2 weeks post op

[alst]

Hello board,
I had my left hip resurfaced by Dr. Schmitt of Huron Valley-Sinai hospital on 16-Nov-10. As many on this board suggested i used spinal anesthesia. Surgery lasted a little bit over 1 hour as it started at 8:45AM ( this is the last time i remember from looking at the clock in the surgery room before spinal was administered:) and about 10:15AM Dr Schmitt was already talking to my family. Surgery went well without complications. I woke up in the recovery fully alert with a clear head and no pain or nausea/dizziness whatsoever at 11:25AM. It took another about 20 minutes before i was able to wiggle my toes. I was moved to my room at 12:05PM. I did not use pain pump at all as pain level was never higher than 4. Sleeping on the back with restrained legs (triangular wedge in between) was very uncomfortable and RN gave me some sleep pill that was prescribed by Dr. Schmitt. Second day (next day after surgery) in the morning catheter was removed (painful but tolerable) and around 10:00AM PT team came (2 people) and helped me to sit down on the bed (this was still quite difficult and I felt a little dizzy, but it went away after about 5 minutes - please make sure that all dizziness goes away before trying any walking even with PT team!!!). My leg was still like "a piece of wood" - no much pain (may be about 4) , but no much cooperation if any at all either. Then PT team helped me to walk with a walker to the door of the room and back and left me to sit in a chair (pillow behind my back to make it more comfortable) with a target of about 45minutes or as long as i can tolerate it. PT team also told me that they will be back in the afternoon to take me to the PT floor to start the exercise program. Per Dr. Schmitt's protocol it is weight bearing from the very beginning and use of walker. In the afternoon, PT team brought me to the physical therapy room where i walked a little with walker and they showed me how to climb stairs. In the evening same day i was able to walk a little in the hall. Next day (second day after surgery) i had another PT in the morning (walk/stairs/how to get in and out of bed) and was released home after 12:00PM. All in all, my short stay in Huron Valley-Sinai hospital (medical personnel attention, PT, food, cleanliness) was a very positive experience. On day 5 i noticed bruising and profound swelling in my operated leg only that gradually increased and went from my thigh to my foot. It stayed through day 12 after surgery and then very slowly started to subside. I think that wearing TED stockings helped to prevent swelling going into foot and kept it in the area of thigh and a little bit below the knee...On the other hand, I have an impression that stocking may also, especially after day 12, contributed a little bit to swelling not allowing it to go below my knee...Home PT started on 18-Nov-10 and even though it was quite painful especially at the beginning, i would recommend to everyone to follow it thoroughly, but try to be reasonable and listen to your body. So far the progress was very good. I used walker for the first week and then by my home PT advice started using a cane from week 2. My leg was still quite sore during the first week and I started to feel better and a little bit stronger during the second week after surgery. I was sleeping on my back for the first 8 days and then started sleeping on my not-operated side as well with a pillow between my legs (Dr.Schmitt's protocol allows this). At home i kept wearing TED stockings for 14 days and self-administered blood thinner arixtra for 7 days (plus 2 days in the hospital). I also was taking twice daily 200 mg Advil to reduce swelling and for pain. I never had any constipation issues as I did not use any narcotics in the hospital or home. Today, 1-Dec-10 i had my two week check up with Dr. Schmitt. Everything looks good and I got clearance to drive and go to outpatient PT. All in all,  the progress so far is very good and I would highly recommend Dr. Schmitt and his team to everyone considering BHR, especially to people living in MI. Speedy recovery and my best to everyone. Al

LBHR, 16-Nov-10
Dr. Schmitt