Newest Installment in “Aging Rock Star Ailments:” Little Richard

Rock star icon Little Richard is asking his fans to pray for his speedy recovery from hip surgery. The 76 yr. old underwent surgery on his hip this past week at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. Apparently the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer had been in pain for a while but continued a busy concert schedule. On Little Richards’ My Space page, a spokesman wrote:

He’s in quite a bit of pain right now, so please be praying for a quick and full recovery. He may have a long road ahead of him (i.e. physiotherapy) because he waited so long to have the surgery.
He is thankful to the LORD for the blessing of longevity and greatly appreciates the kindness and caring of all of the faithful warriors who have been uplifting him in prayer. Please continue to pray and remember that GOD loves and truly cares for you!! GOD bless you all in JESUS mighty name, amen!

Hip replacement has been available since 1960, and with a series of surgical and technological improvements has become an increasingly effective treatment for hip pain. There are currently over 193,000 hip replacement procedures done in the US each year!The most common cause of hip pain leading to replacement is osteoarthritis, which is caused by wear and tear on the cartilage which lines the joint surface. Over time, this causes joint pain and stiffness. Initial treatment consists of anti-inflammatory pain relievers and physical therapy. However, when these measures are insufficient, hip replacement may be considered.

In hip replacement, the ball-shaped head of the thigh bone (femur) is removed,and replaced with an metal stem, and a new hip ball. The joint in the hip is also replaced with a cup-shaped socket. This socket is lined with a smooth plastic surface to allow the joint to move smoothly. The replacement parts can be made of a number of different materials, including ceramics, metal,or plastic. The materials used is dependent on the age of the patient and amount of physical activity the patient expects to do postoperatively.

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