Hip Replacement and woodworking

[Gordon Stump]

The doctors kept giving me sideways glances when I asked about recovery. "You can climb down stairs after a few weeks. Can you sit on a stool, do you have to move around, are the boards heavy"?

I am not as tough as I thought I was. No spinning blades and a walker. My customers are not as important as my health. Listen to your wife. Stay out of the shop. Inventory is dwindling. I am not upset about that. Go buy stuff from China until I am better!! Am I a bad person....probably!

Cheers,

Gordon Stump

[Larry Frank]

One piece of advice for you. Be careful during recovery as it is not too difficult to dislocate your hip. Believe me that the pain of doing it hits the top of the pain scale. It caused me to blackout a couple times.

[Robyn Horton]

Second piece of Advice do all the exercises that they tell you to do every day religiously ! My wife had a full replacement in 2012 and you would never know by watching her walk that anything was ever done .. the new hip is 100% Perfect

[Lee Schierer]

There is a really really good hip doctor near me (https://www.wholehealthjri.com/). He has a different method for doing hips that requires less recovery time. As I understand his method, no major muscles are cut.

I had two partial knee replacement done by him and I have no complaints.

[Jim Becker]

I agree with the advice to stick with the doctor's recovery plan to the letter. They are generally pretty agressive about getting folks back to "basic functionality" really quickly, but it's still major surgery and it takes time to both heal and for everything surrounding to get back to where it needs to be to fully support the new joint.

I expect I'm going to be facing this sometime in the not too distant future on my right side. I hope I can be blessed with the newer procedure that Lee mentions.

[Alan Lightstone]

I'm just going to throw out a small amount of medical advice here, as I religiously avoid it online.

When getting this surgery, go to an orthopedic surgeon that does LOTS of hip replacements in a hospital that does LOTS of hip replacements. Numbers truly do matter, as every study shows. Especially for rehab, and also for results and avoiding/treating complications its really important. How you find out that information -- well that's more difficult.

And best wishes for your recovery, Gordon. Listen to your doctors, and rehab personnel. And especially the OWMBO.

[Lee Schierer]

I'm just going to throw out a small amount of medical advice here, as I religiously avoid it online.

When getting this surgery, go to an orthopedic surgeon that does LOTS of hip replacements in a hospital that does LOTS of hip replacements. Numbers truly do matter, as every study shows. Especially for rehab, and also for results and avoiding/treating complications its really important. How you find out that information -- well that's more difficult.

And best wishes for your recovery, Gordon. Listen to your doctors, and rehab personnel. And especially the OWMBO.

That's why I recommended the place in PA. All they do are knees and Hips and they do lots of them. Their rehab plan is markedly different from the other hospitals in this area. From my observations, the end results are better as well.

[Bill Dufour]

When my BIL got his knee replaced he went to pt, paid his co-pay one time and memorized the exercises and equipment needed. He bought a medium price exercise bike, some giant rubber bands etc. He saved a bit of money and lots of time doing it at home instead of spending hundreds of dollars on co-pays. Just like buying tool instead of hiring a handyman.
Bill D

[Keegan Shields]

Statistically, the most important factor in the quality of a surgery and avoidance of mistakes is if the surgeon has experience with the surgical team.

I found that surprising when I learned it, but it makes sense. Even the most experienced surgeons make more mistake when working with an unfamiliar team, even if each person on that team has tons of experience.

That's because surgery is a team sport, while people tend to focus solely on the surgeons background.

So I always ask how long or how many operations the surgeon has done with the surgical team.

In a large metro area, a surgeon may have multiple locations where they conduct their operations - often with different teams at each location.

Pick the one they've done the most surgeries with. That way, there's less chance the team makes a medical mistake, operates on the wrong arm, leaves a item inside you, etc. The actual surgical outcomes are typically better as well.

[Warren Lake]

what Alan said. Read the same when looking into shoulder surgery. Even drove to the US to the Steadman Hawkins clinic to ask questions. Halls lined with photos of Athletes. Waited two years for a top guy up here then read in the paper at two years he had moved to the states as it pays more. Argh.

[Gordon Stump]

Thanks everybody. My guy specializes in anterior hip replacement. And the recovery period is shorter and more compact. But something really major happened to my body. They are getting a little caviler about recovery. I know they are all competing for the insurance but approaching a spinning blade with a crutch or walker ain't gonna happen in my shop. I will let you know when I go back in. Thanks again for your support. I was feeling sorry for myself and you folks are great.

[Kevin Jenness]

Recovery rate is individual and you have to suss out for yourself the guidance you get. Physical therapists often have a better handle on what you can do than surgeons as they are getting a closer more frequent look at your progress.

You are right to be cautious. I had a partial knee joint replacement 5 weeks ago and was recovering well until I slipped on a muddy slope 2 days ago. My good foot slipped forward and the quads on my bad leg caught all my weight and exploded with pain. Now I am waiting for an MRI to see if I tore the sutures in a tendon that could require further surgery. It's starting to feel better but you can bet I will be more cautious going forward. I was hoping to get back to the shop soon, but time will tell. I wish I had asked for a more thorough explanation of the surgery as I had not realized any tendons would be cut. I only blame myself, but the more information the better.

[Richard Coers]

When my BIL got his knee replaced he went to pt, paid his co-pay one time and memorized the exercises and equipment needed. He bought a medium price exercise bike, some giant rubber bands etc. He saved a bit of money and lots of time doing it at home instead of spending hundreds of dollars on co-pays. Just like buying tool instead of hiring a handyman.
Bill D
Does your BIL do his own dental work with a Dremel and channel locks? How about his own prostate exams? I hope you are joking around. The exercises change as range and healing progresses. Suggesting anyone follow this example is pretty crazy in my book, and even not something to joke about! My wife had a horrible experience with hip surgery. As the surgeon cut the ball off the femur, the bone broke. It was riddled with osteoporosis. They had to add plates and cables to bind that part back in place. Her recovery took months.

[Jon Grider]

My hip replacement is now 16 1/2 years old. I got mine when minimally invasive hip surgery was fairly new. I've had few issues, I guess the most vexing one is pain from where the femur is cut and the "spike" with the ball is pounded in. I have some discomfort if I pick up too much weight. My replacement has not slowed me down. I continued a fairly physical job for 13 years after surgery and continue wilderness backpacking albeit with a much lighter pack weight now. Follow the directions and chances are excellent that you'll be fine and free from the debilitating pain you have before surgery.

[Larry Frank]

My hip was replaced in 1996 and I wore it out in seven years. The revision was with better materials. They just replaced the ball and insert socket and is made from a cobalt chrome material and has lasted much better 19 years on the revision.

It is important to use a physical therapist to more quickly recover and avoid hurting yourself. This is not the time for DIY as we are talking about something that is the rest of your life.

[Justin Rapp]

I have been through 5 hip replacements with my parents (My dad had 1 re-done after it failed about when it's useful life expectancy was predicted). You 100% can not rush recovery. Do exactly what the Doc and PT folks tell you to do. In 6 to 8 weeks you should be in very good shape, but if you pop the hip or dislodge the new parts before they heal/set, you will have a major setback. It's not worth it.

[Brad Schmid]

I've had 5 hip replacements since 1998 when I was 31yrs old, 3 on the left and 2 on the right. I was at an active age where I wore them out. The last one was around 2014. There was a balancing act between age, activity, and wear. Materials have certainly improved. The process of replacement is very mechanical involving saws, hammers, screw
drivers, etc. The recovery itself was mostly about the incision healing, which was much larger incision back in the 90's. What I learned was to be patient during healing, work hard and push yourself, maintain a good attitude, hope for good people around you to support you, and prayers. The quicker you get moving after the surgery, the better/quicker you will recover. They will tell you not to cross your feet/legs for risk of dislocation, that was a hard habit for me to break. Woodworking (safely) was a fantastic thing to keep my mind positive during those times. I turned a walking cane that has served me well over the years. I also started working with hand tools like planes and chisels and enjoyed restoring them when i didn't feel safe working with the power tools while healing. I am 55 now and no one can tell I've had all those procedures. There will be times when you feel sorry for yourself, no question, no shame. For me, i had just finished a bout with cancer in 1995-96 and I would think back to the young kids I met that were getting chemo at same time with me and it would always get my mind straight again. Those youngsters were tough as nails and they gave me the hope and inspiration that has been a blessing for the rest of my life! Good luck to you, I wish strength, and I wish you the best possible outcome!

[Dave Zellers]

Awesome post. Seriously. I'm in the earliest phase of a potential shoulder replacement so I read these stories carefully. I'm hoping to avoid it with PT. We'll see.

[Larry Frank]

Interesting comments ! My first hip replacement had a plastic cup with ceramic ball. In seven years, it had 6 mm of slop in the joint. To replace it, they just popped out the cup, pulled the ball off the stub and replaced them with metal versions....cobalt chrome. Thankfully, no wear or problems.

After I had my initial hip replacement, I toured the place they made them. You do not really want to see the instruments they use for the surgery. One thing that fascinated me is how they align everything and get the right length.

[Alan Lightstone]

Interesting comments ! My first hip replacement had a plastic cup with ceramic ball. In seven years, it had 6 mm of slop in the joint. To replace it, they just popped out the cup, pulled the ball off the stub and replaced them with metal versions....cobalt chrome. Thankfully, no wear or problems.

After I had my initial hip replacement, I toured the place they made them. You do not really want to see the instruments they use for the surgery. One thing that fascinated me is how they align everything and get the right length.
Let's just say that the surgery itself is, well, lots of loud banging and sawing. And bad music choices. Not exactly the intricate precision work in my field of medicine. No, I don't use a hammer to put patients to sleep. Even when it's tempting.

Brad, 5 hip replacements. Wow. :eek: More than I've ever seen. Awesome that you're doing great now.

[Brad Schmid]

Let's just say that the surgery itself is, well, lots of loud banging and sawing. And bad music choices. Not exactly the intricate precision work in my field of medicine. No, I don't use a hammer to put patients to sleep. Even when it's tempting.

Brad, 5 hip replacements. Wow. :eek: More than I've ever seen. Awesome that you're doing great now.

Alan,
I try not to bore people with my details, but it becomes an even more complicated story... ;)
Since it sounds like you must have a medical background, I was a "science experiment"... They tested Vascular Fibula Transfer on the first surgeries on both sides. Using about 8-10" of my fibula bones to implant into the upper femur/ball joint. 14 hrs surgery per side done 6 months apart. When those ultimately were not completely successful and the ball collapsed, they did the next 3 with traditional artificial replacements using various alloy materials including Vitalium. I've not had a fibula on either side since '98. No real effect other than running for very far causes shin splints easily from the impact... I had lots of friends on the original Badger Pond (which subsequently carried over to those who originally joined Sawmillcreek around 2003) who helped give me the courage and spirit to fight on in those early days. Support from friends here continues until this very day :D I will always try to pass that kindness and support forward to anyone who can benefit from it.

For Gordon and any others facing this kind of procedure - Don't let it get you down! I saw it as just the next "life challenge" that I committed to conquering and like myself you are capable of overcoming the difficulties as well, getting beyond, and in the end wishing in many cases you had done the procedure earlier because it feels so much better than living with a constant pain ;) Best wishes!

[Derek Meyer]

My wife had both hips replaced 3 years ago, about 4 months apart. They told her she'd be down for 8 weeks after each one. She missed two weeks of work after the first surgery and 1 day after the second. At the time she was a desk clerk at a local motel and they wouldn't give her the time off after the second surgery. The only issue she had was when she tried running to do something (not thinking, of course) and nearly dislocated a hip. She walks normally now and doesn't have hip pain any longer.

If it were me having the surgery, I would follow the doctor's recommendations regarding downtime and PT. Fortunately, I have good insurance that will cover this kind of surgery and recovery, and I have benefits through work that will cover time missed. I thought I was going to need knee replacement soon (osteoarthritis), but I haven't had any more problems since I started taking the MoveFree supplement a year ago. That has drastically helped my situation.

[Bill Dufour]

I am schedule din mid November for left hip replacement. I plan to join a gym with a heated pool for exercise. As I understand it they cut off the top of the femur and install a stud using a morse taper joint. Then they screw on a ball onto the stud. For the pelvis they drill a big hole and install a cup. they pop a plastic/metal/ceramic cup liner into the metal one. No screws or glue just taper joints until 6-8 weeks when new bone grows into the porous bottom of the metal.
If a replacement is needed they just unscrew the old ball and screw on a new one. Then they pop in a new cup liner. Similar to ball joints on a car. The replacement is quicker recovery with limited restrictions. Of course I would be 80 or older by then if needed so less likely to be doing heavy lifting by then.
BillD

[Mike Wilkins]

My wife has 2 bionic hips and she tells everyone that the rehab is the most important step in the process. Listen to them and you will be back in the game in due time.
Another tip: chair height toilets. Makes a huge difference. And no more break dancing.

[Larry Frank]

I had my hip done in early June. That way, I did not have to put on shoes and socks which can be hazardous. Doing it in June also avoids any winter weather hazards.

[Derek Meyer]

My wife has 2 bionic hips and she tells everyone that the rehab is the most important step in the process. Listen to them and you will be back in the game in due time.
Another tip: chair height toilets. Makes a huge difference. And no more break dancing.

I replaced our toilets with higher ones just before my wife's first surgery. She had one of the potty chairs (the ones that straddle the toilet to make it chair height) but didn't need it with the new units. I have to say, those few inches make a world of difference getting up and down, especially as I age. I recommend them. I bought the American Standard Champion 4 elongated bowl units. I really like them.

[Maurice Mcmurry]

Bruce Cockburn's latest album is titled "Bone On Bone" I wish I did not understand the title.

[Gordon Stump]

I am back in the shop today after 6 weeks. I have no restrictions but the surgeon said do not do anything dangerous. I take that to mean felling trees with a chain saw and such.

Also, moving the 80 pound power feeder from the table saw to the router table. Solution, buy a dedicated baby power feeder for the router table. UPS watch tomorrow.

Thank you all for the great comments. I took it easy and stayed away from spinning blades for 6 weeks. Today I will ask SWAMBO to catch boards coming off the planer.

Thanks again,

Gordon

[Jim Becker]

'Glad you are back in the game, Gordon, and hope things are feeling really good with the hip!

[Erik Loza]

I can’t add much to this conversation except that my knees are not as great as they used to be and the combination of placing rubber horse stall mats across the floor + aftermarket insoles in my shoes has gone a long way towards being able to work for hours on end in the garage. Best of luck with your recovery.

Erik

[Alan Lightstone]

Nice to hear you're back, Gordon. Taking it slow is always good advice these days. And you followed it.