Getting Hip: Recovery From A Total Hip Replacement [Paperback]

Sigrid Macdonald (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 28, 2004

GETTING HIP is a personal account of one woman's recovery from a total hip replacement. From the painful arthritic deterioration of her joint, to making the difficult decision to have surgery at the relatively young age of 47, Sigrid Macdonald takes us with her on her postoperative journey. She discusses how to prepare for hip surgery and the potential complications of the operation. A detailed description of her rehabilitation is provided, along with interviews with 10 people from all over the world, whose recovery time from hip surgery varied considerably. This reader friendly book is written with wit, candor, and empathy for the prospective hip patient. It offers useful tips for acquiring essential services and coping physically and psychologically with hip surgery, as well as important information about how to treat a new hip in order for it to last as long as possible. GETTING HIP provides the most up-to-date information on different implants, such as the ceramic hip, which received FDA approval in February of 2003, the metal on metal prosthesis, hip resurfacing and exciting advances in cartilage regeneration and stem cell transplantation. It also provides an extensive bibliography and Internet references.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

ADVANCED PRAISE

"Although our body is a finely tuned machine with expected surgical outcomes, this practical and reader friendly book reinforces we each have a unique medical presentation. After reading this, not only will you have a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of Total Hip Replacements, you will have permission to vary from the expected norms and accept your own rate of recovery."

Wendy Rogers, Physiotherapist (BPT)

"Hip replacements have granted a new lease on life to countless folks. If you are considering this surgery for yourself, you need this first-hand comprehensive report from someone who has done the research for you. Ms. Macdonald provides a wealth of information on the challenges facing hip replacement patients and the resources they require dealing with this experience.

As a nurse, and possibly a prospective future candidate, I found everything one could wish to know and more in GETTING HIP. This lay person's account of the modern experience of hip replacement surgery is a must for any professional wanting to understand the bewildering landscape of hip replacements in North America. Sigrid details the range of possibilities available to patients, from choosing a doctor to deciding on a specific type of implant, as well as making plans for aftercare. Ms. Macdonald has covered it all in a very warm and entertaining manner."

C. Soubliere R.N. BSc PHN

"GETTING HIP takes the reader through the experience of a total hip replacement, from the first problem signs to total recovery. It gives a clear, witty, intelligent and thoroughly readable account of the whole process, and contains valuable information for patients, caregivers and professionals. Macdonald has researched the subject comprehensively, and gives excellent advice for anyone contemplating this major operation. Various surgical methods and devices are also discussed, as well as the future of hip replacement in general. All anyone needs to know about this procedure is here."

Una Holmes, Fellow Veteran of a Total Hip Replacement

About the Author

Sigrid Macdonald is a freelance writer with a background in psychology and social policy research. Originally from New Jersey, Macdonald currently resides in Ottawa, Ontario. As a consumer of medicine and an advocate for patients, Macdonald has written numerous articles on physical and mental health. She has explored topics as diverse as thyroid disease, hypoglycemia, menopause, invisible disabilities, and panic disorder, and has written for publications such as the Anxiety Disorders Association of Ontario, the Carleton University Women’s Center, and the Women’s Freedom Network Newsletter in Washington, D.C. The Globe and Mail Newspaper published Macdonald’s lighthearted but provocative article on naming children. And the American magazine, Justice Denied, accepted two of this social activist’s articles on wrongful convictions.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (October 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1418478377
• ISBN-13: 978-1418478377
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,024,843 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #51 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Hip & Thigh Workouts

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Whole Picture! An Excellent Read!, January 4, 2005

By 

T. Rajan "Star" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Getting Hip: Recovery From A Total Hip Replacement (Paperback)

Having read "Getting Hip" in order to review it for seniors magazines and additional newspapers, I can now say that I would direct anyone in search of information about hip replacements to this book. This is not a fluffy book! You will be awakened to both the positive and the uncomfortable journey of total hip replacement, and you will be glad you were given the whole picture. The author is more than an excellent writer and storyteller, she is a long-time social justice activist who wants the best for the consumer in need of a hip replacement. With "Getting Hip" you'll be surprised how aware you'll become; you'll know the questions to ask your doctor and you'll know how to prepare yourself from beginning to end.
Best Wishes on your journey!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, November 8, 2004

By 

Shirley Truss "Shirley T" (Nebraska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Getting Hip: Recovery From A Total Hip Replacement (Paperback)

Sigrid McDonald has done a fine job explaining what it's like to go through a total hip replacement from start to finish. She talks about the deterioration of her joint, which she broke in a car accident, and how she had to have a THR in her late forties. She has a good sense of humor and the book is well organized. Many aspects of total hip surgery are covered here from questions we have about how to prepare for the operation to the risks of the surgery to the fine points of rehabilitation.

I had both my hips replaced five years ago(bilateral THR) and I've done very well since then. I do have some residual pain but in general, I golf, play doubles tennis, swim and have basically resumed my previous activities. The reason this book interested me was because even though my hips feel fine now, I'm only 62 and there's a chance that I may need revision surgery at some point in my life. This book has a chapter on how to take care of a new prosthesis and that appealed to me. I don't want to do anything that may result in me having to have a revision any sooner than I need one!

It's also available as an e-book, which is how I read it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A 'Hip' book about Total Hip Replacement, February 23, 2005

By 

S V SWAMY "swamy-reviews" (Hyderabad, India) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Getting Hip: Recovery From A Total Hip Replacement (Paperback)

"Getting Hip" is the first person account of Sigrid Macdonald, who went through a Total Hip Replacement Surgery and felt the need to share her experience before, during and after surgery.

At places poignant, at places serious and at some places humorous, the book gives a detailed account of what is involved in a Total Hip Replacement Surgery, including the decision to go in for the surgery, type of implant to be selected (given a choice) and what to expect in terms of pain, restrictions on movement and post-surgery life style etc. The author has referred to several books on the subject and has added her own wisdom to the subject. Thus you may check this book out before buying any other book on this subject. That may save you not only money but a lot of time and effort.

One interesting feature of the book is the chapter dealing with the experiences of other people who underwent similar surgery. The widely different experiences of these people confirm the author's own experience that when it comes to a major issue, each individual has a different experience and while other's experience has some educational value, that does not and cannot form a benchmark. That is one of the important message of this good book.

The bibliography and electronic references given at the end of the book add value to the book. The last chapter dealing with the Future of Hip Replacements is a little broad and should be taken as the author's perception of various bits and pieces collected in the course of her extensive reading and interaction. In my view, brand names of drugs should be acknowledged as such and wherever possible, generic names of the drugs should be preferred.

The book doesn't deal with alternative or complementary aspects of health care in detail since the author is totaly dependent on the Canadian Health care system, which is dependent on the main stream medical knowledge, and also since the author did not have very favorable experiences. Many people are however trying out alternative systems like herbal supplements, Homeopathy, Acupuncture etc., because of the adverse side effects of the main stream drugs.

I found some sentence usage patterns in the book rather odd, but probably these are country specific and in any case there is no difficulty in understanding the text.

If you are considering a hip replacement or if you need to support a friend or relative who is contemplating such a surgery and are looking for a layperson's perspective of what is involved in a major surgical operation like Total Hip Replacement, this book is certainly recommended.

This book is also worth taking a look at if you are in the health care profession, since it gives you the perspective from the customer's point of view.