Larimergirl

But I'm ok with no hip resurfacing.

Had a good visit with my surgeon today. He is a good communicator and took lots of time with me after taking more xrays of hips. He took time to just chat, explain his background, review xrays, draw pictures for me, etc.

He does 6-7 hip replacement surgeries a week and says infections and complications in his patients are rare. (I've heard that from other doctors too about him).

Both hips are affected, but right hip is the worst. He says that often when worse hip is corrected, the other feels better and may be able to prolong any surgery for left side indefinitely (This is what another surgeon told me three years ago too).

He reviewed the different types of equipment and explained that I was not a good candiate for resurfacing--one due to bone density in hip area and also because with females, this type of procedure leaves you vulnerable for later fractures. He said if I were his wife or sister, he would not let me have resurfacing. My xrays showed bone cysts in femoral head area and a bone scan that I had taken yesterday shows osteopenia (not osteoporosis yet, but density not good enough for his comfort). Apparently when the do resurfacing, you have to have strong bone stock in the hip socket.

But, explained prothesis he recommends will have a larger head suitable for younger and more active/fit patients--far less risk of dislocation later. And, he told me that based on my age, level of fitness he'd expect a 3 day hospital stay (He does surgeries on Mondays and generally if all goes well discharges on Wednesdays). Actual surgery would be around one and a half hours.

There is a pre-op class that he'd send me too run by a nurse whose had bilateral replacements. The anesthesiologists and social workers are also there to answer questions and he said that family members and friends are welcome to attend. There's also an interactive web site that has just been developed by his department and they're going to send me the password and apparently that site will have lots of info.

He'd expect me to be able to go home rather than a rehab facility based on level of current fitness, but that social workers would be available to assist in hospital if it looked like I should be discharged into a facility. (There's one within 10 mins of my house). He thinks I'd need assistance, two weeks tops. Then, after that, Id probably be able to go back to work (short days at first) if I wanted to do so. Driving would be restricted until about 6 weeks after surgery because it's my right leg and I need to be able to jam on brakes in traffic.

Anyway, I need to talk to my family members about their schedules, since I live alone and they will have to come stay with me. And, of course, need to talk to my boss and my second in command (who works part time) to see what's best. I'd like to wait till end of summer/early fall so I'd be in good shape for the holidays, but also not stuck in Houston 100 degree heat and 100 percent humidity.

Thanks for everyone's encouragement. I'm sure I'll have loads of questions, once I settle down.

Maggie