Outpatient Hip Replacement...

[ESquared]

Finally got into the orthopedic surgeon's practice yesterday and he took a series of X-rays on the troubled right hip, which revealed more damage than the single image captured by the chiropractor a couple of weeks prior.

Basically it's more than shot. The ball on top of the femur isn't round anymore, but has a "flat spot," which is playing badly with the socket part of the joint, which has zero cartilage. The labrum (the tendon-like ring which holds the whole thing together) is "gone," to use his word.

The good news of the day is that he gave me a potent cortisone shot to deal with the pain and bad news of the day, which is that I probably can't get this surgery done until late January/early February, just based on their schedule. Takes about a week for the real beneficial effects of the cortisone to kick in, but we'll see.

Delays aside, the other good news is that his colleague (and the surgeon who will do the deed) does these total hip replacements on an outpatient basis for the right candidates, and I appear to be one (relatively young, otherwise active, no other medical issues, etc.). Seems crazy to me that they'd send you home the same day, but further research has revealed that it's actually preferred under circumstances like mine for lots of reasons.

https://www.aarp.org/disrupt-aging/stor ... ement.html

So, a few more weeks of managing the pain, getting through the holidays without the hassle of post-op workarounds, getting the house in order, living the life.

Back to the surgeon on Friday the 13th(!) of December for final scheduling and details. Apparently there's no such thing as "emergency hip replacement," huh?

[JEBar]

Delays aside, the other good news is that his colleague (and the surgeon who will do the deed) does these total hip replacements on an outpatient basis for the right candidates, and I appear to be one (relatively young, otherwise active, no other medical issues, etc.). Seems crazy to me that they'd send you home the same day, but further research has revealed that it's actually preferred under circumstances like mine for lots of reasons.

amazing .... that truly is hard to believe .... at a minimum you'll need a good bit of help for at least a few days at home

[RanchRoper]

Good luck, and hope you get sorted out soon.

[CT_Shooter]

When I had mine done two years ago, the ball at the top of my femur had disintegrated, too. As I wrote earlier, I spent one night in the hospital and was discharged the next day. They required someone to spend the night with me just in case I had any aftereffects, so my brother volunteered for babysitting duty. Then, for about a week or so, a PT came to the house each day to watch and evaluate as I did a series of activities. There were a few restrictions at first, like not crossing my legs, bending down, or carrying anything heavier than 25 lbs.

FYI, I was also restricted from driving for several weeks, but I stocked up on food and supplies beforehand, so it wasn't much of a burden.

Good luck. You'll do just fine.

[cooperhawk]

Modern medicine is amazing. I had my aortal anurism repaired at the Mayo two months ago and spent one night in the hospital and was up and around within 24 hours.
I had very little pain.

[markiver54]

Hang in there Evan. Hope the shot works to help you get through the delay. I know it will all go smoothly and you will rebound very fast! I certainly wish you well through it all.
FWIW I know of a practice in Florida, ( Banati Clinic ) that does back surgeries on an out patient basis. When I have mine, I would like to go there. I have to be clear of my DVT before I can have it done though. Blood thinners and surgeries don't mix.
I guess out patient surgeries are not un-common these days.
Anyway...will be thinking about you and wishing you the best. Hope to talk soon!

[BigAl52]

Soon you will be the million dollar man then. A man of steel. Keep us posted Evan and I wish you nothing but the best. Hope the shot kicks in for the pain soon. In the mean time maybe Randy will send you some Buffalo Trace.

[Rifletom]

Dang Evan, that's a lot going on! Wishing you the best. I'll be in contact thru the holidays and such. Take care.

[ChefDuane]

I've had both knees done. Surgery is a piece 'o cake. Go in early in the morning, get comfy in the trapdoor hospital jammies, get knocked out, and you wake up a few hours later with new parts! Is there pain, yes. But most folks here are tough old coots and you'll manage. But, and I cannot stress this enough - DO THE REHAB!! Do EVERYTHING they tell you to do. Force yourself to do ALL the exercises. Trust me, you'll thank me later. Successful rehab makes all the difference in successful joint replacement. After 3-4 months you'll be good as new with a new scar to show the grandkids!! Best of Luck!!

[clovishound]

I guess it depends on where you are and the type surgery as to how quickly they can get you done. A few years back I had hernia surgery. Not anything urgent, just time to have it done. Saw the surgeon a couple weeks after talking to my GP. Surgery was scheduled for about 3 weeks after surgeon visit. I was in the hospital about 2 1/2 hours. Biggest issue was the side effects of the pain meds they gave me. I only took 3 oxy pills total. Will avoid them like the plague from now on. The nausea and constipation were worse than the pain, which wasn't all that bad.

Some places have waiting periods measured in years for joint replacement.

[Mags]

.
Outpatient! That is amazing! Another thing to look forward to, you'll be eligible for the special TSA pat down at the airports.
Wish you well with the surgery and a speedy recovery!

[TMB]

Wish you a speedy recovery. I agree with ChefDuane do all the activities the PT gives you.

[Ernie]

A guy at work had both hips replaced 2 months apart. Both were outpatient and he was back to work (sit down job) in 4 days. Doing physical therapy but WOW. Listen to the docs and I hope you have a speedy recovery and a better quality life.

[ESquared]

Thanks very much for all the good wishes and advice, folks! It might be my imagination, but it seems like the cortisone is helping already. If so, that bodes well for the coming weeks!
And, Yes, I've read over and over that the PT/Re-hab is a "do what they tell you to do" affair, so no worries there! I'm a pretty quick healer overall and sort of a glass half full type person anyway, so will take it as it comes and know that there are good and not-so-good days along the way.
Really appreciate you all chiming in and lending your support. It all counts, doncha know!

[clovishound]

Maybe you'll have time to catch up on some episodes of The Rifleman

[TMB]

It might be my imagination, but it seems like the cortisone is helping already. If so, that bodes well for the coming weeks!

I get cortisone every 3 months in my knees. Right afterwards I have to go sit down somewhere with ice packs and ice them for 1/2 hour each. I get relief that day if I can sit long enough with ice.

[Ozarkwoodswalker]

That's amazing. I got a new hop about two years ago and it's fablous...no more limping or gimping ..I never even think of it now...great to be free of pain.....I was in hospital three days...I got along great...but can't fathom how you could be out the same day.....the had some dang thing put on my leg the first night to keep squeezing and releasing do no blood clots....... You be pretty slow first few weeks....I'm super sold on how the hip replacement helps....I'm thrilled I got mine....but can't imagine how I could have got out the same day....go figure!!!

[runnin n gunnin]

Finally got into the orthopedic surgeon's practice yesterday and he took a series of X-rays on the troubled right hip, which revealed more damage than the single image captured by the chiropractor a couple of weeks prior.

Basically it's more than shot. The ball on top of the femur isn't round anymore, but has a "flat spot," which is playing badly with the socket part of the joint, which has zero cartilage. The labrum (the tendon-like ring which holds the whole thing together) is "gone," to use his word.

The good news of the day is that he gave me a potent cortisone shot to deal with the pain and bad news of the day, which is that I probably can't get this surgery done until late January/early February, just based on their schedule. Takes about a week for the real beneficial effects of the cortisone to kick in, but we'll see.

Delays aside, the other good news is that his colleague (and the surgeon who will do the deed) does these total hip replacements on an outpatient basis for the right candidates, and I appear to be one (relatively young, otherwise active, no other medical issues, etc.). Seems crazy to me that they'd send you home the same day, but further research has revealed that it's actually preferred under circumstances like mine for lots of reasons.

https://www.aarp.org/disrupt-aging/stor ... ement.html

So, a few more weeks of managing the pain, getting through the holidays without the hassle of post-op workarounds, getting the house in order, living the life.

Back to the surgeon on Friday the 13th(!) of December for final scheduling and details. Apparently there's no such thing as "emergency hip replacement," huh?

Hey Esquared. My wife just had a total hip replacement (left hip). She had to stay in the hospital an extra day due to reaction to anesthetic (couldnt get her nausea under control). She had dealt with a degenerative hip for 20 years and was so crippled she had to crawl upstairs to get to the bedroom at night. The first thing she told me when she woke up was that the pain was completely gone ! She had some surgical pain, but her hip pain was gone.

One word of advice. Ice is your best friend. You need to buy (or your surgeon will prescribe ice packs) that you will keep in the freezer. If interested I will give you the company we used, and they are great, comes with a belt that you can attach over the hip and move around in.

My wife made it through everything with NO PAIN MEDS ! The only thing she took was Tylenol 650mg.

I wish you all the best and hope to hear how you are doing afterwards.

By the way, my wife's surgery was on Friday the 13th (Sept). We were married on Friday the 13th, I was born on Friday the 13th, it all good!

[ESquared]

Thanks for all of that R-n-G. Would be most interested in the ice pack/holster your wife used; just send me a PM when you get a chance.

Sounds like your wife had a long struggle but a great outcome, which is encouraging to hear, and I'll not worry any more about the 13th!

Thanks for your story - no such thing as bad advice right now!

[Shakey Jake]

Sorry to hear of your troubles but at least there's a fix. Hope it doesn't put you in a financial bind.