Replacement hip and splitting logs manually

[Baldbloke]

4 minutes ago, ESS said:

Really ? that was one of my concerns . I still enjoy picking a saw up on the right jobs, I did wonder how a replacement would stand up to that.Although I spend a lot of my time on machines now ,felling is part of my life I don't want to let go of yet.

Its the doctors that are holding back, early stages they say, if that's the case it must get bloody painful eventually, I have to stop up hills to let the pain subside because it gets too angry to keep walking.

Did any of you guys that have had replacements have any success with injections pre op ?

I too really struggled for 18 years before getting a replacement hip. previously I worked on a highland estate as their fishing ghillie through the season and shoot days/deer cull through the winter. A lot of walking involved. I used to be very active. Motocross, rugby, etc. I snapped both cruciate ligaments in my 20s too and only got those repaired 15 years ago. When I moved further north 10 years ago and got a more sedentary job the specialist said I was still too young for a hip and to wait. He did me 3 months ago at 60. 

The problem I have now is that because there's no pain, and I forget about lifting properly or that there's anything to bother about. That is until a twinge reminds me to behave. 

So three months on from getting a replacement I can now easily walk 7 miles in a oner. I have mauled around 4/5 ton of logs over two days, which I did pay for, and I've recommissioned a litre bike after it being off it for 11 years. The bike is a more upright cruiser type comfortable thing. I do have a sports bike, but the leg position is too extreme for me at the moment to bother putting it back on the road. 

I haven't dropped any trees yet but did have the 260 out yesterday to top off a foot off a beech hedge that was too thick for the hedge trimmer. I did 120 metres of an 8 foot hedge. So I don't think felling trees is going to be an issue for you when you get a hip as long as you do the recommended exercises.

I never got any injections, but I was taking a lot of pain relief, and walking like Quasimodo 6 months before getting the op

[ESS]

10 minutes ago, Baldbloke said:

I too really struggled for 18 years before getting a replacement hip. previously I worked on a highland estate as their fishing ghillie through the season and shoot days/deer cull through the winter. A lot of walking involved. I used to be very active. Motocross, rugby, etc. I snapped both cruciate ligaments in my 20s too and only got those repaired 15 years ago. When I moved further north 10 years ago and got a more sedentary job the specialist said I was still too young for a hip and to wait. He did me 3 months ago at 60. 

The problem I have now is that because there's no pain, and I forget about lifting properly or that there's anything to bother about. That is until a twinge reminds me to behave. 

So three months on from getting a replacement I can now easily walk 7 miles in a oner. I have mauled around 4/5 ton of logs over two days, which I did pay for, and I've recommissioned a litre bike after it being off it for 11 years. The bike is a more upright cruiser type comfortable thing. I do have a sports bike, but the leg position is too extreme for me at the moment to bother putting it back on the road. 

I haven't dropped any trees yet but did have the 260 out yesterday to top off a foot off a beech hedge that was too thick for the hedge trimmer. I did 120 metres of an 8 foot hedge. So I don't think felling trees is going to be an issue for you when you get a hip as long as you do the recommended exercises.

I never got any injections, but I was taking a lot of pain relief, and walking like Quasimodo 6 months before getting the op

Thanks for that.Its good to get feedback from those that have gone through it. Speaking from my own experience I have found the specialists tell us things for a reason. I knackered a shoulder up years ago, and had almost 2 years out with it.I ended up having it done privately, and it would be fair to say it was the first time I had done any form of recovery by the book, but am glad I did.

My hips do make me miserable most days now,and even sitting for 12 hours in machines gets them angry some days. What I am finding is I am avoiding recreational walking because of pain,and that a bit of a vicious circle thing, because it would be easy to put weight on so increasing the problem.

I am going to give injections a shot, it was suggested last week at a docs appointment. I have nothing to lose from it , and have had some relief from them in shoulders in the past .

I would quite happily live with a few weeks off to eventually get rid of the pain, but didn't want to cut short a part of my life I still enjoy. Its an awkward age to start looking at change.

Thanks for replying.

[Billhook]

2 hours ago, nepia said:

Billhook, you are the founding member of The Self Preservation Society.  Good on you.

I try to be as safe as possible in the woods but elsewhere is more dangerous.  I was assaulted by three women last month and you can tell by my horrified expression that I was about to be part of the “Metoo” movement.

This was nothing compared to the danger of my wife seeing the photo.  I have now hidden all possible weapons in the house and will employ a food taster!

Having said that, there is nothing like being in the company of “My Favourite Things” to take your mind off any aches and pains that come with age!

[Baldbloke]

2 hours ago, Billhook said:

I try to be as safe as possible in the woods but elsewhere is more dangerous.  I was assaulted by three women last month and you can tell by my horrified expression that I was about to be part of the “Metoo” movement.

This was nothing compared to the danger of my wife seeing the photo.  I have now hidden all possible weapons in the house and will employ a food taster!

Having said that, there is nothing like being in the company of “My Favourite Things” to take your mind off any aches and pains that come with age!

Must be an age thing as it was the Jensen that caught my eye first

[Baldbloke]

3 hours ago, ESS said:

Thanks for that.Its good to get feedback from those that have gone through it. Speaking from my own experience I have found the specialists tell us things for a reason. I knackered a shoulder up years ago, and had almost 2 years out with it.I ended up having it done privately, and it would be fair to say it was the first time I had done any form of recovery by the book, but am glad I did.

My hips do make me miserable most days now,and even sitting for 12 hours in machines gets them angry some days. What I am finding is I am avoiding recreational walking because of pain,and that a bit of a vicious circle thing, because it would be easy to put weight on so increasing the problem.

I am going to give injections a shot, it was suggested last week at a docs appointment. I have nothing to lose from it , and have had some relief from them in shoulders in the past .

I would quite happily live with a few weeks off to eventually get rid of the pain, but didn't want to cut short a part of my life I still enjoy. Its an awkward age to start looking at change.

Thanks for replying.

Best thing I did was go for it. I would have taken the op six years ago and probably should have pushed for it then as the difference now is like light and day. I had basically been a miserable sore bastard for 6 years.

If you are reasonably fit expect it to take 3 months before you see a real improvement, although that insidious deep pain is away immediately. Just the scar to irritate you which stops you lying on the effected side for a few weeks, and having to shit through a raised toilet seat. 

 

[ESS]

1 minute ago, Baldbloke said:

Best thing I did was go for it. I would have taken the op six years ago and probably should have pushed for it then as the difference now is like light and day. I had basically been a miserable sore bastard for 6 years.

If you are reasonably fit expect it to take 3 months before you see a real improvement, although that insidious deep pain is away immediately. Just the scar to irritate you which stops you lying on the effected side for a few weeks, and having to shit through a raised toilet seat. 

 

Yep, I can relate to the mood thing. Did you have to put a lot of pressure on to get the op done ?

Can they only do one side at a time, mine are equally painful ?

[Baldbloke]

1 minute ago, ESS said:

Yep, I can relate to the mood thing. Did you have to put a lot of pressure on to get the op done ?

Can they only do one side at a time, mine are equally painful ?

Generally I don't moan so it was my fault for not pushing earlier. My surgeon saw me every other year since 2013 with a fresh X ray review being done prior to seeing him. This so he could assess how the joint was deteriorating. The last time he saw me he saw I was struggling and agreed that at 60 with my pain issues it needed done. He didn't glue mine in, as he said it would be easier to replace it if I outlive the joints life.

In NZ they'll do both at the same time. I understand in the UK they'll only do one at a time on the NHS. I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to recuperate after having both done at the same time. Personally I'd recommend one being done and wait a year before getting the other sorted. With the waiting times that will probably be the case anyway.

[Baldbloke]

 By the way, I'm just in out of the rain after dropping a couple of dead Elms. No issues with the felling!

[ESS]

8 minutes ago, Baldbloke said:

Generally I don't moan so it was my fault for not pushing earlier. My surgeon saw me every other year since 2013 with a fresh X ray review being done prior to seeing him. This so he could assess how the joint was deteriorating. The last time he saw me he saw I was struggling and agreed that at 60 with my pain issues it needed done. He didn't glue mine in, as he said it would be easier to replace it if I outlive the joints life.

In NZ they'll do both at the same time. I understand in the UK they'll only do one at a time on the NHS. I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to recuperate after having both done at the same time. Personally I'd recommend one being done and wait a year before getting the other sorted. With the waiting times that will probably be the case anyway.

Thanks. I know what you mean. I cope fairly well with pain , but there doesn't seem any escape from this, pain relief seems to be very temporary, even sitting down theres that constant nagging hey ? its bad company. Even things like walking round a show or the shops I am looking for somewhere to sit a lot of the time.Its easy for them to say arthritis is in its early stages, but they don't feel the pain.I have it in lower back, and I think we tend to try and find different ways of doing things to try and avoid some of the pain , and that puts pressure on other parts.

Makes sense about one at a time.

Good news about the felling, that's encouraged me , and glad youre on the mend.

Thanks again for your input.

[Baldbloke]

42 minutes ago, ESS said:

Thanks. I know what you mean. I cope fairly well with pain , but there doesn't seem any escape from this, pain relief seems to be very temporary, even sitting down theres that constant nagging hey ? its bad company. Even things like walking round a show or the shops I am looking for somewhere to sit a lot of the time.Its easy for them to say arthritis is in its early stages, but they don't feel the pain.I have it in lower back, and I think we tend to try and find different ways of doing things to try and avoid some of the pain , and that puts pressure on other parts.

Makes sense about one at a time.

Good news about the felling, that's encouraged me , and glad youre on the mend.

Thanks again for your input.

I was just the same, and always looking for a seat.

One other point that was a big bonus for me. I slipped a disc a few years ago probably from weak knees and lifting improperly. My knees prior to Anterior Cruciate Ligament repairs had endless other operations. So along with the hip pain I had a sore back and aching knees. I actually requested a knee op before  a hip replacement. He said they always start at the top and work down. The surgeon suggested that much of my other pain issues were what he called 'referred' pain. I didn't believe him but didn't say as much. He was correct as I have no back or knee pain now. I'll be apologising to him by doubting him when I see him in two weeks time.