Surviving Total Hip Replacement Surgery: When the Other Hip Needs Attention.
My First Experience
- A Survivor's Guide to Total Hip Replacement Surgery
This hub describes my journey through an unexpected surgery, which has changed my life.
Ceramic and Titanium
Thank God I Only Have Two!
On July 29, 2009, I had my first hip replacement surgery and have never regretted it. While I was incredibly anxious about the procedure, I was in severe pain and really had no choice if I wanted to walk normally ever again. Before my diagnosis, I had been convinced I had contracted M.S. or some such debilitating disorder. I was in fact relieved that my condition-degenerative arthritis-could be 'fixed,' albeit with an admittedly complex surgery. And since I was relatively young for such a procedure, my recovery was considerably short, and my prognosis was very positive. Thankfully I was covered by my insurance for this 'elective' surgery, and was only in the hospital for 2 days.
And now, after close to 3 years, I face this situation again...
Questions and Answers About Hip Replacement
- Questions and Answers about Hip Replacement
Excellent Description of the Procedure.
Deep Vein Thrombosis Info in Paperback
Lovely Lovenox!
Recovery Revisited
After the original operation, I was not pleased with some of the aspects of recovery. Though it was only around 5 weeks until I was able to leave my walker behind and get around without assistance, my gait was awkward and I lurched from here to there-not a pretty sight! This of course did improve, all I needed was more patience-which has never been my forte.
One major concern after such a surgery is the potentially life-threateng development of blood clots-or 'deep vein thrombosis.' Surgical stockings are prescribed to prevent swelling of the leg, or 'edema,' and other devices are used to ensure proper blood flow in the leg in question. But that is far from all. In fact, the most unnerving preventative measure for said clots is a medicine by the name of Lovenox. Before I succeed in frightening the heck out of readers, let me assure you that it is not 'that' bad!
Anyhow, Lovenox must be self-injected in the stomach. "YIKES," I cried, certain I could never do such a thing! But I did, for weeks. And lo and behold, I never developed a clot-so I guess it was all worth it. Even the disgusting bruises were short-lived, and life went on!
Six Days and Counting...
So here I sit, joyfully anticipating what's to come. Mind you, this is not an exercise in mindless sarcasm, for the discomfort of this cartiledge degeneration of mine has returned full force. Bone scraping against bone can be agonizing, at best. Often, I curse my genes, my body. Sometimes, I cry. But then I remember the medical miracle in store and my tears become those of gratitude.
