The New Normal

Tin Soldier · July 22, 2011, 05:10:06 PM

Good job. I agree, I think there are some big changes in the 5 to 6 week zone and it often comes with a very positive mood. I felt the same way, stayed that way til just about now. Now I'm stewing about getting the second one done. Just kidding, it's not that bad.

Keep up the exercise and I think you'll continue to see some big improvements.

Luann · July 22, 2011, 08:55:47 PM

Hi Jenn,
Congrat on your new hip! The reason you had some of us confused is that in your original post you stated you had a THR. We all consider that to mean you had the kind of replacement that involves the resection of the femoral bone below the neck, and the long stemmed "solid ball and neck" type of replacement. We refer to the conservative, femoral head still intact but reduced (resurfaced), and hollow ball kind of replacement as HR.
Anyway, I am one year out and I must say that, as good as I feel, I can tell (when I think about it, which isn't as often as it used to be!) that I have a replacement. Not because it is painful... it just doesn't feel like the one nature gave me. Hard to describe in words. Rest assured, though, I love it. I too, am appreciative of our wonderful modern medicine. I figure without the operation, I would have been unable to do much within a year or so. I get shocked looks, also, when others learn of my surgery at age 45. When they say "But you are too young to have a hip replacement!" I just smile and say "I guess my hip just didn't get the memo!". A sense of humor goes a long way.
Good luck, it will just get better and better! I compete in rowdy horseback riding without a problem. Lu

Lopsided · July 22, 2011, 09:26:26 PM

Quote from: Jenn Marie on July 08, 2011, 11:03:37 AM
Do you ever just "forget" you have a titanium joint?

Quote from: Jenn Marie on July 21, 2011, 02:32:14 PM
Though my BHR was cementless

Jenn,

I feel you should really find out what device exactly you have got.

D.

Jenn Marie · July 24, 2011, 11:23:18 PM

Well, I guess I'd better clarify which device I received, or confusion will contine. I did not have a total replacement, but a resurfacing which preserves the femoral head. It was the Smith Nephew Birmingham device. I'm pretty sure it is made of titanium, but not quite about the cement vs. cementless.
I am still new to the vernacular of joint replacement and the technical lingo is beyond this English/Education major. Ceramic, titanium, cementless, cemented, resurfacing, replacement. It was all Greek to me! I heard of the resurfacing through my mom who had watched a late night infomercial..."Rediscover Your Go"...sound familiar? I don't watch tv and haven't seen it myself. However, I'm sure I've read every news article publised in the past 5 years about the pros and cons or resurfacing vs. replacement.

I go back to my doctor in Chicago on Tuesday and I promise I will get all of the product specifications on the device that now resides in my right extremity! ;D It seems like it should come with a warranty, right?

As to a sense of humor...I don't take myself too seriously as a principal. Whenever it gets hectic and teachers are wringing their hands over one thing or another, I always tell them to relax...no one is bleeding to death on the operating table. This gives me immense respect for our surgeons!

gary2010 · July 25, 2011, 05:18:47 AM

Hi Jenn, I'm glad it's going well; you're right at the start really, I had a few doubts at that stage but now I'm convinced everything will be possible eventually. My surgeon told me it could take 18 months to achieve full fitness. At 10 1/2 months I'm not aware of the joint at all, just correcting muscle imbalances and movement patterns. Some folk are doing marathons within the first year.
Good luck G.

Lopsided · July 25, 2011, 07:14:28 AM

Jenn,

Resurfacing devices are made of an alloy of cobalt and chromium. Titanium, though it sounds good, is just not hard enough. If in the future you have any discomfort and want to know if your device is placed properly, you might want to get your ion levels checked. It would be cobalt and chromium that you would get checked for.

Most resurfacing devices are places without cement on the acetabular component, and with cement on the femoral component. This is know as hybrid. Some brands of device are now offered with both components uncemented. The Birmingham is only offered as hybrid.

D.

Jenn Marie · July 25, 2011, 08:22:46 AM

Lopsided- Thank you for the clarification. I'll be sure to get the full details when I go back for my 6 week check-up. I would want to know all of this should I have problems in the future. You are a great resource.