Well, after years and years of the docs telling me to "hold off as long as you can" the time has come, time to get a shiny metal hip put in! I wonder if I can get a bionic one that plays some sort of theme song :-) April 21st can't get here fast enough!

Anyone have experiences with this? Greg (NCRadioMan) and I have spoken about it as our hip conditions are similar and we are both young (I'm 36) so just wondering if there are any other semi-bionic folks around here!! Share your experienc!

And if all goes well I should be back up and moving just in time for herf season!!! :-):-)
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Congrats on the new hip Jeff.
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That's great Jeff! I'm 33 and probably on the same pace. I'm actually looking forward to hearing about your progress and your experience once you get the new hip.
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congratz on the new hip..... just don't miss a payment & get it repo'd :-)
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Great to hear, Jeff!

If you are anything like me, you will want to go punch all the doctors that told you to wait. :-) :-)
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Funny you should say that... Based on the last CT scan they said "hmmm your femur has gotten thin because you are not weight bearing... I hope there is enough bone mass to do it..." Grrrrr
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Congratulations Jeff!
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All the best, Jeff. I'm not so much bionic as I am battery operated these days!
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Didn't Wolfgang just had his hip replaced earlier this week?
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Congrats Jeff! You'll be back to doing this :-) and this :-) in no time.
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Jeff, I just had my second hip replaced 27 Oct 2010. Are you getting Titanium or Ceramic? Ceramic is said to last about 5-8 yrs longer than the titanium. My only recommendation is to do the Physical Therapy to the fullest. Yes it will suck and will hurt (alot) but in the long run you'll be better off. I had my right hip done Jun 09 and have had nothing but pain for failing to do the PT. I wish you a quick recovery my friend and being pain free isn't a bad thing either.

PS: find out who the maker of the prostetic is, if it's DePuy they are having recalls on them due to failure. Both of mine are made by Striker.
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Good news, bad news, Jeff. Wish you didn't need it but glad that you have the option. I have a couple friends with "hip upgrades" (their term, but I laugh every time I hear it) and they are very happy with the long term results.

If I recall, the reason for the wait is because of the chances that you will need another one eventually. I've been told recently, however, that the joint technology is reducing the wear out problem significantly. My brother's company makes devices / parts in this arena, so I hear quite about it at times.
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As of right now ceramic is the plan unless it doesn't fit this "situation". I will see if I can find out who the manufacturer is. Longevity is key of course, don't really want to have to get a revision if I don't have to!
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Good luck Jeff!! Hopefully they will insert the newest technology so it can last as long as possible before needing the replacement replaced:-)
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Glad to hear the good news Jeff.
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I've two. my first one was put in while I was in Hereford thanks to a small issue of finding that the law of gravity was still in affect after a training jump that went really bad. They gave me the good ol metal on metal variation.

When I got discharged the VA decided they didn't like the British work and replaced it with a crosslinked style.

The biggest difference between the two I've found is the weight. The poly is much more like a real hip, whereas I always felt off kilter with the metal.

To each their own I reckon
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I just got home yesterday from my second hip replacement. Both on the same side. Had to get redone because of infection. My particular hip is a custom job done by a local Doctor. If possible ask for the muscle sparing surgery recovery is much much faster.

As Tbone said dont fluff off on PT. As annoying and seemingly never ending as it may be years after you will really be glad when your leg functions properly with strong muscles. For the record I am 22 years old and had my first hip done at 19.I diddnt take PT seriously and my muscles are severely impeded and this time around PT will be hell.

As for ceramic sockets while they potentially offer greater longevity of the hip they also have a much higher risk of cracking or shattering. One other I wouldn't call it a downside, but some people who get the ceramic sup their hip will squeak when they walk. Kinda funny, at first I'm sure.

If there are any questions you may have shoot me a PM. Im always on.

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You had to mention infection now didn't you! I know the instances are rare but here you are! I am having a custom built modular hip because I have hardware that needs to be removed that will leave holes in my femur, hence I have to have the full length incisions so not sure how muscle sparing that will be! I know the importance (and annoyance) of physio but will make sure I keep it up!!

Thanks for all the input folks, I really appreciate it!

Oh, and it is looking like I can get an epidural instead of having to go under general anesthetic!
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I got both and cant imagine it any other way.
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Hoping it brings you a much improved quality of life, Jeff! :-)
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