| Subject: |
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Hip Re-surfacing UPDATE 3 of 3 |
| Name: |
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Dr Tim Fooks |
| Date Posted: |
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Nov 8, 05 - 10:17 AM |
| Email: |
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tim.fooks@btinternet.com |
| Message: |
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OPERATION
Bilateral Metal on Metal (Cobalt-Chromium) Hip Replacements
Operation Dates: October 20th (left) and November 2nd 2004 (right)
UPDATE 3 of 3
September 17th 2005 1st Anniversary approaching!
Headlines:
• Really pleasing progress overall,
• still some back pain,
• fluid retention in legs
I have to say I feel really good at the moment. Absolutely no pain in the hips and still this sense that things are getting better. In the gym 2 days ago I did cardiovascular exercise for 45 min without difficulty and then went onto to do another half hour or so of weights and hip and core strengthening exercises. I could never have tolerated this a year ago.
I have played my first complete round of golf for over a year and hardly faded the ball once (if you have no rotation in your hips it is very difficult to draw the ball)! My tennis is much improved as well although I still can feel the left hip at the end of 2 or 3 sets. Because of this, I tend to take an anti-inflammatory such as diclofenac (voltarol) 100mg slow release or meloxicam (mobic) 15mg before a game.
On the other hand, and as predicted, I have not regained full range of movement in the joints. Some stiffness remains and, for example, I cannot sit on the floor with my legs crossed in front of me – yoga is still out, thank heavens!
Other musculo-skeletal events have occurred during this period and, frankly, have marred the overall experience. Until the last week I have been plagued by chronic neck pain for about 4 months and one episode of acute low back pain (not sciatica) that was really tedious for 2 weeks. Interestingly the neck pain started when I stopped regularly going to the gym and started playing tennis regularly. A badly hit serve started it off. The back was triggered by one of those trivial things. In my case I leant over to turn on a desk fan.
The reason for mentioning these things is purely to make the point that my hip operations have not resolved all the chronic damage, particularly in the spine, that has been inevitably associated with the hips’ deterioration over the last 20-30 years or so.
However, the basic lifestyle change that I have taken on, which involves a regular to commitment to a moderately vigourous non-impact exercise programme, has become essential for my long-term prognosis to remain good. Just don’t overdo it!
One minor irritation I have noted, is the tendency for my legs to retain fluid after a day sitting and consulting with patients or spending several hours in front of a computer. This necessitates me wearing below knee Grade 2 strength compression stockings. I am sure the operation has caused some damage to my venous and lymphatic drainage and so I am not expecting this to improve. When I am up and active it is does not occur. What’s the take home message here I wonder!
One final point, these lumps of metal set off the metal-detectors in airports. So be prepared to be regularly searched at major check-points. At least you can always show off the scars (which look pretty good by-the way!)
In summary, therefore, I really have no regrets so far. I count myself a fortunate chap and, apparently, I am easier to live with as well! Thank you Mr Skinner and the NHS.
All the best
Tim. |
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