Hello, another newbie here

Michael Thompson · February 03, 2008, 05:13:36 PM

Hello! Nice forum!
I found it from the yahoo surface hippies group.
I am 42 years old and was born with congenital dislocated hips.
I was treated with casts, braces and such but my right hip did not respond well to that and I needed extensive surgeries to make my hip work.
Unfortunatly my medical records from back then do not exist so I cannot find out what they did.
What ever it was they did , it worked and I was able to walk when I was 4 years old.
I never was able to walk perfectly and had leg lenght differences and issues with my knees from it too, but I was pain free, til a few years ago when my right hip started aching when I over did it.
Lately it has gotten pretty bad, too painful to walk too far or stand too long, and I am relying more and more on a cane to take the pressure off.
Unfortunately my "good" hip is now starting to have some pain, and my knees too.
I went to my doc, who said I probably need my right hip replaced! Bummer! He said I need to see a othopedic surgeon.
I set up an appointment for the end of this month for Dr. David Palmer at stillwater orthopedics.
I heard from someone that he has done over a hundred hip resurfacings so hopefully he can tell me if that would fix mine.

Has anyone here seen dr.Palmer for their hip problems?
My first choice was to make the 5 hour drive to see Dr Rogerson in madison wi because of his experience and reputation, but he was out of network for my state health plan.

thanks for your help

MT

Pat Walter · February 03, 2008, 10:16:13 PM

Hi Michael

I just wanted to welcome you to Hip Talk.

I am sorry, but I don't know much about Dr. Palmer. Here is my list of questions to ask a doctor http://www.surfacehippy.info/questionsfordoctor.php They might help you to learn more about him. You should always trust your gut feelings. If you meet him and you feel he is the surgeon for you - go with it. If you have any doubts, decide to look further.

Good Luck. If you have any other questions, please let us know.

Pat

Michael Thompson · February 03, 2008, 10:30:59 PM

Thanks for the welcome Pat! Thats quite a list you have there, I think it will be helpful, thanks

Michael Thompson · February 14, 2008, 09:25:01 PM

I better not trust my gut feelings!
They are telling me that I really need to avoid surgery if at all possible!
I will be going in on the 28th to get my first opinion, then I will go on from there.

Michael Thompson · February 17, 2008, 11:14:16 PM

went out ice fishing today, had fun and caught lots of fish!
but owwww! my hip was killing me, too much walking and the snow too, I used ski poles to keep as much weight off as possible, I am sure that helped a bit.
Cant wait to see the surgeon and find out if it can be fixed, even though i am scared stiff about the idea of surgery ! ;) ;D

here I am with a nice crappie caught saturday...

MT

Pat Walter · February 17, 2008, 11:26:53 PM

Nice looking fish. Bet he/she doesn't need a new hip!

Using the ski poles will help stregthen you upper body so when you get your hip resurfacing, you will be able to scoot around with crutches with no problem.

Have fun!

Pat

Michael Thompson · February 18, 2008, 12:01:54 AM

Quote from: Pat Walter on February 17, 2008, 11:26:53 PM
Nice looking fish. Bet he/she doesn't need a new hip!

Using the ski poles will help stregthen you upper body so when you get your hip resurfacing, you will be able to scoot around with crutches with no problem.

Have fun!

Pat

Nope, that fish hit the frying pan today, haha ;D

thanks for the tip, I will start doing that more often.
if my surgeon wants to do a resurf on me mabye i will get some crutches a head of time to practice on!
I am already good with a cane, been using one for about a year now!

MT