To the person who remarked that Francine's comment about male surgeons was sexist, I choose to disagree. At 55, I've been active in various sports and look barely half my age - in fact, I was featured on a major venue for people that don't show age. It's a combination of hitting the gene pool lotto and also taking care of yourself.
My condition was a direct result from a swimming accident, and now find myself in need of a THP. I called friends in the medical field to give me the names of the top surgeons in the area, and as I began meeting them, I can certainly see why some immediately start off with a bad impression.
I've had surgery before, and realize there are risks with anesthesia. This is a completely different and life changing procedure. I have no choice. The pain is unbearable, the ability to walk is almost impossible without a crutch and even then the pain is visible.
The first surgeon entered the exam room swinging a replacement as if it were a New Years Eve party noisemaker. One other problem - my femur is now approximately 3 inches shorter than the other femur, and the first surgeon assured me I would get the limb length back. The entire femur is there, but shoved up very high - it seems to have shot through the socket. This surgeon is one of the best in the US, and I had no confidence in him.
The second surgeon was one who does the ultra minimal technique with just the relining of the femoral head cartilage. I was waaaaaaay past that point.
I tried to get an appointment with a surgeon who does a different implant, but because his partner and owner of the practice had worked on my knee (an arthroscopic procedure 15 years earlier), the office wouldn't let me see the partner who specializes in the newer technique. THAT was a WASTE OF MY TIME and frankly, unethical. He billed for an appointment ( the 5 min to tell me what I already knew) and extra Xrays. I had an entire disc with me.
The final and looks like the surgeon who will be performing the procedure could not guarantee limb length recovery. There is a procedure for that, and once healed, I'm hoping I can have it done. I haven't asked about it yet, but will. This surgeon was clear on how long it would take to heal (I do heal very quickly, but we shall see), the length of time in the hospital and then at least two weeks in a rehab facility. Coming home is not an answer, and I don't want anything to go wrong with recovery. I have a friend (a Dr) who had a THP in his late 30's because of a sports injury. He now has a limp. There's a stigma when you see a woman limp - especially one who wore 5 and 6 inch stilettos.
I'm in the pre-op phase right now, and will be self donating blood, and will undergo all the necessary testing. I guess 15 yr old EKG's are out of date.
My main concern is movement, and of course regaining limb length. It's not a matter of a centimeter or two, it's 3 inches. I know I'll be able to Dive again, but other activities such as volleyball are out, as are certain types of dancing. This is a major life change, and frankly, at this age, you don't think it's something you'll ever have to deal with. But then again, it's why they're called .... accidents.
To make matters worse, the statute of limitations has run out - although the accident was well documented, I didn't see an attorney. My main concern is hoping insurance covers the limb lengthening procedure.
This is a new chapter in life, and yes, there are people out there with far worse issues, but for now, my focus is to get into the correct mindset, and go forward.
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To the person who remarked that Francine's comment about male surgeons was sexist, I choose to disagree. At 55, I've been active in various sports and look barely half my age - in fact, I was featured on a major venue for people that don't show age. It's a combination of hitting the gene pool lotto and also taking care of yourself.
My condition was a direct result from a swimming accident, and now find myself in need of a THP. I called friends in the medical field to give me the names of the top surgeons in the area, and as I began meeting them, I can certainly see why some immediately start off with a bad impression.
I've had surgery before, and realize there are risks with anesthesia. This is a completely different and life changing procedure. I have no choice. The pain is unbearable, the ability to walk is almost impossible without a crutch and even then the pain is visible.
The first surgeon entered the exam room swinging a replacement as if it were a New Years Eve party noisemaker. One other problem - my femur is now approximately 3 inches shorter than the other femur, and the first surgeon assured me I would get the limb length back. The entire femur is there, but shoved up very high - it seems to have shot through the socket. This surgeon is one of the best in the US, and I had no confidence in him.
The second surgeon was one who does the ultra minimal technique with just the relining of the femoral head cartilage. I was waaaaaaay past that point.
I tried to get an appointment with a surgeon who does a different implant, but because his partner and owner of the practice had worked on my knee (an arthroscopic procedure 15 years earlier), the office wouldn't let me see the partner who specializes in the newer technique. THAT was a WASTE OF MY TIME and frankly, unethical. He billed for an appointment ( the 5 min to tell me what I already knew) and extra Xrays. I had an entire disc with me.
The final and looks like the surgeon who will be performing the procedure could not guarantee limb length recovery. There is a procedure for that, and once healed, I'm hoping I can have it done. I haven't asked about it yet, but will. This surgeon was clear on how long it would take to heal (I do heal very quickly, but we shall see), the length of time in the hospital and then at least two weeks in a rehab facility. Coming home is not an answer, and I don't want anything to go wrong with recovery. I have a friend (a Dr) who had a THP in his late 30's because of a sports injury. He now has a limp. There's a stigma when you see a woman limp - especially one who wore 5 and 6 inch stilettos.
I'm in the pre-op phase right now, and will be self donating blood, and will undergo all the necessary testing. I guess 15 yr old EKG's are out of date.
My main concern is movement, and of course regaining limb length. It's not a matter of a centimeter or two, it's 3 inches. I know I'll be able to Dive again, but other activities such as volleyball are out, as are certain types of dancing. This is a major life change, and frankly, at this age, you don't think it's something you'll ever have to deal with. But then again, it's why they're called .... accidents.
To make matters worse, the statute of limitations has run out - although the accident was well documented, I didn't see an attorney. My main concern is hoping insurance covers the limb lengthening procedure.
This is a new chapter in life, and yes, there are people out there with far worse issues, but for now, my focus is to get into the correct mindset, and go forward.
December 27, 2011 - 10:43pmThis Comment
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