[philmont] Backpacking After THR

[Unless you or a companion have experience backpacking after a total hip
replacement, feel free to stop reading now.]

I have been blessed to hike Philmont and ride it on a Cavalcade. After
having some minor stiffness following long periods of sitting this
winter I went from lunchtime jogging to needing a cane to walk in four
weeks. The diagnosis: rapidly progress osteoarthritis in my left
hip. Somehow I missed the years of chronic pain and skipped right to needing
total hip replacement (THR) surgery. I just turned 50 in January but I
wasn't expecting to fall apart quite so soon! Anyway, I am not posting for
sympathy or pity - I got in two trips to Philmont and assorted other
scouting adventures and am extremely happy this didn't happen a year ago as
I prepared my scouts for a Cavalcade - but I do want to know if anyone can
share any experience backpacking after a THR? I have seen two orthopaedist
who agree on my diagnosis but one wants to use an alumina ceramic hip and
the other wants to use a metal-on-metal hip. Both of these are hoped to
last longer than the 15-20 years that the popular metal ball/polyethylene
socket combination is lasting. Each has drawbacks: ceramics may squeak and,
although unlikely, a catastrophic failure would be a nightmare; the
metal-on-metal puts metal ions into the body that have not been proven to
cause long-term problems such as cancer but raise some concerns. High impact
activities are not recommended with either. [I am not a candidate for hip
resurfacing due to osteonecrosis.] Following rehab, I am told that with the
ceramic hip I can backpack as long as I two-pole it, stick to moderate
terrain, and don't use a heavy pack. With the metal-on-metal hip I would
have no restrictions on backpacking except to avoid jumping off logs and
rocks. Even without my medical condition, it is unlikely that I would make
another trip to Philmont so my decision will not be based on what might get
me back to "Scouting Heaven". However, I would like to remain a
recreational backpacker. Can anyone share their personal experience in this
area before I make a final decision?
Thanks,
Charlie Evans
ASM, Troop 72
Fayetteville, GA
702-G (2004)
714-CV (2007)
"I used to be an Eagle"

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Received on Sun Jun 1 09:47:58 2008