New Parts... New Member!

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone, I am new here. I have been struggling with all the

changes since my new hip and had so many questions I don't know why

I did not think to join earlier since I belong to 3 other groups.

(Animal groups) Let me give you a short run down of my ordeal.

My husband and I are OTR truck drivers (we drive separate trucks

for same Co. more money that way)

My hip finally gave out this past April after 2 years of slowly

getting worse and more painful

I had surgery on May 25 at the U of I Med. Center in Chicago (We

live in Arkansas but couldn't get surgery till July here)

Had a total right hip done. Zimmer brand, titanium, ceramic,

porous so my bone would grow into it as they would not cement it

in. I am 56 and they said the chances of a redo were high. They

said trying to get the old one out of the Femur would be too risky

and may crack the bone if it were cemented in.

I was on crutches for 6 weeks as I was told absolutely NO weight

bearing on that leg so as not to risk good early healing. Then I

went to a cane, now I have been off the cane for 2 weeks.

I have had pain in the groin since I started putting weight on

the leg. Also, after much whoha with the Dr. he measured my legs

only to confirm my arguement that the right leg was longer. *Only*

by HALF an inch as the Dr. put it. It feels like 3 inches and it

has affected my walking and caused back aches and strain on the left

hip that some days that side hurts.(DR. said NO lift to the shoe

till after 8 months if it is still the same) I have tried to walk

each day at least a block but I sure pay for it the rest of the

day. I still take OTC pain med. to help ease the ache. I am at the

9 week mark. Aug.25 will be 3 months.

My mom AND mother-in-law both had new hips and they breezed

through and were normal by 2 months and never had any pain. Their

legs were also the SAME length.(One was 72yrs. and the other 80yrs.

and theirs were cemented in)

I am very depressed and wonder if I will ever be right again and

be able to go back to work driving a truck. I also raise Quarter

horses and love to ride.

I know this was a bit long but I wanted you all to get sort of a

good picture of what I am up against. I would love to have input

from anyone who has had a similar experience and any advice would be

welcome. Thanks, Eleanor