Guest guest Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 At 01:33 PM 5/25/2004 +0000, you wrote: >My Plan is to get an annual X-Ray and consultation with the surgeon - > so that if it deterioates rapidly I can spot it before its to late >to have a resurface. A year is a long time if you are on the border of being able to be resurfaced or not. Sometimes it may be a matter of weeks before you've crossed the line. >I'm going to see the resurfacing surgeon in 2 days time and any >advice on what to ask would be appreciated. Mind goes blank when I'm >in front of a Dr then fills up as soon as I walk out.. Write down your questions before you go, and take the list with you ;-). If you can, you might want to take a friend who will catch a lot of what you didn't and can maybe write down answers for you. Cindy C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 At 01:33 PM 5/25/2004 +0000, you wrote: >My Plan is to get an annual X-Ray and consultation with the surgeon - > so that if it deterioates rapidly I can spot it before its to late >to have a resurface. A year is a long time if you are on the border of being able to be resurfaced or not. Sometimes it may be a matter of weeks before you've crossed the line. >I'm going to see the resurfacing surgeon in 2 days time and any >advice on what to ask would be appreciated. Mind goes blank when I'm >in front of a Dr then fills up as soon as I walk out.. Write down your questions before you go, and take the list with you ;-). If you can, you might want to take a friend who will catch a lot of what you didn't and can maybe write down answers for you. Cindy C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 At 01:33 PM 5/25/2004 +0000, you wrote: >My Plan is to get an annual X-Ray and consultation with the surgeon - > so that if it deterioates rapidly I can spot it before its to late >to have a resurface. A year is a long time if you are on the border of being able to be resurfaced or not. Sometimes it may be a matter of weeks before you've crossed the line. >I'm going to see the resurfacing surgeon in 2 days time and any >advice on what to ask would be appreciated. Mind goes blank when I'm >in front of a Dr then fills up as soon as I walk out.. Write down your questions before you go, and take the list with you ;-). If you can, you might want to take a friend who will catch a lot of what you didn't and can maybe write down answers for you. Cindy C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 In a message dated 5/25/2004 4:29:07 PM Pacific Standard Time, sog@... writes: I just cannot imagine someone doing Karate with hip probs - makes me > whince. As Des and I have stated from time to time, you've got to have at least a tiny masochistic streak to train karate for more than three decades. ;-) Steve and I are leading authorities when it comes to wincing. He failed to mention that we also are sadists who like to make other people wince, which happens after successful surgery. The timing concerning when you stop wincing and they start wincing is critical, though, and doesn't happen for at least 10 weeks after a unilateral resurf, and maybe a bit longer after a bilateral. > I think I have a much less agressive OA than yours, now with > hindsight I believe it started well over 6 years ago. I think mine had been developing for about a decade. Maybe longer, actually. The damage really seems to accelerate late in the disease process. Please keep a close watch on the progress of the arthritis. I can't agree more with Steve about watching this closely. In February, 2001, Mr. Treacy told me I shouldn't wait past the end of 2001 before resurfacing my left side. I scheduled my surgery for October, 2001 because I had all sorts of things to do that year, like go to Japan in May to test for my 5th degree black belt, and go to my parents' 50th wedding anniversary in South Africa in August. Afterwards he told me if I'd waited another month or so it would have been too late and he had to do some bone grafting anyway, to make the resurf work. The degeneration speeds up rapidly so watch it. Des Tuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 In a message dated 5/25/2004 4:29:07 PM Pacific Standard Time, sog@... writes: I just cannot imagine someone doing Karate with hip probs - makes me > whince. As Des and I have stated from time to time, you've got to have at least a tiny masochistic streak to train karate for more than three decades. ;-) Steve and I are leading authorities when it comes to wincing. He failed to mention that we also are sadists who like to make other people wince, which happens after successful surgery. The timing concerning when you stop wincing and they start wincing is critical, though, and doesn't happen for at least 10 weeks after a unilateral resurf, and maybe a bit longer after a bilateral. > I think I have a much less agressive OA than yours, now with > hindsight I believe it started well over 6 years ago. I think mine had been developing for about a decade. Maybe longer, actually. The damage really seems to accelerate late in the disease process. Please keep a close watch on the progress of the arthritis. I can't agree more with Steve about watching this closely. In February, 2001, Mr. Treacy told me I shouldn't wait past the end of 2001 before resurfacing my left side. I scheduled my surgery for October, 2001 because I had all sorts of things to do that year, like go to Japan in May to test for my 5th degree black belt, and go to my parents' 50th wedding anniversary in South Africa in August. Afterwards he told me if I'd waited another month or so it would have been too late and he had to do some bone grafting anyway, to make the resurf work. The degeneration speeds up rapidly so watch it. Des Tuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 Thanks Steve - I'm not the ultra competive type :-). But because I've always had small pains with the hips/groin I've probably quite tolerant in that region. You've made me think about it. I'm going to have to discuss a monitoring program with my surgeon. For instance I can ask my GP to send me for Xrays regularily but its going to be hard without insurance or even with ins cover to get this done. I.e. get a Dr to Compare last month's with this months xrays. Anyway the surgeon might say that I should get it down now... Its just my Quality of life is quite good now ok I can only walk 1-2 miles and running hurts too much. By the way you must be just one month after bilat!! Hope you are well > > I'm 35 year old male (UK) - who suffers from moderate pain (no drugs > > yet) reducing range of movement. At the moment I can live with it- > > however will have to consider a hip resurface (probably on both > > sides) I'm trying to leave the procedure as long as possible. > > > > Disregarding the pain issue. Is there any reason why I should do it > > sooner rather than later?? > > Yes. If there's too much bone damage, it may not be possible to > resurface your hip. Not everybody experiences a lot of pain, even when > there's significant damage to the joint - this is especially true of > people who have extremely competitive natures and are used to ignoring > pain during athletic training. > > > Am I damaging the part where the cap goes in or the femour by > > carrying on without getting it done?? > > Maybe, maybe not. Once the cartilage is gone and you have bone-on- bone > wear, the rate of damage can accelerate dramatically. I was stunned > at the amount of damage that had occurred between my last " checkup " > X-ray in December (when I finally decided to act) and my pre-op X- ray > on April 15. > > We've had a couple of people on this list who waited too long and > ended up with THRs instead because they could no longer be resurfaced > by the time they decided to proceed with surgery. > > > My Plan is to get an annual X-Ray and consultation with the surgeon - > > so that if it deterioates rapidly I can spot it before its to late > > to have a resurface. > > > > I'm going to see the resurfacing surgeon in 2 days time and any > > advice on what to ask would be appreciated. Mind goes blank when I'm > > in front of a Dr then fills up as soon as I walk out.. > > " White coat brain freeze " is pretty common. There's something about > the vulnerability of being in a medical setting that can induce a > feeling of complete helplessness. > > Here's a pretty simple coping mechanism that was suggested to me by a > friend who has (unfortunately) spent more time in doctors' offices > than anyone her age (39) ought to: > > Get a notebook. Write down the questions you want answered, one per > page or half page (i.e., leaving space to jot down the answers), and > take the notebook (and a pen, of course) with you. Just run down the > list of questions. > > Steve (bilat C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 Thanks Steve - I'm not the ultra competive type :-). But because I've always had small pains with the hips/groin I've probably quite tolerant in that region. You've made me think about it. I'm going to have to discuss a monitoring program with my surgeon. For instance I can ask my GP to send me for Xrays regularily but its going to be hard without insurance or even with ins cover to get this done. I.e. get a Dr to Compare last month's with this months xrays. Anyway the surgeon might say that I should get it down now... Its just my Quality of life is quite good now ok I can only walk 1-2 miles and running hurts too much. By the way you must be just one month after bilat!! Hope you are well > > I'm 35 year old male (UK) - who suffers from moderate pain (no drugs > > yet) reducing range of movement. At the moment I can live with it- > > however will have to consider a hip resurface (probably on both > > sides) I'm trying to leave the procedure as long as possible. > > > > Disregarding the pain issue. Is there any reason why I should do it > > sooner rather than later?? > > Yes. If there's too much bone damage, it may not be possible to > resurface your hip. Not everybody experiences a lot of pain, even when > there's significant damage to the joint - this is especially true of > people who have extremely competitive natures and are used to ignoring > pain during athletic training. > > > Am I damaging the part where the cap goes in or the femour by > > carrying on without getting it done?? > > Maybe, maybe not. Once the cartilage is gone and you have bone-on- bone > wear, the rate of damage can accelerate dramatically. I was stunned > at the amount of damage that had occurred between my last " checkup " > X-ray in December (when I finally decided to act) and my pre-op X- ray > on April 15. > > We've had a couple of people on this list who waited too long and > ended up with THRs instead because they could no longer be resurfaced > by the time they decided to proceed with surgery. > > > My Plan is to get an annual X-Ray and consultation with the surgeon - > > so that if it deterioates rapidly I can spot it before its to late > > to have a resurface. > > > > I'm going to see the resurfacing surgeon in 2 days time and any > > advice on what to ask would be appreciated. Mind goes blank when I'm > > in front of a Dr then fills up as soon as I walk out.. > > " White coat brain freeze " is pretty common. There's something about > the vulnerability of being in a medical setting that can induce a > feeling of complete helplessness. > > Here's a pretty simple coping mechanism that was suggested to me by a > friend who has (unfortunately) spent more time in doctors' offices > than anyone her age (39) ought to: > > Get a notebook. Write down the questions you want answered, one per > page or half page (i.e., leaving space to jot down the answers), and > take the notebook (and a pen, of course) with you. Just run down the > list of questions. > > Steve (bilat C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 > Thanks Steve - > I'm not the ultra competive type :-). But because I've always had > small pains with the hips/groin I've probably quite tolerant in that > region. You've made me think about it. > > I'm going to have to discuss a monitoring program with my surgeon. > For instance I can ask my GP to send me for Xrays regularily but its > going to be hard without insurance or even with ins cover to get this > done. I.e. get a Dr to Compare last month's with this months xrays. > > > Anyway the surgeon might say that I should get it down now... > > > Its just my Quality of life is quite good now ok I can only walk 1-2 > miles and running hurts too much. Okay - two years ago when I went in for my very first set of X-rays, my complaint ran something like this: I get significant pain after running more than about 3 miles, bicycling more than 15-20 miles, training karate for a couple of hours, or hiking for more than 7 miles or so. My range of motion was pretty limited. 18 months later, when I went bone-on-bone, I couldn't run, couldn't bike (just couldn't get *on* the damned thing, much less pedal any distance). I still did karate (with a lot of pain). I could hike 3 miles or so on a good day, but had a lot of trouble walking any distance at all on a bad day. By March of this year, walking a block was an excruciating experience. > By the way you must be just one month after bilat!! Hope you are well 5 weeks as of today. I have no pain whatsoever. I got X-rayed yesterday and sent them to my surgeon so he can determine when to release me from post-op bending and activity restrictions - at which point I intend to pursue physical therapy with a vengeance. Where do you live, anyway (this is an international group, so it helps to know which country new posters live in)? Steve (bilat C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 Hi, One of the other problems with leaving Resurfacing to later is the potential damage being done to other joints including the back where it seems the more serious damage can occur............ So it really isn't just a matter of monitoring the hip joint itself but those too................. For as many will attest here you can end up with a Resurfaced hip that works a charm but the rest of the body isn't too healthy...........which is rather a shame after suffering the hip for so many years.......... Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02 > I'm 35 year old male (UK) - who suffers from moderate pain (no drugs > yet) reducing range of movement. At the moment I can live with it- > however will have to consider a hip resurface (probably on both > sides) I'm trying to leave the procedure as long as possible. > > Disregarding the pain issue. Is there any reason why I should do it > sooner rather than later?? > > Am I damaging the part where the cap goes in or the femour by > carrying on without getting it done?? > > My Plan is to get an annual X-Ray and consultation with the surgeon - > so that if it deterioates rapidly I can spot it before its to late > to have a resurface. > > I'm going to see the resurfacing surgeon in 2 days time and any > advice on what to ask would be appreciated. Mind goes blank when I'm > in front of a Dr then fills up as soon as I walk out.. > > > Thanks alot > > Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 Hi, One of the other problems with leaving Resurfacing to later is the potential damage being done to other joints including the back where it seems the more serious damage can occur............ So it really isn't just a matter of monitoring the hip joint itself but those too................. For as many will attest here you can end up with a Resurfaced hip that works a charm but the rest of the body isn't too healthy...........which is rather a shame after suffering the hip for so many years.......... Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02 > I'm 35 year old male (UK) - who suffers from moderate pain (no drugs > yet) reducing range of movement. At the moment I can live with it- > however will have to consider a hip resurface (probably on both > sides) I'm trying to leave the procedure as long as possible. > > Disregarding the pain issue. Is there any reason why I should do it > sooner rather than later?? > > Am I damaging the part where the cap goes in or the femour by > carrying on without getting it done?? > > My Plan is to get an annual X-Ray and consultation with the surgeon - > so that if it deterioates rapidly I can spot it before its to late > to have a resurface. > > I'm going to see the resurfacing surgeon in 2 days time and any > advice on what to ask would be appreciated. Mind goes blank when I'm > in front of a Dr then fills up as soon as I walk out.. > > > Thanks alot > > Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 Steve I'm UK based. You're much more active than I am/was. I just cannot imagine someone doing Karate with hip probs - makes me whince. I think I have a much less agressive OA than yours, now with hindsight I believe it started well over 6 years ago. With range of movement gradually reducing. This year I finally got an XRay that confirmed I had OA. My GP previously said I was a " bit stiff " >at which > point I intend to pursue physical therapy with a vengeance. PLEASE PLEASE take it easy - this thing has got to last you - walk before you can crawl etc etc. Don't go mad. It would be stupid to risk going back to your previous state for the sake of a few months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 Steve I'm UK based. You're much more active than I am/was. I just cannot imagine someone doing Karate with hip probs - makes me whince. I think I have a much less agressive OA than yours, now with hindsight I believe it started well over 6 years ago. With range of movement gradually reducing. This year I finally got an XRay that confirmed I had OA. My GP previously said I was a " bit stiff " >at which > point I intend to pursue physical therapy with a vengeance. PLEASE PLEASE take it easy - this thing has got to last you - walk before you can crawl etc etc. Don't go mad. It would be stupid to risk going back to your previous state for the sake of a few months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 > Steve I'm UK based. Well, this is a *good* thing. Resurfacing is a lot more accessible on your side of the pond than it is here in the home of " the best healthcare system in the world " (G.W. Bush, 1/28/04). AFAIK, it's covered by NHS, and you have the option of " going private " , as well. Your surgeons are more experienced with resurfacing and it seems to be much more accepted among the British orthopedic community than it is here. > You're much more active than I am/was. > > I just cannot imagine someone doing Karate with hip probs - makes me > whince. As Des and I have stated from time to time, you've got to have at least a tiny masochistic streak to train karate for more than three decades. ;-) > I think I have a much less agressive OA than yours, now with > hindsight I believe it started well over 6 years ago. I think mine had been developing for about a decade. Maybe longer, actually. The damage really seems to accelerate late in the disease process. Please keep a close watch on the progress of the arthritis. Steve (bilat C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 Edith... You've hit on a critical issue. For me, I've already been forced to have two arthoscopic repairs to the right knee because, in a handball game, as I dropped for a shot, the damaged left hip didn't hold my weight as it would normally, and all the weight and torque went to the right knee. The meniscus just hates that, you know. That's an extreme case, I grant...but the point is important. The body adjusts and compensates as best it can. When we force it to do so, by changing (or not repairing) damaged biomechanics as soon as possible, we seem certainly to be courting more wide ranging damage, and more certain injury. Alan > Hi, > > One of the other problems with leaving Resurfacing to later is the potential > damage being done to other joints including the back where it seems the more > serious damage can occur............ So it really isn't just a matter of > monitoring the hip joint itself but those too................. For as many > will attest here you can end up with a Resurfaced hip that works a charm but > the rest of the body isn't too healthy...........which is rather a shame > after suffering the hip for so many years.......... > > Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02 > > > I'm 35 year old male (UK) - who suffers from moderate pain (no drugs > > yet) reducing range of movement. At the moment I can live with it- > > however will have to consider a hip resurface (probably on both > > sides) I'm trying to leave the procedure as long as possible. > > > > Disregarding the pain issue. Is there any reason why I should do it > > sooner rather than later?? > > > > Am I damaging the part where the cap goes in or the femour by > > carrying on without getting it done?? > > > > My Plan is to get an annual X-Ray and consultation with the surgeon - > > so that if it deterioates rapidly I can spot it before its to late > > to have a resurface. > > > > I'm going to see the resurfacing surgeon in 2 days time and any > > advice on what to ask would be appreciated. Mind goes blank when I'm > > in front of a Dr then fills up as soon as I walk out.. > > > > > > Thanks alot > > > > Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 Edith... You've hit on a critical issue. For me, I've already been forced to have two arthoscopic repairs to the right knee because, in a handball game, as I dropped for a shot, the damaged left hip didn't hold my weight as it would normally, and all the weight and torque went to the right knee. The meniscus just hates that, you know. That's an extreme case, I grant...but the point is important. The body adjusts and compensates as best it can. When we force it to do so, by changing (or not repairing) damaged biomechanics as soon as possible, we seem certainly to be courting more wide ranging damage, and more certain injury. Alan > Hi, > > One of the other problems with leaving Resurfacing to later is the potential > damage being done to other joints including the back where it seems the more > serious damage can occur............ So it really isn't just a matter of > monitoring the hip joint itself but those too................. For as many > will attest here you can end up with a Resurfaced hip that works a charm but > the rest of the body isn't too healthy...........which is rather a shame > after suffering the hip for so many years.......... > > Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02 > > > I'm 35 year old male (UK) - who suffers from moderate pain (no drugs > > yet) reducing range of movement. At the moment I can live with it- > > however will have to consider a hip resurface (probably on both > > sides) I'm trying to leave the procedure as long as possible. > > > > Disregarding the pain issue. Is there any reason why I should do it > > sooner rather than later?? > > > > Am I damaging the part where the cap goes in or the femour by > > carrying on without getting it done?? > > > > My Plan is to get an annual X-Ray and consultation with the surgeon - > > so that if it deterioates rapidly I can spot it before its to late > > to have a resurface. > > > > I'm going to see the resurfacing surgeon in 2 days time and any > > advice on what to ask would be appreciated. Mind goes blank when I'm > > in front of a Dr then fills up as soon as I walk out.. > > > > > > Thanks alot > > > > Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 Hi, Oh Alan I could feel the pain from here........groan. Not very nice and no doubt somewhat of a shock when it happened as well............ I keep mentioning the other damage as it doesn't seem to rate much of a mention when people go see a surgeon....... The answer always seems to be wait until you cannot stand the pain with little emphasis on the rest of the body which could well be suffering heaps of not easily fixed damage......... Guess it just means more business for them............smile. BTW Today I managed to swim 2 lengths of the big pool freestyle without flippers........... This has been a goal of mine for 3 months now.......... I am managing to swim 12 lengths of the pool in all but have been struggling to master the no flippers freestyle........ I didn't learn t swim as a child and learning now as an adult seems quite a challenge along with getting my body strong enough again............. Regaining fitness has been a long involved task for me and somewhat a shock at how long it has taken and how little it takes before pain levels elsewhere than the hip get unbearable........... Because of how much damage has now been done to other parts, the journey is more difficult, which is one of the reasons I keep on about other body damage occuring............ Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02 > > You've hit on a critical issue. For me, I've already been forced to > have two arthoscopic repairs to the right knee because, in a handball > game, as I dropped for a shot, the damaged left hip didn't hold my > weight as it would normally, and all the weight and torque went to > the right knee. The meniscus just hates that, you know. That's an > extreme case, I grant...but the point is important. The body adjusts > and compensates as best it can. When we force it to do so, by > changing (or not repairing) damaged biomechanics as soon as possible, > we seem certainly to be courting more wide ranging damage, and more > certain injury. > > Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 Hi, Oh Alan I could feel the pain from here........groan. Not very nice and no doubt somewhat of a shock when it happened as well............ I keep mentioning the other damage as it doesn't seem to rate much of a mention when people go see a surgeon....... The answer always seems to be wait until you cannot stand the pain with little emphasis on the rest of the body which could well be suffering heaps of not easily fixed damage......... Guess it just means more business for them............smile. BTW Today I managed to swim 2 lengths of the big pool freestyle without flippers........... This has been a goal of mine for 3 months now.......... I am managing to swim 12 lengths of the pool in all but have been struggling to master the no flippers freestyle........ I didn't learn t swim as a child and learning now as an adult seems quite a challenge along with getting my body strong enough again............. Regaining fitness has been a long involved task for me and somewhat a shock at how long it has taken and how little it takes before pain levels elsewhere than the hip get unbearable........... Because of how much damage has now been done to other parts, the journey is more difficult, which is one of the reasons I keep on about other body damage occuring............ Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02 > > You've hit on a critical issue. For me, I've already been forced to > have two arthoscopic repairs to the right knee because, in a handball > game, as I dropped for a shot, the damaged left hip didn't hold my > weight as it would normally, and all the weight and torque went to > the right knee. The meniscus just hates that, you know. That's an > extreme case, I grant...but the point is important. The body adjusts > and compensates as best it can. When we force it to do so, by > changing (or not repairing) damaged biomechanics as soon as possible, > we seem certainly to be courting more wide ranging damage, and more > certain injury. > > Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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