How Old Are We, Really?
- President John Kennedy was murdered 58 years ago.
- The Beatles first appeared on Ed Sullivan 57 years ago
- 1980 was 41 years ago.
- 1990 was 31 years ago.
- And now we’re 21 years into the New Millennium.
The Topic Today is Joint Replacement.
Baby Boomers across the country are receiving new hips and knees. The technology is now quite advanced but nowhere close to being foolproof.
Hips
Posterior hip replacement is old and outdated. Posterior replacement means cutting into muscle from behind the hip, and the patient has to recover not just from the hip replacement but from the trauma to the muscles while they heal from being surgically cut.
Be sure to have anterior hip replacement because that surgery has a quicker recovery time and significantly less surgical trauma.
Knees
Knee replacement remains much more difficult than hip replacement. Before you have surgery, use the Internet to review your doctor’s website and discuss EVERYTHING that can go wrong.
If you have a history of allergies, you might consider allergy testing for the metal and adhesives used in the surgery.
Ask how long your knee will be swollen. Many patients don’t understand how long the swelling will last.
Ask if any osteoarthritis in your back or your hips will affect your knee recovery. This is extremely important. You may end up with a knee that’s painful and swollen long after your surgery and physical therapy.
As with any joint surgery, be sure to follow the post-surgery instructions assiduously. Many people stop physical therapy too soon and end up with worse problems than activity discomfort.
Remembering a Novelty Song
Murry Kellum was a country and western guitar player who recorded Long Tall Texan in 1963, Henry Strzelecki, who wrote the song, was an elite bass player in Nashville. The song was covered by the Beach Boys, Lyle Lovett, and others.
Remembering a Book
The Choirboys by Joseph Wambaugh is at the top of any true-to-life police procedure “novel.” The book is dramatic and funny all at the same time, well worth reading. In 1995, the novel was selected by the Mystery Writers of America as Number 93 of The Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time. In 1977, the book was made into a movie starring Charles Durning and other fine actors; however, the movie didn’t stack up to the excellence of the book and was a distinct failure.
Remembering a Great Band at the Top of Their Game
This is the Gin Blossoms live at Farm Aid 1984 performing their signature song, “Allison Road.’ Everything is here: fine lyrics (“she fills up her sails with my wasted breath”), great singing and harmony singing, chiming guitars, and a solid rhythm section.
Getting Old Ain’t for Sissies 