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Hip Replacement... CRAZY

It's been a while since I've written anything.... busy with work, kids, and art.

2 interesting PPFD-related things have happened recently. I was asked to speak at a symposium at the Tampa Shrine that focused on how to care for pediatric limb deficient patients. My segment focused on the psychosocial aspects of care... basically, why 'bedside manners' and showing young patients personal interest is so important. I talked about how the personal connections I made with my Shrine medical staff really shaped me- and my family- even perhaps more than the excellent medical care I received. It was really great to sit, as an adult, in front of all these medical professionals and explain things from a patient's view. These things are, perhaps, common sense... that a physician or prosthetist showing a strong interest in the young patient's hobbies/recreational activities can have a profound influence on the patient's overall rehabilitative success. But I really DON'T think it's common sense because I've heard all too often that this EMOTIONAL support is lacking for some young patients. Anyway, this was a very cool experience. AND it was awesome to see those same people working at the Shrine- people I've known since I was a little girl.

Another interesting thing that has happened is that I've been having major pain in my 'good hip'. Funny, the leg with the most severe PFFD has a hip that doesn't really bother me- despite the fact that there is really no traditional hip joint, just the end of a bone with no ball, no socket- all just held together with tissue. The other hip, well, that's a different story. The side I wear a prosthesis on is my 'good side'. The fake leg is the good leg. So, anyway, I decided to have an x-ray because my last hip x-ray is from ages ago, when I was a teenager. So I did and it ends up that my left femur is slowly migrating upwards. It's rubbing against the top of my pelvic bone. Nice. So... the ortho Dr. suggested that maybe I could have a hip replacement. If you could see my x-rays you could imagine how crazy that sounds. That's basically my only option, which doesn't sound like much of an option to me. So, I requested a copy of my x-ray and left. No thanks. But at least I did get a new x-ray. I LOVE to see how in the world I'm put together. It blows my mind. And you know... as funky as my hips are, I can walk, not too gracefully, but I can. Those funky hips help up to two pregnancies and two deliveries. Thank you, funky hips. Despite the trouble you cause me, I guess you did your job.

Comments

Hi Jen:

I know your pain. I have had more trouble with my “good hip” than my bad hip. I have had a total of 5 surgeries on my good hip and none on my bad. At the age of 14 I had my first of three total hip replacements. Luckily I found a great surgeon who performed my second and third replacements. I haven’t had any problems with the hips, they just wear out with age.

My surgeon in Baltimore, Dr. Frank Ebert is great. I would recommend highly recommend him. I have traveled all over the world and continue to fly to Baltimore to see him. I think that highly of him. He has been my surgeon for 20 years.

I wish you all the luck in the decision you make. You will know when you are ready for the surgery. The surgery is a lot easier than it was when I had my first 37 years ago.

Take care and if I can be of any help please let me know.

Thank you so much. I guess when I think of a hip replacement, my first thought is very negative. Maybe because everything just seems so precariously put together as it is... to take a chance like that and basically turn my body upside down, it just really scares me. But obviously, it helped you... so... there ya go. I'll keep you updated.

Jen