Dave’s Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Rogerson 2007

I had my right hip resurfaced by Dr. Rogerson on 12/6/07 and have the left scheduled for 2/18/08.

I was thoroughly satisfied with Dr. Rogerson and his team from beginning to end.

Dr. Rogerson is a great surgeon and a very nice man. I immediately felt confident in his abilities after I met him. He and his PA (JoAnna) were exceptionally thorough in their explanation of the procedure and in answering my questions. The office staff is also extremely efficient, friendly and very easy to work with. His office also has you tour the Meriter Rehab facility where you are sent to rehab for 3 days after leaving the hospital. I talked with many people at this facility who were both involved in the rehab and those who weren’t. Once I told them that I was being resurfaced by Dr. Rogerson, all (including the parking cashier) raved about Dr. Rogerson and how impressed they were with the quick progress of his patients. This was the same theme during my stay at the hospital and my actual stay at rehab. Every time I mentioned my surgery and Dr. Rogerson, everyone had something positive to say about him. While I know not to take the word of those that are not directly involved in the procedure, I was quite taken aback by all the unsolicited positive feelings towards Dr. Rogerson.

The actual surgery went quite well. I immediately woke up with no hip pain. The surgical pain was also not too bad. Probably my toughest problem was general fatigue and headaches. By the day after surgery, I was off the Morphine pump and felt no need for Vicodin. At this point I just started taking Advil, as my headaches were the biggest problem and Advil has always been successful in treating this problem. On this day, they also had me start rehab. While it is quite nerve wracking to get up less than 24 hours after surgery, it ended up being pretty easy and they had me walking immediately.

The next day, I had another rehab session in the morning. In the afternoon I was released and sent to the Meriter rehab facility. Dr. Rogerson has a program set up specifically for his resurfacing patients. This program was based on Dr. DeSmets (Belgium) program. This program includes both land and water therapy. The physical therapists were also wonderful and are very knowledgeable about resurfacing. They quickly had me walking on one crutch. The water therapy was very helpful. I felt that I made the greatest progress after my water therapy sessions.

At the rehab facility my worst problem was still fatigue and a general, but bearable leg ache. My leg was slightly swollen, but not to bad. One funny aside – The rehab facility is located in a retirement home. When riding the elevator, the residents don’t like to miss their ride. Many residents have walkers and wheel chairs. One resident who was pushing an empty wheel chair decided to try getting on the elevator, even though there was absolutely no room. He kept trying to jam his wheel chair into the elevator. Unfortunately for me, my operated leg bore the brunt of his wheel chair. After one or two hits, I was able to get my crutch in front of my leg. He did manage to get his wheel chair in and my leg was fine.

I was told by everyone involved to call them or email with any problems. This included the PA, the PT and Dr. Rogerson. Dr. Rogerson even gave me his cell phone number. I did not call Dr. Rogerson, but I have called his PA’s a couple of times and received very timely responses.

I am currently 7 weeks out from my first surgery. I have been walking without assistance of crutches since about week 2-3. The general fatigue quickly faded and I have been fully at work since about week 3 (I do work from my house, so that made it easier). I still have a slight limp, but I think it is more out of habit. If I concentrate on walking, I can do it without limping.

I am sure everyone has high thoughts about their own specific surgeon. But I can’t tell you how satisfied I have been with Dr. Rogerson and his staff. I have to go through this process again in February for my left hip. I find this kind of weird, but I am almost looking forward to it a little bit (probably more the forced time off).

Dave