joint lube

[protruck14]

Folks
   This may or may not help some of you. I am 9 weeks post op now and back on the bicycle doing light spinning. The doctor told me the BHR unit will last roughly 15 years if not abused. Runners and impact type sports it will last less long. I was experiencing a lot of pain before the operation. I was able almost eliminate the pain for 2 years and put off the operation with the use of Glucosamine and other vitamins. I did take a fairly intense regimen. What it actually did was increase the synovial fluid (joint lube) that your body makes naturally. So now I have a theory. I am continouing the vitamins to increase the lube for the metal joint and hopefully extend it's life. The doctor said, whatever. I guess he doesn't believe in vitamins. I have proved it works.

[rubyred]

I took Glucosamine and Chondritin(sp?) for months and months prior to surgery and I didn't see any benefits, but i'm pleased it worked for you.

Maybe it comes down to individual cases?

[imgetinold]

My hip started hurting about 5 years before surgery.  I started taking Glucosamine as well, and it felt better for almost 4 years.

However, I haven't really found any studies (not that I've looked really hard) that describe what it is actually doing.  Near as I can tell, nobody really knows what it's doing, or whether or not it really is doing anything. http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/does-glucosamine-really-work/.

But.......I still believe it also helped me put off surgery for a while...so I take it.

[hernanu]

I think whatever works for you is great. You took care of the mechanics of it by having the HR, so whatever greases that wheel is good.

I take vitamins all over the place to go along with my caveman diet, but if glucosamine does it for you, go for it!

[Dannywayoflife]

Ha I would ask your surgeon to put his estimate of the BHR's un abused life span in wringing to McMinn and Treacy! They both have patients well over 15 years and theres no sign of them failing! I would also point out to the surgeon the document in which the development of the BHR is described.
On the lube question I would use Hyraluronic acid

[John C]

Hi Danny,
I have been considering Hyraluronic acid injections (Durolane) for my other hip that is starting to act up. I guessed from your post that you were talking about taking it orally. You are great about doing your research. Did you ever find any research regarding it getting into the joint when taken orally?

[Dannywayoflife]

Hay John I personally didn't really read many scientific studies but my mate who is a sports therapist and he said there were conflicting studies from both sides.
However there's a fair bit of anacdotal evidence from people who take it. I defiantly feel a difference as does my mate who I put on it when he was diagnosed with hip OA and there's a lot of patients on vicky's site who swear by it.

[hipnhop]

I tried to put mix some WD-40 in my oatmeal but just got the runs.  I tried tart cherry juice, tumeric, ginsing, etc. the only thing that helped was PErcocet.

[protruck14]

Folks
  Thanks for the comments. To be more specific. I have been taking the Glucosamine and Chondriten for my back pain which it alleviated, for 15 years. In 2009 the hip hurt me so bad I didn't know what to do. So I doubled the amount of the suppliments I was taking and the pain almost completely went away in 2 more months. That got me 2 more years before getting the surgery. It does work, but I was taking 6000 mg of Glucosamine per day. Really too much to do indefinitly. Im going to ddo some reasearch on your Hydroclonic acid. Thanks for the tip.
   People think vitamins don't work. they really do, you just need the right amount.

[Dannywayoflife]

Protruck yeah the Hyraluronic acid is deffo worth a go! I take it religiously and do feel that it helps my other joints.

[hoyt66]

Protruck yeah the Hyraluronic acid is deffo worth a go! I take it religiously and do feel that it helps my other joints.

Danny,

You say this product helps your "other" joints. Does it do anything for the hip implant?

Thanks,
Chet

[Dannywayoflife]

To be honest I have no idea. If it does as some people state and helps to keep synovial fluid healthy then I would theorise it might reduce friction between the components slightly? This however really is just the musing of a totally unqualified layman! However I can tell you that when Midmedtec were developing the BHR they used Hyraluronic acid as a lube as it is one of the main components of synovial fluid and so was most realistic.

[Tin Soldier]

Good one Danny - I was just going to say that.  McMinn used Hyaluronic Acid (HA) as a lube during testing because he said it was the main component of synovial fluid.  I wonder how it gets through the GI tract and into the blood stream and to the synovial membrane without breaking down, which is a common question about taking any supplement.  I have no idea, but if you notice a difference then its a good. 

HnH - too funny, all my friends think I should have a zurk fitting installed in the hip so I can squirt in some heavy weight bearing grease.  Funny, sort of.   

[Canadian-Ice]

I don't understand why so many Ortho Docs give completely different information about device longevity. 10-15 years is unbelievable common. Yet published stats differ. Registries vary. It's all very confusing. How could anyone state a BHR will last 10-15 years if not abused? If based on his own stats, that doc should clarify.

On another note, does anyone have any brands of oral Hyraluronic acid to recommend? And I was woundering protruck14 what vitamins you used?

[John C]

I just started with the Baxyl brand. It is too early to tell if it will work for me, but it did have a couple of the characteristics that I was looking for; it is microbially synthesized instead of animal by-product, it is high molecular weight which many studies have shown works better, and it claims to be bio-available. Not really a recommendation yet since I just started taking it, but it is where my research led me.

[Dannywayoflife]

There is a brand that's highly touted by vicky marrow and a lot o other members on her board. I can't remember the name of it though. I have not used it as the price to ship it to the UK was just astronomical! But it did seem really good value if you live in the US!

[HippyDogwood]

There is a brand that's highly touted by vicky marrow and a lot o other members on her board. I can't remember the name of it though. I have not used it as the price to ship it to the UK was just astronomical! But it did seem really good value if you live in the US!

Danny

I am in the UK too so interested in what product / source you ended up thinking was worth a shot
Thanks
David

[Dannywayoflife]

I get one brand from simply supplements mate. There was one from althealth too but their website seems down now.

[Dannywayoflife]

David try this too.
http://www.althealth.co.uk/products/apple-health-wilsons-ha-original-pure-hyaluronic-acid-at-2-4-million-daltons-30ml/

[HippyDogwood]

I get one brand from simply supplements mate. There was one from althealth too but their website seems down now.

Thanks Danny