Guest guest Posted January 9, 2004 Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 Hi, I am very sorry to hear of yours step fathers hassles ........... not a nice thing to have happen......... I had a fused hip for 35 years.........starting when I was 18........... While I would happily say I loath the concept now with my shiny 18 month old Resurface, it does have somethings going for it............especially in someone with your stepfathers problems and age. The hardest part about a fused hip is you simply cannot sit down properly and being overweight will not help as one has to bend from ones stomach area to actually sit in any form.........At his age he will need to look at chairs, toilets and bed heights.......... different chairs are easier to sit in than others i.e. stools are better or simply sit on tables like I used to......... he will not be able to drive a normal car but he may be beyond that anyway........ getting into and out of a car will be very difficult for him unless he is of small height........ it was getting very tricky for me at the end.....and you need to be aware of the more roomy cars...........the higher stepped ones are better........especially if the seat is higher off the floor..... Walking is done differently but of course was possible otherwise I wouldn't have gotten through 35 years.......... one sort of does a form of walking from the back area swinging the leg around from there......... some with very sore hips are already doing this to a large extent. When I had my initial consultation with the wonderful OS who gave me the Resurface my GP sister came too and they had a chat about fused hips........... He said that they were a reasonable alternative to severe arthritis and other hip problems in the young as far as he was concerned, but that patients these days found them unacceptable - which is another reason they all chase finding the best hip replacement therepy.........especially for the younger as long term a fused hip really causes some dreadful long term problems for backs and knees........this of course may not be a problem for your stepfather. The alternative for you step father is probably no hip at all.........another procedure that someone was talking about on the Totalhippy list about a week ago.......they call it a girdlestone from memory.......... You could ask the doctor how he thinks that may go....... it could be easier in an overweight 70 plus for at least that lets you use a wheel chair........ a fused hip in his condition may exclude that...... I certainly couldn't have sat in one.......... They often use the girdlestone approach while they clean up the infection so he could have that and see how he then feels about facing more ops etc to get a new THR.........rather than simply go straight into a fused hip......... I could add much more about living with a fused hip and drive everyone else nuts......... you are welcome to contact via personal email........... Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02 > I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask, but its the best I've > found so far. My stepfather had a total hip replacement done in July > but has developed a staph infection in the bone and joint. The > doctor wants to take it out and replace it. My stepfather had a > heart attack in the recovery room right after the surgery so his hip > therapy was delayed while they tried to get his heart right. He > doesn't feel like he would survive three more surgeries. > > His doctor mentioned that he might be a candidate for hip fusion. > I've tried to find out information on it, and understand the > procedure. I'm looking for people who have actually had this done so > I can hear their stories to give him a view of what life would be > like with that procedure. He is in his early 70's and is > overweight. He had a hip replacement done on the other hip several > years ago that is working fine. > > I appreciate any guidance. > > Thanks. > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 Isn't there a company that employes Paramedics to work around the country that is similiar to Traveling Nurses? Joby Berkley Sent from my iPhone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 Hi Jim, Good to be talking to a fellow Alaskan. I think I have been experiencing our Alaska virus for a week or so; that's why I looked up this site, I was feeling so crummy. Last week my doc said that I could try OTC Musinex; could you just call your doc and ask about trying that, if it is safe for you, without charge? I haven't had a bad mucous problem but do have a little increase. I have never heard of your medication so don't know what it is for. I do know a lot of water is supposed to help with mucous. One of the med tecs that works in my doc's office has two children with cystic fibrosis. I know they use the the mechanical suction. I think it might be something your wife would have to help with but I have only seen it done on children. I used to wheeze really badly but didn't cough or cough up much. What really helped me was to lie on my stomach and have my daughter pat my back right between the shoulder blades. It felt good and I know they do that with the CF kids to loosen up stuff. It would be nice for this virus to pass! What is the weather like in your neck of the woods today? Has the volcano ash ever blown your way? It is 19 degrees and snowing right now here. Hope you feel better and this truly was the last of it for now. Margaret To: Breathe-Support Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 1:36:24 PMSubject: question this is one of those subjects that is rather unpleasant and so is not talked about much, but I need info/advice. ........mucus. .......is my worst enemy. When I can't cough it up, keep coughing, sats drop, very sob, very weak, feel like passing out. This condition hasn't hit me for some time. I use liquid acetylsysteine 3 times a day and drink lots of water. (I've found that makes alot of difference) My wife works at the hospital and thinks I should go be seen, and I think that's a waste of time....and lots of money. I did a sputum sample 2 days ago and they found no reason to give me antibiotics. I think this is associated with a virus going around though I have no other symptoms. Question: has anyone heard of or experienced mechanical suction? I read that term on the fact sheet that comes with the acetylsysteine a long time ago. Is that something they do? Sounds like a bronch to me, conjures up some not too pleasant pictures in my head........ I think todays session is winding down. But for future reference... ....Thank you!!!! jim IPF 05 alaska Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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