In my last post, I was excited about how I felt stronger, even though I was training harder. I may have turned the proverbial corner, at least the first of many corners on this long road. Nevertheless, I still had a fresh set of X-Rays taken on Sunday, and sent them to my surgeon extraordinaire; Dr. Harlun Amstutz of the Joint Replacement Institute.

Nine years ago I had the right hip replaced with what was then only one of 150 new artificial hips called surface replacements. This process does not cut off the ball of the femur, but instead shaves and in a sense reshapes it to accept the prosthetic shown above. This is a larger more stable joint, designed for younger more active patients. Last year (September of 07’) I also had to have the left hip done as well. This is the side that still has occasional pain, but not from the hip per se, but from the muscles and tendons around it which were traumatized during the surgery, and which have been working hard to strengthen the area.

At least, I am assuming this is why there has been slight and intermittent pain – intermittent meaning every few days, not on and off throughout the day. If I weren’t about to push myself to that next level – the one past any cycling ability I’ve had before – (read about the Giro d’Italia here) I wouldn’t even be having the films looked at. However, since that is indeed my goal, and I intend on increasing my training week over week until I taper a bit prior to departure, I need the confidence that my joint is right where it should be, and that my discomfort is only surrounding body parts that need to GET WITH THE PROGRAM.

Truly for anyone considering a hip replacement (or any joint for that matter), you should consider contacting JRI out of Los Angeles. They also have trained surgeons in other cities, and have satellite facilities around the country. Their methods are now not as much experimental, as they are new and progressive. The logic of keeping your original bone stock should be compelling enough to not settle for the traditional advice and prosthetics.

Now, off I go for a nice recovery ride.