What is Hip... (Replacement....)

[obxa]

A couple of great threads about getting older led me to post.

 

After 25 years of enduring pain and the last 18 months not sure if I"d ever be able to walk again, finally had hip replacement in late March.

 

Doing great, walking regularly again and nearly pain-free! Hope to return to cycling soon. Though probably won"t be playing standing up anymore.

 

When discussing with my surgeon what caused the death and deterioration of my left hip, we finally figured one the contributing factors was years of standing up playing keys with one foot cocked up on a volume pedal. Add to that the "sustain/footswitch pedal dance" with the other foot. My time in school sports was Cross Country and Track ( hurdles) and that didn"t help either.

 

I see lots of younger guys here doing what I did: using platforms, or platforms on wheels. Did so many years touring on the road with an Apex stand and pedalboardd. Plus a couple years at Disney Orlando with a standing rig they built for me that had the pedals elevated and my arms at an uncomfortable angle. Can't forget the contorted keytar gigs too.

 

The road is a well known minefield and another topic. Disney was a marathon where I"d feel like crap every next morning. On the advice of my chiropractor, I started carrying one of those cushioned 'cashier matts' to stand on. Looking back, it was inevitable I"d have problems later on. There was also years of excessive stage volume. Not to mention 2nd hand smoke exposure when that was still a thing!

 

I see many folks here with Arthritis, Carpal, Hearing, and other health issues, and I feel for them. Got some of that too. Not all of them are older.

 

Not a cautionary tale so much as just being aware that there"s always a price paid for what we do.

 

So take it for what it"s worth. It"s important to pay attention to your body now, and do what you can to protect it.

 

Along with some side hustles nurtured during Covid, music is fortunately what I still do for a living. I still need to work, but I'm ruthless now about protecting my health, hearing, and well-being. Even if means passing on a lucrative gig.

 

 

Your thoughts? Look forward to hearing from others, and I wish you well.

 

From Shirley, of Laverne and Shirleyâ¦.'I treat my body like a temple, Laverne. You choose to treat yours like an amusement park.'

[TommyRude]

This post belongs in the What older keys players should say to younger keys players thread, super valuable info. I stood playing almost exclusively in my younger years, but gave it all up while I was still relatively young, so maybe avoided some of the hip issues experienced by obxa.

 

Somewhere along the way I adopted the mantra of Health, Family, Work - in that order. I wish I had adopted that earlier!

[Rodan88]

Best of luck health-wise to obxa and everyone!

 

The thread reminds me of a (dated) music/sports joke:

 

What's the similarity between Harry Connick Jr. and Bo Jackson?

 

Artificial hip.

 

P.S. Feel free to substitute Kenny G. for Harry Connick, etc. Of course, Harry's a hell of a piano player.

[CowboyNQ]

Relevant post as I"ve been considering getting an anti-fatigue mat to stand on when gigging. I was fairly motivated but perhaps now even more so.

[nursers]

Ditto - I split sitting and standing 50/50 during the gig although that may protect the hips it's not necessarily great for the spine sitting. Bit of a no win

[wineandkeyz]

When discussing with my surgeon what caused the death and deterioration of my left hip, we finally figured one the contributing factors was years of standing up playing keys with one foot cocked up on a volume pedal. Add to that the "sustain/footswitch pedal dance" with the other foot. My time in school sports was Cross Country and Track ( hurdles) and that didn"t help either.

[/i]

 

Wow, your post is far too close for comfort. Lately I've been wondering if I'm headed for the same surgery.

 

I've been a standup player at gigs since the late 70's -- and also ran cross country and the hurdles in high school. In addition to the pedal gyrations you mentioned, I set the sustain pedals for my two main keyboards side-by-side and cock my right foot at an angle so I can control one with my heel, the other with my toe. For many years, my left hip would ache for hours following a show. In recent years, those hours have gotten longer and longer to the point that now the pain doesn't really go away. A friend of mine joked that I walk like Fred Sanford these days. It's not bad enough -- yet -- that I'm ready to check into surgery, but I have been giving serious thought to playing seated. Sigh...

[ElmerJFudd]

You can do this!

Mobility means a lot for quality of life.

You want to be able to get around on your own for as long as possible.

Good luck!

Speedy recovery!

[zxcvbnm098]

Everyone I know of who had the surgery says the same thing: "I got my life back". Thankfully it's not an issue I have, but I certainly have friends and family who have gone through it, and I have seen with my own eyes how impactful it is.

 

We live in miraculous times to have surgical options like these. It hasn't been that long since there was nothing that could be done in these situations.

[obxa]

Everyone I know of who had the surgery says the same thing: "I got my life back". Thankfully it's not an issue I have, but I certainly have friends and family who have gone through it, and I have seen with my own eyes how impactful it is.

 

We live in miraculous times to have surgical options like these. It hasn't been that long since there was nothing that could be done in these situations.

 

 

Thanks for the well wishes and comments all! Surgery did indeed give me back my life. Talking to a ton of other musicians (some younger than me) that had the procedure was super helpful.

 

If can ever answer any questions about it feel free to ask. I'd rather talk about ARP synths, but we may need to add an AARP forum with medical stuff here pretty soon!

 

Though standing for years playing doesn't mean everyone will automatically have hip problems, it likely doesn't help. Genetics and your overall health are certainly part of it too.

 

If I've learned anything, the "check engine" light for our body doesn't just appear without a few warnings first.

 

So you can just sit right?..... They now say "sitting is the new smoking". On show/worship gigs where I'm not MD, I often end up in really long same day rehearsals (pet peeve of mine, and topic for another day....)

I look for little pauses, and try to get up and stretch every 30-40 min (got an app that reminds me). Also drink some water, take my IEMs out, and take few deep breaths. I get strange looks, but whatever.

 

Bottom line: Listen to your body, and as TommyRude said find some balance. My old chiropractor used to say: "Everything in Moderation, including Moderation"

 

Cheers

C

[AUSSIEKEYS]

Wow never thought of that as I have my right knee that goes out periodically where sometimes I can't walk. Now you mention it maybe it could be sustain pedal partly to blame

 

It started 20 years ago after driving my panel van that I could hardly walk on it. I thought the position of the accelorator pedal was putting it out. When I got rid of that van (XF Falcon van for the Aussies) I got the next version (an XH Falcon Van) and although an update of suspension with slight modernisation of the body i bet that it wasnt much better although i think the accelerator cable setup improved (it didnt hurt as much)

 

Later I changed cars VE Holden Commodore wagon (for the aussies but think US pontiac version) and knee improved more but it would now go out as soon as I walked into a big box store. My wife said it's the turning looking at the items but I thought it's that accompanied with my footware usually thongs (you may call.them flipflops or other weird name) that wasn't cushioned on concrete?

 

Well it's disappeared a lot lately since I quit my last band 2 or 3 months ago and due to covid I rarely visit big box stores (Bunnings in aussie). Could it also have been associated with the sustain pedal action. Surely not but what a coincidence. It's still goes out but less frequently so could you being something.as since quitting the band it may be a little better? You are on to something there.

 

Re: other damage due music industry I do blame my gigging in smokey clubs as a big catalyst to my damaged lungs. I have 33% lung capacity due to Sarcoidosis leaving scaring in my lungs (recent CT scan shows both upper lobes cactus). Its an auto immune disease that can be triggered by environmental things or chemicals perhaps natural too (its a bit of a mystery disease too as they cant pin point the cause it may have heredaity implications they just dont know) All I know something triggers it and I firmly believe that smoke in the clubs was one of the catalysts as it happened right on the finding of my condition when club smoke was really knocking me around.

 

I had to restrict my duo gigging to 3 nights a week even after finally reaching a stage were my duo was offered 5 nights a week often. Basically every morning I'd be coughing up green stuff from my lungs until lunchtime (No let up of coughing till after 12). My lungs would feel intoxicated as well as the smoke and I've never drunk alchohol in my life but I knew the alcohol atmosphere was hanging in the smoke. Of the week Id get one day where I didn't cough up green tar and feel ok normal but then back to gigging to start all over again.

 

You know clubs could have remediated this smoke problem at the time by running the air conditioning at fresh air but to save money they would run at re-circulate to keep the air cooler or warmer on each cycle.

 

I remember the band i was in before my duo. I was doing ok until we got a once a week gig ( At Camden RSL for the aussies). A great gig really enjoyed it but the ceiling was so low that the smoke hung below it in our head range. Needless to say after a while I got so sick from that gig I quit that band I actually loved being in. Not all the gigs I played in the band were that unhealthy but this one really hit me and it was right on the time I was diagnosed with serious lung probs and told by radiologists not to go to band practise that night but straight to your doctor. They had never seen lungs show so bad hee hee (badge of honour) and thought it contagious. Fortunately it's not it's more a condition I guess than what you'd consider a disease. I'm in danger of others diseases than them of mine.

 

Anyway the later duo I formed was the first and only time I worked my way up to living off music. But after being given a further six-month of pre bookings I had to quit for my health. I finally made It to live off music only to have the industry that I made it in also slap me in the face because they wouldn't ban smoking or even re circulate fresh air in the air conditioning . Ironically when they finally banned it only a year or a few years later I was damaged goods. Only taking on "less out there" bands as it's so difficult lugging gear and looking like I'm on my last breath at the load in hee hee.

 

At least Musos don't suffer smoke inhalation now....to late for me but the kids can rave on

 

But as you asked about industry injuries. this is just another example to add to everyone's else's.

 

I came to grips with it 20 years ago (beat a possible transplant) and don't tell anything for sympathy in fact it's the opposite its my "badge of honour" I joke about it and my future longevity much to my wife's horror but it's my way to cope with 20 years of being seriously out of breath carrying anything. Hee hee. Puffers help to suppress coughing.

 

"hey I suffered for my music.....now its your turn ....here's my latest album.....now suffer"

[uhoh7]

I taught skiing for 35 seasons after 5 seasons competing. Had one ACL in 91 and another in 12, on the other leg. IMHO regular gigging is second to nothing for athletic endevors and all the risks that come with them, with the difference being there is so much more highly specialised movements of the hands than really anything else. Your butt might be parked but those fingers and all the tendons around them right up to the shoudlers are ripping. Obviously back is involved, and each instrument has it's special variety of particular potential show stoppers.

 

The number of players who have quit due to injury is legion. I would wager they far out number the number who have made a lifetime career. I've been learning a bunch of instruments...or I should say...introducing myself to them, but I chase as much info as I can, which is so much easier now. Many of the the real working gurus are hyper-aware of all the ways you can hurt yourself on whatever they play.

 

To really get up to a professional level takes so much practice that it's way easier and more likely to hurt something if you really go for it. Once I hit 4 hours a day on the keyboard, I could tell I was in another world. At first I really studied how to avoid common keyboard injuries, but it takes alot of displine to warm-up properly, and not get carried away from time to time. The idea I would have to stop playing to recover was not enticing. Though I've played 35 years it's been in stints and never as intense as so many here have played.

 

I'm so old it's not like I'm going to win contests, and I'm playing because I love it, not to eat or "perform". But I do have the time now to do alot of music. So I got out the old clarinet, bought guitars, violins, now percussion, with the idea that the variety would protect me to some degree, and keep my inspiration to learn and grow in music going.

 

One inspiration for me is Paolo (synthmania). I would him watch play drums, bass and various synths to produce some impressive (to me) and inspiring covers. He's really good at making a synth sound like various instruments because he can play quite a few. I don't think there is any substitute for at least playing around with what you are trying to emulate on the synth....if your goal is EG to sound like a guitar.

 

Now I have several nylon string guitars I really love. That is an incredibly demanding instrument. The piano is highly automated by comparison. Today my first drum kit arrived.

 

But back to joint replacements.....I was surprised to read once, that a joint replacement usually extends life 6 years. Not moving, not learning, not growing.....that will friggen kill you

[Biggles]

TIP

 

If any of you are heading in the direction of a Hip Replacement please do your research into the options that are available.

 

There are more than the one old fashioned procedure that is now available.

 

Hence which procedure is best for you is a moot point which may need to be discussed with more than one Surgeon.

 

I have a 12' long scar and damaged tendons and muscles that have not healed together correctly so I am still in pain and unable to stand in one place or even walkto far

[AUSSIEKEYS]

I have a 12' long scar and damaged tendons and muscles that have not healed together correctly so I am still in pain and unable to stand in one place or even walkto far

 

Interesting point.

 

Col how long since you had the surgery to still have the pain so long and is there any mention it will come good.

[uhoh7]

TIP

 

If any of you are heading in the direction of a Hip Replacement please do your research into the options that are available.

 

There are more than the one old fashioned procedure that is now available.

 

Hence which procedure is best for you is a moot point which may need to be discussed with more than one Surgeon.

 

I have a 12' long scar and damaged tendons and muscles that have not healed together correctly so I am still in pain and unable to stand in one place or even walkto far

 

VERY good point with any surgical procedure. You want somebody who is doing the procedure all the time. You want to ask around and talk with some of his patients, if possible. Surgery in general is often oversold, and we have probably all heard friends who end up worse off. Today there are many ways to do the same general procedure, and some are better, if done by somebody who knows the method and gear really well. It's a pain to self educate, but could really be worth it.

 

Also I have found patients will often not disclose side-effects, unless you really question them in detail. The instinct with many is to defend the procedure, unless things are really terrible.

 

A joint replacment is something to consider after you do physical therapy, with a religious attitude, and have multiple opinions. But if you are not moving because the joint is gone, which is common 65-75 years old, then my understanding is the numbers say it's worth the risk, asuming due diligence, because the restored movement capablity is so valuable for health.

[jazzpiano88]

From a physics and medical standpoint I think the takeaway is that standing any playing with one foot on the pedal is like standing for 4 hours on one foot.

 

I did this early on and it was debilitating.

Sitting alleviated that problem but became another issue with sciatica.

Most players develop symptoms of the physical demands eventually.

[Biggles]

I have a 12' long scar and damaged tendons and muscles that have not healed together correctly so I am still in pain and unable to stand in one place or even walkto far

 

Interesting point.

 

Col how long since you had the surgery to still have the pain so long and is there any mention it will come good.

 

 

April 2019 was when I had it done, three days later there was a raging infection that necessitated calling out a Dr.

 

I have been scanned, more scanned, yet more scanned and Xrayed till I glow in the dark and only two months ago the Physio started some treatment and now the pain is way less, it is still there but manageable.

 

All this at the Hospital that developed the first hip replacement procedure in the world.

[AUSSIEKEYS]

Ahh bugger why are things so bloody unpredictable

 

Anyway why I ask is I hope to add something that gives you hope it probably will stabilise in time.

 

I had a double hernia operation that took 6 years till the pain finally left. It continually improved over time till I basically now forget I had it although I am carefully about how I lift things.

 

Ironically mine wasn't open surgery like yours but laparoscopic but contrary to what they told me It certainly wasn't back to work in a week or so. It was performed around the early days of my lungs condition so as i didnt have puffers my coughing did cause me lots of problems with the post operation healing so that may have increased the duration till it healed..

 

What I hope to give you here is that hopefully things will eventually subside in time like mine did.

[The Real MC]

I watched family members suffer from back pain and I vowed to avoid that by being diligent about lifting technique. From the start of my gigging days in 1980, I have had no back injuries no back pain. I have a hip injury from a skateboard accident when I was a teenager but it never bothers me lifting or playing. Never participated much in sports, tired of warming benches. I'm physically active and I walk a lot. I'm 58 now and feel very lucky to be this agile at this age, but I'm conscious there will be a day when I have to hang up my gigging hat. I don't smoke but 2nd hand smoke is becoming more repulsive as I age, that may be the stimulus to quit gigging before physical pain.

 

I look younger than my age, and I noticed a lot of young ladies looking at me.

[Biggles]

Ahh bugger why are things so bloody unpredictable

 

Anyway why I ask is I hope to add something that gives you hope it probably will stabilise in time.

 

I had a double hernia operation that took 6 years till the pain finally left. It continually improved over time till I basically now forget I had it although I am carefully about how I lift things.

 

Ironically mine wasn't open surgery like yours but laparoscopic but contrary to what they told me It certainly wasn't back to work in a week or so. It was performed around the early days of my lungs condition so as i didnt have puffers my coughing did cause me lots of problems with the post operation healing so that may have increased the duration till it healed..

 

What I hope to give you here is that hopefully things will eventually subside in time like mine did.

 

Been there as well.

 

Pretty sure it was as a result of the Orthopaedic Surgeon being overly rough handling me when my leg was dislocated during the hip replacement operation but proving it is not possible.

 

The begger did not even diagnose the hernia, that was my GP.

 

Anyway that was soon sorted.

[obxa]

Jazzpiano88's takeaway is pretty much spot on, and I wish I could of said it in such few words!

 

So sorry to hear Biggles- you may want to consider correction surgery? According to my guy, correction surgery due to old (or plain bad) technique, wearing out, and other reasons is extremely common and very successful.

 

Agree to investigate every last option and to also get 2 or 3 opinions. This was the second instance in my life where surgery was the only solution.

 

. The best procedure is done by someone who's done a lot of them, and well. All my consultations agreed my hip bone was dead, and therapy, cortisone shots, etc. was not an option. Most said there would come a time I'd probably not be able to walk and many wondered how I walked at all. So that was a given. I already was told in my early 40s my hip looked like a 90 year old man. My Chiropractor, (an ex -NFL player ) who was pretty holistic and didn't like big medical, even told me there was only so much he could do - and replacement was probably going to be the only remedy.

 

Had my first consultation with a surgeon who was nice enough.. He weirdly wanted to talked rock and roll with me afterwards, but spent probably 10 minutes discussing his procedure and other pertinent facts, Dismissed every question I had. He did Anterior which is the "modern"- where they go in through the groin It's supposedly quicker recovery rate. Has less restrictions for post care. I know several folks who've had it done that way, and it worked great for them.

 

In my gut I didn't feel good about trusting my future to a guy I spent 10 minutes with. So I literally googled "top & most awarded hip surgeons"... That surgeon did the "old" version: posterior (side of your leg) He literally wrote the book on it: taught at Harvard, and had been doing (and perfecting) a modified version of this procedure for 35+ years. Was well known as the top guy in the South East, and did most of all the big sports guys in Atlanta. .Told me my options to avoid surgery. He told me he didn't like the groin procedure because of risk of infection, and my recovery would be just as fast as the anterior based on the way he went in (he doesn't cut tendons/muscles). He believed infection was the key critical failure point for any surgery. He took methodical notes, and talked into a recorder while we chatted, and also offered to refer me to one of his colleagues if I really wanted to do anterior. I looked at his record and 500 something reviews, and went with him. But not without putting it off some more.

 

March 8th I was sent home walking same day (with a walker) after the operation. I called hospital 2 days afterwards wondering why the pain meds hadn't worn off, because I had zero pain, other than at incision area. They said " they long wore off, your doc is just that good". Never opened the Oxy they prescribed, and never needed anything more than Tylenol or Arnica for minor pain. Most of the pain was later from physical therapy.

 

Like many post hip folks, after two weeks got carried away too fast. I was so happy to walk again I started doing a ½ mile a day, and was off my cane in 3 weeks. My PT guy said I was good to go and healing fast, but to make sure I continued his exercises because I still had atrophy. I foolishly got lax and didn't do that. I went back to work humping my keyboards and driving. Dragged my 88 note Yamaha and a dual manual Mojo and paid for it the next day. Couldn't tell if I had muscle or hip pain but it was bad. Went back to surgeon to see if I messed anything up.. He took X-rays and all was well, but I had pulled soft tissue and tendons. My interior scar was also aggravated, and was still going to need time to heal. Told me to back off my distance, let the muscles heal- and not lift anything over 20 lbs.

 

Had to blow off a couple of wedding gigs last week that needed typical top and bottom rig, and couldn't risk lifting.

[obxa]

BTW- I have a slightly warped professional magician friend who asked to have his hip replacement videotaped. He was one of my inspirations to get the surgery.

 

Because he's a "thoughtful sadist", he waited to tell me until I had mine done before sharing some info.

 

He confirmed what my PT and Ultrasound tech also said : The operation looks like it's done with tools and parts you could buy at Home Depot. They do indeed put your leg into contortions where most of the post pain comes from.

My buddy keeps offering to show me the video, I keep declining.