Before and after hip xray: hip replacement to hip revision
So here is my new hip! With a handy before (hip replacement) and after (hip revision) comparison Xray. First thing that strikes me is that there’s a lot more metal than pelvis now. Due to my hip dysplasia, I’ve never had much pelvis on that side (which was the difficulty with getting my childhood reduction surgeries to stick). The challenge for the hip revision was to extend the socket and so that bit you can see on the right hand side of the Xray is the custom 3D printed metal socket doing just that job.
I was talking to a friend a few weeks ago about the fact that I was finding it difficult to visualise my new hip because I hadn’t yet seen an Xray. And in that conversation it became clear how much I understand my condition through the hip Xrays I’ve had through my life. I have never not had a mental image of what my pelvis and hips look like and I suspect that’s the same for anyone diagnosed with CDH at birth. And so I suddenly felt lost. Now, I ‘get it’. I can see what my orthopaedic surgeon has done and I can finally connect the image with how it feels. It’s reassuring to me.
The last few weeks have been very boring. I’ve been diligent and consistent with my physio exercises, and maintaining all the restrictions around precaution height and restricted movements. For the last 3 weeks I have at least been able to go for longer walks on my crutches, but I still can’t go anywhere where I need to sit.
I saw my Xray when I had my 6 weeks post-op check up this week with my orthopaedic consultant. He seemed pleased with my progress – wound is healed well, no infections, no thrombosis, nerves appear to be undamaged and the leg is “pointing in the right direction”. He was also happy that I’m taking things slow and steady – something he wants me to continue for the next 7 weeks. I am still to stay on crutches as by far the biggest risk is falling. As he said, in essence it’s like having a big fracture in my pelvis and that needs caution. I guess if I fall and damage this, there’s no more pelvis to play with, and now I’ve seen the Xray my brain gets that so much more.
So it’s more of mostly the same.
- I asked if I can swim yet, we compromised on me adding supervised hydrotherapy into the mix, as long as I take it carefully.
- Continue with the physio with the advice of take it slowly and carefully.
- I can however start to play with lowering the precaution height of chairs very gradually – eg removing one of the three cushion – as long as I never bend more than 90 degrees. As this progresses it will give me a little more freedom to at least walk further if I can sit on a bench or in a cafe to rest half way.
- Still no bending, twisting or climbing into the over-bath shower though….so still the strip wash regime continues into September. At least when I go for hydrotherapy I’ll be able to have a shower afterwards – can’t decide if I’m more excited about getting in the pool or having the shower!!
If I’m honest, I had mixed feelings after my appointment. Obviously the overriding positive feeling is that I’m progressing well in his expert eyes, and that surgically he is considering this a success. But I also had a feeling of dashed hopes. Hopes that I could start to do more, more quickly – particularly swimming or driving, which would give me more independence.
But this is not my first surgery and I know that by sticking to what I’m asked to do, the end result will be more positive. This too shall pass. And my independence day will come 🙂
Meanwhile, stay tuned, thanks for following. Love to you all x
Jill Pringle was born with hip dysplasia in 1971, in Sheffield (then called congenital dysplasia of the hips). She’s had many orthopaedic surgeries as a child and adult. Jill writes this blog to share her challenges with walking as a differently-abled person.