Bone density

[Jbennett]

Any way to increase bone density pre surgery. If I were going to do my other hip later this year and my bone density score was unchanged in that hip I think Dr. Gross would put me on the slow recovery protocol. Anybody who's followed me the last two weeks knows I would have a really hard time sticking to that. Short of Fosamax or something like that what could I do to increase bone density that would not negatively impact the freshly operated hip?
Jeff

[Pat Walter]

Jeff

Walk, walk and walk.  The top surgeons will tell you your bone density will get better after your hip resurfacing if you do weight bearing activities such as walking. That's info from Dr. Bose and Dr. De Smet.

Pat

[Jbennett]

Good advice Pat. I can't wait until I get cut loose for the gym and more extended walking. I'm struggling to stay within what is reasonable for someone with a 14 day old hip. 

[Dannywayoflife]

Also as well as walking getting lots of calcium in your diet will help. Lots of leafy greens. I also take coral calcium just to make sure I've got enough.

[johnd_emd]

You can talk to your doctor and discuss with him if you need to increase your bone density or not.  There are medications out there that will help to increase bone density. 

[Anniee]

I think Dr. Gross puts all his female patients on Fosamax or some alternative for 6 months after the surgery even if there are no bone density problems. He put me on it right after surgery on my first hip, so I'm sure it will not hurt your operated hip.  I recommend calling or e-mailing Lee and asking her about this.  The advice from others to take calcium and eat greens is also very good (and part of Dr. Gross's post-op instructions).

[Jbennett]

Well turns out I was wrong. I would not be put on the slow protocol with 10% weight bearing after all. It wasn't that low.

[Aerial]

I think Dr. Gross puts all his female patients on Fosamax or some alternative for 6 months after the surgery even if there are no bone density problems. He put me on it right after surgery on my first hip, so I'm sure it will not hurt your operated hip.  I recommend calling or e-mailing Lee and asking her about this.  The advice from others to take calcium and eat greens is also very good (and part of Dr. Gross's post-op instructions).

Interesting, I am also a Gross hippy and was not on any medication for bone density post-op.  I am still pre-menopausal which might have something to do with it.  Not sure though.