Getting over the denial part, time to find the right doc to do the hip job. Lots of advice available between actual hip patients and the net. Throw in my secret advantage of chatting with a device rep who hangs out in the OR and Miss C the nurse case manager, let the beauty contest begin.
Criteria #1
The surgeon should be fellowship trained in hip replacement. My orthopod is a nice guy and did just fine with my meniscus...but not a hip guy.
Criteria #2
If at all possible an anterior surgical approach is the best. Least disruption and quicker recovery. I talked to a woman who had one each, posterior and anterior, her reaction was, "oh my god, what a difference the anterior approach makes". I don't think any recent fellowship trained doc would do posterior unless there were other factors (like obesity).
Criteria #3
Karma. Okay, I can do without it but it is nice if you are both on the same page and get good vibes.
The field narrowed to 3, then to 2 with the discovery that one of the highly rated docs only does trauma. Doc #2 was scheduling into next year, believe it or not people scheduling hips to get in on insurance for this year. So off to Doc K for our interview...Miss Lisa joins in the fun. K is personable and takes plenty of time to review MRI and options...meets all 3 criteria in my book, so we book the date on the spot...October 28th, 10AM. Almost 6 weeks away, it doesn't seem real.
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