[philmont] Backpacking After THR

Charlie:
        I had a chance to ask a doctor in a deposition of the life
expectancy of this type of device. The doctor told us something that might
be encouraging to you and that is that the technology has advanced so
rapidly that they actually don't know how long the devices will last beyond
the projected 15-20 years because they have not had the time to pass to do
the studies. The surgeon was confident that the devices would last beyond
the 15-20 years that the prior studies with older technology showed. I think
if you ask the doctor about this he may, with out committing, agree that
this is likely or a least possible. Docs are pretty conservative about
predictions and prognosises. Just some thoughts.

Jack

-----Original Message-----
From: philmont@troop47.com [mailto:philmont@troop47.com] On Behalf Of
Charlie Evans
Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2008 9:46 AM
To: philmont List Member
Subject: [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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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
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Received on Sun Jun 1 11:39:24 2008