chapter 403

10/4/2015

Born Again

a new leg up on life

It feels like a new me. Bionic, metallic, ceramic: better able to take life in stride.

This video is the best I've found to illustrate the procedure I underwent. It's a miracle of modern medical science. Not the most complicated procedure by any means, but it is so effective, efficient, with such positive outcomes.

At the 2 week check up, my P.A. (Physician's Assistant) explained that yes they do use the $150,000 specialized Hana Table shown here with the flouroscope X-ray machines to get the correct alignments. A trial size prosthetics are implanted to get the correct leg lengths before substituting for the final pieces. When he said they did a trial dislocation test by rotating the leg 120 degrees and dropping it to the floor to make sure it wouldn't come out, it made even me cringe just a little. 

Otherwise, I'm feeling A- OK. Almost pushed the P.A. over when he held my knee and asked me to push against him. Progressed to limping walk without cane. No pills. Couple weeks can swim. Couple months a real "new me".

Took a photo of their digital X-rays so I could show the actual new joint device.  Got the exact parts ID from Dr. office.

I've have this nice  Zimmer M/L Taper [size 12.5 Extended Offset] femoral titanium alloy prosthesis now hammered press fit (cementless) (after reaming) into my leg bone to allow for articulation and walking. Looking closely you'll notice the double taper top half which is coated with the circumferential plasma spray of trabecular alloy to allow for the bone to readily bond and fixate the unit in place (in 6 weeks). I believe the far (distal) end is fluted to facilitate insertion.

The Continuum Acetabular System component utilizes the same trabecular material sprayed over the titanium alloy [60 mm O.D. w/cluster holes porous shell size MM] to bond on to the pelvis. It is press fit in (after reaming) and secured with one screw [6.5mm diameter 30mm long] to enhance fixation with minimal weakening the pelvis. The high molecular weight polyethylene [neutral liner 36mm I.D. size MM] liner cup is then inserted. Its the Continuum Trilogy IT Acetabular Systems Vivacit-E Vitamin E Highly Crosslinked Polyethylene product. Next the critical BIOLOX® delta Ceramic Technology* big ball [alumina matrix composite 36mm dia. -3.5S taper 12/14 5 deg 43 min] component through which all the stress are transferred from the leg to the body. It is highly resistant to fracture and wear while the favorable wetting properties allow for good lubrication.

The procedure is nicely laid out in this Zimmer pdf.

Probably will last more than my lifetime. Note to children: recycle parts.

Speaking of ambulatory - Lucas took us for a romp through Saratoga's Sunnyside Gardens when Chris and Ricky came up for a visit.

Zimmer hip products, very impressive

Zimmer acetabular component specs

UK minimally invasive big ball discussion

2006 Zimmer lawsuit over "revision taper stem"  he apparently had poor bone quality or was otherwise not a good candidate for the item.

2006 recalls manufacturing defects

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