Under the surgeon's knife tomorrow.

[Dundee Downunder]

Wishing Pierre a speedy recovery. However, watch out for comments about certified parts. Last Monday I went in for a Left Hip replacement and got asked by the surgeon if I wanted to go "Experimental".....that sure drew my
attention. Seems the prosthesis company have a new model 3/4" shorter
and more aerodynamic, and they needed 130 patients for trials for
certification. The only down side was the op. would be 10 minutes longer and
they would implant 10 small titanium balls in the bone around the joint
as reference markers to check future movement over time.
Rehab is going well, but I keep thinking that next time I fly commercial and
have to be screened and they ask the question "Any metal parts on your body?" ... I can truthfully answer " Yes sir, I have titanium balls!!!"
Responses should be interesting.....
Gotta love flying "Experimental"!

[DonFromTX]

That is what the "Caps Lock" key is for, one armed keyboarders.[quote=pierre smith;
oh, try "shift" and a capital letter with your left hand...at the same time.[/QUOTE]

[pierre smith]

It was like a machine shop in OR. Manufacturer's rep for the joint in attendance, all sterile and scrubbed up, helping index the ball and socket, trial fitting different sized ball/sockets and final taper reaming my receptive femur....amazing technology.

Best,

[plehrke]

Sounds like you were awake through the procedure.
Or are they now making videos so you can watch on tape delay?

[BillL]

Great to see you back and in recovery phase. Is that Phase I ?

Happy to hear that all went well!

[pierre smith]

Originally Posted by plehrke

Sounds like you were awake through the procedure.
Or are they now making videos so you can watch on tape delay?

Philip, another of my crop-duster buddies was visiting on Thursday when the junior doctor came in, and both of us being mechanically inclined, quizzed him extensively and he was an open book.

He mentioned final taper-reaming to fit the pin. No, it was not a Morse taper, we asked....but the hip joints are Morse

Best,

[Arlen]

Originally Posted by pierre smith

trial fitting different sized ball/sockets and final taper reaming my receptive femur....amazing technology.

(actually.....humerus)

[rmartingt]

Originally Posted by pierre smith

It was like a machine shop in OR. Manufacturer's rep for the joint in attendance, all sterile and scrubbed up, helping index the ball and socket, trial fitting different sized ball/sockets and final taper reaming my receptive femur....amazing technology.

Which manufacturer was it, by chance? My brother used to be the manufacturer's tech rep for shoulder replacements for a while; he's not doing it any more but it might have been one of his in-laws...

[dav1111]

Had my left shoulder ball replaced in 2005 while building the RV-10. Know how you feel. Old football injuries come back on you 40 years later.

Originally Posted by pierre smith

I survived but the shoulder was junk. Took an hour longer to remove fragments of bone on the ball that caused limited outward motion. (Right aileron).

still groggy....later...and thank all of you,

Best,

[Kyle Boatright]

Originally Posted by pierre smith

My late Dad always used to point out that something good always comes from a bad situation...it's true....Jenny and I got"close" getting me dressed this morning....oh, and try left clicking with your left hand buttoning your shirt with your left hand...on and on..Absolutely loved my nurses and doctors...it was really fun...lotsa humor.."you wanna sit in my lap and fly?" Here's my cell #

Best,

oh, try "shift" and a capital letter with your left hand...at the same time.

Glad you're doing well enough to complain! That's a good sign.

I had a shoulder repair about 5 years ago. My biggest difficulties were in the loo, as they say. Oh, and tying shoes.