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.