Here are the before and after X-rays from my total hip replacement. I lined up my pelvis in both X-rays so that you can see the 1″ that I regained through the hardware.
(Click image for the high-resolution version)
For those that missed it, check out the animation I posted showing how a total hip replacement is performed. It will also help you understand what you’re looking at in the X-ray.
After almost a week of being at home, I finally had a visit from my in-home physical therapist last Friday. As far as exercises, there were no surprises, since I’ve been through this a few times already. My hip has been feeling pretty good, except after my exercises when my entire thigh aches with deep pain.
Prior to my surgery I had assumed that the range of motion and strength issues I had been living with would magically disappear. Instead, all of my limitations are still here. Most notably, I can still barely lift my right leg off the ground, and my right leg won’t extend behind my body while walking or standing. I guess the good news is I should be able to correct everything with physical therapy. The bad news is, it’s going to be a long time until my body returns to it’s pre-avascular necrotic state.
Just got home from the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). Had my first meeting with my new surgeon, Dr. P.
I chose HSS because they are the #1 rated hospital in the country for orthopedics. They perform around 2,600 hip replacements each year and more joint replacements than any other hospital in the country. They’re located on the opposite side of Manhattan on East 70th.
After stopping by radiology for a couple x-rays, I headed to Dr. P’s office. I didn’t wait long, and after Dr. P examined my gait and range of motion, he looked at my x-rays. He explained that due to the avascular necrosis, my hip has basically become a square, instead of the nice round shape it was previously. The damage is so extensive that my only option is a total hip replacement. Read more…
The Celtics, Bruins, Red Sox, and Patriots games. I got health insurance for the first time since college! I built some bookshelves and then built a new kitchen. Jennie’s wedding. Jaynemarie’s wedding. Topsfield Fair and the racing pigs.
In 2007 I had 8 appointments with my orthopedic surgeon at BMC, an appointment with a surgeon in NYC, 1 MRI, 6 sets of X-rays, a bone density exam, an operation to take the hardware out of my leg, Read more…
Had my follow-up appointment with my orthopedic surgeon at BMC today. He reviewed the MRI I had done two weeks ago and didn’t have good news. He is pretty sure I have avascular necrosis. For those that don’t know what this is…
The hip joint is one of the true ball-and-socket joints of the body. The hip socket is called the acetabulum and forms a deep cup that surrounds the ball of the upper thigh bone. The thigh bone itself is called the femur, and the ball on the end is the femoral head. Thick muscles of the buttock at the back and the thick muscles of the thigh in the front surround the hip.
Read more…
