Do you have bad hips?
I'm 31 now; Total rip replacements last 7-15 years, and at the moment you can
have 2, after which there isn't enough leg left to do another. Looks like my
retirement will be a fun time, still it can't be much worse than my late 20's
were )0;
If you return to this page, I shall keep it updated with the options and
choices I have
My first thoughts were on: Hip Resurfacing
but all of the respected surgeons I have spoken to they have all said "I
wouldn't have it" and "not if they paid me". Taking into account my age and the
other issues with my leg I just can't see why there is any doubt that this
should be considered.
As it turned out, my hip had already deteriorated due to avascular necrosis and
there wasn't enough hip left to do resurfacing. This was pretty disappointing
as you may guess, even more so as it was recommended that any surgery should be
done with the backup of the NHS. There is a 9 month waiting list for a
consultation, never mind an op.... But I'm working on it ;o) For those of you
who are interested, I have metal plates in my tibia and fibula, a nail running
the length of my femur keeping the ends of my femur apart from a 6" loss of
bone. I have had my acetabulum wired after it was shattered by the top of my
femur passing by. I'm gonna try and get some Xrays to post on here too.
Click here for a diagram
Update - 5/9/03
Things are progressing, on the 18th August I had my first preliminary operation
on the path to having a THR. I have had my femoral nail removed, along with the
related screws. This means that there is now at least room for a THR when the
time is right. I was in St James' in Leeds for 3 days and I must admit that I
turned the air blue in the recovery room - this was the most painful operation
that I have woken up after to date. Anyway - Op on the 18th Home on the 20th -
Bargain, or so I thought! Come the following Saturday I received a telephone
call from the Ward asking "how do you feel?" - turns out that I had a major
MRSA infection and I was back in Ward 25 for a further week on intraveinous
Vancomycin. Forget pain! Imagine a week in solitary in a side room with nothing
but Daytime Telly....
Update - 20/11/03
After more blood tests I was admitted for an emergency biopsy of the hip.
My story continues
here with
a web log of continuing treatment.
Anyway, Here's a list of sites that I have found interesting to date: