New To The Group

[Guest guest]

, Your mom sure went through alot. Wow!!

I am Terry. I had TKR dec. 19 and I am walking out this recovery.

Welcome to the group. Terry

New to the group

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this group. Let me introduce myself. My name is . I need a

tkr in my right knee. I have had cortisone shots, the synthetic joint fluid,

and am on hefty doses of ibuprofen each day, as well as Ultram.

My knee is bone on bone, no cartilage left at all, and there are of course

the expected bone spurs in there as well. I would imagine many of you here

know what sort of pain I live with.

It's all very cut and dry, and two orthopedic surgeons have told me that

this is the only course of action for me. Having tried everything else, I

don't doubt them.

My own mother had both knees, both shoulders, and a hip replaced, so I have

a little experience with all this, but certainly not firsthand.

The only catch in all this is my age. I am only 42 years old and I have

heard one person after another tell me I am far too young to undergo this

procedure. My surgeon says I am young, but he sees no other recourse for me.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and for letting me join this group.

Looking forward to getting to know you folks better.

in Washington State

Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more.

[Guest guest]

:

Get this book

" Total Knee Replacement and Recovery "

By Dr. Brugioni MD and Dr. Jeff Falkel Ph.D, PT.

It has most of what you will need to know. It is like a workbook and

goes from day one out to the first years. VERY GOOD

Talking to my doctor last week I had asked him how many knees and hips

he had done. He said, Over fifteen years in the thousands and he had

not had a one comeback that was worn out. This does not include other

complications like infection or things the body does but the mechanics

of this proceedure are well known and understood. Plus the technology

is improving all the time. So if say in 10 or 20 years your knee

would need some attention there will be better ways and newer

procedures as well as materials available then. I guess I am saying

that the " to young " idea is out of date with the procedure and

technology. One last fact there are hundereds of thousands of

operations in the country every year like this and it is only going to

increase with the baby-boomers.

Go for it.

Don

[Guest guest]

Hi , I just wanted to welcome you to this group the people here are really nice and helpful :-) I was wondering how old was your Mom when she had all these replacements and how is she really doing ? Well you have a nice day:-) Susie Risener <mariaelisa64@...> wrote: Hi Everyone,I'm new to this group. Let me introduce myself. My name is . I need a tkr in my right knee. I have had cortisone shots, the synthetic joint fluid, and am on hefty doses of ibuprofen each day, as well as Ultram.My knee is bone on bone, no cartilage left at all, and there are of course the expected bone spurs in there as well. I would imagine many of you here know what sort of pain I live with.It's all very cut and dry, and two orthopedic surgeons have told me that this is the only course of action for me. Having tried everything else, I don't doubt them.My own mother had both knees, both shoulders, and a hip replaced, so I have a little experience with all this, but certainly not firsthand.The only catch in all this is my age. I am only 42 years old and I have heard one person after another tell me I am far too young to undergo this procedure. My surgeon says I am young, but he

sees no other recourse for me.Thanks for taking the time to read this, and for letting me join this group. Looking forward to getting to know you folks better. in Washington State

[Guest guest]

Thanks Don. I went right to Amazon and ordered the book you recommended. I'm

looking forward to receiving and reading it.

" Total Knee Replacement and Recovery "

By Dr. Brugioni MD and Dr. Jeff Falkel Ph.D, PT.

It has most of what you will need to know. It is like a workbook and

goes from day one out to the first years. VERY GOOD

Talking to my doctor last week I had asked him how many knees and hips

he had done. He said, Over fifteen years in the thousands and he had

not had a one comeback that was worn out. This does not include other

complications like infection or things the body does but the mechanics

of this proceedure are well known and understood. Plus the technology

is improving all the time. So if say in 10 or 20 years your knee

would need some attention there will be better ways and newer

procedures as well as materials available then. I guess I am saying

that the " to young " idea is out of date with the procedure and

technology. One last fact there are hundereds of thousands of

operations in the country every year like this and it is only going to

increase with the baby-boomers.

Go for it.

Visit my eBay store:

http://stores.ebay.com/s-Market

[Guest guest]

Susie,

My mom was about 60 when she had her first knee replacement. She's since had

the other knee, both shoulders, and a hip done. She is now 71 and doing well

as far as the joints go. She also has osteoarthritis in her back and

requires pain block shots in her back once a year.

>>Hi ,

I just wanted to welcome you to this group the people here are really nice

and helpful :-) I was wondering how old was your Mom when she had all these

replacements and how is she really doing ? Well you have a nice day:-)

Susie

Visit my eBay store:

http://stores.ebay.com/s-Market

[Guest guest]

Hi , I had my right Hip and my right knee done I was 57 and 59 they didn't go that well so I won't have my left side done at least I can still walk with my cane and I have a walker of wheels . I wish my regular Dr would have told me don't do the hip operation because my shoulder was bothering me he told me not to get a shoulder replacement that's way I said that about my Hip is whats bothers me the most :-( Well I wish you Mom the best of luck she did something I would never do :-) Well you take care and have a nice day:-) Its very cold in IL. I feel it in my bones and fake parts. Susie Risener <mariaelisa64@...> wrote: Susie,My mom was about 60 when she had her first knee replacement. She's since had the other knee, both shoulders, and a hip done. She is now 71 and doing well as far as the joints go. She also has osteoarthritis in her back and requires pain block shots in her back once a year.>>Hi ,I just wanted to welcome you to this group the people here are really nice and helpful :-) I was wondering how old was your Mom when she had all these replacements and how is she really doing ? Well you have a nice day:-)SusieVisit my eBay

store:http://stores.ebay.com/s-Market

[Guest guest]

Welcome,

I don't know if VCO will help but I do know that fish oil is good for that.

Take care,

Suzzi

-- New to the group

Hi all,

I am just recently finding out about the benefits of VCO. I have a

qeustion which might have been asked and answered in the past, but i am

hoping you will help me out.

I have very high triglyceride levels which I am trying to bring down.

Did any of you with high levels of triglyceride levels benefited from

VCO?

Thank you,

Nukhet

[Guest guest]

hi and welcome to the group. I am sorry to hear about your

pain, I know the symptoms only too well. I too went thru almost the

exact thing several years ago. And it took me several drs (who turned

me down cause I wasn't bad enough or didn't hurt enough ) to find one

who finally was willing to help me. I tell you I cried that day in

his office when he said " You need some help and I think I can do it

for you) It was a relief to hear someone believe in me and honestly

tell me they would do something to help me after suffering for almost

2 yrs with neck pain. I am confused did you mean Fusion instead of

infusion??? I think you did but I was not positive. I had a double

fusion in my neck and he cleaned out the spinal stenosis, took off

several bone spurs and a few other things I had wrong in there. But

he did not use any hardware in my neck, he just used bone grafts. So

it took me longer to heal and I had to be REAL EXTRA careful not to

fall or do anything to upset the discs while the grafts were healing

in there.My dr told me to think of my neck as kids building blocks

just one stacked on top of another with the grafts in between and

nothing to keep them in them in place, just the neck collar I wore

for over 2 months to help it be more stable. Well it healed up pretty

well I have pain in my left side sometimes but its usually from doing

something that I shouldn't have. For instance right now its bothering

me cause I feel asleep in my chair a few days ago and forgot to lean

it back, so when I woke up my neck was titled, NOT GOOD for your neck

anyway. But yes there is hope for you if you have a good surgeon you

could be lucky enough to feel alot better after a fusion. But be

sure and ask lots of ???'s about the surgery so you know what he is

going to do to you. Also I had mine done thru the front of my neck

not the back as its easier that way so they don't have to cut neck

muscles which take longer to heal. But I was not prepared for how

large the scar was, since there was so much he had to do in my neck I

ended up with a very large scar across the front of my neck. I

thought it would be pretty small so I was upset to find out how large

it was later. I forgot to ask that question. And you should see a

Pain Management dr who will treat you with the meds you need to be

on, percocet is the least they should give you for that kind of

pain. There are many ohter ( bad drugs out there that will help

with your pain and make it more bearable for you. I know its not easy

getting there either I felt like I was fighting a battle all uphill

till I finally found a good PM dr who treated me with stronger meds

to help with my nerve pain in my neck. I know only too well how

horrible that pain can be, to me it was the worst pain I can imagine.

Good luck and welcome to the group I hope some of this helps you and

if you have any questions feel free to ask. I know there are others

in the group who have gone thru the same thing. So hang in there.

Sharon Group Owner

p.s. If you are going to have the surgery, go ahead and do it asap,

don't wait until you are in so much pain you can't stand it. Cause

you will heal up faster if you don't let your body go downhill with

horrible pain,, lose weight, lose sleep, etm I found that out too

with my last back surgery. I was in stronger shape so I recovered

alot faster than when I was in such horrible physical shape from my

neck pain and first back surgery. It took me longer to heal and get

out and do things cause I was so weak before my surgery. Just my two

cents worth on surgery.

In neck pain , EVELYN AIREY <EV9255@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi All my name is and I'm 62 years old I mean young.(ha ha)

I have had pain in my neck along with headaches for about 10 years

but it got worse two years ago.My Dr. sent me to Orthopedic Dr.and he

did Ct & MRI and then told me I had spinealstenosis,stenosis along

with bone spurs,and degenerate disease along with disc problems.

> They put me on celebrax then I had injections in 4 places in my

neck and PT.

> Well here I am two years later and getting worse this month I had

the injections done again in neck and Friday I go to have lumbar

injections done.

> I went to a new Dr a month ago and he said he has no idea how I

have lasted two years like this but I did plus I was still working.

> Well know I have stop working and took my early retirement which

I did not want to do yet .

> He also said he gives me till August and then he will talk to me

about having infusions done.

> Needles to say I'm kind of scared about this but I'm sure I'll go

through with it.

> I hate waking up in the middle of the night with all these pains

sometimes I can't sleep I'm just one misable mess.

> So those of you who have had this tell me it does get better with

the surgery's.

> Thanks,

>

>

>

>

> Ev.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from

someone who knows.

> Answers - Check it out.

>

>

[Guest guest]

hi and welcome to the group. I am sorry to hear about your

pain, I know the symptoms only too well. I too went thru almost the

exact thing several years ago. And it took me several drs (who turned

me down cause I wasn't bad enough or didn't hurt enough ) to find one

who finally was willing to help me. I tell you I cried that day in

his office when he said " You need some help and I think I can do it

for you) It was a relief to hear someone believe in me and honestly

tell me they would do something to help me after suffering for almost

2 yrs with neck pain. I am confused did you mean Fusion instead of

infusion??? I think you did but I was not positive. I had a double

fusion in my neck and he cleaned out the spinal stenosis, took off

several bone spurs and a few other things I had wrong in there. But

he did not use any hardware in my neck, he just used bone grafts. So

it took me longer to heal and I had to be REAL EXTRA careful not to

fall or do anything to upset the discs while the grafts were healing

in there.My dr told me to think of my neck as kids building blocks

just one stacked on top of another with the grafts in between and

nothing to keep them in them in place, just the neck collar I wore

for over 2 months to help it be more stable. Well it healed up pretty

well I have pain in my left side sometimes but its usually from doing

something that I shouldn't have. For instance right now its bothering

me cause I feel asleep in my chair a few days ago and forgot to lean

it back, so when I woke up my neck was titled, NOT GOOD for your neck

anyway. But yes there is hope for you if you have a good surgeon you

could be lucky enough to feel alot better after a fusion. But be

sure and ask lots of ???'s about the surgery so you know what he is

going to do to you. Also I had mine done thru the front of my neck

not the back as its easier that way so they don't have to cut neck

muscles which take longer to heal. But I was not prepared for how

large the scar was, since there was so much he had to do in my neck I

ended up with a very large scar across the front of my neck. I

thought it would be pretty small so I was upset to find out how large

it was later. I forgot to ask that question. And you should see a

Pain Management dr who will treat you with the meds you need to be

on, percocet is the least they should give you for that kind of

pain. There are many ohter ( bad drugs out there that will help

with your pain and make it more bearable for you. I know its not easy

getting there either I felt like I was fighting a battle all uphill

till I finally found a good PM dr who treated me with stronger meds

to help with my nerve pain in my neck. I know only too well how

horrible that pain can be, to me it was the worst pain I can imagine.

Good luck and welcome to the group I hope some of this helps you and

if you have any questions feel free to ask. I know there are others

in the group who have gone thru the same thing. So hang in there.

Sharon Group Owner

p.s. If you are going to have the surgery, go ahead and do it asap,

don't wait until you are in so much pain you can't stand it. Cause

you will heal up faster if you don't let your body go downhill with

horrible pain,, lose weight, lose sleep, etm I found that out too

with my last back surgery. I was in stronger shape so I recovered

alot faster than when I was in such horrible physical shape from my

neck pain and first back surgery. It took me longer to heal and get

out and do things cause I was so weak before my surgery. Just my two

cents worth on surgery.

In neck pain , EVELYN AIREY <EV9255@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi All my name is and I'm 62 years old I mean young.(ha ha)

I have had pain in my neck along with headaches for about 10 years

but it got worse two years ago.My Dr. sent me to Orthopedic Dr.and he

did Ct & MRI and then told me I had spinealstenosis,stenosis along

with bone spurs,and degenerate disease along with disc problems.

> They put me on celebrax then I had injections in 4 places in my

neck and PT.

> Well here I am two years later and getting worse this month I had

the injections done again in neck and Friday I go to have lumbar

injections done.

> I went to a new Dr a month ago and he said he has no idea how I

have lasted two years like this but I did plus I was still working.

> Well know I have stop working and took my early retirement which

I did not want to do yet .

> He also said he gives me till August and then he will talk to me

about having infusions done.

> Needles to say I'm kind of scared about this but I'm sure I'll go

through with it.

> I hate waking up in the middle of the night with all these pains

sometimes I can't sleep I'm just one misable mess.

> So those of you who have had this tell me it does get better with

the surgery's.

> Thanks,

>

>

>

>

> Ev.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from

someone who knows.

> Answers - Check it out.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sharon I'm glad I found this group. I have been doing soon

reading and boy so many people with the same problem now I don't feel

all alone and also some one who understands me.

Yes I did mean fusion guess I kind of ran the words together.

I'm pretty sure I will have the fusions done but which end to do

first is the question.

I feel like maybe my neck first I wished they could do both ends at

the same time.Today is a bad day because we have had rain all night

and part of the day.

Well gona go and get something to eat. Hope your having a good day.

Ev.

> >

> > Hi All my name is and I'm 62 years old I mean young.(ha

ha)

> I have had pain in my neck along with headaches for about 10 years

> but it got worse two years ago.My Dr. sent me to Orthopedic Dr.and

he

> did Ct & MRI and then told me I had spinealstenosis,stenosis along

> with bone spurs,and degenerate disease along with disc problems.

> > They put me on celebrax then I had injections in 4 places in my

> neck and PT.

> > Well here I am two years later and getting worse this month I

had

> the injections done again in neck and Friday I go to have lumbar

> injections done.

> > I went to a new Dr a month ago and he said he has no idea how I

> have lasted two years like this but I did plus I was still working.

> > Well know I have stop working and took my early retirement

which

> I did not want to do yet .

> > He also said he gives me till August and then he will talk to

me

> about having infusions done.

> > Needles to say I'm kind of scared about this but I'm sure I'll

go

> through with it.

> > I hate waking up in the middle of the night with all these

pains

> sometimes I can't sleep I'm just one misable mess.

> > So those of you who have had this tell me it does get better

with

> the surgery's.

> > Thanks,

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Ev.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from

> someone who knows.

> > Answers - Check it out.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sharon I'm glad I found this group. I have been doing soon

reading and boy so many people with the same problem now I don't feel

all alone and also some one who understands me.

Yes I did mean fusion guess I kind of ran the words together.

I'm pretty sure I will have the fusions done but which end to do

first is the question.

I feel like maybe my neck first I wished they could do both ends at

the same time.Today is a bad day because we have had rain all night

and part of the day.

Well gona go and get something to eat. Hope your having a good day.

Ev.

> >

> > Hi All my name is and I'm 62 years old I mean young.(ha

ha)

> I have had pain in my neck along with headaches for about 10 years

> but it got worse two years ago.My Dr. sent me to Orthopedic Dr.and

he

> did Ct & MRI and then told me I had spinealstenosis,stenosis along

> with bone spurs,and degenerate disease along with disc problems.

> > They put me on celebrax then I had injections in 4 places in my

> neck and PT.

> > Well here I am two years later and getting worse this month I

had

> the injections done again in neck and Friday I go to have lumbar

> injections done.

> > I went to a new Dr a month ago and he said he has no idea how I

> have lasted two years like this but I did plus I was still working.

> > Well know I have stop working and took my early retirement

which

> I did not want to do yet .

> > He also said he gives me till August and then he will talk to

me

> about having infusions done.

> > Needles to say I'm kind of scared about this but I'm sure I'll

go

> through with it.

> > I hate waking up in the middle of the night with all these

pains

> sometimes I can't sleep I'm just one misable mess.

> > So those of you who have had this tell me it does get better

with

> the surgery's.

> > Thanks,

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Ev.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from

> someone who knows.

> > Answers - Check it out.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group n, you are not alone that is for sure.. I had to have

two different fusions on my neck.. on in 95 c5-6 and then in 2000 had to have it

done again. both due to wrecks. the fused c4-5 and c6-c7. The first time I had

to wear a brace for 4 months after the surgery.. but in 2000 they put in plates

so didnt have to wear one thank goodness.. I think the sugery is best for you

now with all the pain you are in. It will help alot. they will remove some of

the bone spurs when they do the surgery..

Hugs, Babs

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group n, you are not alone that is for sure.. I had to have

two different fusions on my neck.. on in 95 c5-6 and then in 2000 had to have it

done again. both due to wrecks. the fused c4-5 and c6-c7. The first time I had

to wear a brace for 4 months after the surgery.. but in 2000 they put in plates

so didnt have to wear one thank goodness.. I think the sugery is best for you

now with all the pain you are in. It will help alot. they will remove some of

the bone spurs when they do the surgery..

Hugs, Babs

[Guest guest]

HI and Thanks that's what they tell me it will help.I'm not sure how he will do

mine guess I'll find out next month.

I have trouble in C3 C4 C5 C6 & C7.and in my lumbar it's L5 & S1 I think.I get

confused when he talks a ll these numbers.

But for some reason I think it's also starting on my left side also in the

lumbar. I just get so tired of fighting this mess and then I get myself

depressed,

I want to do things and then I know I can't that's what drives me nutty,

How long have you had this problem and how long did it take to find out what

it was?

Hugs,

Ev.

Ev.

---------------------------------

The fish are biting.

Get more visitors on your site using Search Marketing.

[Guest guest]

HI and Thanks that's what they tell me it will help.I'm not sure how he will do

mine guess I'll find out next month.

I have trouble in C3 C4 C5 C6 & C7.and in my lumbar it's L5 & S1 I think.I get

confused when he talks a ll these numbers.

But for some reason I think it's also starting on my left side also in the

lumbar. I just get so tired of fighting this mess and then I get myself

depressed,

I want to do things and then I know I can't that's what drives me nutty,

How long have you had this problem and how long did it take to find out what

it was?

Hugs,

Ev.

Ev.

---------------------------------

The fish are biting.

Get more visitors on your site using Search Marketing.

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave:

I think the most practical home-based method to produce virgin coconut oil that

you can scale up to a small factory is this:

1. Grate the the coconut meat off the shell

2. Press the meat to squeeze out the cocomilk. Then add a little water to the

cocomeat and do second press to increase your yield.

3. Put the cocomilk in a pail. Allow to decompose overnight for a maximum of 24

hours. Keep the sorrounding temperature at 33 to 37 C to facilitate

decomposition.

4. Remove the oil that floats and filter clear. This is now your fermented or

ANH(absolutely no-heat) VCO).

5. Recover the cream that also floats like the oil. The cream still contain

plenty of oil. Cook this at low heat until the oil floats. Do not overheat to

avoid discoloration, and formation of too much glycation endproducts. This oil

is similar in quality to the expeller-pressed VCO.

I will be in the factory within the next two weeks. I will email you a picture

of a coconut meat grater.

Some information about VCO production process can be seen in my company's

website:www.ag-nutriceutical.com

Tony

<dave_coool@...> wrote: Hi all,

My name is and I'm from the Island of Curacao in the Caribbean.

I just started making coconut oil and I'm wondering if anyone knows

where I can buy a commercial coconut shredder or maybe plans how to

make one.I've been reading some old post and the way we make coconut

oil on the Island is nothing compare of what I'm reading so far. The

way I was told to make the oil was after shredding the coconuts...add

some water to it, let it stand and skim off the coconut milk and cook

it until the oil comes out. Please advice me of what I'm doing wrong.

Thank you all much,

Dave.

---------------------------------

Take the Internet to Go: Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news,

photos & more.

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

Thank you much for the great info.

I was wondering if someone has any idea where to buy one of those

coconut scrapper.Did find a manual one at

www.kashmirspices.com/Coconut.htm.

but I'm looking for an electric one.

Thanks,

Dave.

>

> Hi Dave:

>

> I think the most practical home-based method to produce virgin

coconut oil that you can scale up to a small factory is this:

>

> 1. Grate the the coconut meat off the shell

> 2. Press the meat to squeeze out the cocomilk. Then add a little

water to the cocomeat and do second press to increase your yield.

mod edited for brevity

[Guest guest]

Hello & welcome to the group!

Heidi**See what's new at AOL.com and Make AOL Your Homepage.

[Guest guest]

Hi, I have had both hips replaced due to osteoarthritis. I also had

bone spurs on both joints drastically limiting my range of motion. I

have had horrible lower back pain and knee pain for years. I am 35

years old, 5'8 " tall and weighed 260 lbs at the time of my surgery. My

first hip was done June 27, 2007 and the second done August 9, 2007...6

weeks apart. My surgeon never even mentioned my weight. I have

uncemented ceramic on ceramic on both sides. With my first surgery, I

was walking without a cane or walker by day 9 and was walking stairs

unassisted for Bible school by day 12. My physical therapist came to

only 3 visits and said that the only way the second surgery could go

any better is if I walked out of the surgery room! I felt great! I

had been doing taekwondo class with my family for the 9 months prior to

the surgery trying to get into better shape. I had to modify my

movements during class due to pain and lack of range of motion,

however, I believe building the muscles I did helped greatly with my

recovery. My second surgery went just as well....recovery is slower

however, due to the fact that there ended up being about an inch and a

half difference in leg length (due to a tilt of my pelvis and not the

actual leg length). I used a cane to just after week 4 started. I was

sent to physical therapy (at week 4 and 10 for my hips) 3 times a week

for a month to try and build muscle strength back to hopefully correct

the tilt. By the end of the month, I was doing leg lifts laying down

on my back, on my side, and on my stomach with 9 pound weights on my

ankles. I was doing leg presses with 120 pounds, riding a stationary

bike, using the elliptical machine, doing knee extensions with 47 pound

weights, and doing squats to the 90 degree point. Last week, (week 15

and 9 for my hips) I returned to our taekwondo class. Of course, I'm

still careful about kicking and don't kick the bags or participate in

the contact part of class for fear of loosening the replacements or

dislocating. I'm sure that there will be long term adjustments that

I'll have to keep, however I'm thrilled that I was able to go back at

all! Who knows, maybe my recovery would have been different if I had

been thinner. There were, however, much thinner people in therapy that

were having a much more difficult time with rehab than I was. Maybe it

has more to do with mental attitude...there was nothing that was going

to keep me down! I've lost 12 pounds since my surgeries...only 80 more

to go! I do still have stiffness...and some of the pelvic tilt left,

but my back pain, knee pain and hip pain is gone and I'm still

recovering...I feel GREAT! Sorry so long....I wish the best of luck to

you and your upcoming treatment.

>

> Hi, I am new to the group and have been told I need a total hip

> replacement. My hip is formed like an egg instead of a ball. I have

> severe back spasms which is from arthritis. Walking with a limp has

> not been good on my back. I am approx 100 pounds over weight and the

> doctor said I needed the surgery but the weight would hender my

> recovery. I would love the hear if any one here had a total hip

> replacement and was overweight. Looking forward to hearing from you

> all.

>

[Guest guest]

Hello Tinker.. I live in New mexico, and was told by 2 OS's here that i

needed a total hip replacement as well. I found out about resurfacing

from my chiropracter, whose mother had both hips resurfaced. No one

does the procedure in my state. After sending my xrays to several

doctors that did resurfacing, I received an assortment of " maybes "

and " no's " and only two solid " YES's "

Like Ron, I went to Belgium, for my resurfacing, although I had a bit

further to travel. After the surgery I was told that I had

a 'irregularly' shaped femur and that he was able to reshape it as he

prepped the bone to accept the 'cap' that goes over the head of the

femur. With this surgery you don't lose the whole head and neck of

your femur. I too am about 100 pounds overweight, and with the

resurfacing surgery, I am doing great with my recovery. Some doctors

were hesitant because of the weight, but the doctor I saw said that it

usually makes for extra solid bones.. because we are in essence weight-

lifting every time we get up and walk, or limp, as it were.

Now that I've had the surgery and can exercise, I cn get serious about

losing some of that weight. Six years of pain led to an increasingly

sedentary life. They tell you to lose weight before the surgery, but

it's awfully hard when everything hurts, isn't it?

IS your back pain from diagnosed OA in the spine, or is it referred

pain from walking with a limp? I had a lot of lower back and pelvic

pain before my hip surgery, and so much of it has gone away now that

everything is in place and I'm walking correctly much of the time.

It would cost you nothing to get some other opinions. The doctor that

Ron and I saw is one of the best and most experienced in the world. he

often can fix what no one else can. If you have the right insurance you

might get all or much of it covered too. But there are marvelous

doctors in the states also... You just need to get your xrays on a disk

if possible. Some hospitals charge you a nominal fee to do it. If

not, there are ways to take a digital photo of them against a light

source, such as a white computer screen.

Otherwise, from the reading I've done, I'd say that if in the end, a

THR is what you need, that lot's of overweight folks get them, and

while it might take a little longer, getting out of that miserable

joint pain is pretty important, and that will help you lose if you want

to. It's a miracle just to be able to walk around the world again.

Also, working out in the pool could be a less painful way to strengthen

your lower back and leg muscles. I only did that (in earnest) a month

before surgery, but I saw improvements daily! i think it helped

recovery a lot.

best wishes, and happy to help if you have any questions,

Kellen in NM

>

> Hi, I am new to the group and have been told I need a total hip

> replacement. My hip is formed like an egg instead of a ball. I have

> severe back spasms which is from arthritis. Walking with a limp has

> not been good on my back. I am approx 100 pounds over weight and the

> doctor said I needed the surgery but the weight would hender my

> recovery. I would love the hear if any one here had a total hip

> replacement and was overweight. Looking forward to hearing from you

> all.

>

[Guest guest]

–

Thanks for sharing your experiences.  Keep

up the good work.

Cheers,

From:

Joint Replacement

[mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of tracypainter2003

Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007

11:03 AM

To:

Joint Replacement

Subject:

Re: New to the group

Hi, I have had both hips replaced due to

osteoarthritis. I also had

bone spurs on both joints drastically limiting my range of motion. I

have had horrible lower back pain and knee pain for years. I am 35

years old, 5'8 " tall and weighed 260 lbs at the time of my surgery. My

first hip was done June 27, 2007 and the second done August 9, 2007...6

weeks apart. My surgeon never even mentioned my weight. I have

uncemented ceramic on ceramic on both sides. With my first surgery, I

was walking without a cane or walker by day 9 and was walking stairs

unassisted for Bible school by day 12. My physical therapist came to

only 3 visits and said that the only way the second surgery could go

any better is if I walked out of the surgery room! I felt great! I

had been doing taekwondo class with my family for the 9 months prior to

the surgery trying to get into better shape. I had to modify my

movements during class due to pain and lack of range of motion,

however, I believe building the muscles I did helped greatly with my

recovery. My second surgery went just as well....recovery is slower

however, due to the fact that there ended up being about an inch and a

half difference in leg length (due to a tilt of my pelvis and not the

actual leg length). I used a cane to just after week 4 started. I was

sent to physical therapy (at week 4 and 10 for my hips) 3 times a week

for a month to try and build muscle strength back to hopefully correct

the tilt. By the end of the month, I was doing leg lifts laying down

on my back, on my side, and on my stomach with 9 pound weights on my

ankles. I was doing leg presses with 120 pounds, riding a stationary

bike, using the elliptical machine, doing knee extensions with 47 pound

weights, and doing squats to the 90 degree point. Last week, (week 15

and 9 for my hips) I returned to our taekwondo class. Of course, I'm

still careful about kicking and don't kick the bags or participate in

the contact part of class for fear of loosening the replacements or

dislocating. I'm sure that there will be long term adjustments that

I'll have to keep, however I'm thrilled that I was able to go back at

all! Who knows, maybe my recovery would have been different if I had

been thinner. There were, however, much thinner people in therapy that

were having a much more difficult time with rehab than I was. Maybe it

has more to do with mental attitude...there was nothing that was going

to keep me down! I've lost 12 pounds since my surgeries...only 80 more

to go! I do still have stiffness...and some of the pelvic tilt left,

but my back pain, knee pain and hip pain is gone and I'm still

recovering...I feel GREAT! Sorry so long....I wish the best of luck to

you and your upcoming treatment.

>

> Hi, I am new to the group and have been told I need a total hip

> replacement. My hip is formed like an egg instead of a ball. I have

> severe back spasms which is from arthritis. Walking with a limp has

> not been good on my back. I am approx 100 pounds over weight and the

> doctor said I needed the surgery but the weight would hender my

> recovery. I would love the hear if any one here had a total hip

> replacement and was overweight. Looking forward to hearing from you

> all.

>

[Guest guest]

are you having both hips done at the same time? I only have had one done so far, but I simply could not imagine doing both together. I know people do it all the time, but not for me. Good Luck to you either way!Carol <carolsea2003@...> wrote: Hi, everybody!I just turned 58, and a couple of weeks ago found out that I have SEVERE osteoarthritis in both hips and so need bilateral replacements. It's really a relief to know why I've been in so much pain and why I can't walk straight! I was

thinking maybe muscle atrophy or something, but never dreamed of OA!It's very helpful to hear some other experiences; I'm planning to get some bed risers and move to the chair from my sofa which is really low now after being collapsed underneath lol. I already got a raised toilet seat (yesterday) because mine is already too low for me. It helps in maneuvering, but it's a little strange to get used to!!And I have 5 cats that are like my babies, so I'm hoping I won't have to be in the hospital long, because I have no one to come feed them. They can go a couple of days, but wouldn't leave them much longer. I know I'll have to put feeding dishes and litter boxes up on something higher - I'm going to try it ahead of time to see if they will adapt to it!Thanks for having me in the group. Carol in NC

Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.

[Guest guest]

Hello Carol:

Thought I write to you real quick. I am a bit worried but don't' want

to alert you. Your msg just so reminded me of myself when I first was

given a diagnosis. In my case it was RA and I hope very much that you

see a Rheumatologist and not just a regular Dr.

There is a blood test which distinguishes OA from RA. It's very

important that you find out for sure that you don't have Rheumatoid

Arthritis. Later being somewhat more serious and needs to be taken care

of with serious medication to prevent progress of deterioration of

other joints. I also was glad to have finally a name for this god awful

pain and things then went on from there. This was 13 years ago. After 2

hip replacements (one at the time) and now an upcoming knee

replacements (the other one in a year or so) I am in good spirits and

have learned to cope. You can count on do be about 3-4 days in a

hospital with a hip replacement and recovery down the road depending on

how hard you work on it.

I also have a cat which I started to feed on a bench in the hall way a

couple weeks before surgery as I wasn't able to bend to the floor. Also

put other items you use often at eye level or where you have easy

reach.

Take care and good luck

in Michigan

Carol wrote:

Hi, everybody!

I just turned 58, and a couple of weeks ago found out that I have

SEVERE osteoarthritis in both hips and so need bilateral

replacements. It's really a relief to know why I've been in so much

pain and why I can't walk straight! I was thinking maybe muscle

atrophy or something, but never dreamed of OA!

It's very helpful to hear some other experiences; I'm planning to

get some bed risers and move to the chair from my sofa which is

really low now after being collapsed underneath lol. I already got

a raised toilet seat (yesterday) because mine is already too low for

me. It helps in maneuvering, but it's a little strange to get used

to!!

And I have 5 cats that are like my babies, so I'm hoping I won't

have to be in the hospital long, because I have no one to come feed

them. They can go a couple of days, but wouldn't leave them much

longer. I know I'll have to put feeding dishes and litter boxes up

on something higher - I'm going to try it ahead of time to see if

they will adapt to it!

Thanks for having me in the group.

Carol in NC

[Guest guest]

HI Carol - You don't say where you are in NC but I hope your Dr's

have some resources to help you out. If you are in a medium sized city

visiting nurses may be a resource. It's tough when one has animals

that need care but if you have a vet that you've used for them that

may be a good start to get someone to come in and help with their care.

I will be having rthr surgery at the end of the coming week but I'm

blessed with a good husband to help. I am 58 also.

Kind Thoughts, Jane

>

> Hi, everybody!

>

> I just turned 58, and a couple of weeks ago found out that I have

> SEVERE osteoarthritis in both hips and so need bilateral

> replacements. It's really a relief to know why I've been in so much

> pain and why I can't walk straight! I was thinking maybe muscle

> atrophy or something, but never dreamed of OA!

>

> It's very helpful to hear some other experiences; I'm planning to

> get some bed risers and move to the chair from my sofa which is

> really low now after being collapsed underneath lol. I already got

> a raised toilet seat (yesterday) because mine is already too low for

> me. It helps in maneuvering, but it's a little strange to get used

> to!!

>

> And I have 5 cats that are like my babies, so I'm hoping I won't

> have to be in the hospital long, because I have no one to come feed

> them. They can go a couple of days, but wouldn't leave them much

> longer. I know I'll have to put feeding dishes and litter boxes up

> on something higher - I'm going to try it ahead of time to see if

> they will adapt to it!

>

> Thanks for having me in the group.

> Carol in NC

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group Carol. When is your surgery and what type of

prosthesis will you be getting?

Deb

>

> Hi, everybody!

>

> I just turned 58, and a couple of weeks ago found out that I have

> SEVERE osteoarthritis in both hips and so need bilateral

> replacements. It's really a relief to know why I've been in so

much

> pain and why I can't walk straight! I was thinking maybe muscle

> atrophy or something, but never dreamed of OA!

>

> It's very helpful to hear some other experiences; I'm planning to

> get some bed risers and move to the chair from my sofa which is

> really low now after being collapsed underneath lol. I already

got

> a raised toilet seat (yesterday) because mine is already too low

for

> me. It helps in maneuvering, but it's a little strange to get

used

> to!!

>

> And I have 5 cats that are like my babies, so I'm hoping I won't

> have to be in the hospital long, because I have no one to come

feed

> them. They can go a couple of days, but wouldn't leave them much

> longer. I know I'll have to put feeding dishes and litter boxes

up

> on something higher - I'm going to try it ahead of time to see if

> they will adapt to it!

>

> Thanks for having me in the group.

> Carol in NC

>