BS: Med. Search Help, Please

Subject: BS: Med. Search Help, Please
From: Mudlark
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 01:30 AM

Got the bad news that a run-in with large asphalt truck about 6 wks ago may be causing me problems with new hip replacement. I opted for an uncemented prosthesis and my surgeon is afraid that tho there was no dislocation or fracture, the impact may have loosened/destroyed the growing bond between bone and titanium. Unskilled as I am in both computer search methods and medical terminology, I'ad appreciate some direction for finding out probability (statistically speaking) of rebonding, how long will it take to re-establish (IF it will), and if there is anything I can do to help (or hinder) the process. Any help greatly appreciated. I can't seem to get past the gen'l discussion of post-op bone growth on Google.

Subject: RE: BS: Med. Search Help, Please
From: open mike
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 01:41 AM

ouch.

Subject: RE: BS: Med. Search Help, Please
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 03:57 AM

Well I am looking at having a hip resurfacing, rather than a hip replacement done, they glue a sort of metal mushroom thing with a spike where the mushroom stem would be onto the top of the femur, with the spike going down into the femur its self. Then they glue a corresponding shaped cup into the hip socket, so that one metal bit fits inside the other when they re-assemble me. This takes away the bone grating on bone bit, which is what causes the pain in the first place.
I'm no expert but it sounds like your bone should regrow, but it also sounds like you will have to take the weight off it for a bit, to help it get started again. I wish you luck with it, and hope it improves without the doctor having to intervene.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Med. Search Help, Please
From: mooman
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 06:43 AM

Dear Mudlark,

As I work in this general area I will try to find some information when I am back in my office next week. In the meantime, the following sites may be of assistance:

Hip replacement FAQs

A more technical paper on the biomechanics of implants

Rebonding (or osteogenesis) probably would re-establish naturally (in my opinion but I am only a medical biologist not a surgeon and you should perhaps seek additional opinion and certainly not take my word on this) but its success would probably be dependent on the nature and extent of the trauma and the type of implant (especially its surface characteristics). Certainly, a period of keeping undue stress and load off the hip would probably be necessary to aid bonding. The technical article should give you some useful keywords to help in your further research.

Hope to come back to you soon.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: BS: Med. Search Help, Please
From: Amos
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 12:00 PM

Oweeee!! Just when things had settled out!!    So sorry to hear about this. Didn't your mama tell you not to mix it up with large cement trucks?


A

Subject: RE: BS: Med. Search Help, Please
From: Peace
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 12:05 PM

See your doctor and talk with the surgeon, immediately. I had something similar happen and it took about a month of 'rest' to get it to re-bond. It did. Been good for the past four years.

Subject: RE: BS: Med. Search Help, Please
From: GUEST,Lyle
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 12:05 PM

I'll hope one of the clones can make this a clicky thing, but here are some search engins that specialize in health related sites.

http://edweb.sdsu.edu/webquest/searching/specialized.html

http://www.healthatoz.com/

Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: BS: Med. Search Help, Please
From: freda underhill
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 12:10 PM

Good luck with it, Mudlark, and my best wishes

freda

Subject: RE: BS: Med. Search Help, Please
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 12:28 PM

http://edweb.sdsu.edu/webquest/searching/specialized.html

http://www.healthatoz.com/

Subject: RE: BS: Med. Search Help, Please
From: Mudlark
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 01:54 PM

Thanks so much for all the search info and good wishes...some people pray, I turn to the Mudcat! Will spend the day going through all suggestions. It's sort of a quandry, as bone-growth, as I understand it, develops with load-bearing activity. I've talked with my surgeon, but tho he is a superlative technician, his communication skills are minimal. PTherapist says keep moving, but only so long as it doesn't hurt too much. So I've cut down the length of my daily walk and have given up heavy yard work for the time being.

Amos...Songs I learned at my mother's knee, and other low places, did include" Oh Nancy, Stay away from Cement Trucks Today." but failed to warn me about double rig vehicles carrying asphalt. Who knew?

Subject: RE: BS: Med. Search Help, Please
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 02:25 PM

Any point in taking supplements with calcium to increase bone growth? Just a thought. Sorry to hear about this Mudlark and I will include you in my prayers.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Med. Search Help, Please
From: Mudlark
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 04:47 PM

Thanks for the prayers, Sins...I've been taking calcium (1500 mg) and proportional magnesium ever since operation. Don't know that it's doing any good but it can't do any harm. And I was feeling great before the accident.

Subject: RE: BS: Med. Search Help, Please
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 04:58 PM

My wife had a total hip replacement 11 years ago. The problem is that it does not last forever. She started getting pain again. A recent X ray revealed that the plastic & metal joint is wearing out & it has to be re-done again soon. She had it done in The Hospital For Special Surgery in NYC by Dr. Paul Pellicci, who is a recognized expert. Today, they are willing to guarantee 15 years as opposed to 10 years before another procedure is required. Like with a car, nothing mechanical lasts forever. SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: BS: Med. Search Help, Please
From: open mike
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 05:02 PM

Comfrey is also called bone knit i think...perhaps some of that tea
will speed things along in a good way!
by the way the links on the obttom of this page are about
hip and knee replacement and ceramic replacement joints!
you might find something there..

Subject: RE: BS: Med. Search Help, Please
From: fat B****rd
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 05:26 PM

All the best Mudlark.

Subject: RE: BS: Med. Search Help, Please
From: mooman
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 05:26 PM

You are right Mudlark. A certain amount of load will actually encourage bone cell growth as their mode of growth is related to their funtionality. The same is true also of other tissues such as cartilage. It is important, however, not to overstress the joint. It sound like your physio has given good advice. Here are a couple more sites for you:

Biomechanics of bone growth

Paper from Stanford

Here's an extract from the Stanford site:

With no loading the bone grew at a constant biological growth rate and the growth front progressed evenly across the physis. With a moderate compressive load across joint surface, growth was promoted and the growth front progressed further than without loading. Under a severe compressive load, however, growth was inhibited and the growth front progressed less than without loading.

Hope these are of interest

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: BS: Med. Search Help, Please
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 05:27 PM

Mudlark:

We are really sorry to hear about this. Just when you seemed to be getting around fine. Damn.

We're no more medically savvy than you so we can't help with your search but just know that we're thinking of you. If you need to cool off give us a ring.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Med. Search Help, Please
From: Deckman
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 06:26 PM

Oh ... the horrible irony ... you crashed with a "CEMENT" truck, and now you've got this problem. (I know, I know, it ain't funny)

And it certainly isn't. I have nothing of knowledge to tell you. I wish I could. YOU ARE THE PERSON that gave me so much knowledge and assistance prior to my own hip replacement 6 months ago. I wish I could return the favor.

Hey, I know! How about tonight, after dark of course, Judy and I go out in the back yard, strip naked, light candles, and shout "HIP HIP HOORAY." Do you think it'll do any good ... for your hip situation I mean.

You're in our thoughts, Love, Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Med. Search Help, Please
From: Mudlark
Date: 19 Jul 04 - 01:39 AM

Moo...thanks for all links/excerpts...very helpful. Also for other good advice and good wishes. Big help. And Bob...I definitely think you and Judy should perform the HRR (Hip Rejuvenation Ritual). I'm sure it will prove very helpful! And Bev/Jerry, thanks for cool invite...cool is definitely...cool!