From your moderator...

[Guest guest]

Don't know if this was prompted by my mention of mega vitamins and

alternative medicine. What I am talking about is not homeopathic treatment.

Since my doctor is affiliated with the hospital and her integrative

practice is affiliated with Northwestern I am pretty sure I will be able to

continue the regimen through hospitalization. I've already gotten my preop

questionnaires and I know enough to list all meds and supplements. I also

know which I am supposed to stop taking before surgery. I am glad you are

watching this all so carefully. Maybe you could tell people that spinal

anesthesia is not the same as a " spinal tap " which is a diagnostic

procedure. Also, would you look at this web site and see if it is OK for me

to post it:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/anesthesia.html

It describes all kinds of anesthesia.

Janet

>From: " Alisa Curry " <bodyphysics@...>

>Reply-Joint Replacement

>Joint Replacement

>Subject: From your moderator...

>Date: Tue, 09 Dec 2003 04:07:45 -0000

>

>Hello everyone!

>

>Just reading a few of the posts and decided to add my two cents...

>

>If you are taking homeopathic remedies for your arthritis, your

>decreased blood count, your fear of infection or WHATEVER the reason,

>please be sure to share this information with your pre-op testing

>nurses and your MDs. It is important that they know ALL oral

>medications and/or herbal supplements you are taking - from laxatives

>to glucosamine chondritin to vicodin - because some can cause

>interactions with your prescribed meds. Better the doctors and

>nurses have the information than they find it out after the fact.

>Some herbals interact with prescribed medications to increase

>symptoms (ex. Coumadin + Gingko Biloba = increased bleeding.)

>

>The more you share, the more they know!

>

>Alisa P.T.

>Site Moderator

>

>

_________________________________________________________________

Shop online for kids’ toys by age group, price range, and toy category at

MSN Shopping. No waiting for a clerk to help you! http://shopping.msn.com

[Guest guest]

Wow, if you do all that to filter this site, you must not have much time for any other life!Bodyphysics <bodyphysics@...> wrote:

Yes, I DO screen all email that comes to this listserve. I do not read every email word for word but I do look thru them to make sure they are pertinent to the purpose of this site, which is to provide information.The only emails I delete are those that are truly spam and those which are trying to solicit information from the members. I don't feel this is right to solicit from people on THIS site. I also occasionally delete email ACCIDENTLY when I am tired and hit delete instead of approve. Some opinions I don't agree with all of the time but I still put all messages pertinent to joint replacement through to the group.We have almost 500 members as part of this group and you all are wonderful about answering and bringing questions to the site. Thank you for making this site what I intended it

to be...Alisa Curry, RPTSite Moderator

[Guest guest]

In response, my time committments:

1) Senior Physical Therapist at the Center for Joint Replacement

averaging 8-12 treatments daily of TKR (3-4 day stay) and THR (2-3

day stay)

2) Sports Medicine Crew Manager for California AIDS Ride 3, which has

been ridden by THR patients in the past (just to throw down the

challenge to you cyclists)

3) Teaching Orthopedics in a PT Asst. program

4) Monitoring this listserve.

Told you all I am very committed to making this work. This is why I

say have the THR or TKR and then GET OUT THERE AND USE THEM!!!

Alisa

(Now I'm going to bed - <smile>)

[Guest guest]

It's nice that someone has time to watch over this site other wise besides Spam it could take a turn to subjects not related to OUR problems.

Re: From your moderator...

Wow, if you do all that to filter this site, you must not have much time for any other life!Bodyphysics <bodyphysics@...> wrote: Yes, I DO screen all email that comes to this listserve. I do not read every email word for word but I do look thru them to make sure they are pertinent to the purpose of this site, which is to provide information.The only emails I delete are those that are truly spam and those which are trying to solicit information from the members. I don't feel this is right to solicit from people on THIS site. I also occasionally delete email ACCIDENTLY when I am tired and hit delete instead of approve. Some opinions I don't agree with all of the time but I still put all messages pertinent to joint replacement through to the group.We have almost 500 members as part of this group and you all are wonderful about answering and bringing questions to the site. Thank you for making this site what I int! ended it to be...Alisa Curry, RPTSite Moderator

[Guest guest]

Are you at LA Ortho Hosp? How long have you been there? Do you work with Dr Amstutz patients?Bodyphysics <bodyphysics@...> wrote:

In response, my time committments:1) Senior Physical Therapist at the Center for Joint Replacement averaging 8-12 treatments daily of TKR (3-4 day stay) and THR (2-3 day stay)2) Sports Medicine Crew Manager for California AIDS Ride 3, which has been ridden by THR patients in the past (just to throw down the challenge to you cyclists)3) Teaching Orthopedics in a PT Asst. program4) Monitoring this listserve.Told you all I am very committed to making this work. This is why I say have the THR or TKR and then GET OUT THERE AND USE THEM!!!Alisa(Now I'm going to bed - <smile>)

[Guest guest]

> THIS is the exact reason that I screen messages on this site...I

stop

> for one week and look at the chaos that ensues...<smile>

>

> If you deleted the file in error, go to www.symantec.com which is

a

> anti-virus site and they will explain what to do to reload your

files.

>

> All emails will be subject to scrutiny. From now on...

>

> Alisa

> Site Moderator

Why does this happen I can;t belive this mess

[Guest guest]

I have a question for Alisa.........

Would a surgeon refuse to do surgery on me if I said I didnt want a

transfusion if needed? Im leery of the blood supply out there (with good

reason) and dont wish to have somebody elses blood. I know they say its

safe but I still dont trust it. Are there other ways to do this without a

transfusion?

Judie

[Guest guest]

The surgeon is giving you his educated medical decision on your need

for blood after surgery. As I mentioned, if there is enough time

before , you can have your family donate for you (if they are the

same blood type) however there is a 3 week processing time I believe

and so you need to ask your MD about this. The other option is a

blood salvaging device like the " OrthoPAT " . Marketed by Zimmer and

purchased from Transfusion Technologies, it captures your blood

through a drain in your hip and then you get back your own blood

cells. This way, you get your blood cells back and it decreases the

need for transfusion (slthough sometimes it is still needed in

certain cases).

Bottom line, your MD is recommending what they feel you will need.

The chances of contracting something from bank blood is low (HIV,

hepatitis, etc). Ask your MD about " Procrit " if your blood count is

already low. These are injections to increase your blood count. It

is used by people on chemo however some surgeons are also using this

on people that are anemic. Open the dialogue of options with the

MD. It is THEIR responsibioity to ake sure you understand options

and why you need products or blood.

Alisa

> I have a question for Alisa.........

> Would a surgeon refuse to do surgery on me if I said I didnt want a

> transfusion if needed? Im leery of the blood supply out there

(with good

> reason) and dont wish to have somebody elses blood. I know they

say its

> safe but I still dont trust it. Are there other ways to do this

without a

> transfusion?

>

> Judie

[Guest guest]

There was a great article that came out about early joint

replacement recently (I don't have the reference) but it stated that

doing something sooner about a bad joint prevents long term

problems.

I would encourage those of you that have bad hips, knees or other

joints, NOT to dive into surgery but to go and GET A GOOD DIAGNOSIS

from an Orthopedist regarding your pain. Obviously, those of you

that have made it onto this listserve have either been in contact

with someone who has had a total joint replacement or the concept

has presented itself to you and this is something that you may

need. Talking to an Ortho MD at least helps you to understand what

you are dealing with and gives you options, from non-surgical to

surgical. There are many that are currently just taking

antiinflammatories that controls their symptoms for now and that's

all they need. There are also those who have tried all the

conservative options and for them there is no other option. And

then there are those that have not been seen by anyone that are

jumping to their own conclusions. No one on this listserve is an

Orthopedist (or has yet to identify themselves as one) so no one

here can diagnose a particular problem. You can't avoid going to

the Ortho MD if you really want to find out what you're dealing with.

This listserve gives you a forum to help decided what works and what

might not. Joint replacement,if that is your option, lasts 20+

years now and with proper yearly followups, can last longer or at

least have any wearing problems identified EARLY! Your ACTUAL age

should not determine whether you are able to have joint replacement,

whether you be young or old. It is your degree of arthritis, your

physical health and your willingness to do what needs to be done

with the rehab to make this procedure successful.

Alisa, Site Moderator

[Guest guest]

-Alisia, am I right in thinking you are a physio? Just wondering if

you have any ideas what I might do about muscle tightness around the

outside of my thigh on resurfaced side? I had it done a year ago,

and TKR same side seven months ago. I try doing stretching

exercises, these don't seem to help much though. A lot of stretching

was involved with the op, to put the hip where it should be. I would

be grateful for any advice. I find swimming and cycling can make it

worse as well. I have a leg difference of 1/2 " , for which I use a

shoe lift.

Sheila.

-- In Joint Replacement , " Bodyphysics "

<bodyphysics@y...> wrote:

> There was a great article that came out about early joint

> replacement recently (I don't have the reference) but it stated

that

> doing something sooner about a bad joint prevents long term

> problems.

>

> I would encourage those of you that have bad hips, knees or other

> joints, NOT to dive into surgery but to go and GET A GOOD

DIAGNOSIS

> from an Orthopedist regarding your pain. Obviously, those of you

> that have made it onto this listserve have either been in contact

> with someone who has had a total joint replacement or the concept

> has presented itself to you and this is something that you may

> need. Talking to an Ortho MD at least helps you to understand

what

> you are dealing with and gives you options, from non-surgical to

> surgical. There are many that are currently just taking

> antiinflammatories that controls their symptoms for now and that's

> all they need. There are also those who have tried all the

> conservative options and for them there is no other option. And

> then there are those that have not been seen by anyone that are

> jumping to their own conclusions. No one on this listserve is an

> Orthopedist (or has yet to identify themselves as one) so no one

> here can diagnose a particular problem. You can't avoid going to

> the Ortho MD if you really want to find out what you're dealing

with.

>

> This listserve gives you a forum to help decided what works and

what

> might not. Joint replacement,if that is your option, lasts 20+

> years now and with proper yearly followups, can last longer or at

> least have any wearing problems identified EARLY! Your ACTUAL age

> should not determine whether you are able to have joint

replacement,

> whether you be young or old. It is your degree of arthritis, your

> physical health and your willingness to do what needs to be done

> with the rehab to make this procedure successful.

>

> Alisa, Site Moderator