LBHR Rogerson in Madison

[hernanu]

Hey MC - great set of posts. glad to see you're reaching the "my unoperated side is worse" time. I reached that pretty quickly, and was glad I had scheduled another HR three months after the first.

I'm sure you're considering some questions, I can tell you what I've encountered at 9 months on the left and 6 months on the second: there are differences, but nothing huge in the larger scope of things.

1. I found the recuperation harder the second time, but only because a) I live in the Northeast and my first recuperation was in the fall, so I could walk as much as I wanted and the second (november) happened in the worst winter I can remember, where walking was very difficult.

2. The doc used a bandage on my incision that was made from silver, which allowed me to shower immediately, I didn't need to change the bandage, and it kept my leg from blowing up like the left one did. I also saw that when the bandage was removed by the home nurse, no steri strips had been used, and the wound had healed completely. I still have had much less of issues with that leg (less pain when using a roller, etc), so I'd recommend that.

3. Maybe because of my point above, my ROM came back faster on the right leg. I am still more flexible with my left, but both are in good shape. I can now (as I did before the problems) touch my hands flat to the floor, and do my old martial arts stretches with varying success. Taking it easy, of course.

4. I was better at PT the second time around, probably because my core was strengthened by the first PT, so my advice is to keep it up until the second surgery! You'll love the results.

5. I got an injury to my unoperated 2d metatarsal in my foot (I think it was from overcompensating while walking), which slowed down my recuperation by about a month and a half, until it was treated. Moral of the story - if something hurts, get it taken care of. I am not where I wanted to be on my right leg, but I am still very happy with it. I can balance on it for a minute, I am pushing 220 lbs on the leg press, doing yoga poses in the gym and recouping. The stretching feels very good, but I'm still not running. As has been noted, we are all different in our recoveries.

Finally - it is amazing to have two good hips. I just helped my daughter move back home from college, 5 hours of packing, 12 boxes filled with stuff (I used a cart and an elevator, I'm no fool), had no problems at all, and my daughter commented on how easily I moved and how there was no limp. I still limp once in a while, but hey - it's becoming rarer. The second surgery, while different, felt better, since I was done and can now work on the future.

[Mi Corazon]

Two months in, and as suggested by previous posts, my attention is more focused on the unoperated hip than the operated one.  So, I'd say that's a success. 

Progress continues in bilateral leg coordination, especially on the bike.  Tried some real short, light jogging again the other day in soft grass.  Felt ok, but how much speed and power I will ever have with my right hip as it is now is not clear.  Dr. Rogerson suggested it may never be great until I have the other leg matched up with a similar operation.

I can walk pretty darn good, though people say they still detect a slight limp, probably from the right leg.  I can work pretty much all day around the farm without feeling stiff and sore.  That was not even remotely possible last summer.  This winter, I could barely walk at all, and it was killing me on multiple levels.

I plan to ramp up the running now, slowly, so that I can get back out on the volleyball court next month.  My philosophy so far has been:  Don't push it. Above all, avoid a setback.  Whatever else, things are going in the right direction, and you can't put a price on that.  I read all these stories on this site of people having problems and I am so grateful that my leg is doing well. 

It's a miracle, and my responsibility is to do nothing that would reverse that positive outcome.  I have seven to 10 months of continuous progress ahead of me, and I am curious how good that will eventually feel.

[lori.36]

Mi, just read all of your post and I appreciate your writing.  Ifeel that I am having a recovery like you swift and positive.  Today I am at 11 days post op and moving to a cane in the house.  I am walking with a lot of stability.  Thanks for your post.  Oh does Rogerson do posterior approach?
Lori

[jakemn]

Hello MC, thank you for the very detailed posts, and continued good luck in your recovery!

I especially found your first post regarding the visit to Mayo clinic in Rochester quite interesting.  I am still in the pre-op, decision making phase of all of this, and you can read about my recent experience with Mayo clinic on this board here:

http://surfacehippy.info/hiptalk/index.php?topic=2483.0

You sound very much like me, and had a similar experience as me in Rochester.  Of course, I live in Rochester, so I am experiencing the "local convenience bias" that Mayo affords me here, but I am definately now considering making second opinion appointments with Dr. Rogerson and perhaps the St. Croix clinic with Dr. Palmer or Panek.

Thanks again for sharing your experiences, and continued good luck!

Jake in MN