In my last article I explained how I would be undergoing a surgical procedure called a hip resurfacing. I chose to do this because I had severe arthritis with bone spurs in my left hip which was causing a lot of pain, limiting my range of motion, and inhibiting me from participating in the sports that I love, namely basketball, racquetball and running. I chose this procedure, the resurfacing, rather than a traditional hip replacement, because once I recovered I was told I would be able to resume all those sports, if I had a traditional hip replacement I was told my basketball days were over.
The hip is a ball and socket joint. It is made up of your femur (your thigh bone) and your acetabelum (the socket in your pelvis). When someone is having arthritis of the hip it means there is no cartilage in between where those two bones meet, so actually there is bone on bone contact and this causes severe pain. What the surgeon does in a traditional total hip replacement is cut off the top of the femur at the shaft and place a prosthesis down the shaft of the bone creating a whole new “ball” for the ball and socket joint. This is made out of some metal alloy. The socket is also cleaned out and in it placed a plastic like cup to make up the rest of the joint. After the procedure no impact sports are allowed because this could cause loosening of the new hip which would require further surgery. Sports like golf and doubles tennis are usually allowed. The hip resurfacing procedure that I was about to have is a bit different. With the hip resurfacing, instead of cutting a lot of bone off of the femur and putting a shaft down the bone, the top of the ball is shaped and contoured by the surgeon and the metal alloy ball is secured over the existing bone of the ball of the femur. The socket is also different in that more bone is removed allowing for a bigger prosthetic socket to be put in which is also made of metal. Because this procedure saves more of the persons actual bone and preserves the anatomical function of the joint, once healed (approximately six months to one year) the individual can resume all activities without limitation. Many younger active adults with severe pain from arthritis are choosing this procedure over traditional hip replacement.
So my surgery was scheduled for December 21, 2009. In the weeks leading up to that date I couldn’t believe how good my hip was feeling (you know when you have to go to the doctor with some ailment and when you’re in the waiting room it’s not bothering you anymore) I think I was experiencing that phenomenon! Anyway, with much anxiety and soul searching, I mustered up the courage to get to the hospital that December morning. Stay tuned for my experience
Sierra Canyon Physical Therapy is conveniently located at 27225 Camp Plenty Road, Suite 6 in Canyon Country. For more information, please call 661-298-0140.