Question
My friend suffered a blunt force trama to his left knee while serving in the USAF in Vietnam in 1969.  He suffers from arthritis and pseudogout in that knee now.  He worked for the US Postal Service delivering the mail house to house and walked upwards of 5 miles per day for approximately 27 years.  He had to take an early retirement from the USPS because of his knee and he could not walk the route.  About two years ago he had to have a total hip replacement on his right side.  Is it possible that because of his favoring the left knee while walking that he wore out the right hip do to an un-natural stride and misalignment of the hips?  Do you think that the problems he is having with his right knee and left hip are connected to his old knee injury to his left knee?  He was recently told that he will soon need a right knee joint replacement.  Thanks.

Answer
James,

It is mere speculation to state if your friend's left knee problem caused the right hip replacement.   It seems reasonable to assume that his left knee injury in the USAF caused his left knee problems later in life.  He very well may have arthritic joints in general, with the severity unrelated to previous injuries or favoring one side or another.  Sorry, but it is not possible to be sure.  

'Regards,

Dr. G