After over 46 years of working in I.T. as a programmer/analyst it was high time for me to retire. I admit I feel accomplished and exhausted at the same time. The one word that describes my state of affairs would be “enough”. Financially, mentally, and most of all physically, I’ve had enough of it.

About two months ago I went to see an orthopedic doctor just to have him confirm what I sort of guessed already – because I’ve been there before, in 2016. Joint Venture, first edition
For the last two or three years my left hip had been bothering me more and more. It had gotten to the point were I was in pain day and night, couldn’t walk the stairs in our house without dragging my left leg behind, was unable to run if my life depended on it.

The x-ray image of my left hip looked worse than what I remembered from the right side eight years ago. The doctor’s diagnosis sounded like a “death sentence”.

He said in a calm, professional, emotionless voice: “well, as you can see here you have advanced degenerative osteoarthritis, stage four. Bone on bone, almost no cartilage left as far as I can see. You are an excellent candidate for total hip replacement surgery. I’d like to introduce you to a colleague of mine.”

No way! Germany holds the world record in hip replacement surgeries per capita. Statistically 75% of those are performed unnecessarily, or at least prematurely. On top of that 23% of those people come back with the same, or worse, symptoms after just one year. So I said: “no, thanks.” The doctor then suggested different types of injections, and prescription pain medication. My response to that was: “not a good plan either.” At that point the doctor’s face briefly slipped out of the professional pose when he asked “so, what do you expect from me?”

I told him that I was hoping for some advice about what I could do personally to improve my condition. He didn’t have a whole lot to say there, but prescribed six sessions of physical therapy. So I dug out my old notes, and brushed up on my knowledge about bones and cartilage and joints and general self-care. The physical therapy actually helps too, so I’m going to continue that.

On my way out I got one piece of good news from the doctor, though. I had asked, in the light of the terrible condition of my left hip, what was his prognosis for my right side. I had not told him about my adventure there in 2016. Pointing at the fresh x-ray the doctor said: “no, your right side is perfectly fine, no hint of a problem there.”

If you’re having similar ailments, you could go back to my old article. Everything I said there still works:
Fight inflammation first, then build new cartilage. Eat clean, avoid animal sourced food. Don’t drink alcohol, don’t smoke, don’t take drugs. Get enough sleep, hydrate well, exercise daily, keep your weight low and your spirits high.

I had to revise my supplements list, though, adjusting for what’s available in Germany. As always, do your own research, and be advised that I am not a doctor.

General micronutrients one tablespoon daily with breakfast
LaVita

Glucosamine complex take 3 capsules daily, with food
Glukosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and more

Elemental silica two capsules daily
Silizium-3-Komplex

UC-II collagen take one capsule at night, before going to bed
UC-II collagen

Celadrin three capsules daily with water
Celadrin

On top of these essentials, I add several other supplements to my diet that may help with osteoarthritis too.
grass-fed bovine collagen
Fish oil Omega-3
Rosehip powder
L-Lysine