Paul, 54 trained as a carpenter and is an international karate expert.
I pursued many sports in my life including football, boxing and for the
past 28 years trained in Shotokan karate, attaining a 3rd dan
black belt and have both instructed and competed at national and
international level.
In fact it was only when my hips got to an extreme level of
wear that I ceased training. I must say that
despite the vast number of positive
things I gained
from taking part in martial arts, these activities,
together with having done physical work all my life, undoubtedly
contributed to my hip problems.
I had my first hip resurfacing in October 2003 on my right side and
although I obviously felt the effects of having gone through a major
operation, I would not say I was at anytime in severe pain, but I did
experience some discomfort and occasional pain.
I was out of bed the day after the operation with the help of the
hospital physio and a Zimmer frame. The second day I was on crutches and
doing some simple exercises, including tackling a few stairs constructed
in the physio room. Each day from then on was another day of improvement
and I was released from hospital after seven days. Physically I was OK
to be released after five days but the wound was weeping a little so I
was kept in for the two extra days. The weeping was exactly the same in
both my operations and as Mr Shoaib explained was my body’s particular
way of reacting to surgery and therefore not everyone would experience
this. During both my operations I felt no need for pain killing
medication.
Once home I continued to exercise daily as shown by the physios. I
rested but stayed equally mobile, going out every day for a walk on two
crutches and increasing the distance slightly each day. I could climb
stairs from day one, again following instructions from the physios and
using two crutches.
After about three weeks I was down to one crutch indoors but still using
two whilst outside. By four to five weeks I was virtually using no
crutches in doors and only one outside. Within six to seven weeks I was
walking unaided. I was able to get into my car as shown by my COMBAT
nurse within two weeks and I was driving within four weeks.
I returned to work after ten weeks but on a part-time basis and after
four weeks was back full-time. My second operation was just six months
later in May 2004.
The improvement to my hips and to my life has been little less than
miraculous and I do not have to consider my hips every time I do
something simple such as standing up from a chair or picking something
up from the floor.
It is still early days for me and although my hips are fantastic I do
get the odd twinge from time to time from having gone through two major
operations in such a short period of time. However I am confident that
these will also cease in due course. Even though I do all the activities
I want to, I do try and treat my new hips with respect. I have not yet
returned to my martial arts but I am at the gym twice a week doing
weights.
I would like to say how well I was treated by the staff in the
Orthopaedic Ward and the nurses in the COMBAT team at Basildon General
Hospital and how hard they all work.
