Re: Lurker question - hips

May 24, 2011

Where at in Wyoming? Billings Mt. has great! doctors. also Bozeman mt. has a

Great Dr. Anterior is the best approach, fast healing and no restrictions, I

would assume in Denver there are top docs there.

Barbara

________________________________

From: Adrienne Ward <Award@...>

Joint Replacement

Sent: Tue, May 24, 2011 9:00:16 AM

Subject: Lurker question - hips

Hello hippies:

I am a lurker who had a TKR almost 2 years ago. The knee folks in this

group gave good advice, which helped me a lot then. Now I have a hip

that is troublesome - like I cannot stand for longer than it takes to do

the dishes without severe hip pain (R hip). I have an appt. with my

orthopede next week, and he will probably take pictures and tell me

depressing things about hip replacement (I am 71). While lurking for the

2 years on this site, I have not paid too much attention to the choices

in hip replacement. My local is a rural hospital, good enough for knee

work but I question whether it is state of the art for hips. I recall a

post about hip replacement done on a special operating table? And

" minimally invasive " , " anterior vs posterior " choices - but I did not

save any of those posts.

Basically I am looking for what to ask him, and where else to go for

best op. with shortest recovery. I am willing to travel (<>5 or 6 hours)

for a better result. I live in Wyoming. Any and all advice will be very

welcome.

Thanks - Adrienne

May 24, 2011

Adrienne, there is a procedure called hip resurfacing that worked tremendously

well for me. There's a group dedicated to it. Check it out if you're

interested:

surfacehippy

ville, TN

>

> Hello hippies:

>

> I am a lurker who had a TKR almost 2 years ago. The knee folks in this

> group gave good advice, which helped me a lot then. Now I have a hip

> that is troublesome - like I cannot stand for longer than it takes to do

> the dishes without severe hip pain (R hip). I have an appt. with my

> orthopede next week, and he will probably take pictures and tell me

> depressing things about hip replacement (I am 71). While lurking for the

> 2 years on this site, I have not paid too much attention to the choices

> in hip replacement. My local is a rural hospital, good enough for knee

> work but I question whether it is state of the art for hips. I recall a

> post about hip replacement done on a special operating table? And

> " minimally invasive " , " anterior vs posterior " choices - but I did not

> save any of those posts.

>

> Basically I am looking for what to ask him, and where else to go for

> best op. with shortest recovery. I am willing to travel (<>5 or 6 hours)

> for a better result. I live in Wyoming. Any and all advice will be very

> welcome.

>

> Thanks - Adrienne

>

May 24, 2011

Yes Adrienne I'm one of the hippies who had the direct anterior approach. This

is where the five inch incision is done in the front and no muscle or ligaments

are cut resulting in no restrictions and a very short recovery time. The key

words for this surgery is Direct Anterior Approach. My doctor is the only one in

this area (New Orleans) that does it, but there are others out there depending

on the locale. I highly recommend it if you can go this route. I see people in

rehab who have had conventional hip replacement that are still struggling far

beyond where I am. No matter which approach you have though, making sure you

are as healthy as you can be and finding a physician you trust and feel

comfortable with is key. What you can do is Google direct anterior approach and

add the largest city close to you and see what you get on the internet. That may

lead you in a positive direction. I wish you all the best on this journey!

On May 24, 2011, at 10:00 AM, Adrienne Ward wrote: