Caution, wet floor

About six weeks after my fall and my emergency hip replacement, I had a follow-up x-ray and appointment today.

When it came to the x-ray, I was told by text message I couldn’t wear anything with a zipper. As a man, this was problematic, as every pair of pants I own has one. The x-ray technician’s solution was a gown, which meant I had to remove my clothes down to my underwear.

I saw a different doctor today than those who treated me initially. However, one of the doctors who saw me daily in the hospital was there. I was genuinely impressed that he remembered me and specific details of my case during a brief chat in the corridor. It’s remarkable considering the sheer volume of patients they see daily.

The doctor I saw seemed pleased with my progress, echoing the positive feedback from my physio and prosthetician regarding my gait. The x-ray looked good, he told me.

The issue of a bone density test was raised, scheduled for a few weeks’ time at my local hospital. Interestingly, the nurse in charge of the osteoporosis clinic suggested I might not strictly need it, reasoning that a fall leading to a hip replacement at my age usually indicates osteoporosis anyway. However, she recommended proceeding with the test, and provided some awesome follow-up.

Being an amputee increases my risk of falls, so it’s something I need to keep an eye on.

I still experience some pain, though not severe, and fatigue persists. My physiotherapist explained that this isn’t surprising, as amputees generally exert more effort than non-amputees, and combining that with hip replacement recovery means I’m working harder than most.

Today, we also had a discussion about medication. I mentioned receiving an injection for osteoporosis while I was in hospital, and that I had been given some medicine to take.

It’s funny how these are things you don’t consider until later in life, like osteoporosis. It’s something I hadn’t given much thought to, especially since I’ve never smoked and am not female – two significant risk factors. However, family history suggests a genetic predisposition, making my recent fall perhaps somewhat inevitable.