KenNFD1219
05-31-2006, 01:41 PM
Any active firefighters out there who have had hip replacement surgery? After many years of pain and weakness, I have made the decision to get a new right hip. My injury goes back to 1978-I was the passenger on a Honda 750 that t-boned a car. I ended up with a fracture\dislocation of the right hip and spent 6 weeks in traction. It really sucked, especially as a 17 year old. The only good thing is the injury helped steer me towards emergency services. In 1983 I became a member of the volunteer ambulance service that transported me and even worked with the crew that treated me.
Fast forward 28 years-the last 6 months have been tough. I can swim 20 laps at the YMCA pool and ride my bicycle 50 to 75 miles a week with little problem. Walking 100 yards is very painful. Sitting for a while and getting out of the chair makes me feel like an old man. I saw a surgeon last week who was suprised I made it this far without a replacement.
The techniques have improved over the past several years. A single 4" incision, no muscle cut, and an implant made of cobolt and ceramic on the femur side and high molecular weight plastic on the hip side. The expected life span of the replacement is 20 years. I located a video of the surgery and watched the operation. Very interesting. It involves power tools, hammers, and a bunch of interesting implements.
My job is mostly administrative, but I do respond to incidents several times a week. My primary job on scene is incident command, but I do occasionaly end up doing interior operations.
I certainaly do not want a disability pension, I am only 4 years away from my normal retirement date. If you have had a hip replacement I would like to know how you managed as a fire fighter.
My date is October 9, 2006-I'll tolerate the pain through the summer. I am really looking forward to the surgery.
Fast forward 28 years-the last 6 months have been tough. I can swim 20 laps at the YMCA pool and ride my bicycle 50 to 75 miles a week with little problem. Walking 100 yards is very painful. Sitting for a while and getting out of the chair makes me feel like an old man. I saw a surgeon last week who was suprised I made it this far without a replacement.
The techniques have improved over the past several years. A single 4" incision, no muscle cut, and an implant made of cobolt and ceramic on the femur side and high molecular weight plastic on the hip side. The expected life span of the replacement is 20 years. I located a video of the surgery and watched the operation. Very interesting. It involves power tools, hammers, and a bunch of interesting implements.
My job is mostly administrative, but I do respond to incidents several times a week. My primary job on scene is incident command, but I do occasionaly end up doing interior operations.
I certainaly do not want a disability pension, I am only 4 years away from my normal retirement date. If you have had a hip replacement I would like to know how you managed as a fire fighter.
My date is October 9, 2006-I'll tolerate the pain through the summer. I am really looking forward to the surgery.