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  1. #1
    FenceFurniture's Avatar
    FenceFurniture is offline The prize lies beneath - hidden in full view
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    Default A new Hippie - wih the SuperPATH technique

    On Sept 18th I had a total hip replacement done in Sydney. This was done with the relatively new SuperPATH technique, where the incision is at ~135° from the front, and above (superior) to the hip joint. The incision is only 65mm long, rather than around 170-200mm long with the old technique, and this has several benefits because it is far less invasive:
    • Reduced time in hospital (overnight only)
    • Much faster recovery - walking with help two hours later
    • No low chair or leg crossing restrictions (amongst a whole host of other restrictions)


    The 105 minute surgery started at 1pm and by midday the next day I was discharged.

    I used crutches for 4 days, then a walking stick around the house until day 12. I was able to drive after 13 days. Some time in the third week I felt up to walking around the shops, but at 250-300m it was a little too much and I had a sore leg for a day or so.

    On day 36 I felt able enough to start street walking, but because I'd had to be so sedentary for so long before surgery I buggered my calf muscles . So at about day 43 I was able to walk about 500 metres up and down hill. I've only been taking the walking stick with me as a fail-safe in case I get into difficulty - not actually using it.

    I'm not sure how this compares to conventional replacement recovery, but I am told it is significantly quicker. I can sleep on that side for some hours without pain, and now the only painkillers are 665mg of slow release paracetamol four times a day, which I can probably taper down.

    Here is the implant (mostly titanium, with a ceramic B&S):
    XR RIGHT HIP 0001 - small - Cropped.jpg

    I had to crop off the right side of that - I'm not sure how long soft body parts have been showing up in Xrays, but we can't have y'all getting envious.

    When I saw the surgeon on day 13, he remarked that "He thinks he got the leg length right" which I had not given consideration to. It would be too easy to make it different which would introduce a limp.

    A 65mm cut would yield an aperture of about 35mm diameter, so not much bigger than a toilet roll to do everything through. One thing that struck me is that I have lost a significant amount of marrow capacity in the right femur, but presumably the body compensates for this.

    As a post script, I will probably continue to take the walking stick with me for shopping - I discovered that people are FAR more courteous, and give me a wide berth. It is also very useful for getting the 2 litre milk containers from the back of the fridge in the supermarket (where they get stuck on the rollers).
    Regards, FenceFurniture

    COLT DRILLS GROUP BUY
    Jan-Feb 2019 Click to send me an email

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  3. #2
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    Glad it has gone well for you
    The person who never made a mistake never made anything

    Cheers
    Ray

  4. #3
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    Sounds like it was a great success. Sorry you had to go through it but it sure sounds better than the old days.

    I hope you recover fully soon.
    I got sick of sitting around doing nothing - so I took up meditation.

  5. #4
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    Good to hear it went well, a mate had his done a by the same (or similar) method about a year ago he is fully recovered, he was up and about and back at work in a week, he runs his own business so it was not full on
    I need the same thing have had to put on hold because that have to fix the Heart first.

  6. #5
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    Always wanted to have a walking cane with a sword in it

  7. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by woodPixel View Post
    Always wanted to have a walking cane with a sword in it
    Me too, and as a woodworker and a knifemaker I am sure that I could make one.

    But I would probably be in deep trouble soon after finishing it.
    I got sick of sitting around doing nothing - so I took up meditation.

  8. #7
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    The change in technique is interesting. As you know I had both hips replaced back in 2008. Some of the time lines I cannot recall exactly. In round figures I was in hospital for a week, six weeks at home and then back to work on light duties initially. At the three month point I had the second hip done. I think my replacements have gone as well as could be expected. I have routinely revisited the surgeon for check ups since then at yearly intervals, then two yearly and now only if I have an issue. His last comment was that the surrounding tissue has perfectly bonded with the prosthetic.

    At the last visit, which was just before you had your operation, I mentioned the procedure you had mentioned to me. He said that he had done it that way but was not keen on it saying that there were advantages and disadvantages. However he did not elaborate on that.

    The important thing is that you are up and about and starting to lead a normal life again. I would recommend that you continue with any physiotherapy exercise you have been given for a long time. You need to regain muscle bulk following the long period of inactivity. In fact if I could give a single piece of advice I would suggest you never stop the physio! You don't need to go to the physio person: Just do it.

    Regards
    Paul
    Bushmiller;

    "Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"

  9. #8
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    Bret,

    Glad to hear your on the mend,an i hope we hear a lot more from you on hear.

    Stay well.

    Cheers Matt.

  10. #9
    FenceFurniture's Avatar
    FenceFurniture is offline The prize lies beneath - hidden in full view
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    For those who have previously seen my shed.....you would NOT believe the current state. Prolly need to take an embarrassing pic....

    The sprouting plant from outside is the biggest concern (although the cobwebs are pretty insane).
    Regards, FenceFurniture

    COLT DRILLS GROUP BUY
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  11. #10
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    Always pleasing to read a good news story.
    I hope your recovery continues to go well.

  12. #11
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    Gday FF

    I must confess (not to make light of your situation)
    when I first scanned the headlines - A new Hippie
    I was expecting a wood carving thread with pictures
    of a long haired dude in robes.

    Perhaps because I have recently watched Spirit carvings on youtube.

    I am sooooooo 20th Century.

    Cheers
    Keith

  13. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by woodPixel View Post
    Always wanted to have a walking cane with a sword in it
    My Grandfather had one. Carried it every day. I always wondered why as he didn't have a limp! Of course as a child you don't know, or should be protected from knowing, how wicked the world really is.

  14. #13
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    Knowing you Brett, your walking stick likely has several USB ports built in, along with a digital range finder, and a magnetic flux capacitor.

    I will email you tonight (my time).

    Regards from Perth

    Derek
    Visit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.

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