From the hip

I don’t imagine anyone wants to be in a wheelchair. Indeed, the goal of my spondylolisthesis surgery was to avoid such an existence.

However, after traversing the Animal Kingdom during our recent visit to Disney World, I conceded to being pushed in a wheelchair in Epcot, the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Being in a wheelchair at Disney has the occasional advantage of scooting to the front of the line at some attractions – something my kids and nieces thought was cool. My sister-in-law was uncomfortable with that particular fringe benefit but, as my niece, Bailie, pointed out -- I’d earned it.

Thing is, I didn’t need the wheelchair because of my back. It was my hip.

In 2006, while my family lived in St. Louis, I visited an orthopedic practice at the renowned Barnes-Jewish Hospital (http://www.barnesjewish.org/orthopedics/ortho.asp) to determine why my right hip was becoming increasingly stiff and achy. Both an orthopedist and a hip specialist confirmed that my spinal fusions were solid and stable. Instead, it was the severe, bone-on-bone arthritis evident in my right hip that was causing my discomfort -- and would more than likely be a source of trouble as I age.

Neither doctor could definitively explain how this had happened. My theory: the slight scoliosis curve that persists in my lower back -- and tilts my pelvis so that my right leg feels shorter than my left -- has caused above-normal wear on the right hip joint.

Bottom line: My medical future includes a hip replacement – or two, or three – depending on how soon I cave. The St. Louis team recommended that I wait until at least age 60 before the first, since current prosthetics only last about 15 years.

In the meantime, I have good hip days and bad hip days. Exercises that stretch and strengthen have helped to reduce pain and increase range of motion, so I’ll press on and hope to keep all my original parts for as long as possible.