Hip Replacement Part 2 - Getting Ready

There is a lot to do to get ready for hip replacement surgery. My initial thought was visit the doctor and show up for surgery... not so. Here is the list of things that must be accomplished before my surgery on the 17^th of January.

The first thing was, much to my surprise, a visit to the Thompson Cancer Treatment Center for a consultation on radiation treatment prior to surgery.  Turns out that radiation treatment (called a Heterotypic Bone Rad) can prevent the formation and growth of bone spurs.  That visit occurred shortly after my visit with Dr. Cates on October 31, 2012.  For Halloween, Dr. McDonald’s staff was dressed as barn yard animals… first time I have ever had my vital signs taken by a pink pig.

The next requirement on my to-do list was to donate blood to hold for use during surgery if needed.  This took place December 8, 2012.  It was relatively painless and took only ten minutes to drain me of a “unit” of blood… what every that is.  I was no worse for the experience.  While waiting my mandatory 20 minutes to ensure I was not going to pass out I decided to make one of my rare posts to Facebook about giving blood and the snacks Medic provided.  My cell phone decided that instead of snacks I really meant that I was having juice and “snakes.”  This caused a bit of a flurry for those who actually read the post.

The next thing upcoming after Christmas, is my pre-operative lab work with my family physician, Dr. Bingham.  I am to be poked and prodded, x-rayed and ekg’d to make sure I am fit for surgery.

Following that, the big day is January 3, 2012.  This day starts at 9:45 am with my pre-operative registration at Parkwest Hospital.  At 11:30 I undergo pre-admission testing.  (No study guide provided.)  At noon, I have a Joint class to go over my new joint and how to manage things post-surgery.  Finally, at 2:30 pm I have a pre-operative meeting or session with the Tennessee Orthopedic Clinic Physical Therapy staff.  This will be a really long day.

On January 10^th I have to stop taking aspirin, nsaids or any medication which causes blood thinning.  This will lessen the chance of bleeding during surgery.

The next day, the 11^th, I have an appointment back at the Thompson Cancer Center to have all the measurements taken in preparation for the radiation treatment scheduled the day before surgery.

Beginning January 15^th I have to take three showers a day using Chlorhexidene scrub… I think this is to mitigate the possibility of transferring MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus… whew!) or other bacteria.

On January 16^th, it is back to the Thompson Cancer Treatment Center for a quick zap of radiation… or officially a Heterotypic Bone Rad treatment.  This has to be done within 24 hours of surgery to be effective.  It is best to have this the day before surgery not the day after for obvious reasons.

The big day… January 17, 2012.  Surgery is scheduled for Tuesday… no time set yet… but I am sure I will have to be there early.  Dr. Cates says the surgery will take about an hour and that they will get me up shortly afterwards and start physical torture… I mean therapy.  I expect to be in the hospital for up to three days depending on progress.  Walking and navigating stairs are the criteria for release according to Dr. Cates.

Following my release I will have outpatient physical therapy.  I will not be permitted to drive for four weeks.  I have a follow-up post-operative appointment with Dr. Cates’ Physician’s Assistant, Kim Sanders on February 17^th.  I expect to be released to return to work at that time.

I do not know what to expect after surgery.  After recovery, I hope to be relatively pain free and mobile.  I do have some concerns about complications as a result of surgery, but I am trusting God to protect me and grant me peace during and after surgery.

Tim's Hip Replacement Journey - The Beginning

With my hip surgery pending in January, I thought I would try my hand at blogging about my experience, if for nothing else but to document the journey for myself.

First, my surgery is scheduled for January 17, 2012 at Parkwest Hospital's Joint Center. Dr. Harold Cates, Tennessee Orthopedic Clinic, will perform the surgery.

How did I get to the point of needing to completely replace my hip? About five years ago I was assisting my mom down the short flight of stairs in my garage. As I turned to close the door my foot slipped on the stairs and I fell about two and a half feet to the concrete floor on my left hip. I also hit my head on the bumper of our car parked in the garage at the time. Dazed and sore I recovered enough to continue to church and did not think much about the fall. Several days later I discovered deep bruising on my thigh and down to my knee. Eventually everything healed. Some of you, who know me, know that I play basketball with a group of faculty and staff at Roane State. We call ourselves the NBA or Noontime Basketball Association. We play every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I have been doing this since my arrival at Roane State over eighteen years ago. After my fall I experienced pain in my groin and thought I had pulled a muscle playing basketball.

During an annual physical I asked the doctor about the injury and he made an x-ray. After seeing the x-ray, he recommended I see an orthopedic surgeon. I made the appointment and the doctor said that I had what is known as an “arthritic event.” In short, the fall had triggered arthritis in my hip. His advice was, “when it get to the point you cannot stand the pain, then come back.”  After some weeks of physical therapy, I was back on the basketball court.  I have now reached the point where I think the hip needs to be replaced. I can feel the joint pop and move around. I experience pain all the time... not unbearable... but all the time.

I have several friends who have had hip replacements... one with both. The common theme is that they wish they had the surgery earlier because of the relief they received. I am not looking forward to the surgery, but I hope to get relief. The primary reason I waited is because my first doctor told me I would not be able to run and play basketball. Dr. Cates said that was a possibility after six months. I hope so.


About a month ago I made an appointment with Dr. Cates who verified that there were no other alternatives or remedies, the hip needed to be replaced.  I made the decision to move forward and that is how I arrived at this point.



Next, what I have to do to get ready.