Back after hip surgery

btice

btice

Joined
Dec 27, 2002
Messages
796
Well, I am out of the bed and can sit for more than just a few minutes so I thought I would check in with the forum. The hip replacement surgery I had a couple of weeks ago went pretty well. There were a couple of rough spots but nothing major. The big problem now is to retrain my muscles to walk properly. Seems I've been limping and using a cane for too long. Slowly but surely, though.

I want to thank all of you for your great support and well wishes. Those of you that had this surgery (or knew of someone who had) and offered advice were right on the money. Your knowledge was very useful in helping me to develop a positive attitude, especially during the first week. Now, I just have to get over all the inactivity. It's driving me crazy...the four walls syndrome.

Thanks for all the smoke and prayers. I have no doubt that it made a difference. Take care.

Ben
 
Hi Ben,
nice to see you are back - I am glad everything seems to have worked well.
I wish you a lot of strengh to recover (hope you will get out of the "four walls" soon).

Andreas
 
Great!!!! Ben you will be off the porch and running with the big dogs before you know it. When you do though watch out for, "Two Dogs.":D
 
Great news Ben!! You didn't tell us the REALLY important part yet--did you get to keep the hip bone for handle making? :D

Now bust out the tequilla! :)
 
Thanks, guys. Yvsa, I will be hanging with the big dogs, but only as a consultant. ;) T1mpani, waiting on the tequila until I finish the meds. And no, they didn't let me keep the hip bone...some kind of insurance rule. It's probably better anyway. I had sort of a hard time just looking at the xray that showed the implant.

Roger, it can be hard on the pocketbook. The doctor doesn't want me to keep a thick wallet in my back pocket. I can throw away all the old business cards I've collected or spend some of the money in there...or I could go whole hog and do both.

I can't play the piano, but I'm not too bad on the banjo. :D

Ben
 
Once you get to point where you're startring to walk normally, but still building strength back up, do some stairs. My dad's room is on second floor, and used to be he always pulled himself up with railings instead of jsut walking up, but a while after his hip replacment, had to take railings off those stairs to move something(dresser I think, but not sure, jsut know parents were redecorating their room, so lots of stuff got moved around, or out of room). He never got around to putting railings back up, so had to walk up stairs nomrally, without pulling himself up with the railings and upper body strength. This helped him get his strength back up a lot for muscles around hip. As side effect, has helped build up muscles aroundknee, which is giving him more time before he finally has to go in and get that replaced(or may jsut never do it and live with the limp).

ANd yes, I hate stairs as much as anwyone else(esp. parking in basement and working on 10th floor) but they sure can help. DOn't do it yet though of course, as it is a noticabole strain on the legs to do lots of stairs, and don't wanna see you hurt yourself this soon after.

Glad to hear you're doing well though. We've missed ya around here, but good news is always welcome, and of course have to take care of yourself first, and hang out with us troublemakers second. :)
 
Ben, it's good to hear from you. Glad you are doing well. You are in my prayers.
 
Thanks Heber and Rod. ETP, I know what you mean about the stairs. The physical therapist had me do a set before I went home. She said it was something that would help me when I regained more range of motion, but to do the stairs with someone as backup. No need to get hurt this far into the game.

Andreas, I couldn't take it any more. It was a beautiful day; blue sky and 70 degrees so I hit the street. Up and back was maybe a little less than a quarter of a mile, but I broke a sweat and wore myself out somewhat. Felt good to get away from the four walls and be outside for a short while. As I was coming back in the house, I noticed one of the trees in the front really needed trimming. I mentioned to my wife that I might try out the little 12" Villager AK on a couple of the lower branches. OK, I made a deal with her...when I can stand without crutches, I'll get to the trimming. Common sense and all, you know.

Ben
 
Wishing you a sustained recovery.

Forgot to send smoke the last couple of days, so sending on everyone's behalf now.
 
Great news Ben! It's nice to get some good news for a change. Glad to hear that things are going the right direction. Keep up the good work and good attitude.

Steve
 
Thanks Steve and Pappy. I am thrilled to be able to sit here at the computer and check in with the good guys. I felt lost there for a while when I couldn't get to the forum. I guess this has become one of my better habits. :D
 
Good to hear the surgery went well. Everyone I know who has had a joint replacement claims they are better than new after all the recovery/therapy is over with.
 
Originally posted by btice
And no, they didn't let me keep the hip bone...some kind of insurance rule. It's probably better anyway. I had sort of a hard time just looking at the x-ray that showed the implant.

Ben
Click to expand...

They tell you that, but they can irradiate any hard substances like bone and let you have it.
There was a dentist's office that wasn't gonna let me have my tooth they messed up, probably afraid I was gonna sue 'em, and probably should have but warn't that big a deal.:grumpy:
Anyway I walked outta there with my tooth.:D

But if you had a hard time looking at the x-ray then it's probably best.
I still have the two sets of pedicle screws and rods that were implanted in back in two subsequent surgeries. One set is stainless and the other titanium.
Titanium is the best, it's warmer for some reason as well as lighter. The warmer is important on cold winter days. You would be surprised at how cold the dayumed metal implants can get in your back where there's not much insulating flesh covering them!!!!:eek:

If you want a human ball socket I understand that you can buy such things from some of the medical universities. An acquaintance has a human skull and some ferangi joints, finger joints, that he bought from such a place some years ago.:eek:
The skull has a black candle set in the middle on top.:rolleyes:
It is pretty cool looking though once you get over the strange feelings it imparts.
I sure wouldn't want to be who it belongs too. The poor ol' boy probably doesn't rest well.:(
 
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