BS: Laproscopic hip surgery

Subject: BS: Laproscopic hip surgery
From: Mudlark
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 04:42 PM

After 3 years of limping around I guess I'm going to have to give in and get hip joint replaced. I'm very tempted by relatively new "mini incision" technique using laproscopic instruments. Much small incision, so tissue and muscle sparing, lower infection and embolism rates, faster rehab time. Been done on knees for some time now but not as much data/research/studies on hip replacement. Have any Catters any input? I've got an appointment to see surgeon next week and would like to have the right questions in hand to ask.

Subject: RE: BS: Laproscopic hip surgery
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 04:51 PM

Make sure the bastard alignes up your feet so you can walk without a limp.

Subject: RE: BS: Laproscopic hip surgery
From: Rapparee
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 08:17 PM

Be certain that the correct size of replacement is used! Also, check on how it will be attached, and if it is fairly easy to remove if that becomes necessary.

Subject: RE: BS: Laproscopic hip surgery
From: Deckman
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 12:32 PM

Very interesting timing ... I have a Doctors appointment this afternoon for the same reason. MUDCAT strikes again! CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson

Subject: RE: BS: Laproscopic hip surgery
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 02:01 PM

I know nothing about the design and all of hip joints used in this procedure although I do know they have had great success with knees. I also have a friend in the Army (30 year guy, maxing out his bennies) who just had both hips done in Germany in this way and he's doing great.

What I can speak to is the unbelieveable advances made in laproscopic and robotic surgeries. My mitral valve was replaced by a robotic procedure and it was great. I only wish they had had the robot when I had the bypass. Heart surgery done through two pencil sized holes beats the hell out of sawing your breastbone in half!!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Laproscopic hip surgery
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 02:10 PM

I've had a heck of a time finding anything specifically on laparoscopic hip surgery on google, but of the few general hip surgery sites I did scan, two things stuck out: ask if they glue the replacement parts and if so how much the glue has improved, or not and also, if not, do they use a metal plate for the bone to grow around and attach to. The latter seems to be the preferred, or up and coming choice. I guess previous glues could sometimes wear out causing pain.

It seems you may need one of those long-handled pick things up thingie, which some hospitals provide in your going home package because you apparently are not to bend to pick things up for a time.

Personally, I think you and Deckman ought to check out going to Belgium for the whole thing!*bg*

Sorry I wasn't able to find more. Even webmd drew a blank when I used "hip," "laparoscopic," and "surgery" all in one search, while separately, or even hip and surgery together drew hundreds of articles, etc.!

Subject: RE: BS: Laproscopic hip surgery
From: Mudlark
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 11:03 PM

Thanks for the input...I'll be very interested, Bob, in how your doc appt turns out. I believe the same prosthesis is used in either surgery, and glueless is definitely preferred. The good news from the xrays I've already had taken is that tho the joint is practically fused I have very good bone density, which is a prerequisite for glueless type. Kat, many hits if search is for "mini-incision"...and the surgeon I'll be seeing apparently taught many of the other docs that come up under that search. I'll also be able to talk to patients who have already had the procedure done, which should be helpful. Sounds like I'll have to go to convalescent hosp. for a couple of weeks following surgery, as I live alone. Eeek...better start looking for a good dog/house/garden sitter.

Subject: RE: BS: Laproscopic hip surgery
From: LadyJean
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 11:26 PM

My mother had three hip replacements. (The second was glueless, which was a bad idea, since Mom had degenerative arthritis.) I offer two pieces of advice.
1. Have the surgery in winter. February is an excellent month to spend off your feet. Mother had her second hip replacement in July and we damn near killed each other. She didn't like being cooped up in the good weather. It did nothing for her disposition.
2. Do your exercises. Most people who have trouble with replacement hips are people who don't. The doctor told mother to do her exercises as steadily as she practiced her religion. Mother said she wasn't very religious, so she'd do them more.
The result of this being, that Mom was up and step dancing again. Michael Flatley's dancing was the second best Irish jig I ever saw. The best was Mom after she had her hips done.

Subject: RE: BS: Laproscopic hip surgery
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 12:12 AM

Try "minimally invasive hip surgery" on Google....lots of info although I don't know which might be relevant. This one was pretty interesting but there are a lot more.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Laproscopic hip surgery
From: Deckman
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 12:36 AM

Hi Mudlark ... to answer your question directly: my appointment went fine. The Doctor was very good, he had on a new tie, it was his second week with this new nurse .......! To serious up now: the internet in no place to discuss serious medical issues. I'm a damned fine builder and carpenter, but not a good Doctor. I won't second guess them in their work, and they don't second guess me in my work. If, somewhere down the road, I decide to let them cut me up, I'll research the Doctors very carefully (I already know most of them already) and take my chances.

I don't mean to sound like I'm blowing you away, as I'm not. CHEERS, Bob