The suggestion to buy new shoes with new tread is a good idea to have better footing when walking, especially outdoors! I bought a new pair of Skechers for a different reason. I was having trouble tying the shoe on my bad hip side. I KNEW I would have to have slip-in type shoes after surgery for sure. The new tread on them is an added benefit I hadn't thought of.
Hello, Many thanks for watching my video and taking the time to comment. I used Skechers myself and they worked very well. I used to wear deck shoes which have slippery soles and they were causing me problems in early days. Take care. Paul,,
Hello Sybille. Many thanks for watching my video and taking the time to comment... I am very pleased to hear that you found the information useful and wish you all the best with your upcoming surgery. Take care. Paul,,
In the 21st century a Total Hip Replacement should only be performed using the Direct Anterior Approach. The anterior approach is more technically demanding for the surgeon, which is why many surgeons have not yet switched to this approach. This approach is considered a minimally invasive surgery to replace the damaged hip while avoiding nearby muscles and tendons. This approach causes less pain and results in a quicker recovery. There are generally no hip precautions necessary after the direct anterior approach, so motion is not restricted. Patients can return to work when they feel comfortable. This typically takes about 2 weeks. As a 75 year old male and an engineer in the power industry, the surgery was performed as an outpatient and I was home that evening on January 9, 2024. Used a walker for the first two days and then a cane for the following two weeks mostly for protection from falling and to relearn how to walk without a limp. Was active and back to work the following week and playing pickleball at 8 weeks. Was cleared from physical therapy after 4 sessions. Was already doing the exercises and riding my stationary bicycle before the sessions with the physical therapist. My biggest recommendation is to do at least 2 or 3 times a day the associated physical therapy exercises for several weeks prior to the surgery and for at least 8 weeks post surgery or in my case until I got back to my normal fitness activities. The ankle pump exercise should be performed even more frequently. I still do them frequently throughout the day. Also ice pack pads will be your post surgery friend; they should be used frequently on the area of the incision for the first 2 weeks after surgery.
Hello Wayne, Many thanks for watching my video and taking time to record your experience... it is my hope that the comments will be helpful to all viewers... As we all know one size does not fit all... Thanks again. Take care. Paul,,
Your first few statements are very debatable. I have been reading from both professional orthopedic websites and well known universities and there is a WHOLE lot of mild disagreement among all these experts on what approach is "best." There are pros and cons for all surgical approaches. You can't make a blanket statement just from YOUR experience alone.
Actually it was not a blanket statement based solely on my experience. As an engineer I do my homework including detailed analytical studies before subjecting my body to any such surgery or procedure. From 2017 until January 2024, I interviewed and followed the recovery process of 52 total hip replacement patients. For all patients having the anterior approach the recovery was much easier and faster for them with minimal restrictions. I also interviewed 10 orthopedic surgeons, read 100s of orthopedic surgeon published articles, watched 100s of UA-cam videos presented by orthopedic surgeons, including debates regarding the anterior, lateral and posterior approaches to total hip replacement (the anterior approach was always the winner) and even attended a 5 hour Anterior Hip Replacement Master Class presented for orthopedic surgeons. Many of these doctors admittedly realized the positive advantages of the anterior approach. Some even said it is the only approach that should be used in the 21st century. The only reason that they identified for using a lateral or posterior approach was if the surgery was needed due to an injury which required fuller access to the femoral head and acetabulum such as for an acetabular fracture. However, there is a learning curve for the orthopedic surgeon to switch to the anterior approach and they have to learn how to use a Hanna Surgical Table, Thompson Lift or a regular Surgery Table with the head placed at the opposite end of the Surgery Table plus some other specialized surgical equipment. It’s takes surgeons from 50 to 100 surgeries to become fully proficient with the anterior approach. For these reasons many surgeons are not prepared to switch to the anterior approach. Of those 52 patients that were interviewed, all will only have the anterior approach performed if they need there other hip replaced. Some have already had the second hip replaced with the anterior approach and have confirmed that the anterior approach is the only way to go. In there cases they had the experience of comparing the anterior approach to their previous posterior or lateral approach.
This has been very helpful, thanks so much for taking the time to post it. Hoping to have surgery before too long. I am overweight but haven’t been successful in losing weight as my mobility has become very limited due to severe pain. I hope the Surgeon is able to perform the surgery without any problems. Thanks again for your great video!
Hello Robyn, I am really pleased to hear that some of this stuff I spoke about in the video may have been of help... Wishing you all the best for your surgery. Take care. Paul,,
I had a full left hip replacement in 2013 at the Royal Liverpool hospital. I was left for 3 and a quarter years after a severe fall in my home because of my dog bowling me over on the landing and I landed on the top of the cat's scratch post. Agony and I knew it was a bad smash. My docs left me for over 3 years. My left hip was later said that the hip had been smashed to smithereens as in the whole hip everything. I was in agony however was a victim of gross medical negligence as I also was a victim of domestic violence. I was told by my abuser after the so called accident that if I phoned an ambulance then he would leave me. 2010 the erm accident. The next morning I phoned my gp surgery up and the doctor who came to my home didn't bother examining me, told me, when I said politely to him that I think my hip is broken, he retorted coldly. Listen Dear, you wouldn't be able to walk if you had broken your hip take pain killers and in 2 weeks, if the pain hasn't receded, then contact the gp. After over 3 years it resulted in avascular necrosis leading to septicaemia. Luckily I survived. The surgeon was from Sri Lanka. I had to durvive. So I did. Depression is a terrible part of knowing nobody would care. He did save my life. I still am alive. The pain is excruciating after surgery. But survival works. I was walking around in agony on a femur stump. I can walk, but not 2 miles. I can feel that, after that my neighbour split my right kneecap. I had to take 28 stiches out as nobody bothered to help me. I was bowled over again 2cweeks after my hip replacement. It split my ex did it. My surgeon urged me to take my gps to court for Gross Medical Negligence. They would not allow me to ontain my medical records. 3 years afterwards, a person cannot claim for any medical negligence. I still am being abused and it is very serious. So luckily I do not now have any concerns due to istio arthritus in the end stages. I am lucky.....Inobody has my back. I see you feel depressed. Fight in a good way. Godbless you for your help in explsining the emotional side and the true implications faced with the fear of being alone recouperating and walking to your limits. I am very glad for the fact you state that taking strong pain relief is not a good long term fix. They need monitoring. I am in Liverpool uk. I used to ride horses, I used to be a sprinter. I used to ride bucycles, I used to drive I used to climb mountains. I used to build fences, I used to climb trees, I used to clean, wall paper, lay flags. Work. I used to.❤
Hello Georgiana, Goodness me you've had a challenging time... Thanks for sharing your story... Hopefully the comments will help people see that it is not always plane sailing. Take care. Paul,,
That’s a real shame what you have had to go through. My neighbor fell off a ladder and I found him two days later still alive but barely. My point is that we all should try to develop social relationships with other people so we are not relying on the jerks of the world because they are…. jerks. Like your abuser and the first doctor. My neighbor and I did not talk for ten years until I made an effort to repair the relationship. I could tell you that he was the jerk but that isn’t relevant. For sure, I would not have thought to check on him 5 years ago and he would be dead now with a broken neck and heat stroke. Again, I am sorry for what you have experienced but hope things are better now and have some people around whom you can count on.
Thank you very much for your kind response and for your caring. Yes, it's certainly been a struggle. I'm alive, I'm not a perfectly behaved person but I do care alot about freedom and lust for life and am glad that I am still here. Helping myself is helping others cos giving up for spates, I admit I did do. But looking forward can be frightening. Feeling angry now and then can help to pick myself up and be determined not to think that one day I will never see the sunlight, the grass, trees, birds, animals, the sea, the creatures. I love it. You have helped so I thank you. At first I battled to get mobile. Now I know that is important. Not sitting there alone, and feeling sorry for myself. I have pets to look after.😂❤❤❤@@ThePensionerAdventurer
@@JRC2053Ahh, thank goodness for your willingness to get back to speaking terms with your neighbour. You saved his life because of this generosity and capability for forgiveness. You are a hugely valuable person ❤❤❤❤❤
The man who speaks up about this life changing event has been honest. You are a wonderful human being and you really care about yourself and other people too, and now racehorses are getting it done. Better than a bullet to their heads on a racetrack. I like the observation you made insightful observation, " I am not competing with others, I am competing with myself". That is how I was when sprinting. I was as a child, extremely fast. However I didn't like coming first all the time. I trained and my Father had me training to be the fastest. I clocked 48 miles an hour sprinting. It's actually filmed, clocked. So now I know how iimportant it is to keep going. I have had numerous falls. My back is broken in 2 places. I am still walking. Never will run again. I'm a Walker surname. So, I still walk. The falls where not my fault. That broke my spine in 2 places. I was in a mental hospital last year, and was very badly bullied and left on the floor for 6 hours in my room. No one will ever know how many women were drugged in Peasley Crodd Hope snd Recovery Unit. Some didn't make it. Others fell who were not disabled. ❤
Hello Sue, Many thanks for watching my video... Wishing the the best of luck with your operation this afternoon and a speedy recovery. Take care. Paul,,
Hi Paul, thanks for doing these videos. Knowing your a big cycling enthusiast It always makes me think of my Brother in law Manolo who suffered an accident when out cycling with his club. he was in the centre of the group and hit a pothole which threw him and broke his collar bone and hip. In the end he had to have his hip replaced and now 15 years later hes starting to have problems with one of his knees!! I think if your an engineer or have an engineering background then all that you say would be common sense but you do need to add in some application to do all that you mention. I suffered a dislocated elbow 17 years ago (I got charged by a bull high up in the mountains!!) and I had to do a lot of rehabiltation to recover the movement. I rigged up a simple measuring system and was able to graph my improvement. The Doctors were thorughly impressed and it helped me measure and see my own improvement. All the best!!
Hello David, Thanks for your comment, I think my videos give my thoughts and the comments add some additional information that I may have not covered or got wrong... Progressive overload I truly believe is the way to improve movement and strength, which does diminish as we age. I also agree that if you cannot measure it you cannot improve it. Thanks for your support. Take care. Paul,,
Hi Paul. Thank you for an interesting discussion. Much food for thought as we all reach pension age and likely to face hip or knee replacements. All the best to you. 👍😀
Hello Andrew, I am amaze at how much of my life has been given back to me with my new hip but do feel that it is not just the surgeon that plays there part, it's the patient who has to do there bit as well. Hopefully this video may help some people to get the best out of their hip replacement. Thanks for watching. Take care. Paul,,
Hello, I am pleased to hear it was of help... I have just watched a couple of your videos, you should make some more... Thanks for watching. Take care. Paul,,
I'm 2 weeks post anterior hip surgery. I have never experienced such horrific pain! Not in the hip area, but my thin leg swelled up and turned black & blue...moved from the back of my thigh all the way down to my toes as each day passed. I was trying to avoid the opioids, but had to give in. Hard to walk when your leg and even my arch is throbbing! It's starting to subside, but indescribable. My arthritis was never this painful and it was at 8 years of advanced arthritis. They just keep blowing me off about it and I was never forewarned beforehand that this could happen! Good luck to all and I am looking forward to a long walk when my ankle & foot deflate!!
Hello Karen, I am sorry to hear that you are struggling so much. Hopefully the swelling in your ankle and foot will improve with time and you'll be out and about walking. Wishing you the best of luck with your recovery. Thanks for watching. Take care. Paul,,
I am so very sorry that you are having such a bad experience. I highly recommend frequent icing your leg with ice pads throughout the day, frequently elevate your legs throughout the day and especially lots of ankle pumps throughout the day. That’s in addition to the standard physical therapy exercises that you were given. You’ll be feeling great before you know it.
What does your surgeon say is the cause of this? I've never heard of anyone having an issue like you described. Am facing surgery with Direct Anterior in 17 days. Would love ou comment So sorry you are having such problem
Hi Janmac, I'm now at 4 weeks and the pain and swelling is slowly subsiding. I'm walking on my own, but tire quickly. My surgeon tells me everyone heals differently. I'm 72 and put this off for too long. I'm a swimmer and exercised to avoid surgery. He told me that my arthritis was so bad that within a year my hip would has broken on it's own. He had to resurface my pelvic cup bone because their was almost no bone left before he could complete the replacement. I'm sure you will be fine. Most people are up and about in a couple weeks. Especially if you are younger. I'm just so disappointed because I'm very healthy and fit and thought this would go much easier for me. Wishing you well.
Some very useful advice there Paul. Slowly but surely does it. I failed to do this after a minor heart operation may years ago and paid the price. Keep well Paul. Cheers Nobby
Hello Nobby, Hopefully my thoughts will be of help to some in the future... I agree that it is so easy to not give yourself time to heal... Thanks for watching. Take care. Paul,,
Hello Kev, I really hope it is of help to some people... I agree much of it should be the same for a knee operation. Thanks for watching. Take care. Paul,,
Greetings from lreland 5weeks after right hip replacement.still on 1cructh,got a bad thinge in the hip yesterday, gave me a fright , still very stiff after sitting for awhile,getting very impatient at the moment. Like that i am fairly slim which I think helped, i think I'll have to stick with the basic exercise and walk.thanks for the video,very reassuring that not everyone bounces around after 2 weeks cheers and take care
Hello, Thanks for taking the time to comment... I don't think there is a one size fits all on the recovery malarky. The main thing is to be consistent and work on it every day and things will get better and better. Thanks for watching. Take care. Paul,,
I did return to work a week after my accident in Dec-2022 which was a welcome distraction to be honest, however, I was working from home so the distance from my bed to my laptop did not prove to be too big an obstacle. I don’t remember being in pain. In fact, when I was in hospital, I declined painkillers, much to the nurses’ surprise. The orthopaedic surgeons used glue rather than stiches on my wound - so no scar surrounded by little dots. It took a while before I attempted to sleep on the post-op hip side because I thought I might damage it for some reason. In terms of being adventurous, I guess most people might exercise caution but I have to report that I fell off my bike twice last year. During the summer I fell over while taking a photograph from a static position on a gradient on to deep tufted grass. It was a bit like falling on a mattress really and I fell on my left hip - so no damage done. Then on last Christmas Day I did have a more serious accident as it was wet and my back wheel got caught in one of those metal drainage gratings that run down the centre of paths but my front wheel was trying to go in a different direction and I fell on my left hand side onto a hard paved surface. My left hip and elbow bore the brunt of the impact. I got up and walked away this time but I had a massive purple bruise on my left hip a few days later. I dread to think what might have happened if I had fallen on my righthand side. Would I have dislocated my total hip replacement? I also remember the hospital gave me a number for something called the fragility index. I presume it only goes one direction when you reach a certain age? It’s another thing to worry about as we get even older. Sometimes we have to do what we want to do, within reason, I guess. I cannot play it safe and sit at home in an armchair all day long for the rest of my life. Thanks for sharing you experiences
Hello Raymond, Sounds like you've had a couple of difficult years but good that you are not playing it safe and getting out and about... I ride my bike most days now and am getting stronger and stronger... Thanks for sharing your story as I hope it may help someone who reads it in the future. Thanks for watching. Take care. Paul,,
I also have recently had a total hip replacement. I could not have the anterior because of my weight and therefore had the posterior/lateral aproach. Very happy up and walking the same day, without crutches in 2 weeks short distances. I found UA-cam physio of "Bob and Brad" very helpful using some common sense and discussion with my surgeon. There is a whole series of videos from day 0 to 1 year after surgery.
Hello Paul, Many thanks for watching my video and taking the time to comment... Good to hear your replacement went well... I have seen some of "Bob and Brad's" videos, all very interesting. Thanks again for watching. Take care. Paul,,
The Bob and Brad UA-cam videos are the best. I highly recommend them for any physical therapy issue. It is amazing all of the physical therapy information that they have presented and continue to present.
Hi, very helpful video. I'm day 4 of post op at home and still in considerable pain. How long did you go before the pain was tolerable. My toilet habits are frequent during the night, 3 or more bladder emptying exercises just wrecks my sleep, did you experience anything like that?
Hello David, Congratulations on your new hip... I think it was around 2.5 weeks before I was off the pain medication... It did feel less painful after around a week but I have quite a lot of bruising which was quite uncomfortable. I did not need the toilet during the night any more than normal... Stay strong, once your past the trauma of the operation you'll be fine. Take care. Paul,,
In the morning before getting out of the bed I lay on my stomach and hook my feet over the edge of the mattress and pull my body. I do it spread-eagle with my hands gripping the sides of the queen mattress. Easy traction trick. It extended my mobility for several more months. My hip was far gone...I finally had hip replacement surgery yesterday.
Hi Paul, I'm 47 year old mother having my surgery on May 1st. I am in terrible pain, but waited for good weather as we still have snowstorms in April here in Pennsylvania, USA. Im planning to walk on the track at the school. 1 lap is 1/4 mile. My biggest concern is getting into our full sized pickup truck. May try using a step stool with a handle some how attached to it so i can pull it into the truck once I'm inside. But sleeping is going to stink. I can't sleep now from the pain and end up in a recliner. Ive been watching these videos looking for chair ideas. Stool or no stool.? How getting into a rub shower stall.? I'm an RN and i know i cant go back to nursing even at 6 weeks, we have to pick up elderly people when they fall, crouch to dress foot wounds. But i havent been able to work since November. Many people wonder why someone so young has the issues i have. I was born with hip dysplasia and it wasnt fixed when i was an infant. So as i aged my joints suffered because my muscles had to change to support a hip joint that was defective. I also will need bilateral knee replacements. So i tell new moms be sure you get your babies checked and rechecked for any signs of hip issues. Thank you for your advice, it has answered many of my questions. Plus i like hearing from a real patient rather than a doctor, they do the operation, they dont physically go through the postop challenges! Best wishes!!
Hello, Many thanks for watching my video and taking the time to comment. In addition to the video I hope all the comments will help others as we all have different circumstances and one size does not fit all. I hope all goes well in May and you have a speedy recovery. Take care. Paul,,
I live in Florida so I didn't have to worry about snow or ice, but it might be better for people who live in hurricane territory to try to have their hip surgery outside of hurricane season. I had my surgery in mid-September (peak of hurricane season). I spent 3 days in the hospital and then went to a rehab facility because I live in a second floor apartment. During the three weeks (should have been two) in the rehab facility, we had TWO hurricanes (Helene on Sep 26th and Milton on October 9th). Helene wasn't so bad in the area where my rehab facility was located. We were on emergency power for only five hours with that storm. I was hoping to go home close to October 7th, but Milton was out in the gulf of Mexico, so no one was being discharged until Friday or Saturday after the storm. Water from the blowing rain seemed to come in under every door to the outside and even under the baseboards under the windows of the rooms. We were on emergency power for about 36 hours with that storm. ServePro was still there drying the place out when I went home on Saturday after the storm.
I had right hip replacement Jan 2023. Posterior & i am thin. I had Pt till 2 months ago. Still not same, hip fine, its back of knee, side of leg & tingly toes. Surgeon said added 1.5 in to leg. That has to be my problem with tendons. PT helped & i do exercises at home. She saud can take up to 2yrs to get back to normal????Going to a podiatrist in couple wks. Something not right. I had my left hip done 13yrs ago no problems at all. That Dr retired😢. Frustration. I went back to work 2 days a wk after 4 months but can only get through with Ibuprophen. I asked him for anterior he said didnt do them.
Hello Mary, I am very sorry to hear that you are having troubles with your second hip replacement. Hopefully the steps you have outlined for the future will improve things. Thanks for watching my video. Take care. Paul,,
Hello Joseph, Thanks for dropping by... Hopefully it will be many moons before you ever need this information and likewise for the cameraman. Take care. Paul,,
Lots of good advice here - thanks for sharing it! I, too am looking to get it done in the summer - either 2024 or 2025. Although I live in California and it doesn't usually get below 40 F. in the winter in my area, my apartment is pretty cold all year long, and the last 2 years we've gotten a huge amount of rain. I'm always stiffer when I'm cold. (Now I understand why older people want to live in warm climates!) It just seems easier to recover in the summertime.
Hello, I hope all goes well with your hip replacement, California is nice... I had family living near Carlsbad and visited quite a bit... Thanks for watching. Take care. Paul,,
I had my hip replacement in 2001, surgeons only were doing the posterior surgery. I’ve fallen a few times and the last time I couldn’t get up, so I called 911 on my cell & the sheriff called an ambulance to come check me out, much later I had MRI and found my back had been fractured, so that’s why I couldn’t get up I suppose. In 2014 I was out on my deck and slipped on ice, silly me, no coat, no hat! My hip dislocated and down into the snow I fell, my closet neighbor was 5 houses away, (many people leave in the Winter). The neighbor was out to feed her horses & sent her husband my way, we were having a snow storm and it took 45 minutes for the ambulance to get here, plus another 25 miles travel to go to the city hospital. THE PAIN WAS HORRIBLE, no, the emergency room doctor could not put my hip back in so they had to call in a orthopedic surgeon and take me up to the operating room to put it in put me under and if they couldn’t put it back in I guess they was gonna have to do surgery. My goodness you don’t want that kind of pain, but this happened in 2014 and this is 2024 of March, I hope no one has to go through that kind of pain in their life because if I’d had a pistol on me, I probably would’ve shot myself and that’s the truth.
Hello, WOW this is a challenging tale... I hope I don't suffer anything similar... Thanks for watching my video and sharing your story. Take care. Paul,,
I have my hip replaced in in febhurry. I was standing checking out groceries and my hip dislocated. I fell I went to the hospital. I didn't have to have surgery for them to put it back in place. But they didn't give me some medication and put it back in place. Then maybe about 3 weeks later, my hip Dislocated again, so now I'm waiting to have a revision surgery on my hip The pain was terrible.
@@malindarobinson2867 thank goodness you’re okay, I’m so afraid to have hip revision surgery bc I’m told the recovery is longer than the first surgery, I wish you well and please keep us updated.
Having good weather, atleast reasonable weather; no snow! no heavy rain--slippery, is just common sense. I live alone, planning ahead now to have all I need on a daily basis within arm's distance & nothing more. Surgery won't be for another couple of years, I think I can postpone it. Remove any wires or loose carpeting, objects that could possibly trip you up. I'm up in the air about my Doc's approach. He's gotten a lot of 5 star reviews, but says he does lateral/posterior which in the past, in all reviews I've read about it, has a higher degree of dislocation compared to anterior BUT...any approach in surgery has it's share of both pro & cons. Another more recent updated video says that the rate of dislocation of posterior is now about equal to anterior. This university study doesn't say why that is. I have to put my faith into whatever my doc says. With US insurance, I don't have much choice. I only worry because I'm tall and everybody I see in these videos is much shorter. More restrictions on post-OP movement with posterior. 😢😮
Hello Andrea, Many thanks for watching my video and taking the time to comment. You clearly have been doing your research. In the UK with our free National Health Service you just get what you are given. I am not sure if I was lucky but so far i have had a good outcome. Thanks again for watching and wishing you all the best for your operation sometime in the future. Take care. Paul,,
Hello Deborah, Thank you for watching my video and your kind words... Hopefully the information will help a few people along the way... Take care. Paul,,
Hello James, I am sorry to hear you are having difficulties with your new hip, Wishing you all the best for some improvements throughout this year. Thanks for watching. Take care. Paul,,
I just had posterior thr surgery, which I thought I was having anterior for my right side. I am still in hospital and unable to effectively more my right foot.
Hello, Sorry to hear that you're having problems your right foot movement... I guess as your in hospital it is still early days... Wishing you a speedy recovery. Take care. Paul,,
Hello Micky, Yes that would be a good one... I think it is important to get as much range of movement as possible... Thanks for watching and sharing your advice. Take care. Paul,,
Hello, When on crutches I walked up stair with ABC Able leg (Good leg), Bad leg (replacement hip), Crutch. Walking down I followed CBA. Once I stopped using the crutch over time as I got more stable I learnt to walk up and down stairs without holding the handrail. Thanks for watching. Take care. Paul,,
The suggestion to buy new shoes with new tread is a good idea to have better footing when walking, especially outdoors! I bought a new pair of Skechers for a different reason. I was having trouble tying the shoe on my bad hip side. I KNEW I would have to have slip-in type shoes after surgery for sure. The new tread on them is an added benefit I hadn't thought of.
Hello,
Many thanks for watching my video and taking the time to comment. I used Skechers myself and they worked very well. I used to wear deck shoes which have slippery soles and they were causing me problems in early days.
Take care.
Paul,,
Thank you, that is very helpful to me. I'll have my hip op soon and I will prepared now for the after care thanks to your advise.
Hello Sybille.
Many thanks for watching my video and taking the time to comment... I am very pleased to hear that you found the information useful and wish you all the best with your upcoming surgery.
Take care.
Paul,,
In the 21st century a Total Hip Replacement should only be performed using the Direct Anterior Approach. The anterior approach is more technically demanding for the surgeon, which is why many surgeons have not yet switched to this approach. This approach is considered a minimally invasive surgery to replace the damaged hip while avoiding nearby muscles and tendons. This approach causes less pain and results in a quicker recovery. There are generally no hip precautions necessary after the direct anterior approach, so motion is not restricted. Patients can return to work when they feel comfortable. This typically takes about 2 weeks. As a 75 year old male and an engineer in the power industry, the surgery was performed as an outpatient and I was home that evening on January 9, 2024. Used a walker for the first two days and then a cane for the following two weeks mostly for protection from falling and to relearn how to walk without a limp. Was active and back to work the following week and playing pickleball at 8 weeks. Was cleared from physical therapy after 4 sessions. Was already doing the exercises and riding my stationary bicycle before the sessions with the physical therapist. My biggest recommendation is to do at least 2 or 3 times a day the associated physical therapy exercises for several weeks prior to the surgery and for at least 8 weeks post surgery or in my case until I got back to my normal fitness activities. The ankle pump exercise should be performed even more frequently. I still do them frequently throughout the day. Also ice pack pads will be your post surgery friend; they should be used frequently on the area of the incision for the first 2 weeks after surgery.
Hello Wayne,
Many thanks for watching my video and taking time to record your experience... it is my hope that the comments will be helpful to all viewers... As we all know one size does not fit all... Thanks again.
Take care.
Paul,,
Your first few statements are very debatable. I have been reading from both professional orthopedic websites and well known universities and there is a WHOLE lot of mild disagreement among all these experts on what approach is "best." There are pros and cons for all surgical approaches.
You can't make a blanket statement just from YOUR experience alone.
Actually it was not a blanket statement based solely on my experience. As an engineer I do my homework including detailed analytical studies before subjecting my body to any such surgery or procedure. From 2017 until January 2024, I interviewed and followed the recovery process of 52 total hip replacement patients. For all patients having the anterior approach the recovery was much easier and faster for them with minimal restrictions. I also interviewed 10 orthopedic surgeons, read 100s of orthopedic surgeon published articles, watched 100s of UA-cam videos presented by orthopedic surgeons, including debates regarding the anterior, lateral and posterior approaches to total hip replacement (the anterior approach was always the winner) and even attended a 5 hour Anterior Hip Replacement Master Class presented for orthopedic surgeons. Many of these doctors admittedly realized the positive advantages of the anterior approach. Some even said it is the only approach that should be used in the 21st century. The only reason that they identified for using a lateral or posterior approach was if the surgery was needed due to an injury which required fuller access to the femoral head and acetabulum such as for an acetabular fracture. However, there is a learning curve for the orthopedic surgeon to switch to the anterior approach and they have to learn how to use a Hanna Surgical Table, Thompson Lift or a regular Surgery Table with the head placed at the opposite end of the Surgery Table plus some other specialized surgical equipment. It’s takes surgeons from 50 to 100 surgeries to become fully proficient with the anterior approach. For these reasons many surgeons are not prepared to switch to the anterior approach. Of those 52 patients that were interviewed, all will only have the anterior approach performed if they need there other hip replaced. Some have already had the second hip replaced with the anterior approach and have confirmed that the anterior approach is the only way to go. In there cases they had the experience of comparing the anterior approach to their previous posterior or lateral approach.
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Great idea for the walking route. Going to use it as I increase the distance. Thanks for sharing.
Hello,
Many thanks for watching my video... I am pleased it was of help... Good luck with your recovery.
Take care.
Paul,,
This has been very helpful, thanks so much for taking the time to post it. Hoping to have surgery before too long. I am overweight but haven’t been successful in losing weight as my mobility has become very limited due to severe pain. I hope the Surgeon is able to perform the surgery without any problems. Thanks again for your great video!
Hello Robyn,
I am really pleased to hear that some of this stuff I spoke about in the video may have been of help... Wishing you all the best for your surgery.
Take care.
Paul,,
I had a full left hip replacement in 2013 at the Royal Liverpool hospital. I was left for 3 and a quarter years after a severe fall in my home because of my dog bowling me over on the landing and I landed on the top of the cat's scratch post. Agony and I knew it was a bad smash. My docs left me for over 3 years. My left hip was later said that the hip had been smashed to smithereens as in the whole hip everything. I was in agony however was a victim of gross medical negligence as I also was a victim of domestic violence. I was told by my abuser after the so called accident that if I phoned an ambulance then he would leave me. 2010 the erm accident. The next morning I phoned my gp surgery up and the doctor who came to my home didn't bother examining me, told me, when I said politely to him that I think my hip is broken, he retorted coldly. Listen Dear, you wouldn't be able to walk if you had broken your hip take pain killers and in 2 weeks, if the pain hasn't receded, then contact the gp. After over 3 years it resulted in avascular necrosis leading to septicaemia. Luckily I survived. The surgeon was from Sri Lanka. I had to durvive. So I did. Depression is a terrible part of knowing nobody would care. He did save my life. I still am alive. The pain is excruciating after surgery. But survival works. I was walking around in agony on a femur stump. I can walk, but not 2 miles. I can feel that, after that my neighbour split my right kneecap. I had to take 28 stiches out as nobody bothered to help me. I was bowled over again 2cweeks after my hip replacement. It split my ex did it. My surgeon urged me to take my gps to court for Gross Medical Negligence. They would not allow me to ontain my medical records. 3 years afterwards, a person cannot claim for any medical negligence. I still am being abused and it is very serious. So luckily I do not now have any concerns due to istio arthritus in the end stages. I am lucky.....Inobody has my back. I see you feel depressed. Fight in a good way. Godbless you for your help in explsining the emotional side and the true implications faced with the fear of being alone recouperating and walking to your limits. I am very glad for the fact you state that taking strong pain relief is not a good long term fix. They need monitoring. I am in Liverpool uk. I used to ride horses, I used to be a sprinter. I used to ride bucycles, I used to drive I used to climb mountains. I used to build fences, I used to climb trees, I used to clean, wall paper, lay flags. Work. I used to.❤
Hello Georgiana,
Goodness me you've had a challenging time... Thanks for sharing your story... Hopefully the comments will help people see that it is not always plane sailing.
Take care.
Paul,,
That’s a real shame what you have had to go through. My neighbor fell off a ladder and I found him two days later still alive but barely. My point is that we all should try to develop social relationships with other people so we are not relying on the jerks of the world because they are…. jerks. Like your abuser and the first doctor. My neighbor and I did not talk for ten years until I made an effort to repair the relationship. I could tell you that he was the jerk but that isn’t relevant. For sure, I would not have thought to check on him 5 years ago and he would be dead now with a broken neck and heat stroke. Again, I am sorry for what you have experienced but hope things are better now and have some people around whom you can count on.
Thank you very much for your kind response and for your caring. Yes, it's certainly been a struggle. I'm alive, I'm not a perfectly behaved person but I do care alot about freedom and lust for life and am glad that I am still here. Helping myself is helping others cos giving up for spates, I admit I did do. But looking forward can be frightening. Feeling angry now and then can help to pick myself up and be determined not to think that one day I will never see the sunlight, the grass, trees, birds, animals, the sea, the creatures. I love it. You have helped so I thank you. At first I battled to get mobile. Now I know that is important. Not sitting there alone, and feeling sorry for myself. I have pets to look after.😂❤❤❤@@ThePensionerAdventurer
@@JRC2053Ahh, thank goodness for your willingness to get back to speaking terms with your neighbour. You saved his life because of this generosity and capability for forgiveness. You are a hugely valuable person ❤❤❤❤❤
The man who speaks up about this life changing event has been honest. You are a wonderful human being and you really care about yourself and other people too, and now racehorses are getting it done. Better than a bullet to their heads on a racetrack. I like the observation you made insightful observation, " I am not competing with others, I am competing with myself". That is how I was when sprinting. I was as a child, extremely fast. However I didn't like coming first all the time. I trained and my Father had me training to be the fastest. I clocked 48 miles an hour sprinting. It's actually filmed, clocked. So now I know how iimportant it is to keep going. I have had numerous falls. My back is broken in 2 places. I am still walking. Never will run again. I'm a Walker surname. So, I still walk. The falls where not my fault. That broke my spine in 2 places. I was in a mental hospital last year, and was very badly bullied and left on the floor for 6 hours in my room. No one will ever know how many women were drugged in Peasley Crodd Hope snd Recovery Unit. Some didn't make it. Others fell who were not disabled. ❤
Thank you for this. I'm right now sat in my room at hospital waiting for my hip replacement op whuch is scheduled for this afternoon..
Hello Sue,
Many thanks for watching my video... Wishing the the best of luck with your operation this afternoon and a speedy recovery.
Take care.
Paul,,
Hi Paul, thanks for doing these videos.
Knowing your a big cycling enthusiast It always makes me think of my Brother in law Manolo who suffered an accident when out cycling with his club. he was in the centre of the group and hit a pothole which threw him and broke his collar bone and hip. In the end he had to have his hip replaced and now 15 years later hes starting to have problems with one of his knees!!
I think if your an engineer or have an engineering background then all that you say would be common sense but you do need to add in some application to do all that you mention.
I suffered a dislocated elbow 17 years ago (I got charged by a bull high up in the mountains!!) and I had to do a lot of rehabiltation to recover the movement. I rigged up a simple measuring system and was able to graph my improvement. The Doctors were thorughly impressed and it helped me measure and see my own improvement.
All the best!!
Hello David,
Thanks for your comment, I think my videos give my thoughts and the comments add some additional information that I may have not covered or got wrong... Progressive overload I truly believe is the way to improve movement and strength, which does diminish as we age. I also agree that if you cannot measure it you cannot improve it. Thanks for your support.
Take care.
Paul,,
Hi Paul. Thank you for an interesting discussion. Much food for thought as we all reach pension age and likely to face hip or knee replacements. All the best to you. 👍😀
Hello Andrew,
I am amaze at how much of my life has been given back to me with my new hip but do feel that it is not just the surgeon that plays there part, it's the patient who has to do there bit as well. Hopefully this video may help some people to get the best out of their hip replacement. Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
Thank you for this post. Very helpful and informative information.
Hello,
I am pleased to hear it was of help... I have just watched a couple of your videos, you should make some more... Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
I'm 2 weeks post anterior hip surgery. I have never experienced such horrific pain! Not in the hip area, but my thin leg swelled up and turned black & blue...moved from the back of my thigh all the way down to my toes as each day passed. I was trying to avoid the opioids, but had to give in. Hard to walk when your leg and even my arch is throbbing! It's starting to subside, but indescribable. My arthritis was never this painful and it was at 8 years of advanced arthritis. They just keep blowing me off about it and I was never forewarned beforehand that this could happen! Good luck to all and I am looking forward to a long walk when my ankle & foot deflate!!
Hello Karen,
I am sorry to hear that you are struggling so much. Hopefully the swelling in your ankle and foot will improve with time and you'll be out and about walking. Wishing you the best of luck with your recovery. Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
I am so very sorry that you are having such a bad experience. I highly recommend frequent icing your leg with ice pads throughout the day, frequently elevate your legs throughout the day and especially lots of ankle pumps throughout the day. That’s in addition to the standard physical therapy exercises that you were given. You’ll be feeling great before you know it.
What does your surgeon say is the cause of this? I've never heard of anyone having an issue like you described. Am facing surgery with Direct Anterior in 17 days. Would love ou comment So sorry you are having such problem
Hi Janmac, I'm now at 4 weeks and the pain and swelling is slowly subsiding. I'm walking on my own, but tire quickly. My surgeon tells me everyone heals differently. I'm 72 and put this off for too long. I'm a swimmer and exercised to avoid surgery. He told me that my arthritis was so bad that within a year my hip would has broken on it's own. He had to resurface my pelvic cup bone because their was almost no bone left before he could complete the replacement. I'm sure you will be fine. Most people are up and about in a couple weeks. Especially if you are younger. I'm just so disappointed because I'm very healthy and fit and thought this would go much easier for me. Wishing you well.
Some very useful advice there Paul. Slowly but surely does it. I failed to do this after a minor heart operation may years ago and paid the price. Keep well Paul. Cheers Nobby
Hello Nobby,
Hopefully my thoughts will be of help to some in the future... I agree that it is so easy to not give yourself time to heal... Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
some great advice there Paul,
will help many people,
i suppose you could apply a knee replacemnt to those tips too👍👍👍👍👍👍
atb
Kev
Hello Kev,
I really hope it is of help to some people... I agree much of it should be the same for a knee operation. Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
Greetings from lreland 5weeks after right hip replacement.still on 1cructh,got a bad thinge in the hip yesterday, gave me a fright , still very stiff after sitting for awhile,getting very impatient at the moment. Like that i am fairly slim which I think helped, i think I'll have to stick with the basic exercise and walk.thanks for the video,very reassuring that not everyone bounces around after 2 weeks cheers and take care
Hello,
Thanks for taking the time to comment... I don't think there is a one size fits all on the recovery malarky. The main thing is to be consistent and work on it every day and things will get better and better. Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
@@ThePensionerAdventurert
@@ThePensionerAdventurerthank you for the swift reply.i think patience is key.cheers and take care
I did return to work a week after my accident in Dec-2022 which was a welcome distraction to be honest, however, I was working from home so the distance from my bed to my laptop did not prove to be too big an obstacle. I don’t remember being in pain. In fact, when I was in hospital, I declined painkillers, much to the nurses’ surprise. The orthopaedic surgeons used glue rather than stiches on my wound - so no scar surrounded by little dots. It took a while before I attempted to sleep on the post-op hip side because I thought I might damage it for some reason. In terms of being adventurous, I guess most people might exercise caution but I have to report that I fell off my bike twice last year. During the summer I fell over while taking a photograph from a static position on a gradient on to deep tufted grass. It was a bit like falling on a mattress really and I fell on my left hip - so no damage done. Then on last Christmas Day I did have a more serious accident as it was wet and my back wheel got caught in one of those metal drainage gratings that run down the centre of paths but my front wheel was trying to go in a different direction and I fell on my left hand side onto a hard paved surface. My left hip and elbow bore the brunt of the impact. I got up and walked away this time but I had a massive purple bruise on my left hip a few days later. I dread to think what might have happened if I had fallen on my righthand side. Would I have dislocated my total hip replacement? I also remember the hospital gave me a number for something called the fragility index. I presume it only goes one direction when you reach a certain age? It’s another thing to worry about as we get even older. Sometimes we have to do what we want to do, within reason, I guess. I cannot play it safe and sit at home in an armchair all day long for the rest of my life. Thanks for sharing you experiences
Hello Raymond,
Sounds like you've had a couple of difficult years but good that you are not playing it safe and getting out and about... I ride my bike most days now and am getting stronger and stronger... Thanks for sharing your story as I hope it may help someone who reads it in the future. Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
I also have recently had a total hip replacement. I could not have the anterior because of my weight and therefore had the posterior/lateral aproach. Very happy up and walking the same day, without crutches in 2 weeks short distances.
I found UA-cam physio of "Bob and Brad" very helpful using some common sense and discussion with my surgeon. There is a whole series of videos from day 0 to 1 year after surgery.
Hello Paul,
Many thanks for watching my video and taking the time to comment... Good to hear your replacement went well... I have seen some of "Bob and Brad's" videos, all very interesting. Thanks again for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
The Bob and Brad UA-cam videos are the best. I highly recommend them for any physical therapy issue. It is amazing all of the physical therapy information that they have presented and continue to present.
Hi, very helpful video. I'm day 4 of post op at home and still in considerable pain. How long did you go before the pain was tolerable. My toilet habits are frequent during the night, 3 or more bladder emptying exercises just wrecks my sleep, did you experience anything like that?
Hello David,
Congratulations on your new hip... I think it was around 2.5 weeks before I was off the pain medication... It did feel less painful after around a week but I have quite a lot of bruising which was quite uncomfortable. I did not need the toilet during the night any more than normal...
Stay strong, once your past the trauma of the operation you'll be fine.
Take care.
Paul,,
In the morning before getting out of the bed I lay on my stomach and hook my feet over the edge of the mattress and pull my body. I do it spread-eagle with my hands gripping the sides of the queen mattress. Easy traction trick. It extended my mobility for several more months. My hip was far gone...I finally had hip replacement surgery yesterday.
Hello,
Great to hear you have had your hip replaced... Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Take care.
Paul,,
Hi Paul, I'm 47 year old mother having my surgery on May 1st. I am in terrible pain, but waited for good weather as we still have snowstorms in April here in Pennsylvania, USA. Im planning to walk on the track at the school. 1 lap is 1/4 mile. My biggest concern is getting into our full sized pickup truck. May try using a step stool with a handle some how attached to it so i can pull it into the truck once I'm inside. But sleeping is going to stink. I can't sleep now from the pain and end up in a recliner. Ive been watching these videos looking for chair ideas. Stool or no stool.? How getting into a rub shower stall.? I'm an RN and i know i cant go back to nursing even at 6 weeks, we have to pick up elderly people when they fall, crouch to dress foot wounds. But i havent been able to work since November. Many people wonder why someone so young has the issues i have. I was born with hip dysplasia and it wasnt fixed when i was an infant. So as i aged my joints suffered because my muscles had to change to support a hip joint that was defective. I also will need bilateral knee replacements. So i tell new moms be sure you get your babies checked and rechecked for any signs of hip issues. Thank you for your advice, it has answered many of my questions. Plus i like hearing from a real patient rather than a doctor, they do the operation, they dont physically go through the postop challenges!
Best wishes!!
Hello,
Many thanks for watching my video and taking the time to comment. In addition to the video I hope all the comments will help others as we all have different circumstances and one size does not fit all.
I hope all goes well in May and you have a speedy recovery.
Take care.
Paul,,
I live in Florida so I didn't have to worry about snow or ice, but it might be better for people who live in hurricane territory to try to have their hip surgery outside of hurricane season. I had my surgery in mid-September (peak of hurricane season). I spent 3 days in the hospital and then went to a rehab facility because I live in a second floor apartment. During the three weeks (should have been two) in the rehab facility, we had TWO hurricanes (Helene on Sep 26th and Milton on October 9th). Helene wasn't so bad in the area where my rehab facility was located. We were on emergency power for only five hours with that storm. I was hoping to go home close to October 7th, but Milton was out in the gulf of Mexico, so no one was being discharged until Friday or Saturday after the storm. Water from the blowing rain seemed to come in under every door to the outside and even under the baseboards under the windows of the rooms. We were on emergency power for about 36 hours with that storm. ServePro was still there drying the place out
when I went home on Saturday after the storm.
I had right hip replacement Jan 2023. Posterior & i am thin. I had Pt till 2 months ago. Still not same, hip fine, its back of knee, side of leg & tingly toes. Surgeon said added 1.5 in to leg. That has to be my problem with tendons. PT helped & i do exercises at home. She saud can take up to 2yrs to get back to normal????Going to a podiatrist in couple wks. Something not right. I had my left hip done 13yrs ago no problems at all. That Dr retired😢. Frustration. I went back to work 2 days a wk after 4 months but can only get through with Ibuprophen. I asked him for anterior he said didnt do them.
Hello Mary,
I am very sorry to hear that you are having troubles with your second hip replacement. Hopefully the steps you have outlined for the future will improve things. Thanks for watching my video.
Take care.
Paul,,
Interesting information and advice, thanks
Hello Joseph,
Thanks for dropping by... Hopefully it will be many moons before you ever need this information and likewise for the cameraman.
Take care.
Paul,,
Brilliant thank you for all the information I will take all what you said on board my opp will be soon
Hello Pat,
I am so pleased the information was helpful... Wishing you the best of luck with your operation... Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
Lots of good advice here - thanks for sharing it! I, too am looking to get it done in the summer - either 2024 or 2025. Although I live in California and it doesn't usually get below 40 F. in the winter in my area, my apartment is pretty cold all year long, and the last 2 years we've gotten a huge amount of rain. I'm always stiffer when I'm cold. (Now I understand why older people want to live in warm climates!) It just seems easier to recover in the summertime.
Hello,
I hope all goes well with your hip replacement, California is nice... I had family living near Carlsbad and visited quite a bit... Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
I had my hip replacement in 2001, surgeons only were doing the posterior surgery. I’ve fallen a few times and the last time I couldn’t get up, so I called 911 on my cell & the sheriff called an ambulance to come check me out, much later I had MRI and found my back had been fractured, so that’s why I couldn’t get up I suppose. In 2014 I was out on my deck and slipped on ice, silly me, no coat, no hat! My hip dislocated and down into the snow I fell, my closet neighbor was 5 houses away, (many people leave in the Winter). The neighbor was out to feed her horses & sent her husband my way, we were having a snow storm and it took 45 minutes for the ambulance to get here, plus another 25 miles travel to go to the city hospital. THE PAIN WAS HORRIBLE, no, the emergency room doctor could not put my hip back in so they had to call in a orthopedic surgeon and take me up to the operating room to put it in put me under and if they couldn’t put it back in I guess they was gonna have to do surgery. My goodness you don’t want that kind of pain, but this happened in 2014 and this is 2024 of March, I hope no one has to go through that kind of pain in their life because if I’d had a pistol on me, I probably would’ve shot myself and that’s the truth.
Hello,
WOW this is a challenging tale... I hope I don't suffer anything similar... Thanks for watching my video and sharing your story.
Take care.
Paul,,
@@ThePensionerAdventurer I would like to hear stories from others who have experienced a hip dislocation. I have read it’s less than 1%
I have my hip replaced in in febhurry. I was standing checking out groceries and my hip dislocated. I fell I went to the hospital. I didn't have to have surgery for them to put it back in place. But they didn't give me some medication and put it back in place. Then maybe about 3 weeks later, my hip Dislocated again, so now I'm waiting to have a revision surgery on my hip The pain was terrible.
@@malindarobinson2867 thank goodness you’re okay, I’m so afraid to have hip revision surgery bc I’m told the recovery is longer than the first surgery, I wish you well and please keep us updated.
Sorry to hear things have been so difficult, wishing you well for the revision. Take care Paul,,@@malindarobinson2867
Having good weather, atleast reasonable weather; no snow! no heavy rain--slippery, is just common sense.
I live alone, planning ahead now to have all I need on a daily basis within arm's distance & nothing more. Surgery won't be for another couple of years, I think I can postpone it.
Remove any wires or loose carpeting, objects that could possibly trip you up.
I'm up in the air about my Doc's approach. He's gotten a lot of 5 star reviews, but says he does lateral/posterior which in the past, in all reviews I've read about it, has a higher degree of dislocation compared to anterior BUT...any approach in surgery has it's share of both pro & cons. Another more recent updated video says that the rate of dislocation of posterior is now about equal to anterior. This university study doesn't say why that is.
I have to put my faith into whatever my doc says. With US insurance, I don't have much choice. I only worry because I'm tall and everybody I see in these videos is much shorter. More restrictions on post-OP movement with posterior. 😢😮
Hello Andrea,
Many thanks for watching my video and taking the time to comment. You clearly have been doing your research. In the UK with our free National Health Service you just get what you are given. I am not sure if I was lucky but so far i have had a good outcome. Thanks again for watching and wishing you all the best for your operation sometime in the future.
Take care.
Paul,,
You have given excellent advice.
Hello Deborah,
Thank you for watching my video and your kind words... Hopefully the information will help a few people along the way...
Take care.
Paul,,
@@ThePensionerAdventurer I am 7 days post op THR so yes it has, thanks for taking the time to share your journey
I had anterior hip replacement on Oct 27/2023. My hip still swells up ever day. Still can’t put my sock on yet. Seems to be healing quite slowly.
Hello James,
I am sorry to hear you are having difficulties with your new hip, Wishing you all the best for some improvements throughout this year. Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
I just had posterior thr surgery, which I thought I was having anterior for my right side. I am still in hospital and unable to effectively more my right foot.
Hello,
Sorry to hear that you're having problems your right foot movement... I guess as your in hospital it is still early days... Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Take care.
Paul,,
Walk back and forth on a shorter path. Quit when you start getting tired.
Hello Micky,
Yes that would be a good one... I think it is important to get as much range of movement as possible... Thanks for watching and sharing your advice.
Take care.
Paul,,
Bump playback to 1.5 .
Hello Henry,
Many thanks for watching my video,
Take care.
Paul,,
Any advice on stairs 😱.
Hello,
When on crutches I walked up stair with ABC Able leg (Good leg), Bad leg (replacement hip), Crutch. Walking down I followed CBA.
Once I stopped using the crutch over time as I got more stable I learnt to walk up and down stairs without holding the handrail. Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,