Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement (April 2006)

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Tuesday 3/28/06 - Written 1 Week Prior to Surgery

I never realized I had osteoarthritis of the hips until last August when all of a sudden walking was painful and difficult. I thought that I had strained a ligament or something else and that time would heal it. It always has before. However, that was not the case this time. I have severe osteoarthritis, a cyst, some necrosis and bone compression.

I will go in for minimally invasive total hip replacement on Monday 4/3/06. I plan to keep this log of the surgery and my post-op recovery for others in a similar situation.

It has taken this long to have surgery for numerous reasons:

9 First, in September, I thought the hip would heal and the pain would go away, as pain in all areas always has. I thought that I just wasn't stretching enough before hiking or that I was getting older.

9 When I finally decided to go to my primary physician the first available appointment was weeks out.

9  Then I had to wait another week to obtain MRIs. This was no emergency. I was still thinking positively that it would heal itself.

9  The referral to the orthopedist took time for my insurance to approve.

9  Again the first available appointment was several weeks. When the orthopedist told me I needed a TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT it was December.

9 For a week or two I researched. What is a 'total hip replacement'? Who does it happen to and why? What are the alternatives? What are the risks and benefits? What does this mean for the remainder of my life? Who are the best doctors locally? Which of those doctors are within my insurance network?

9 It took another several weeks to schedule an appointment with my selected doctor, Dr. Russell Cohen, TOI (Tucson Orthopaedic Institute).

9 In February I finally met with Dr Cohen, who incidentally, has the same birthday as me. By the end of the appointment it was agreed. I would have MIS (minimally invasive surgery) and Dr Russell Cohen would perform it.

9  Dr Cohen's surgery schedule was booked until April 3rd. So that is the magic day.

It is now March 28th and I've had my last pre-op appointment. I have been told that I will be up walking with a walker within 24 hours, will have NO restrictions of motion beyond what causes me pain and will be able to climb the stairs to my condo when I return home 1-2 days post-op. There will be a 2-4 inch scar.

I'm ready to get this done so that I can resume my normal life and again walk for longer distances without pain.

Sunday 4/2/06 - Prior to Surgery

I go in to TMC (Tucson Medical Center) tomorrow for minimally invasive, total hip replacement surgery. I am not overly anxious. I don't understand why, but I'm actually not particularly anxious.

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