I had my hip joint exploded out of the socket back in 1977, closed reduction, sort of pushed the ball back into place and was in traction for @30 days. I'm assuming the driver of the 72 Cadillac Eldorado with the 455 in. big block motor was drunk when that huge hunk of steel hit head on the little 71 Toyota Celica myself (driver) and 3 other college dorm mates. The funny part was the driver got out of the wreck and ran away, and since no one died there was no police investigation. That's LA for you. Anyway 23 (1/2000) years later hip became so worn down I needed a THR. The surgeon was an ex navy seal so I thought I was in good hands, needless to say you get the good with the bad, hip replacement went fine, but ended up with I think it's called drop foot syndrome, I think he cut a nerve. I can't lift my left foot up, but can push down and side to side, right foot is fine. Small blessing, I can still drive because we Americans drive on the correct side of the road (the RIGHT side of course) LOL. Sorry for such a long story for a short question. I've had this foreign body in me now for 15 years, at the time the doctors said I might need a replacement, they estimated 2000 era artificial hips lasted 10 - 15 years but hip feels as good as ever. Never found out what type or what company manufactured the ball and socket. If anyone out there has a THR that's been in you about the same length of time as mine, would you care to share experiences and maybe a heads up on what to expect if I need a new one. The doc's told me the replacement would hurt much more than the first one, I guess removing the cemented part in my thigh bone would cause the most pain but since I'm pretty sure I'm going to be totally under I won't feel anything till I wake up, can anyone tell me what THAT will be like, and how stable will this one be. Since it's been 16 years of technological improvement will a new hip be better than the one I have now? I also assume techniques have improved, I hope. I kinda just want to connect with THR, hippies with histories similar to mine. Oh, last thing I feel no ill will towards anyone connected with my lifelong struggle with this event, I estimate about 3 BILLION humans are worse off than myself. Just wish I had the intestinal fortitude (guts) to finish university.
Andy, what a story! That accident sounds quite traumatic. So sorry you have drop foot, a very rare complication with THR, but that does happen sometimes.
I haven't had a revision, so I can't help you there. (I might need one, will find out next week.) I think the hip prostheses are being improved all the time. From what I understand, the new ones are expected to last 20-30 years. Also I have learned that some surgeons have more expertise in doing revisions and putting in second joint replacements than others, so the only thing I can think of to advise you is to make sure the surgeon you pick for this procedure is one of the experienced ones.
Best of luck with this. When is your surgery?
Sorry AnnieK I rambled on so, my hip is fine I was just referring to what the doctors told me back in 2000. I am not active, mostly just walking around the house so I don't think I'm wearing down my hip at all, just paranoid.
I see! Well then I guess you just have to wait and see. With any luck, your THR will last quite a bit longer!
Andy... "drive on the correct side of road" - I gotcha. Went to UK and my brain went wild, especially at roundabouts... Look left not right when you cross streets!! LOL
When I went Nov.2015 for hip replacement. My PA said "I wish you'd wait till you were 65, not 59 before we did it". Seems like 20 years is the current max before you need new one and he figured by then I might be dead. Two doctors, two opinions. One said 10-15 - other said 20-25 years. That to me was crazy!! There should be a single amount of time that the hip hardware lasts, not a selection. The bill came and the hardware only was $17,000.00 and it better last more than 10 years. It didn't come with a warranty. Once all my follow up visits are complete, I'm going to request my medical records from both hospital and surgeon. I'm curious to see the op notes and type of hardware. I applaud you for being humble. Yes, there are people that are so worse off than we are. We get "new" hips while other people in other countries suffer from things like disease and starvation. It's definitely a "First World Problem" - wishing you all the best.
Hi Andy,
welcome to our forum -
I know that we have hippies here who had a revision done and hope they will be able to answer your question -
of course there are no guarantees but I was told 20-25 years for new hip (I have 2 now -- yeh !!!!) - I don't think it should be more painful than yanking out a joint, to be honest and like you say: you are under anyway -
I have lived in L.A. for 34 years (1980-2014) and live in Holland now -
I am homesick to the traffic jam on the 405 in rush hour !!!
Is your hip bothering you ?
take care,
big warm hug
renee
We don't drive on the right side of the road, we drive on the correct side!
Yes, it is confusing, I have driven in many countries, and roundabouts are the hardest to negotiate when you are driving on the opposite side to your usual one. Especially France, where they give way to people coming onto the roundabout.
Best
Graham - 🚀💃
Boy I really have to work on my communication skills, thank you for the question but my hip is fine. I weigh @220lb.-5'8" small bone structure. I ride a recombinent cycle you have to mount it like a small horse, I can lift my good leg and balance and twist on my prosthetic hip, so I guess it's doing as well as can be expected 15 yrs on. I'm getting a little worried now I seem to be to boring to get a response or like you said renee01952 most long term patients 15 yrs or more have met their makers. That was one of the doctors concerns, having a 42 yr old THR recipient they figured a new one would be needed 15 - 20 yrs on. In my forties I was much more active than I am now, guess that's a good thing for the longevity of the hip.
Okay, I understand - you are just wondering then, right - It seems that so many "young" people are getting hip replacements and are worried about the same thing as you are now -
Interesting how that information was held in your subconscious mind, just to pop up right on cue ... 2000 - 2016 ... isn't it time for a repair ???
maybe not ....There are no guarantees (blablabla) 0f course, so the best they can do is to give the average length of time ..
Is there any chance that you can request an x-ray or mri or other type of scan?
I love it rocket )
Just for the record, because I can't help you in terms of revision as I have only just had my first one day (similar age to yours) so now doubt I will be in the same position at some point too.
My consultant said my joint could last upward of 35 years....so if this is the case, and you do need a revision it will almost certainly be your last.....which might be reassuring. At this stage you sound like you are doing fine...so long may it continue.
PS It is NEVER too late to finish university x
Just for the record, because I can't help you in terms of revision as I have only just had my first one day (similar age to yours) so now doubt I will be in the same position at some point too.
My consultant said my joint could last upward of 35 years....so if this is the case, and you do need a revision it will almost certainly be your last.....which might be reassuring. At this stage you sound like you are doing fine...so long may it continue.
PS It is NEVER too late to finish university x
I was worried when I looked back at my reply that it could be taken the wrong way - but I hope no-one is offended by my humour (U.S. humor).
Graham - 🚀💃
Rose,
I hope they do last that long, if so I'll be 98 before I need to worry about them not being able to extract my insert !
Graham - 🚀💃
No I am certain no one would be offended, everyone knows your humour!! Anyone arriving to the UK arrrives to the wonderful M25 and they will know quickly by then that it is a moving car park and no one can expect to get anywhere quickly regardless of the side of the road
Well we will soon see...we shall run a tally on how long our new hips have lasted from this day on.....it will be most interesting to see....and it would not surprise me in the least if after everything you beat us all! We shall all be asking for slightly abstract inserts x
If you adopt a Japanese life style you might also still be here to receive your birthday card from the queen (or king!) and the prospect of a revision....but I am sure by then we will be happy to be wheeled around and shan't be doing too many mountain walks although you never know!
France I didn't remember as being bad and I drove a lot there, Italy is a nightmare. They don't use their brakes in traffic, they use their horns. Honking going around everyone, behind you, beside you.. everywhere, worse than NYC Taxi cabs.
Ha. No offense... why would someone who lives in the Greatest Country on Earth be bothered by why other people pick a different side of the road to drive their cars with driver's seat on the opposite side? There are bigger things to be offended about... such as Donald Trump. He scares the ____ out of me. His success is a mystery to me and everyone I know. I'm not offended by your statement, I think it's "quaint" - this tradition. Do other countries that had been under the rule of Great Britian also drive this way? Like in Africac countries. There is so much of your country all over the world. I especially like the language that came with our ancestors. So, what's up with David Cameron and leaving the EU?
I bet you still miss the PCH...
My introduction to driving in Italy was in Naples at rush hour. I walked to the car hire from the train station, picked up my car, and launched out into total madness - but at least I could read the road signs, I had a real problem in Ukraine when I drove there with their cyrillic alphabet.
Graham - 🚀💃