Saturday is the one-year anniversary of my “Super Path Hip Replacement”

                                                                         this is my attempt at humor…..

Simply put, there are no restrictions, no muscles or tendons cut. For more information, here is a link…..http://www.stlortho.com/superpath-hip-replacement.html 

People tell me that I was “too young” to have joint replacement, my standard reply has been “I am too young NOT to have joint replacement.” I was unable to walk without a limp, in severe pain and bone on bone for over four years. 

Would I do it again? Yes.  My left hip has issues, but now all the pressure is off of it.  I still have a while to go before it needs replaced.  My posture has improved and I walk 8,000-10,000 steps a day. We hike, ride bikes, climb stairs, jeep without pain.  I can actually sleep now.

Sometimes I forget I had a joint replacement. While in the dentist chair a couple of months ago, I casually mentioned it to my hygienist. She quickly backed away from me. I had not remembered the need for antibiotics before a dental cleaning. I literally forgot I had a new hip.

What has been the hardest part? Simply the muscle soreness. Since there are were no muscles cut, exercising those muscles has left soreness. I used magnesium lotion and constant stretching exercises which have finally helped.  My poor body had been compensating so long..so it took a while to get back to “normal”.

At six months  it still often  felt like I was sitting on an orange.  I was told at a year it would feel much more like my own and I can now see a huge difference.  

A short fainting spell the day after I came home was the only complication.  I always follow directions and took the meds every four hours, which obviously my body could not tolerate.  My sweet husband kept me from falling, and to hear him tell it I am in debt to him forever and a day!

This is not for everyone. I know from first hand experience that you can only have the replacement when you are actually ready. The doctor told me that I “would know when it was time” and indeed I did know. Once I made up my mind and prayed about it, there was never a doubt! The knowledge that God gives doctors and the peace I had was amazing and I am so thankful! The Father used it to confirm so many truths in my life, ones I will never forget.

*Note…my mother has two Super Paths and after 8 years/2.5 years doing great!

~Be Encouraged Today~