Bionic "Hip"

I recently had a total left hip replacement and am entering day 12 of post surgery recuperation. My days have been filled with physical therapy, occupational therapy, walking and the often needed nap. Everyone is given a hip that is...well...perfect...yours may look like this.



I unfortunately have osteoarthritis in both hips and my spine. I began having problems with left hip several years ago. Little did I know what was occurring. It's genetic and there is no known prevention. My mother had it in her spine and a younger sister has it in her hands and back. My left hip no longer had the protection of cartilage...I was bone on bone...no wonder I was in so much pain! The grey/blue area in this photo shows a little more cartilage than what I had.



Lars and I had the opportunity to attend a pre-surgery class and got to actually hold the prosthesis. It was pretty heavy, was in three parts - ball, teflon like cartilage crown for ball and the socket. Probably weighed in at possibly 1 lb. Pretty intimidating...was wondering if weight of "gadget" would make walking difficult in beginning.



Surgery was on September 9th...my therapy began right away on September 10th. I'm pleased to say I didn't have difficulty walking and was immediately pain free. Only discomfort was from incision and muscles that were disrupted during surgery. This is my new bionical hip and I proudly sport a card that lets scanners at airports know I have a prosthesis. I'll probably still need to be scanned, and look forward to my first flight!



Full recovery is at least a year to allow full muscle repair. I should be back to normal activities in 2-3 months. Everything depends on my abilities...so I am taking it slow don't want to mess anything up!

Larry has taken some time off work to be home with me. I am unable to do stairs routinely at this time so we have set our living room up as my "master suite". All obstacles have been eliminated or reduced making manuevering with my walker or cane from living room area to bath, dining, or kitchen "manageable".

I need to give a big thank you to daughter Michelle and grandson Jake who came in and removed all obstacles prior to my discharge from hospital. Also a big thanks to daughter Lisa and grandson Cooper for sitting with me when Larry needs to be at work.

I'm looking forward to the day when I can hop in car and set out to an unknown destination. It's been a year since I've done any serious traveling...dang hip nearly made having a good time impossible.