New Member

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I'm not Jane, but I'm even bigger than you. I'm 6'5 " and 265 lbs. I was

walking

with 2 crutches the day after surgery, one crutch the day after that and in a

week I

could walk a little without the crutch. I had gone to a cane only in a couple

weeks

and by 5 weeks I had given up the cane. At 8 weeks I took a 3 mile walk on a

mountain trail with 10 " of snow.

You probably didn't hear about resurfacing from your doc because he doesn't

do

them. The only one who can truly judge is a resurfacing surgeon. Dr Gross at:

http:/

/www.grossortho.com/ and Dr DeSmet at: http://www.hip-clinic.com/ will give a

free analysis based on a digital x-ray attached to your email.

Good Luck

Joe Alvord, Eagle River, Alaska

> >

> > Hi Everyone

> > I am new to this group. I am 26 and have stage 2 avn in both my hips. I can

walk

around

> but can't lift anything or due physcial activities " snowboarding, running,

lifting

weights or

> jumping " . THR was suggested but I think I am way to young for this. Is anyone

my

age

> going

> through this?

> > Jay

> >

> >

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

> > for Good

> > Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

laz, do a lot of research on the graft before you have it done! the success % is a lot less than what my dr.s made it out to be. i've seen it stated as high as 95% but then i have seen reports that it is closer to 40%. the recovery sucked. i was pretty much in bed for 6 weeks, then another 6 weeks with just touch weight bearing and then 6 more with 15lb weight bearing. over all i was on crutches for almost a year. by the time i was off the crutches it seems like it was already starting to hurt again and then i had to go through a replacement anyway's. i had 18 inches of stitches in my calf and 18 1/4 on my hip, plus now i am missing 6 inches of bone they harvested for the graft. someone would have to do one heck of a sales job to make me even think of recommending it to anyone.

_____________________________________________________________________ FREE Emoticons for your email! Click Here!

[Guest guest]

My Dr- Mont At Sinai ( Rubin Institute for Advance Orthopedics)

in land...does both resurfacing and regular THR

MJ...

Jane Le Kanides

http://www.my.tupperware.com/maryjanelk Visit my online Tupperware store

[Guest guest]

Hi gcoffey,

I agree with you I wouldn't tell anyone to have a Hip replacement .Well you have a nice day.

Susie

-------------- Original message --------------

laz, do a lot of research on the graft before you have it done! the success % is a lot less than what my dr.s made it out to be. i've seen it stated as high as 95% but then i have seen reports that it is closer to 40%. the recovery sucked. i was pretty much in bed for 6 weeks, then another 6 weeks with just touch weight bearing and then 6 more with 15lb weight bearing. over all i was on crutches for almost a year. by the time i was off the crutches it seems like it was already starting to hurt again and then i had to go through a replacement anyway's. i had 18 inches of stitches in my calf and 18 1/4 on my hip, plus now i am missing 6 inches of bone they harvested for the graft. someone would have to do one heck of a sales job to make me even think of recommending it to anyone.

_____________________________________________________________________ FREE Emoticons for your email! Click Here!

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb,

I had my left knee done 2 months ago and I'm doing very well. Each person deals with the surgery, the pain, and heals differently but I can tell you what I dealt with. I had my surgery on August 1. I'm youngish at 47, so I have youth as an advantage. I had a lot of pain at first but in the hospital I had a "happy button" that gave me hits of morphine. Use the button because it helps so much. After that the doctor put me on percocet. Take your meds before the pain gets going. Getting ahead of the pain will help. When you get home from the hospital you'll need some help if possible. Rest and relax as much as you can. PT isn't easy but it's well worth all the work and effort. You'll get out of PT what you put in. Do your exercises at home and it is a lot easier. This surgery is not for a wuss, but I don't regret it at all.

Take care,

BARB <barbmch@...> wrote:

Hi, I have to make the decision to have my left knee replaced

sooner or later. I wanted to read about other's experiences.

BARBBEGIN:VCARDVERSION:2.1N:;BARBFN:BARBEMAIL;PREF;INTERNET:barbmch@...REV:20051015T042038ZEND:VCARDGod bless you!

Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.

[Guest guest]

Thank you for sharing your experience with me, . I am not a wuss but like all do not

enjoy pain. How long does the PT last usually? Are you still going or do you just do the exercises at home now? BARB

Re: new member

Hi Barb,

I had my left knee done 2 months ago and I'm doing very well. Each person deals with the surgery, the pain, and heals differently but I can tell you what I dealt with. I had my surgery on August 1. I'm youngish at 47, so I have youth as an advantage. I had a lot of pain at first but in the hospital I had a "happy button" that gave me hits of morphine. Use the button because it helps so much. After that the doctor put me on percocet. Take your meds before the pain gets going. Getting ahead of the pain will help. When you get home from the hospital you'll need some help if possible. Rest and relax as much as you can. PT isn't easy but it's well worth all the work and effort. You'll get out of PT what you put in. Do your exercises at home and it is a lot easier. This surgery is not for a wuss, but I don't regret it at all.

Take care,

BARB <barbmch@...> wrote:

Hi, I have to make the decision to have my left knee replaced

sooner or later. I wanted to read about other's experiences.

BARBBEGIN:VCARDVERSION:2.1N:;BARBFN:BARBEMAIL;PREF;INTERNET:barbmch@...REV:20051015T042038ZEND:VCARDGod bless you!

Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb,

I had my right knee done Oct. 2004 and it was a disaster at first. My surgeon did not give me blood thinners pre-surgery and I got a blood clot in my right calf. It caused me to return to the hospital 5 days after my surgery. I was then put on blood thinners and told to stay motionless in the hospital bed for 7 days. After that, I went to rehab for 10 days. Lying in the bed caused me to grow scar tissue over the surgery site. So, make sure you have blood thinners, as said use your pain meds regularly and keep at the PT as tough as you can take it. Get your rest in between PT. As we've all said a million times - everyone is different. But in my case I was not a happy camper. I was in PT a full 6 months after which my ROM is only about 95 degrees. I returned to work at 4 months. I am 5'11" tall and could not get in and out of the car without killing myself. I don't know at one year what my ROM is now but I don't think it is more than 100. However, I am pain free, walk perfectly and it feels like I might still have a little more improvement in the last 2 months. So now i can say the knee "feels like my own" and I am living without the ultimate ROM most people have. I am satisfied - not ecstatic.

I also have clicking noises when I walk which drives me crazy, especially in the house when it is so quiet.

So now you have 2 sides of the story - but I'd bet on it that you will hear more good than bad.

Good luck, keep in touch. I think we might be neighbors cause I have a tampabay e-mail address too!!! Where are you??

God Bless,

Joy

-- Re: new member

Hi Barb,

I had my left knee done 2 months ago and I'm doing very well. Each person deals with the surgery, the pain, and heals differently but I can tell you what I dealt with. I had my surgery on August 1. I'm youngish at 47, so I have youth as an advantage. I had a lot of pain at first but in the hospital I had a "happy button" that gave me hits of morphine. Use the button because it helps so much. After that the doctor put me on percocet. Take your meds before the pain gets going. Getting ahead of the pain will help. When you get home from the hospital you'll need some help if possible. Rest and relax as much as you can. PT isn't easy but it's well worth all the work and effort. You'll get out of PT what you put in. Do your exercises at home and it is a lot easier. This surgery is not for a wuss, but I don't regret it at all.

Take care,

BARB <barbmch@...> wrote:

Hi, I have to make the decision to have my left knee replaced

sooner or later. I wanted to read about other's experiences.

BARBBEGIN:VCARDVERSION:2.1N:;BARBFN:BARBEMAIL;PREF;INTERNET:barbmch@...REV:20051015T042038ZEND:VCARDGod bless you!

Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.

[Guest guest]

Hi

I had a Hip replacement done five years ago and had to use a walker for over six weeks my hip was uncemented what was yours ? Well you try and take one day at a time and have a nice day.

Susie

-------------- Original message -------------- Hi everyone, I posted a message yesterday but it has not come through. Sorry if this is a duplicate to any of you.I had a total hip done on September 12th. I'm still using a walker at this time. I did mange to walk about 10 steps the day before yesterday but it was with a hop as I'm unable to put all my weight on my operated hip. Does this sound normal to you guys? I'm also still in pain. I thought I would be walking on my own by now, but there is no way. I had hoped to go back to work at 2 months post op, but I don't think that will happen at the rate I'm going. Any feed back would be appreciated. Jean

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb,

I just wanted to wish you the best of luck and welcome to the group.

Susie

-------------- Original message --------------

Hi, I have to make the decision to have my left knee replaced

sooner or later. I wanted to read about other's experiences.

BARB

Attachment: vcard [not shown]

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb!

I had my left knee done about 2 and half months ago now. For

myself, recovery seems to be a slow process, but I do notice

improvements every week. Sometimes small improvements and other

times bigger. I found the first month fairly painful, but after

that, the pain started to get easier to manage. At about the 6 week

mark, the pain was much easier to take.

I was supposed to take blood thinners for six weeks after the

surgery. I managed to take them for about a month, but that was

it. I found I felt very dishraggy and tired while taking them and

there was a big problem for the first few weeks regulating my

dosage. I'm sure though that they are important to take, at least

for a while.

I am still going to physio, although just once a week, mostly for

the ultrasound. I find it very helpful. I do my PT at home

faithfully. I have been told by several people who have had knee

replacements, to keep at the exercise no matter what. Those that

stick with it, will do the best. One of the areas I have

ultrasounded is my scar, because it has thickened and I find it

helps to keep that area relaxed and I can bend the knee better.

Right now I have some relatively good days, pain and stiffness wise

and of course, some bad ones. I still have a bit of a limp, which

also has better days. I occasionally use a cane, when I go out of

the house, just for a little extra stability. If I know I'm going

to be doing a fair amount of walking I bring it along. I never use

it around the house though.

From everything I've read and from talking to different people,

recovery seems to be an individual thing. Some people come along

fast and others don't. I think I'm a little on the slower side, but

I know I'll get there.

The biggest thing with a knee replacement, is patience. It requires

a lot of that. Hope that helps a little! Good luck to you,

whatever your decision!

>

> Hi, I have to make the decision to have my left knee replaced

> sooner or later. I wanted to read about other's experiences.

> BARB

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Susie.........right now I am just reading all the messages that

you others are exchanging....BARB

Re: new member

Hi Barb,

I just wanted to wish you the best of luck and welcome to the group.

Susie

-------------- Original message --------------

Hi, I have to make the decision to have my left knee replaced

sooner or later. I wanted to read about other's experiences.

BARB

[Guest guest]

, thank you for your helpful message. I like hearing the good parts and

bad parts about the whole process. I know everyone is different but I like to

be prepared for the worst too. BARB

Re: new member

Hi Barb!I had my left knee done about 2 and half months ago now. For myself, recovery seems to be a slow process, but I do notice improvements every week. Sometimes small improvements and other times bigger. I found the first month fairly painful, but after that, the pain started to get easier to manage. At about the 6 week mark, the pain was much easier to take. I was supposed to take blood thinners for six weeks after the surgery. I managed to take them for about a month, but that was it. I found I felt very dishraggy and tired while taking them and there was a big problem for the first few weeks regulating my dosage. I'm sure though that they are important to take, at least for a while.I am still going to physio, although just once a week, mostly for the ultrasound. I find it very helpful. I do my PT at home faithfully. I have been told by several people who have had knee replacements, to keep at the exercise no matter what. Those that stick with it, will do the best. One of the areas I have ultrasounded is my scar, because it has thickened and I find it helps to keep that area relaxed and I can bend the knee better. Right now I have some relatively good days, pain and stiffness wise and of course, some bad ones. I still have a bit of a limp, which also has better days. I occasionally use a cane, when I go out of the house, just for a little extra stability. If I know I'm going to be doing a fair amount of walking I bring it along. I never use it around the house though.From everything I've read and from talking to different people, recovery seems to be an individual thing. Some people come along fast and others don't. I think I'm a little on the slower side, but I know I'll get there.The biggest thing with a knee replacement, is patience. It requires a lot of that. Hope that helps a little! Good luck to you, whatever your decision! >> Hi, I have to make the decision to have my left knee replaced> sooner or later. I wanted to read about other's experiences.> BARB>

[Guest guest]

It is too soon.You must be able to do weightbearing according to your PT and OS.

Ev

FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.

[Guest guest]

Do not put a heating pad on you operated leg,that is according to my rehab PT !

.. Recovery takes time,depending on the individual.Ask you PT..

Ev

FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb,

I don't like pain either believe me. My OS saw to it that I was comfortable at all times with good pain meds. Insist on that. I went to PT from two weeks after surgery till the end of September, so for about 8 weeks, 3 times a week. How long you do PT will be determined by how well you do and how hard you work. I do my exercises at home now. I see my OS again in January.

Take care,

BARB <barbmch@...> wrote:

Thank you for sharing your experience with me, . I am not a wuss but like all do not

enjoy pain. How long does the PT last usually? Are you still going or do you just do the exercises at home now? BARB

Re: new member

Hi Barb,

I had my left knee done 2 months ago and I'm doing very well. Each person deals with the surgery, the pain, and heals differently but I can tell you what I dealt with. I had my surgery on August 1. I'm youngish at 47, so I have youth as an advantage. I had a lot of pain at first but in the hospital I had a "happy button" that gave me hits of morphine. Use the button because it helps so much. After that the doctor put me on percocet. Take your meds before the pain gets going. Getting ahead of the pain will help. When you get home from the hospital you'll need some help if possible. Rest and relax as much as you can. PT isn't easy but it's well worth all the work and effort. You'll get out of PT what you put in. Do your exercises at home and it is a lot easier. This surgery is not for a wuss, but I don't regret it at all.

Take care,

BARB <barbmch@...> wrote:

Hi, I have to make the decision to have my left knee replaced

sooner or later. I wanted to read about other's experiences.

BARBBEGIN:VCARDVERSION:2.1N:;BARBFN:BARBEMAIL;PREF;INTERNET:barbmch@...REV:20051015T042038ZEND:VCARDGod bless you!

Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free. God bless you!

FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.

[Guest guest]

Hi

Here is a great book

HIP REPLACEMENT OR HIP RESURFACING: A STORY OF CHOICES by PEGGY GABRIEL

It is an incredibly honest and unformative book

hope this helps

jane in Wales

>

> Greetings! I have a congenital right hip dislocation that was surgically

repaired when I

was 2 years old in 1966. I'm now 41 and almost down to bone-on-bone. I'm

trying to

educate myself on my options to put off a total hip replacement as long as

possible, and

plan for the inevitable. I was happy to find a place to ask questions and gain

information.

I will go back and read past messages, but to start off does anyone have book

recommendations? -B

>

[Guest guest]

I took prednisone for joint pain and it made it worse. I got

Avascular Necrosis form it. So prednisone is not always the cure it

is sometimes the cause!

I have had hips and shoulders replaced. Knees are good for my age,

49.

Good luck.

Sue

>

> Allow me to introduce myself.

>

>

>

> I am 51. 4 years ago I developed my 5th autoimmune disease, Giant

Cell

> Arteritis (inflammation of the blood vessels in the head) and had

to stop

> working. I was on prednisone, moderate dose, for 3 years. I

started

> tapering the prednisone slowly, and when I got to 10 mg/day, my

knees, which

> were already bothering me, got very bad. On Xray/MRI, both knees

have

> severe osteo-arthritis, due probably to a combination of things: I

was born

> knock-kneed, I worked out on stairmasters daily for many years, and

I skied

> a bit. I also wore high heels for many years, without pain, - hey,

I'm

> short! Now, the only shoe I can wear is the z-coil shoe for pain

relief.

> It's a miracle I can walk at all.

>

>

>

> In the last 2 months I have gone from moderate pain to pretty

severe pain,

> and almost complete dysfunction of both knees. I am going to have

> arthroscopic surgery on the left knee in a couple of weeks because

it has

> some other issues, which may be helped (floating bone chips, torn

meniscus).

> However at this point, I can barely go up/down stairs at all

without extreme

> pain and having to hold on to banisters. I can walk short

distances (1-2

> miles) on flat, even surfaces, but am very unsteady on anything

else, and

> stairs are rapidly becoming impossible. Long story, but due to the

> prednisone, which I have to taper down very slowly, I cannot build

muscle

> now so my quads are very weak and will be that way for 6 more

months.

>

>

>

> I have many questions, but the main ones are: Is there anyone else

in this

> group 51 or younger, who has had knee replacement, and how are you

doing?

> What kinds of questions should I ask - I know nothing about the

various

> kinds of prostheses available. I am pretty sure there is nothing

else which

> can be done for me - I am already taking the most powerful anti-

inflammatory

> drug out there (prednisone) and still can barely move my knees. I

can't

> take NSAIDs (stomach) or -2 inhibitors (allergy) and already take

> Tylenol/codeine almost daily for my other pain issues.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Callahan Goodman

>

> claire@...

>

[Guest guest]

I am not taking prednisone for knee pain or for osteoarthritis,

which I have in lots of my joints, not just in my knees.

I have 5 autoimmune diseases, one of which can cause

blindness, hence the justification for using prednisone, although it is of

course a very dangerous drug. I am lucky in that over 4 years of taking a

moderate dose of prednisone (20 mg/day) I have not gotten AN YET, and I am

currently down to 9 mg/day and hope to be off prednisone within the year.

However, one of my autoimmune diseases (ulcerative colitis) is flaring up very

badly right now! But I am determined not to raise the prednisone

dose. Unfortunately it makes life very inconvenient (ulcerative colitis)

but staying home a lot has made my knees hurt less…

I am to have arthroscopic surgery on my left knee to get rid

of some foreign bodies floating around, and to mend a torn meniscus. Of

course the main problem is the arthritis, which is very advanced, but these

other things add to the swelling and dysfunction of the left knee, so I am

hoping it will help a bit – at least I may be able to straighten and flex

the knee all the way after the surgery.

Prednisone in any dose over 5 mg/day makes the body

incapable of building any muscle at all. So my quadriceps and other

muscles are all atrophied, although I am very active, and any exercise just

causes an increase in pain. So I am very hopeful that I will be able to

reduce the prednisone enough to start being able to build up my leg muscles

again, which will make the knee arthritis hurt less – I am told!

claire

Callahan Goodman

claire@...

From:

Joint Replacement

[mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of Sue

Sent: Friday, March 17, 2006 6:11

PM

To:

Joint Replacement

Subject:

Re: New Member

I took prednisone for joint pain and it made it

worse. I got

Avascular Necrosis form it. So prednisone is

not always the cure it

is sometimes the cause!

I have had hips and shoulders replaced.

Knees are good for my age,

49.

Good luck.

Sue

>

> Allow me to introduce myself.

>

>

>

> I am 51. 4 years ago I developed my 5th

autoimmune disease, Giant

Cell

> Arteritis (inflammation of the blood vessels in

the head) and had

to stop

> working. I was on prednisone, moderate

dose, for 3 years. I

started

> tapering the prednisone slowly, and when I

got to 10 mg/day, my

knees, which

> were already bothering me, got very

bad. On Xray/MRI, both knees

have

> severe osteo-arthritis, due probably to a

combination of things: I

was born

> knock-kneed, I worked out on stairmasters

daily for many years, and

I skied

> a bit. I also wore high heels for many

years, without pain, - hey,

I'm

> short! Now, the only shoe I can wear is

the z-coil shoe for pain

relief.

> It's a miracle I can walk at all.

>

>

>

> In the last 2 months I have gone from

moderate pain to pretty

severe pain,

> and almost complete dysfunction of both

knees. I am going to have

> arthroscopic surgery on the left knee in a

couple of weeks because

it has

> some other issues, which may be helped

(floating bone chips, torn

meniscus).

> However at this point, I can barely go

up/down stairs at all

without extreme

> pain and having to hold on to

banisters. I can walk short

distances (1-2

> miles) on flat, even surfaces, but am very

unsteady on anything

else, and

> stairs are rapidly becoming impossible.

Long story, but due to the

> prednisone, which I have to taper down very

slowly, I cannot build

muscle

> now so my quads are very weak and will be

that way for 6 more

months.

>

>

>

> I have many questions, but the main ones

are: Is there anyone else

in this

> group 51 or younger, who has had knee

replacement, and how are you

doing?

> What kinds of questions should I ask - I know

nothing about the

various

> kinds of prostheses available. I am

pretty sure there is nothing

else which

> can be done for me - I am already taking the

most powerful anti-

inflammatory

> drug out there (prednisone) and still can

barely move my knees. I

can't

> take NSAIDs (stomach) or -2 inhibitors

(allergy) and already take

> Tylenol/codeine almost daily for my other

pain issues.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Callahan Goodman

>

> claire@...

>

[Guest guest]

:

Welcome aboard. Here is a book someone mentioned a few weeks ago on

this forum that I highly recommend. " Total Knee Replacement and

Recovery " Here is a link to Amazon. I have only read the first few

chapters but so far I am very encouraged. The book was written by

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

had both knees replaced at the same time so he is giving a

perspective from both sides of the knife. The book is like a

workbook and breaks down experiences each week/s or month/s after the

operation.

I am like you have been doing research on the subject before my TKR.

Keep us posted and share what you find out.

Don

>

> Allow me to introduce myself.

[Guest guest]

,

For pain control ask your Dr. about methadone. It is "old fashioned" but works quite well. I'm sure someone will scream about addiction but if you are going to need pain control for maybe the rest of your life when does it start any why does it matter??

I take a very low dose three times a day and I feel I could stop cold turkey tomorrow if I had to. At 5mg a dose addiction is not a huge factor. When it is given as a heroine replacement the dosage can be 200 to 300mg a day, now that's a problem! The only real side effect I have is I need to, sometimes, take a fiber pill to keep things moving

[Guest guest]

I have tried it but was allergic –

then I got desensitized to it, but found it wasn’t that great for pain,

and I felt sort of bad on it. I may need to re-visit methadone, or try

getting de-sensitised to something else – like levorphanol or something

like that. My pain level, which is from joints, muscles and other areas,

is getting dreadful, and I am still a long way from knee replacement, I

think! So I have to do something in order to function.

Thanks for the suggestion!

Callahan Goodman

claire@...

From: Joint Replacement

[mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of b-gcoffey

Sent: Sunday, March 19, 2006 7:16

AM

To:

Joint Replacement

Subject: Re:

New Member

,

For

pain control ask your Dr. about methadone. It is " old fashioned "

but works quite well. I'm sure someone will scream about addiction but if you

are going to need pain control for maybe the rest of your life when does it

start any why does it matter??

I

take a very low dose three times a day and I feel I could stop cold turkey

tomorrow if I had to. At 5mg a dose addiction is not a huge

factor. When it is given as a heroine replacement the dosage can be 200 to

300mg a day, now that's a problem! The only real side effect I have is I need

to, sometimes, take a fiber pill to keep things moving

[Guest guest]

Thank YOU! Will order now.

Callahan Goodman

claire@...

From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of Don

Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2006

9:30 AM

Joint Replacement

Subject:

Re: New Member

:

Welcome aboard. Here is a book someone

mentioned a few weeks ago on

this forum that I highly recommend.

" Total Knee Replacement and

Recovery " Here is a link to

Amazon. I have only read the first few

chapters but so far I am very encouraged.

The book was written by

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

PT. The Dr. Falkel

had both knees replaced at the same time so he is

giving a

perspective from both sides of the knife.

The book is like a

workbook and breaks down experiences each week/s

or month/s after the

operation.

I am like you have been doing research on the

subject before my TKR.

Keep us posted and share what you find out.

Don

>

> Allow me to introduce myself.

[Guest guest]

Hi , Just wanted to welcome you to this group there are a lot of nice people hear and they will help you .I had a Hip and Knee replacement done on my right side . I never had a MRI the dr went by x-rays he took of MY Hips and my Knees my right side was worst then my left side I had these operations six and four years ago and still use a cane .Well you have a nice day. Susie Chapman <ltcol@...> wrote: Good morning all I am wondering if my

membership was not approved as I posted something about two weeks ago and it hasn't appeared on the board yet. I am wondering if all you knowledgeable people could assist me with some very basic information. I am an overweight 56 year old aussie male and have been experiencing quite severe right hip pain for about the last two months. (I also suffer from gout, but that's another story!) My questions are: Is hip trouble normally rapid onset like mine and do the doctors use an MRI for initial diagnosis? Comments on the group about not using surgery until you need a walking frame have been a little worrying also! Many thanks in advance for your advice ... Aussie (A friend of Aussie Margaret!)

[Guest guest]

Hi

Hip arthritis can come on quickly,

The comments about waiting for surgery until you can barely stand are rather

outdated as

there are newer types of replacement for younger people such as yourself, idea

being that

you can reclaim your quality of life.

Also with you being in Aus you are fortunate that these new types of replacement

known

as 'Hip Resurfacing " is done on a regular basis.

Read the following website (it is worth the trawl) and see what you think.

http://www.hipresurfacing.com/

I had both my hips resurfaced here in UK when I was 37 and I have never looked

back.

Best Wishes

jane in Wales

[Guest guest]

Many thanks for the web site URL and the advice Jane. Now all I have to do is overcome my inertia and see the GP for a referral!

Cheers

Aussie

From: "jane" <laeticia_demorte@...>Reply-Joint Replacement To: Joint Replacement Subject: Re: New memberDate: Wed, 10 May 2006 10:42:00 -0000Hi Hip arthritis can come on quickly,The comments about waiting for surgery until you can barely stand are rather outdated as there are newer types of replacement for younger people such as yourself, idea being that you can reclaim your quality of life.Also with you being in Aus you are fortunate that these new types of replacement known as 'Hip Resurfacing" is done on a regular basis.Read the following website (it is worth the trawl) and see what you think.http://www.hipresurfacing.com/I had both my hips resurfaced here in UK when I was 37 and I have never looked back.Best Wishesjane in Wales