In light of recent developments I was just looking for input from those who have had or know someone who has had hip resurfacing or a hip replacement. It looks like I am a canidate for one or the other and I am curious as to how much people were able to do after the surgery. I am ultimatly wondering if I will be able to return to tug boating after such an operation and just wanted to see how other people fared afterward. Thanks in advance for your input.-TBJ

Well you're not supposed to lift more than 10 lbs. so you'll have to get somebody to help you piss.

I work in a Orthopedic office where three of the Docs went to England for training in the hip resurfacing (Birmingham) technique. Since returning, they have performed over 400 of these procedures. Recovery time is around 30 days (where you no longer need a crutch for support) and it allows much better range of motion than a standard replacement. A young woman that is a personal trainer had one done and within 6 weeks she was walking and jogging 8 miles a day and had resumed her aerobics teaching.
I have x-rayed each of these patients and there has been only one case that did not have great results. This patient had a standard replacement done after the Birmingham failed and is now doing well. If you decide to opt for the standard, the materials being used now should last 25-30 years.
If you have any additional questions, feel free to PM me and I'll be happy to answer anything I can. If I don't know, I'll ask one of the Docs.

Almost spit my smoothie all over my monitor JG.

Good to know JG but as long as I can lift 9 pounds I am in great shape
Hankster thanks for the info I am seeking a few opinions from orthapedic surgeons and may just PM you if I have any questions.-Tom

Gal I work with had a hip replacement about two years ago. Recovery was such that she can't wait to get the other one done. Methinks (without knowing first hand) that the technology has vastly improved over the last decade.

Good Luck, Tom.

I had hip replacement surgury done on my left hip, three years ago when I was 39. Best thing I ever did. I was to the point of being in pain every day. Sometimes a little sometimes a lot, but always there. Havent had a minute of pain ever since.

I am not the most active person in the world, but i'm not a couch potato either. I dont feel any limitations at all with my new hip. In fact Doc told me I could pretty much do anything I wanted. You probably do want to shy away from things that would give it a hard impact like running, or pounding the moguls.....otherwise, its as good as the real thing.

As far as range of motion, before surguy I was to the point that I could not sit on a motorcycle. I physically just could not do that (well, I could sit on it, but I could not get my feet in a postion to operate the brake and clutch). Now.....I can.

I cant speak to resurfacing. But I am very, very happy with my replacement. My only complaint is that my "new" leg is almost 3/4" longer than my right leg, so I have to get all of my Right shoes "shimmed" up so I dont develop back problems.....or walk in a circle.

How long does it last? I never did get a very straight answer out of the Doc, 20-30 years, maybe a lifetime? Kinda depends on the person and what you do with it. It is made of Titanium, and the wearing surfaces are chromium-cobalt......so I figure i'll probably get a lifetime out of mine.

Good luck. And if you have any more questions....fire away.

A friend of mine had his hips replaced at 59. He's 63 now, about 6'2" and 220. He mountain bikes in the hills twice a week so his new hips have been tested. He's doing fine.

N.Y.T. story about noisy hip replacement.


http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/11/busine...SSZ5MloHuVRBUJA

Have the doc put in the recessed grease fitting so it won't nag on your pants and rip a hole in them. Takes care of the noisy hip. Use the same grease that you use on your boat trailer hubs. You won't need any bearing buddies however.
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Sorry -sick joke. One of my friends (rip) used to assist in hip replacement surgery and would ask people what type of grease fitting they wished just to relieve some tension when getting them preped for surgery.