria. You can imagine my surprise when the surgeon told me that he had been trained by my original surgeon!

There was a complication with my revision for two reasons. The first was that somehow the records of the type and size of the prosthesis used twenty years earlier where not attached to my records however my original surgeon remembered what he was using back then and mad a guess at the sizing!

The second snag was that at the time of my original surgery the sizing of the top of the prosthesis was changed and mine was either the original smaller one or the new larger diameter one....just what I did not want.

My new surgeon sent my X rays to the prosthesis company and they confirmed what size elements had been used.

They sent their technical rep down with adapters and replacement balls and cup fittings so as to be in theatre whilst I was being operated on. It was an up to the wire situation but thankfully it all came together on the day and the adapter fitted and a larger ball was fitted to the stem and a matching larger cup and retention fitting.

The revision was also done posterior but due to my having been on blood thinning tablets for four years the surgery left me with a lot of bruising which meant that my muscles took longer to be able to support me.

I had anticipated the same sort of speed of recovery that I had enjoyed the first time around so this was very disappointing! Then to add insult to injury so to speak when I left hospital in a passenger ambulance I was put on one of the small side rear seats and the driver did not give me time to put on my seat belt and drove off fast turning left which threw me onto the floor.

Net result suspected and later confirmed cracked pelvis which meant five weeks bed rest and no weight bearing and limited exercises.

At the expiration of this I was taken back to see my surgeon and given the all clear to start walking.

I made a rapid recovery in the circumstances getting rid of the crutches in under three weeks and walking a couple of miles each day. Bear in mind that I'm now 76 so this may have slowed my recovery time a bit. I'm now waiting for the difficult revision of my five year old total ankle replacement that was put on hold when my twenty year old hip failed. The next few months are going to be very demanding because even a primary TAR is far more long term and painful recovery than a hip replacement is.

Hope you are still awake at the back!

Cheers, Richard

Hi Richard,

Your account of your first hip replacement is amazing and gives a lot of confidence for people like me get  , hopefully, better, longer lasting devices.

Tony

Dear Richard,

Quite an amazing story you have shared with what you’ve been through. How incredible that you found a surgeon that was trained by the original! I think it’s great that the company that made your implant did what they did too. Your cracked pelvis after all of that is astounding. 

I agree with you, that you have to recover at your own pace and keep a positive attitude. It’s just good to share experiences to know what to expect. I don’t envy you having to soon go through the ankle revision. 

Minoe update on my progress. Made the mistake a Sunday morning of twisting a flatscreen TV in order to get to the back of it. Who knew you use your hips for this. I must have strained, or irritated the area at the top of my thigh, lower stomach. I actually had some pain and the thought ran through my mind ,what if I dislocated my hip? But after online research, it was evident if it was dislocated I would have been in enough pain that would have warranted a trip to the ER. Took out the walker at home to take off some of the pressure. Tried Tylenol..didn’t help. Today decided to use Meloxicam, which Dr C had prescribed after surgery. As an anti inflammatory, it made a world of difference, thank goodness. But I did decide to keep my activities to a minimum this week. Just lunch with friend, some desk work and now taking it easy. Tommorrow back to PT.. 

Hope everyone is having a great post Christmas Day!  Xo

Dear Gerri

Glad you found my recent hip journey interesting. Sorry that you have had the little set back but you will be fine I'm sure.

Where I'm staying with family over the Christmas holiday near Oxford we woke to find that we had had snow overnight but not enough to stop me getting to the station for my journey home this afternoon.

All the best to everyone here.

Richard

Hi Gerri hope your Christmas went well for you also hope your hip better after your fight with the TV ! I don't think we really appreciate how central our hips are in nearly everything we do its not until you feel them that you realise just what they do. Your experience bought back to mind a couple of months ago I needed to move a TV from one room to another probably about 50 feet on the level in the past I would have picked it up tucked it under my arm and 2 minutes job done.Not now it took about 15mins I had to pick it up sideways shuffle about 3steps stop and rest then same again and again etc what a pain in the .... !Just can't wait to be fixed but finding it difficult to believe that my legs will ever be able to function normally or near normally again.

Take care

Cheers Martin

Hi Martin,

i will do battle with the TV  📺 no more!  Lol. Our hips control everything!! Who gave them so much power and control.  Be kind to yourself about your tv  moving situation. Your hips are bone on bone 🍖..I’m impressed you were even able to move it at all! 👏🏻 I have no doubt that you will be feeling sooo much better,,even after 1 hip is done. When you finish with the 2nd one, you’ll be back to your younger, more improved version of yourself! I have total faith. 

Richard... hope you made it homevsafe and sound. 

Had PT today. Asked absolutely it the pain I was feeling and he said I must have pulled the muscles. Also, given I just had the surgery everything in the area would be more sensitive to anything happening. There was a woman there who asked me what I had done . I guess she heard the questions I was asking the therapist   When I told her I had a THR she asked me when and I said 3 weeks ago. She was astonished. She had THR Nov 3 and just started PT. She asked about superpath and we were saying how she has all the precautions she has to deal with. Nothing like what I am going through. Another thumbs up 👍🏻 for Superpath. 

Hope everyone has a wonderful evening!!   Xo 😘 

Dear Gerri

I hope you are feeling fine this morning. I did not make it home yesterday due to train problems but will be making the journey today hopefully. Five trains and the ferry!

Best wishes to everyone. Richard

Hi Martin, Hope you had a good Christmas. There’s such a good variety of skiing in the Val d’Isere/ Tignea area, and although it’s expensive they are always improving the lift system, snow making etc. Your stepson has a nice job! I’ve been with Inghams many times, very professional. Not too long before your op....

Good Morning Richard

?OMG...  5 trains and a ferry! That's a lot of traveling to get home.   I hope the train issues are all resolved today.. Safe journey!!!  xo

Dear Jerri

Thanks. I arrived home safely if a little tired! House not as warm as I had hoped as I had not expected the weather to be so cold during the last week. Got the bread maker going so a nice loaf of bread will be ready later today!

All the best, Richard

Lad you are home safe and sound! Thinking how awesome fresh bread baking would smell.  I’m getting jealous!  Lol

Im actually with a friend who needed someone to take him for a shot in his hip for an impingement. Seems like my whole life is centered around hips lol 

Tommorow I have PT and I am seriously considering making it my last. I can do the exercises at home ( which I have been doing). I think the only thing they can offer me is the actually hands on stretching. My insurance is weird because although it’s good insurance it’s not so great for PT. My out of pocket is $43.00a session. I would love to pay them just for the manual stretching. It’s not so much the money but I don’t feel like paying to do exercises that I can do at home.  I think I’ll run the thought by my trainer, as she’s very knowledgeable about the body and did a great job getting me prepared pre op. 

Oops. Hit reply and wasn’t done. Lol. Wanted to say send me a loaf of bread 🥖. Lol. Stay warm. Have an awesome day.  Xo 😘 

I’m pleased that your epic journey is over Richard. It’s certainly v cold today. 

Dear Gerri

Having done fine on my own with the first hip I really could not be bothered with physio for the recent revision so declined the offer.

The best I can do for you is to send yous picture of a recent loaf I made...oh hell I cannot do it from my phone from this site for some strange reason. I will try to do it from the laptop later and hope you get some idea of the smell and taste.

I've been making bread for over thirty years, originally by hand but in recent years using a bread maker. Always 100% wholemeal stone ground organic flour. Cannot remember when I last bought a loaf!

All the best, Richard

Hi Gerri, I agree, maybe just do your exercises at home, and see how you get on,. You could perhaps have some physio in the future if you felt you needed it? (I didn’t have any, and I’m fine) .  I had minimally invasive surgery, think it’s a bit like superpath. I have a v short scar, and had an easy recovery, though I did have restrictions , so maybe not quite the same. Have a good evening, Judith 

Dear Judith

Thanks. It was nice to have a few days away but nice to be back home.

I was made very welcome and spoilt something rotten and I met some interesting friends of theirs including an amazing 84yr old lady. She lives on her own in a fantastic old mansion that has been divided into very generous size apartments. She still drives and has an amazing figure! She used to be a fashion model many years ago and still carries herself well.

Best wishes, Richard

Dear Gerri

Here it is the smell of home made bread for you to enjoy with a nob of butter, unsalted if possible<BG>

Cheers,Richard

Sounds as though you had a very interesting  time!

Dear Judith

Yes it was fascinating to hear a bit about her life. She had an amazing wedding at Kathmandu in the Himalayas and showed her picture album of the whole adventure!

Cheers Richard

Hi gerri

As u may have guessed as ive been so quirt im spending christmas drinking eating and doing nothing lol just with family.

Upshot is absolutely no pain in hip anywhere!! So all the gym work i was doing seems to have alowed recobery as now i csnt evn tell ive had hip replacement.

Id say walking is the main exercise.

Merry christmas. Xxxxx

Hi martin

Hope you are having a lovely christmas break dsspite the pain. Only a month to go for u so keep spirots up

Dear Judith,

 This is what I love about  this website. WIth everyone sharing their experiences, it just helps us all so much. It’s good to know that although your procedure was a bit different, the fact that you are 100% without PT  gives me confidence that I’m making the right decision. And you’re right. I can always go back. I did have a milestone before. 👏🏻🎉. I also experience hurting heels, given that I live alone and have no one to help me with socks etc.   

My feet were really starting to hurt so I bought a file with a longer handle. Sitting on the tub I was able to bend my leg enough, leaning it on the tub to file, cream AND put on socks!! 🎉👏🏻  This is so huge, I’m so excited. Haha. Only people on this website can appreciate how a small thing like this is huge in “hip” Time. Lol 

Enjoy your evening. Thanks Judith. Xo

Dear Richard,

What  a fabulous time you must of had. The woman sounds amazing. Must have so interesting to hear her stories ! 

WOW... the picture of your bread 🍞 was so incredible, that I almost could taste it. 🍽Thank you for sending. 

Hope we you are feeling ok. Enjoy being home ! Xo

Gar,

So thrilled for you to have gone through the Christmas season totally pain free! Martin...this is going to be you in a month!! Sounds like you had a great holiday. So no more groin pain either? Are you still using a crutch at all ? Again, so good to hear your experience so we all know what to expect give or take with our own personal recoveries. Enjoy your last few days of partying before it’s time to ge back to work. Lol. All I know is I’m enjoying not working and that’s scary to me. Lol 

Have a great night! Xo

Dear Gerri

Glad you liked the bread picture shot on my phone. Cheers Richard

Hi Gerri, I know exactly how pleased you’re feeling about your legs! I clearly remember how excited I felt with each milestone......it feels so good when you can reach your legs/ toes again!

LOVED 🧡🧡🧡!

Absolutely. I even attempted my aerobic sneakers 👟 that needed to be tied. Although the tie was to the side, I did it!  I also told therapist I was done. 🎉. I am going to start working out at home with my trainer ,who is very knowledgeable..I think I will get more out of that at this point. 

Well it’s almost time for a nap..  have a great afternoon. Talk to everyone pre New Years. Xo

Cheers Gerri.

All the best. Richard

Happy, HEALTHY, New Year to all my new friends and  your families in 2018!   Whether you are in recovery, or having your surgery in the near future, just remember that by the time we reach the end of the New Year..we are all going be enjoying 💯 % of our lives. 

Xoxo. 🎉🎊🎉

You’re doing so well, I wish you a happy new year!

Hey gerri

Happy new year. Jope u have a great night. How is recobery going? Im jist about to have a snowball and start the partying hahaa.

I keep forgetting ive got a new hip!!! Hopefully tjat is inspirational for everyome im just 3 months post op .

Happy new year to you all