being disabled....

[TIMBERWOLF]

Yep, they said it wouldn't last back in 1992 so thats why they said to wait. I only wish i could have had it done when i had the time off to have it done instead of now when i have already used my wk vacation for this yr when i had to go home to take care of my dad.

Originally Posted by DomnNC

Hey Timberwolf,

I'm kinda surprised to hear your Dr tell you that about hip replacements. My baby brother (who is now 45) had both hips totally replaced by the time he was 33. His condition came about because some ignorant Dr kept him on prednisone for 3 years, it ate all the cartilage up between his hip and shoulder joints. He was in such agony trying to walk that his surgeon opted to give him hip replacements. As with any newfangled implants they don't last forever and have to be replaced at some point, the hope is technology will advance by that time to where there is a more suitable replacement that will indeed last longer or be permanent. I think his Dr told him if he didn't abuse his hips that his could last for 15 years or a little longer.

I've had 2 cervical fusions and one lumbar fusion and I know my neurosurgeon told me that they last on the average of 10 years if no more abuse is heaped upon the vertebrae. My first cervical fusion was in 1998, the 2nd one right above it in 2004, which my neurosurgeon inspected the one he did in 1998 and said it still looked brand new, woohoo, cuz I'm passed that 10 year thing by 3 years on the first one, lol. But I know in the future I'll have to have it done again. Would I do it all over as I have, darn right, the improvement in the quality of life area vastly improved, as with my brother.
I guess it's a trade-off knowing if your quality of life would improve greatly vs having to have a repeat surgery. Sounds to me like he only wants ya to have it once and hopes you bite the bullet before that 15 year lapse. It's a shame they've made you wait all this time and endure the level of pain you seem to have.