Thought of some questions I didn’t get a chance to ask my new surgeon when I met with him back in October. His office manager said I could email her the questions, and she would get them answered. In just a couple days, I had my answers:

1) I would prefer general to regional anesthesia, is this an option?
Not recommended, but you can discuss this with the anesthesiologist the morning of surgery.

2) If I’m going to need blood, I’d like it to be my own, should I do an autologous blood donation?
An autologous blood donation is not required.

3) How many days do you think I will be in the hospital?
Plan on being in the hospital for 3 days.

4) How soon after a THR am I allowed to do stairs?
Probably about 2-3 days.

5) With an optimal recovery, when do you think I’ll be cleared to work as an RN?
You will probably return to work in 4-6 weeks for regular duty, or 3 weeks for desk duty.

6) How long before I can travel by airplane?
About 4-6 weeks before you can travel by plane.

7) What replacement materials do you plan to use for my new hip?
We will be using uncemented titanium for your total hip replacement.

8) You will be able to correct the 1″ different in leg lengths, right?
We will try to correct the leg length discrepancy.

I was pretty happy with the answers. The plan is now to stay at my parent’s house in NJ for a few days after I’m discharged, since I live on the third floor of a NYC walk-up. Waiting 4-6 weeks to work is fine, since I have to wait that long to take the licensing exam anyway.

I should have expected that they couldn’t promise they’d fix my 1″ leg length discrepancy. I’m certainly keeping my fingers crossed about it though. I don’t want to have a limp the rest of my life!

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…

My first two appointments with the VA have been scheduled. The first is at the Boston Outpatient Clinic on Causeway Street, the second is at the Jamaica Plain VA. It is my understanding that the first appointment is a medical appointment, while the second is an orthopedic appointment, though I’m not really sure.

I have some pretty big news to those of you that have been reading my journal for the past couple years. It seems the higher-ups in the Navy have decided that I am unfit for duty, and should be discharged. They have recommended my case be submitted to the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB). The PEB basically reviews the medical evidence and makes determinations of fitness or unfitness to continue service. If the service member is found unfit, the PEB then determines the percentage of the service member’s disability compensation using the Veterans Administration Schedule for Rating Disability (VASRD). Depending on the severity of the injury, the service member either receives medical retirement or severance pay. Read more…