Thanks Sue!

I'm a metal man - both knees replaced, right hip, and just six months ago, left shoulder. I set off the metal detectors when I walk into an airport.

All of these surgeries have worked wonders at relieving the high level of pain I experienced before surgery.

Hip replacement is deceptive. I was back on a spin bike in two weeks. 4 weeks after surgery I dislocated my knew hip doing a standing ITB stretch - so one foot on the new-hip leg crossed over the other (first strike), and hips bent well past 90 degrees - my palms were on the floor (second strike). And out popped my new hip and thus began 5 hours of agony in the ER (heart attacks, strokes, and gunshot wounds all rightly take preference in an ER over a needlessly dislocated hip).

My surgeon's PA had an important message - the "joint capsule" - hip or any joint, takes time to close back up and "scar over" (in a good way). Respect that and 1) don't cross the operated leg over the other leg and 2) don't bend at the waist more than 90 degrees. I ignored both and paid the price. That said, dislocation after surgery is rare. It takes an extreme level of ignorance to dislocate a new hip, and I would know.......

Another thing that started a few days after surgery and persisted for two months was "hip snapping" - I think it was the ITB moving back and forth over the greater trochanter (the very outside of the hip bone). It's freaky when it happens, but it does resolve quickly.

Thanks Sue.

Joe