Hip replacement – End of live steam?

[Dennis RaynerParticipant @dennisrayner52782]

I have just discovered that I am likely to need a hip replaced later this year. It seems that after this operation there are significant PERMANENT limitations on safe movement of the replaced hip to avoid dislocation. I am concerned that I may never be able to drive the 7¼” gauge Hunslet that I am building and wondered if any forum members had experience of post-op limitations and the effect on enjoyment of our hobby?

[Dennis RaynerParticipant @dennisrayner52782]

[Pat BraveryParticipant @patbravery]

I had a total hip replacement 15 months ago and I have to say that I no longer have pain and I have more mobility than I had in the last 5 or 6 years. I have not driven a loco but I can ride a motorbike and bycycle and tie my shoelaces without any discomfort. I found that you need to keep the joints moving and lead a normal life. Good luck with the operation, regards Pat

[Dave TointonParticipant @davetointon92281]

My Dad had a hip replacement many years ago and while he didn’t drive locos he certainly could have. I see no reason that you shouldn’t have many, many years driving ahead of you.

Good Luck and Regards

Dave Tointon

[Martin WParticipant @martinw]

Dennis

 

Don’t EVER take NO for an answer!! I have had both knees replaced and a hip and I am 67 and trying to fire on all cylinders. I still can achieve most of what I did before and with respect to the hip most of your mobility will be retained. Of the two operations this is the one that best reflects the movements of the original joint – a ball and socket. Yes there is a recovery period but if you do the physio and a bit you will never know the difference. I am thankful that I had these operations as it has increased my mobility and killed the pain I had before. So go on get the op done then get back behind your Hunslett and give it welly!!!!!!!.

 

Once the muscle has recovered then there is little chance of dislocation as the muscle and joint design holds it in place. I love the fact that I am now part bionic, well almost, and the joint will serve me until lights out after which I don’t give a stuff. I am quite happy to get on the floor with my proxy grandchildren and run about as best I can.

 

If you want to hear how I fared then give me a PM under the ‘message a member’ banner. All I wish is that my attempts at mechanical engineering are half as good as the bits fitted by my surgeon.

 

Good luck and I hope it all goes well.

 

Martin

 

PS

 

I wish I had built a Hunslett that I could drive ’cause I would have it at full chat round the corners, sorry I know that infringes the Elf & Safety brigade regulations but stuff that at my time of life as I have made so far with nothing damaged significantly

 

PPS

 

I moved my lathe and installed a mill in my workshop post my ops with no problem or mechanical lifts to help albeit the lathe is a DB7V and the mill, which is a WM14 new style, both weigh in at over 50kg.

 

Edited By Martin W on 09/03/2011 02:05:38

Edited By Martin W on 09/03/2011 02:11:30

[John OlsenParticipant @johnolsen79199]

I think you should check with the medical experts. The reason I say this that we have a surgeon who does this kind of work in our club, and he was very concerned once when he found out that the elderly lady on the train had two hip replacements. The concern seemed to be that the seating position on our raised track trollies is not a good one for people with this feature. This is a typical 3.5 plus 5 inch raised track, with trollies where you sit astride, and with your knees up a bit relative to your fundament. So we took care to be on hand to assist when it was time for her to stand up, a good idea anyway since she was of an age to be a bit unsteady on her feet. It may be that part of the problem is with the legs apart posture needed, and with a loco like the Hunslet on 7.25, with you being the driver, you might well be able to arrange for a driving seat posture a bit more like a normal seating position. I’ve seen driving arrangements for the larger narrow gauge locos where the driver is pretty much in a normal position, eg feet close together., and not too hunched over.

 

But as the others say, these hip replacements are one of the most successful operations, and you will experience much greater mobility.

 

regards

John

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

On a raised track, would side saddle be a possibility, I’m not into loco driving, but just a thought. From my nursing days I seem to remember that crossing legs was a problem with hip replacements. Ian S C

[Martin WParticipant @martinw]

Ian

 

I would agree with what you say but with one caveat and that is crossing legs etc is mainly a problem in the period immediately after the op until the muscles and scar tissue stabilise the joint. This stability will depend on the muscle tone prior to the op plus how hard/rigorously one is prepared to carry out the post op physio exercises.

 

I was lucky in that I had very good muscle tone prior to the op and a surgeon who encouraged aggressive physio yes it can be uncomfortable. His comment re the knee op was ‘Don’t worry you can’t do it any damage exercising’. Taking that to heart I was walking on it within 3 days albeit with a walking stick.

 

With the hip I had the op in the morning and my consultant had me sitting in a chair that afternoon. The nurse’s comment was ‘If he pushes things much further he will have them walking back from theatre’

 

So the outcome will depend on what the muscles are like pre op and how much effort and discomfort you are prepared to accept during you own physio post op.

 

As i said in my previous post don’t take no for an answer i.e. assume you won’t be able to do things, but DO get professional advice re your personal situation. The benefits are many and the risks very small.

 

Cheers

 

Martin

 

 

PS My corrective maintenance is Left knee full replacement, Right knee half replacement, Hip full replacement. Still it should provide work/entertainment for the ash pan rakers at the local crem when time I am time expired .

 

Edited By Martin W on 09/03/2011 11:45:10

[dave manchesterParticipant @davemanchester50864]

Hi. I had a hip replacement 22 october last year .Your movement of not bending more than 90 deg is only for the first six weeks , after that your body as started to grow and hold it in place . I am now back at work doing heavy maintenance ( bending and lifting etc ) every day gets easier but you still get the odd bad day . but it is still only new yet .Not stopped me building 5″ guage pansy .

ta very much manny

[Martin WParticipant @martinw]

Hi Dave

 

Run it in for 12 months and you will forget its there save for the lack of discomfort!

 

Good luck

 

Martin

[Anthony KnightsParticipant @anthonyknights16741]

I had my left hip replaced in November 2005. 3 months later I was allowed back to work. I worked as an electronics technician working on CCTV systems, driving vans, climbing ladders etc. No problems for me apart from a slight restriction of movement compared with my other hip joint. Once the muscles have fully healed, the ball is held firmly in the socket and the risk of dislocation is minimal (for me, anyway)

Martin

It is rumoured that a former hip joint is now being used as a towbar on a small truck used at Lawnswood Crematorium in Leeds.

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi There

I had a repair rather than a replacement.

It took me quite a while to manage without crutches, about 5 months.

I still limp but it is not very painful.

At least I no longer get the arthritis pain in it that I got before I broke it.

regards David

 

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

I have for many years wondered why we are not fitted with grease nipples at knee and hip. good to hear of the happy results, cheers me up a bit.

[Dennis RaynerParticipant @dennisrayner52782]

Hi All,

 

This is a belated thank you for all the supportive messages received on this topic.

 

The reason for the delay is that my PC had a major problem and I lost just about everything because the backup didn’t work!

 

Many thanks again

Dennis

[Anthony KnightsParticipant @anthonyknights16741]

The biggest pain about having an artificial hip (once it has healed) is getting stopped and frisked, every time you go through an airport scanner.

[Dennis RaynerParticipant @dennisrayner52782]

This must be the oldest thread resurrection ever. Seven years after it was last active, I have finally had my hip replacement. The delay was not down to any problem with the NHS but due to the fact that the pain failed to get bad enough to justify the procedure until about 6 months ago and I had the op. on November 20th last year. The surgeon passed me as OK to go a week ago including looking at the attached picture and saying he was happy with that position providing my legs were apart (which they are each side of the truck). I'm posting this now to thank people for the encouragement given previously and to add my own experiences in case any one else is harbouring the same concerns as I was. I am now absolutely pain-free and enjoying our wonderful hobby as much as ever.

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Excellent news Dennis, glad it worked well.

Brian

[geoff walker 1Participant @geoffwalker1]

Yes, good for you sir! you're looking good

Hunslet looks great as well.

Geoff

[Tim RoweParticipant @timrowe83142]

Hi Dennis

You will not look back. I had my first new hip when I was twenty five. I am now 62 and have had 9 in total. 6 on the left hand side and 3 on the right. I wore one out after 17 years after the socket developed two bearing positions. It used to jump from one to another which was a bit disconcerting. In sport you can often keep the trophy if you win three times in a row. I mentioned this to my surgeon and said I would like to keep my faithful friend. He said it breaks all the rules and he could no possibly do it but look out for a package on my bedside table in the morning.
It is a great conversation piece – or stopper depending on the audience!

I work full time as a yacht surveyor that involves walking, ladders, cramped spaces and moving decks. I don't plan to give up any time soon.

The best advice I can give to you is use it like normal. One of my surgeons said to me after a concerned relative said I should take it easy, "I would not have bothered to fit it if all he is going to do is sit around all day"

You will know your own limitations nd never let anyone else decide for you what you can and can't do.

PS I have not yet found a modelling use for the material being mainly into RC aircraft and yachts.

Tim

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

I used to make the tooling for hip joints here is a picture of two one machined and finished and one just welded as the sphere is hollow and it is made in two parts.

David

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I hope Andy Murray reads this!

Neil

[Kiwi BlokeParticipant @kiwibloke62605]

The 'design' of the hip joint was discussed in an old anatomy text book I had. As I'm sure you all know, the socket's annular lip is orientated in an oblique plane. In discussing the functional implications of this, the book said that if one stood with legs straight and toes pointing in a bit, with back straight, but leaning forwards a few degrees, and a sack of potatoes happened to fall onto your shoulders, you would likely dislocate your hips. Armed with this knowledge, I've always been careful to avoid that…

Glad to hear of successful outcome!

[Jeff DaymanParticipant @jeffdayman43397]

Where's the grease fittings David G.?

Just kidding. Well done Dennis, glad to hear all worked out. Very good news.

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