Hi, I’m Annie from Tacoma giving an update. I had my left hip resurfaced by Dr. Bargren Nov. 11 at Allenmore Hosp. I am very happy I had it done now instead of delaying any longer. Thankfully it only had 1 cyst instead of several like my right side that was more difficult and was resurfaced by Dr Bargren March ’08.

I had spinal block with light sleep and remember waking in OR after surgery stating ” I had the best dream”, I only wish I could remember the dream, must have been good. I did remember hearing a “tap, tap tap” in my dream but didn’t relate to the surgery at that time .I had a scopalamine patch behind the ear prior to surgery and the nurses were good about giving me Raglan and Zofran IV for nausea so I only had a small vomit session. The pain was controlled with the spinal and he Marcain OnQ pump that went directly into the incision and removed 2 PO day. The hemovac was emptied about 500cc total and also removed 2POday. This time I didn’t need a Foley catheter,I was able to use a bedside commode at night and walk to bathroom day time with help.

Getting out of bed was the most painful and what I did was use my rubber exercise tubing to help stabilize my leg myself instead of relying on just the nurses and CNAs to hold that sore fresh surgical leg. I packed my exercise tubing last march when I had my right leg done, that one was much more painful to move but was able to do it mostly myself using that tubing and holding my leg firmly. I got up in the recliner for breakfast and stayed up til 8pm, was easier than getting in and out of bed. Vicodin 1 or 2 every 4-6 hrs worked well for pain. And PT had me walking in the hall 1st PO and every day thereafter.

Discharge was 3 POday. I used a walker for 10days then had staples removed and steristrips applied at 10 days and told I could start to use a cane til my 5 wk check-up Dec 17.

My husband was great taking care of me, I did walk ever day outside despite the cold weather. I slept in our big loveseat recliner for the first week then moved in to the bed, my husband works night shift so I had to use the rubber tubing again to stabilize my leg and lift it into bed, I think that was probably the most painful part of the recovery.

Now one of my main issues, which I had with the other leg, is RESTLESS LEGS. I find I need to take a Vicodin before bed to help my legs to relax, have others had that problem? I did have to give myself Fragmin shots for 10 days and wear TEDS hose til my 5 wks even though I don’t think I’m at risk for blood clots, better to prevent. I still am taking iron 2-3 times a day since my blood count went from 40 to 26.

I do get cabin fever and looking forward to going back to work as an OB nurse in Jan. I’m glad I only have 2 hips and I’m done with surgery. Dr said I have good bone and the resurfs should last til I’m at least 100, hope so.

I am almost 62yrs, 5ft 2.5 in. and wt 125, I am just really glad I found this site so I could look into resurfacing instead of the traditional THR for my age, size and gender. And I am thankful I found Dr. Bargren to do the surgeries successfully esp. as bad as the right one was last March. Now I’ve got matching scars and feel the new hips moving like smooth ball bearings. I’m so looking forward to golf, power walking and hiking this spring.

ANNIE IN TACOMA