Ten Days Post Op.....

[Guest guest]

I would like to thank all of you for helping me get to ten days post

op. Special thanks to my new found friend and hip borther Dave.

Dave was kind enough to provide me with a wealth of information

along the way, not to mention he called me in the hospital two days

after surgery to provide encouragement. I can't imagine what it was

like going through this five or six years ago with little knowledge

or support. I hope to give back any way I can.

In my estimation this is as much a mental and emotional game as it

is one of physical perseverence. DON, I feel your mental pain over

this and it is not something to be taken lightly. You are doing the

right thing getting help for the mental aspects of this. Hang in

there. I had a bad crash at the world championships in Japan

several years ago. I was told I would never walk normally again. I

had four torn legiments in my knee and a compound fracture of my

tibia plateau. I was flown back to the US for surgery by a miracle

working OS and our team doctor. Since then I won two US national

titles in skiing and ran 15 marathons 2:35-2:45 as a recreational

runner. I was prepared for surgery, understood career ending

disappointment and the mental challenges of surgery and rehab. This

does not come easily to many who have never had to go through

anything like this. I mention this not to talk about myself as I am

fully aware at 40 I am a washed up athlete with modest objectives.

Keeping up with my two young athletic boys is my main objective

these days. I believe a large percentage of getting through this

successfully is related to ones mental well being and ability to

take on this type of challenge and win, regardless of how that is

defined.

My staples required removal today on day ten. I walked three miles

to the hospital, had them removed and then walked home. I carried

the crutches under my arms because I made a promise to my doctor and

I had bone grafts during my surgery so I am playing by most of the

rules. My objective was 10k in ten days. It is an amazing thing to

no longer feel the pain in the joint itself when I walk. I was

smiling the entire way home.

I had an interesting conversation with a well respected OS who told

me that I needed bilateral THR four years ago at age 36. He

attended a recent presentation by Dr. Amstutz and he was very

impressed and spoke highly of the procedure. He also stated, and I

observed during my due diligence, that on the East Coast of the US

the OS community is very " dogmatic, " and reluctant to anything new.

Particularly when THR has a " sufficient " track record. I am sorry

but I was not looking for sufficient. His words were encouraging

and he was more than happy to provide me with any required follow up

considering the distance I live from LA.

My advice, for anyone new and for what it is worth. Do your own

research and get comfortable that this is right for you. Get in the

best physical and mental shape you can given your own limitations

prior to surgery and you will recover that much faster.

On another note, what is up with this Coumadin? I really don't like

the idea of dumping rat poison into my body. If I plead my case are

there any issues related to getting off this stuff any earlier than

three weeks?

I also have plenty of " clunking. " My guess is that it is the two

sides getting to know eachother. I assume this improves as the hip

capsule heals. I will continue to read the related posts on this.

Thanks again for the support and best of luck to anyone new joining

the group.

C+ Dr. Amstutz 5/04/04