It was at the beginning of the year when I posted I'm not a Hipster, the story about my 1984 motorcycle accident and my bad left hip. For the most part, I've been more than happy to procrastinate and continue to put off having the hip replacement surgery. But lately, the words of the orthopedic surgeon that repaired my broken femur after the accident and later diagnosed my bad hip are really starting to hit home. It was sometime in the late 1980s when I was first diagnosed with hip problems and at that time Dr. John Calhoun Killian told me this about getting a hip replacement. He said that I would get along just fine for a while, perhaps needing aspirin now and then. As time progresses, I would probably switch to the stronger OTC pain meds (back in the day ibuprofen was recently available without a prescription). He went on to say that at some point I will then start taking prescription, probably narcotic, pain medications. Finally he said, I will finally get fed up with the pain and discomfort and opt for the surgery. A reason for not just getting the surgery when the issue was first discovered is simple. The replacements wear out, and since I was much younger then, I would likely be on my 2nd or 3rd replacement by now. Well, those who know me have heard me say that the time is coming soon for a while now. It's been about 4 years since I filled my first prescription for Hydrocodone. This time, I'm thinking that it may really be that time.
For years, riding my motorcycle didn't bother or aggravate the hip. As a matter of fact, there were times that I felt a little stiff and cramped getting on the bike, but after a nice ride I felt fine when I got off. That is no longer the case. In the last few weeks or months I've noticed a change in that now riding the motorcycle exacerbates any pain or cramps as well as creates pain when it wasn't there before the ride. My sister told me that one time she was discussing my hip issues with my father and she said I would probably not get the surgery until I couldn't ride. She may have been right. The frequency and level of pain I've been suffering from the past few months is really starting to get to me. Hell, just getting on and off the bike is a chore. I even tried to ride my bicycle a couple weeks ago, and could not for the life of me get my leg over the seat! If I didn't know better, I would bet that I've lost more range of motion in the last 3 or 4 months than I have in the 3 or 4 years prior. Tying the shoelaces on my left sneaker is almost impossible. Where the pain and discomfort used to be something that was easily dismissed and dealt with, it is now front and center almost every day. So I guess, the time really is near. Exactly when, still undetermined. But definitely looming on the horizon.
