November 25, 2009 I had arthritis pain in my hip starting about 8 years ago. After a few years I thought I would try taking glucosamine and chondroitin. After a few weeks I noticed a significant improvement. I was able to live fairly comfortably for the next 4 years.

However, I had friends ask me why I was limping. Also I no longer could do things like jogging. But I was happy that the pain was livable. This past year my pain got much worse. The supplements did what they could but they were no longer doing the trick.

I saw a specialist in May09 who recommended the bhr. At the same time I received a cortisone shot. Well, I felt better after the shot. I figured I could put off the surgery for a couple more years. The problem is when the shot wore off, I was in the more pain than I had ever experienced.

I decided to have the surgery at that point. I’m now 5 weeks post surgery and really happy that I will be able to get back to physical activities once I fully recover.

I had a RBHR performed by Dr. Aaron Salyapongse in Pleasanton, CA on Oct 21st, 2009.

January 5, 2010 I just had my 10 week post-op check up too. I had my surgery done one day after you calygirl! I’m also just down the road from you in Livermore.

My doc says I’m good to go too. No skiing though til next year…..no falling. But I can hike, bike, play drums. He is also sending me to PT to help with my range of motion.

I still have some tenderness and the start-up stiffness. I’m going to use the pain as my monitor as I get more active. No more potty chair…yea!!!!!

I’ve already been going to the gym for the last couple weeks. Using light resistance on the recumbent bike, elliptical, and treadmill. Now I can gradually start increasing the work load.

In addition, he gave me a script for antibiotics for when I have dental work. He wants that to continue for the rest of my life.

Very happy so far with the results of my RBHR. Can’t wait until the soreness goes away. I figure that’ll be a few more months.

February 17, 2010 At 3 months my doc sent me to PT. That was 3 weeks ago. I’m surprised at how much it’s helped my range of motion. I only go twice a week but I do all of the stretches and exercises in between appointments.

In one way it is a little disappointing because I was just getting over the initial soreness of the surgery and now I’m sore again. But I know I just have to work through it and get those muscles going again.

My range of motion is now better than before I had surgery. I recommend it to anyone having range of motion problems.

February 22, 2010 I had my surgery 4 months ago. I’m starting to play drums again. The problem is that when I play the bass drum with my right leg (the surgical side), I actually lift my leg up and slam it down on the bass drum pedal. I don’t play with my ankle. I’m a power drummer.

I believe that’s how I got arthritis in the first place. Many years of slamming the pedal down with the shock/vibrations coming up threw my leg to my hip. I don’t have arthritis any where else. It doesn’t run in my family and the very first time it started hurting was when I was drumming.

I’m wondering if I could somehow loosen the bhr by playing again. At my 3 month check up, my doctor told me I could play. It’s about time to get back on the horse but I don’t want to screw anything up.

I suppose it’s not that much different than running. Except I’m sitting…hmm, I can’t think of anything that is comparable to what I’m going to be doing.

March 2, 2010 I’m at 4 months right now. I was very conservative with my recovery for the first 3 months. I really wasn’t out to set any world records. It was only recently that I over did it, but luckily didn’t screw anything up. I received some good advice on this forum, which was just cool it a couple more months until I’m at the 6 month mark.

December 23, 2011 I had a Right BHR done by Dr Salyapongse 2 years ago. It went really well. No Issues.

I know some nurses and a few other people in the health field in the tri-valley area. No one had anything bad to say about Dr. Salyapongse. Most people rave about him.

March 26, 2012 I’m drumming again but I’m using more ankle on my bass drum technique. Sometimes I get excited and start using my leg more often. I do notice some soreness in the joint and also the muscle on the top my thigh.

I’ve played very little over the past year and recently just started on a project with a friend playing original instrumental music. So I’ve been playing everyday for the past month. For this type of music I need to be more “Peartish”, and except for the soreness of the muscle, I’m playing fine. I’m hoping to work through it.