Friday, September 19, 2008

Hip, knees, decisions

I had a knee replaced in 2002-on the opening day of the SLC winter Olympics. It did great, until I crashed on my bike and trashed the hip on the same side. I now wear a stainless steel plate, with the accompanying screws and pins, in my hip (resulting in a leg about 1 inch short). These go well with my chromium cobalt, titanium and ultra-high molecular weight polypropylene knee. The other knee is getting progressively worse-has been bone on bone for several years, and I am now feeling it when I ride my bike... I talked with the physician's assistant to the Dr for whom I see many rehab patients. I gave him permission to take a look at my most recent x-rays. He noted that my left knee is trashed, my right knee replacement part is loosening, and that my hardware in the right hip is loosening.
So, decisions to make. Have the left knee replaced soon? Get the right hip hardware removed and consider having a hip put in to give me back my leg length and proper rotation? Do anything with the right knee, or wait for the prosthesis to loosen more? And, to top it off, I think I would like to switch Drs--I really like my original knee replacement Dr, but I see great results from this new one. They work out of the same office, so how do I switch without offending the old Dr? Does it matter?
Maybe I will just live with things the way they are. Don't feel like I am ready for any major surgeries yet.
Strange thought--while growing up, playing ball, going through young adulthood, my legs were my strongest attribute, by far. I still bike, hike, work, mow lawns.
the PA noted that I am an extremely highly functioning individual, considering the hip/knees I have. Perhaps I will just keep functioning and let things be.
A pain-free hike would be nice, however....