Ramblings regarding my scheduled 2/16 resurfacing with Dr Gross

[FlbrkMike]

Can you guys describe your Phase I vs. Phase II exercises?  Are these exercises you can do while lying on the bed vs. standing up and holding position against gravity?

[einreb]

They are on Dr Gross's website...

http://www.grossortho.com/forms.htm

[einreb]

17 days post op.  No more pain meds, no celebrex, no advil etc.  I'm pretty comfortable around the house and generally have no pain at all, but sleeping at night is restless and has its moments.  I tend to get up super early now and am pretty tired during the day.  I now enjoy grabbing a nap when I get the chance.

The 'slow recovery mode' has gotten to a frustrating point since I can fly through my exercises and there really isn't much for me to focus on other than not putting more than 10% of my weight on my leg.  I've had moments where I know I've put more on accident since I'm feeling good, but I don't suspect that's a big issue and it doesn't freak me out.  I'm trying hard to stick to the 10%.

[23109VC]

Just stick with what the doctor says and kmow that whole in the short term it stinks.....it will pay off in the long run.  It's like an investment in your future. 

Thinkmof it this way, if you do what you have to do, suffer through the first six weeks, and wind up with a positive result it will all be worth it.

If you push things too fast, and wind up as the 1% who has a femoral neck fracture....you will hate yourself for not sticking to the program....and you will ne haunted by thoughts of what could have been....

I empathize with you for being in the slow recovery group....I remember doing my dexascan and being relieved that I had good scores....had I been in your shoes it would have been a mich longer road to recovery.....  But...you found a good doctor, went through a tough surgery...and I'm the big scheme of life, 6 weeks of staying of your leg is not that long.

Do you have a ps3?  :). If not, get one tomorrow, buy Black Ops and we an play online together... You will be hooked and the next few weeks will be an excuse to play your brains out..... :)

My online handle on ps3 is "seanandrew".  See you on the battlefield... :).

[einreb]

Ha! Thanks.... no PS3.  I have the attention span of a mouse. (I'm assuming that they have a short attention span.)  My post came off as a little whiny...  its not that bad, I'm just bouncing off the walls ready to go and figured that I would post it here just to be honest about the experience.  Its the sort of thing that I generally wouldn't complain about.  My wife is out on an 18 mile run this morning getting ready for the Boston marathon.  I'm sitting at the computer.

As for passing time, I'm self employed and do a lot of software work so I was essentially back at work from the home office the week after surgery.  I've actually gone to the gym a few times to do my exercises and some very light upper body work.

[Dayton96]

How many weeks after surgery can you get in the pool?  I know it has to do with the surgical incision healing, etc., but how long does that usually take?  Once you are allowed to go in a pool, does your controlled recovery allow for increasing pool work. 

Mac

[Lopsided]

How many weeks after surgery can you get in the pool?

Mac, Dr. De Smet's patients go in the pool from day two on. Use waterproof dressings.

D.

[23109VC]

The dressing Dr. Gross used on me was water proof looking but his instructions said to avoid baths or soakingin water... A pool workout would be good!

Are you guys doing upper body workouts?  Are we allowed to do that?  I domt have weights at home, but do have a cheesy set of resistance bands that are not half bad....

O can't see how doing pure upper body stuff would hurt, but I'm in no rush to do anything I'm not supposed to....

BTW.. call of duty is excellent for people with short attention spans. It's not a strategy game where you spend countless hours building walls and crops for your troops... Imhate those games.

COD you turn it on, instantly join a battle and have immediate gratification, shooting, running, jumping, grenades... Then after 30-60 minutes..whatever you can take you shut it off.  The Fun part is playing the online games..you play against real people....some people are jerks and talk rude, but you van mute them.  If you have a wifi headset you can talk while you play!

[maxi]

im doin daily light upper body work with no prob at all and enjoying it immensely (4 weeks out RBHR).

using the resistance strap also with plenty of reps...

on another note, im geting sick of using crutches, i have actually gone to walk without them a couple of times and caught myself just in time.....    with some luck after i see my surgeon in 2 weeks time, i can go to a stick ... just got to get my head around another 2 weeks of the bloody awkward things ... ::) :D

if theres one thing i am sure of thats that i will be strong enough to take what ever comes next ... ;)

as far as boredom goes ive read 7000 novels (lol) or feels like it haha ..   ;D ;D

im a golfer, so ive been playing a free online game that has excellent graphics etc and is very challenging .. pm me if anyone would like the link as im not sure if allowed to post it here ..

cheers all

Paul

[Dayton96]

So Sean, once you remove your dressing you can do pool workouts? How long does the dressing stay on?

Mac

[jjmclain]

It is up to your surgeon when you can go in the pool...usually when the incision is healed. You don't want to risk infection. I was allowed in at 4 weeks post-op after my first appointment.

[einreb]

I'm pretty sure that the pool restriction is tied to the incision being healed since I don't have the waterproof dressing.  I cant imagine that a light flutter kick would be bad.  No frog kicks!

Also on the upper body workout, I am doing it occasionally... mainly just to get out of the house for some 'me' time and something different. 

Of course, I'm just itching to do the things I'm specifically not allowed to do.... go for walks and bike :)

I will put a great weight on what Dr Gross's office advises, but I'm also going to make decisions based on my situation.  If the only reason at week X to not be on a bike trainer is the risk of falling off... I will take that actuarial gamble.

My focus now is to make it the next 10 days to the point that I can put some weight on it.  Then 14 more days till the cane.  I'm breaking it up into little chunks.  Again, I have nothing really to complain about... just voicing some of the minor frustration.  Thanks for the banter :)

[John C]

A couple of thoughts that you might check with Lee Webb about:
My memory is that Dr. Gross allowed me in the pool when it was clear that the incision was completely healed, meaning absolutely no scabs left.
Being in the pool was the best, not just swimming, but being able to walk, and even run, around in waste to chest deep water, which allows natural walking movements, while being able to control the amount of weight bearing by the depth, and therefore flotation, of the water. You might see if they would allow you to walk around in the pool while you are still under weight bearing restrictions.

[obxpelican]

I know when I asked Dr. G said pools were a no no until all the scabs were gone.  Although I have to admit we have a pool in our backyard and I was in with scabs YMMV.


Chuck

I'm pretty sure that the pool restriction is tied to the incision being healed since I don't have the waterproof dressing.  I cant imagine that a light flutter kick would be bad.  No frog kicks!

Also on the upper body workout, I am doing it occasionally... mainly just to get out of the house for some 'me' time and something different. 

Of course, I'm just itching to do the things I'm specifically not allowed to do.... go for walks and bike :)

I will put a great weight on what Dr Gross's office advises, but I'm also going to make decisions based on my situation.  If the only reason at week X to not be on a bike trainer is the risk of falling off... I will take that actuarial gamble.

My focus now is to make it the next 10 days to the point that I can put some weight on it.  Then 14 more days till the cane.  I'm breaking it up into little chunks.  Again, I have nothing really to complain about... just voicing some of the minor frustration.  Thanks for the banter :)

[jjmclain]

Start with a spin bike first...it is easier to get on and off until your range of motion increases. Once the 90 degree rule is lifted and you can get on a spin bike, do that, get back some range of motion, and then it will be much easier to get on and off your bike trainer without fear of falling!!!

[obxpelican]

We love biking here in Pgh in the Fall, the one thing that bummed me out is that Dr. G was adament that I was not to be on a peddle bike as he was afraid of a fall and subsequent fracture.


Chuck

[jjmclain]

I am with Chuck. That is exactly why I will not ride out on the road until the 6 month mark or longer if my surgeon says so. What is a few months when we will (hopefully) have these devices for a lifetime.

[einreb]

I'm 2 days away from the 4 week mark that will allow me to transition to weight bearing with the crutches.  I'm excited to get to this point, but apprehensive.  I do have a general fear and lack of trust of my new hip and putting weight on it.  I suspect that I will just have to work through that.

Its been weird being on crutches.  I've had some odd flashbacks to my youth since I spent three years on crutches starting at 8 as a result of my leggs perthes.  I'm quite comfortable with them around the house, but its a pain to carry things.  My wife and daughters have been wonderful helpers.

I have very little pain at all even at night.  I'm able to sleep on the operated side but most comfortable on my back or other side.  I can feel a little strength in my abductors and I think that helps a ton.  I cant wait to get my leg strength back.

I've been pretty tired during the day and have tried to make it a point to cut down on my work load.  I was pretty much back to work Monday after surgery (self employed/software stuff).

I've had a few emotional ups and downs, but I am trying to be aware of them and not let it get me too far down.  The weather in Chicago is improving and I'm looking forward to spring!

[Dayton96]

Hi  Bernie,

Thanks for keeping up this thread.  I'm scheduled to see Dr. Gross Tues morning and then my surgery is Wed.  In addition to getting packed this weekend, I will review the recent posts that you and Sean and the others have posted about your recent experiences in SC and during your recovery.  Thanks for taking the time to write.  I've found it very helpful. 

Since you mentioned Chicago, I'm trying to decide if July would be too early to schedule a trip up there to see the Cubs play.  We went last summer and had such a good time that my son has been after me to get tickets again this year.  I'm trying to decide if I can face the subway crowds and climbing up to our seats.

I did go back and look at the x-rays you  posted a while back.  It is truly amazing how far you have come and how far you are going to go.  Hang in there and be patient (trust me, I know that is not easy).

Mac

[einreb]

mac,

I assume that you are in surgery today!  Good luck. :)  I would suspect that taking in a cubs game in July will be a piece of cake for you.  Maybe its a good excuse to buy lower level seats, even though I suspect you would easily be able to hike to the upper deck.

-Bernie