[philmont] Backpacking After THR

---- Charlie Evans <fayettevillain@bellsouth.net> wrote:
> [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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>Charlie,
I had a THR 3 years ago and at the tender age of 46. I did experience the slower form of hip degeneration using up to 12 Advil a day before my dentist recommended Vioxx. The Vioxx allowed me to continue my job as a general contractor, but only for a year. Finally, after only being able to function 2 hours a day, I gave into the surgery. I am 6" 3" and weighed 255 lbs so the choice of replacement materials came down to the ceramic/metal or metal on metal. My surgeon was a friend of a friend (also a MD and my business partner), who listened, as I explained my lifestyle and future plans. The best fit, for me was the metal to metal THR. I was concerned with the possibility of cobalt exposure from the joint wear, but heavy metals screening shows no significant increase in colbalt exposure three years post op. The ceramics have gotten some bad press lately. Squeaking would be annoying, but I was more concerned with the joint shattering due to my weight/ lifestyle. My surgeon cautioned me that if the ceramic shattered, there was no way the would be able to recover all the material from the joint.
The surgery took about 1-1/2 hours and they had me walking (with a walker) the next morning. I was home in three days. My recovery took six weeks (due to the nature and terrain of my job), two weeks using the walker and crutches for the remainder. A final set of X-rays and my surgeon allowed me unrestricted activity (skiing the next winter included), with a final word "enjoy your life."
At the six week mark post op., my son Patrick crossed over into Boy Scouts (April 15). The Troop had an outing planned to Sunset Crater at the end of May, with an easy day hike for the new Scouts and a challenging 4000' climb to the top of MT Humphrey's Peak (12,000') as a training hike for our older Scouts prepping for the Troop's annual 50 miler (usually the Weminuche).
I was feeling pretty good physically, and was enjoying getting to know the adult leadership. I opted for the "CLIMB", as a test of what the new joint could take. We were turned back at 10,000' due to deep snow, but I arrived in camp, popped 3 Advil and had a reasonably pain free evening. I awoke the next morning expecting a lot of discomfort, but except for a little stiffness felt great. Three weeks later, I attended a council camp for a week, and although tiring, enjoyed it.
I spent the next year as an ASM/ advisor of the Troop's instructor patrol. I went on a backpacking trip each month. In April, sixteen months after surgery, I started training for the summer's 50 miler. Work got in the way, and long story short, I ended up doing the 50 mile route in reverse to join the trek for the last two days. With only a 10 mile hike, I hauled in fresh fruit, bagels and a chocolate candy bar for each person on the trail (starting pack weight 55#). The Scouts went crazy for the food and I'd finally gotten over worrying about the replaced hip.
As far as recreational backpacking or recreational anything else I don't a THR is an issue. Since last November, I've hiked in and out of the Grand Canyon twice, ride snowmobiles, jet skis, and chase my son on dirt bike trail rides. I'm currently training for this year's 50 miler, three days a week up a 2.5mi. 1400' climb and three days a week with a 50 lb pack for 10 "road" miles. This November I will try a Rim to Rim to Rim trek in the Grand Canyon over three days and close to 50 miles. All of this relatively pain free.
My advise.... At 50 you will be a "young pup" on the surgical floor and your recovery should be swift. If you have an office job, plan on taking three weeks before returning to work (by that time you'll be cleared to bathe). You will have days early on in recovery when you feel strong and will want to walk twice the distance you did the day before, avoid pushing too hard early. You shouldn't worry about muscle strength as much as the implant to bone adhesion. I've been surprised how stable and pain-free the implant has been, I'm almost due for the replacement to be done on my other hip. I'm careful to use poles when backpacking now, and it is an effort to cross dead fall, but all in all the surgery was worth it. I got my life back and get to spend time in the outdoors with my son and Troop.
I hope your THR goes as well as mine has. Good Luck.
Regards,
Chris Denny
SM Troop 649, Scottsdale, AZ
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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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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 11:56:49 2008