Hi Chester,

Sorry to be so long in replying - email's hard to get to sometimes these
days.

My hip's too far gone for a brace to be helpful. Thanks for the idea though.

Pam



> What about trying a hip brace first?
>
>
> Chester
>
> --- pam <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I've been back on the list for a few weeks after
> > being away for several =
> > months because of work, ISP problems, etc.  It's
> > been good to see the =
> > list active again, both in support and political
> > banter.  It's a rare =
> > list that can go from arguing in one post and real
> > support in the next.
> >
> > I write now in hopes of getting some advice on a CP
> > related health =
> > issue.  My left hip is dislocated and grinds in and
> > out of what's left =
> > of the acetabalum hundreds of times a day.  I get
> > into the good old CP =
> > pain-spasm-pain-spasm cycle, and it's really not
> > fun.  To break the =
> > cycle  I'm taking major meds to calm my spasticity,
> > which in turn make =
> > me sleepy.  Just within the last few days I've found
> > a pattern of taking =
> > meds that leaves me moderately comfortable for a
> > good part of the day =
> > and cognitively on for a good part of the day.  But
> > I can't keep going =
> > like this, my body is tearing itself apart.  I'm
> > afraid to think about =
> > what the meds are doing to my liver.  I'm not able
> > to work.  grumble =
> > grumble grumble...
> >
> > I do have hope.  I have a great community of people
> > who are pulling for =
> > me and praying for me and helping in whatever ways
> > they can.  My husband =
> > has been very supportive.  And I found a good
> > doctor, which as you know =
> > is no small feat for an adult with CP.  This guy is
> > brilliant and honest =
> > and kind. =20
> >
> > He's offered me several options, one is hip fusion,
> > which with my sounds =
> > horrible, given the athetosis that's mixed with my
> > spasticity.  The =
> > other is called the modified Girdlestone procedure.
> > ~Joy~, I seem to =
> > remember you having this procedure the summer before
> > your freshman year. =
> >  I remember you had much pain afterwards that you
> > didn't expect.  I'm =
> > wondering how you're doing now.  Are you in pain?
> > Do you weight bear at =
> > all?  How is your flexibility in your hips?  And the
> > big question again, =
> > how is your level of pain??
> >
> > This doc is proposing to remove the top third of my
> > femur; to wrap both =
> > the new end of the femur and the acetabulum with the
> > muscles that won't =
> > be used any more to keep the ball in the socket; and
> > using an external =
> > fixator for 6 weeks, allow scar tissue to form
> > between the femur and the =
> > pelvis. The external fixator would screw into my
> > remaining femur and my =
> > pelvis, the screws would come out of my skin and be
> > attached to a metal =
> > bar which would hold the bones apart (I'm getting
> > used to the idea, but =
> > at first it sounded pretty horrible). If I remember
> > right, Joy, you were =
> > in traction for 6 weeks, this doc doesn't want to
> > risk my getting =
> > pneumonia.
> >
> > I would really appreciate anything you could tell
> > me, either on the list =
> > or privately, about your experience with this
> > surgery.
> >
> > Thanks very much.
> >
> > Pam
> > [log in to unmask]
> >
>
>
>
>
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