Came home same day

[FlbrkMike]

Hi Ernie,

I'm a perfect example of both "extremes".  After my first (left) BHR I had no weight restriction.  It was "as tolerated" meaning as much weight as I could put on it as soon as I could do it.  I was walking with a cane after a week and went on a 1 mile walk on day 9.  Completely unassisted after 3 weeks.

After my second surgery I was given "toe touch only" (i.e. no weight at all) restriction for four weeks.  Ironically, it wasn't because of bone weakness but becuase my acetabulum was so hard and dense that he had a hard time getting the cup seated.  They told me they had to pound on it for like 6 hours with a 10 lb sledge to get it seated right.  Ok, maybe that's a slight exaggeration but they were afraid of possible bone damage and wanted conservatively to give it a good chance to heal and knit well.  

Got off the crutches two days ago and, I'll tell you, that was about the longest four weeks of my life.

Mike

[Ernie]

Thanks for the heads up that when I get the other hip done, my experience may be different from this time.  I guess its like having kids.  No two are the same!

I'm glad that you are finally off the crutches.  Enjoy the freedom.

Ernie

[Ernie]

Three week update.  On day 11 I got my staples out and gave myself the last of the Levenox shots in the stomach.  Both were welcome milestones.  The same day my PT had me balance on my operated leg, which I didn't think I could do.  Once I realized that I could with effort and concentration, I ditched the cane walking in the house (against the advice of my PT).  On day 12 I went back to work for a half day, and drove myself there.  The next day I began to walk outside unassisted. The first time around the block took me a long time, but it seemed like a breakthrough. I felt noticeably stronger each day which convinced me I was on the right track. When my PT came back on day 15 he discharged me a week early.  I've gradually increased my walking once or twice a day until this morning I walked about three miles.  I did have a couple days, 16 and 17, when I felt an increase in pain and soreness after pushing my pace and stride a little too far, so I backed off my pace for the next couple days.  I also "religiously" iced the hip after each walk outside.

At day 22, I am amazed that I now feel better than I did in the months before the surgery.   And the stories and videos I've seen of folks running, and playing basketball and soccer, after resurfacing now have me dreaming about what may be possible again for me six months or a year from now.  At this point, I'm just glad to be able to walk without the piercing arthritic pain!

I feel very fortunate to be recovering so quickly, and I credit it to the skill of my surgeon, and maybe to the fact that I had been able to maintain a high level of activity until the last month before surgery, when I could only limp around with a cane.

My other hip will need to be resurfaced sometime in the future.  The x-ray shows only a slim sliver of cartilage in the middle and some bone spurs which I'm beginning to feel.  But today life is very good!

[FlbrkMike]

Good to hear you're doing well, Ernie.  Keep up the good work.

[lori.36]

Wow you are a wonder story.  Thank you so much for sharing your experience.

[Tin Soldier]

Ernie  - You give me some inspiration, for No. 2, I am going to ask for no cathater, no oxycontin, only acetomeniphen, and going home the same day.  I doubt that will happen, but it's a pretty sweet goal, huh?   

[phillwad]

Ernie

Great news, most of us would not want to heading home that quick - I was glad for a couple of nights with care.  You are making great progress, I remember how my wife noticed I was sitting more upright a few days after the surgery - swelling and posture improved.

keep it up

Cheers - Phill

[tennisgirl]

Who did you go to for PT in Atlanta Ernie?  I am in ATL and will probably get resurfaced in the next several months, but would like to see a PT who is familiar with resurfacing.

Thanks,

Mindi

[keepmovin]

Hi Ernie,
I am taking all this in and am amazed at what I am reading about your progress!  Wow!  I am 2 weeks 2 days post op and you are so far ahead of me but I'm taking notes....There has to be a big difference between recoveries with males and females - me being a female.  Males have more bone density, bigger bones, probably more stability than females.  Although I was extremely fit, and according to my Dr., a good candidate for hip resurfacing, - good bone density -  my recup is slower perhaps because of my structure.  Coming home the same day would NOT have been an option for me.  Every muscle in my body ached my first time out of bed and once I started PT in the hospital, plus I had a lot of swelling for up to a week and my blood pressure, although normally low, was really low after surgery! 
You didn't mentioned your age...mind if I ask?
My Dr. had no restrictions on me either - I put them on myself.  I did do something out of the ordinary though.  Day after surgery my family and I took a quick 3-day vacation to Bermuda!  Best thing I could have done!  Helped me mentally with recovery.
Keep us posted-I'm listening :)

[Ernie]

Mindi,

My surgeon, Dr. Kress, prescribed the PT who came to my home the day after surgery, and then three times a week for the next couple weeks.  Edwin, the PT also checked the incision and changed the dressing the first couple visits and removed the staples on day 10.  I think the group was called Advanced Orthopedics.  My surgeon had me full weight bearing as tolerated from day 1 which I think determined the physical therapy as much as my having my hip resurfaced versus total hip.

[Ernie]

Keepmovin,

I do feel fortunate to be recovering so quickly.  I am 53 years old and have run and/or lifted weights about six days a week since I was a teen.  I also played a lot of basketball until my mid forties.  And I eat a healthy diet.  The result according to the doctor is that I do have large, dense bones and strong muscles.  Flexibility was never my strong suit, but maybe that too has aided my recovery!

I've been walking one or twice a day through our hilly neighborhood, trying to gently increase my pace and distance.  I actually felt a bit of the old "runner's high" about 50 minutes into my walk yesterday!  I got back to the gym for the first time a couple days ago.  I'm being careful, not doing any standing exercises that would put weight on the hip.  I also dropped the weights to 2/3 of what I was doing before surgery.

While I am glad for the speed of my recovery, I completely agree with the many people who say that it is the long term recovery that is important.  A few weeks or even months of extra recovery time will soon fade into memory.

The Bermuda vacation sounds like a great idea :)

Ernie

[phillwad]

Ernie - good to hear the continued progress.  I was out for a walk today using my crutches and for teh first time in a way long time my wife had trouble keeping up.  I am looking forward to getting in the gym and starting to lift some light weights again soon.

Cheers - Phill

[Ernie]

5 week update, if anyone is still interested.

More and more moments each day I forget that I even had hip resurfacing surgery. Two days ago I was able to put my socks on myself!  It wasn't easy, but I was able to do it. Yesterday I walked five miles pushing the pace. (The weather here in Atlanta has been unusually pleasant!) Today I did 45 minutes on the elliptical at the gym with the same resistance I used before surgery (16).  The elliptical machine enables me to get my heart rate up in a way that I can't when walking, even pushing the pace.  In both instances it is in my unoperated hip that I feel mild tweeks of pain and cracking.  The resurfaced hip feels solid and stable.

I have my follow up appointment with my surgeon next Tuesday, and I am anxious to see if xrays show that everything is OK.  It all "feels" OK, but I want some objective confirmation.

I so value this forum and the knowledge and experience shared here.  Best wishes to all of you.

Ernie

[halfdone]

Fantastic!
Best wishes  :)

[katekosar]

Way to go, Ernie!

I'm looking forward to being where you are at Week 5.  Please keep on posting so those of us who are *behind* you will have some sense of direction.   ;)

Glad it's going so well for you ~~
Kate

[phillwad]

Keep it up and listen to your body - do not push to hard - Phill

[ScubaDuck]

Great update.  I hope for the same recovery.  I am doing workouts, stretching, and strengthening to make recovery as quick as possible.

Dan

[Ernie]

I just had my 5 1/2 week post op appointment with my surgeon, Dr. Kress.  The xrays of the resurfaced hip looked excellent (cup placement was 35 degrees); now the unoperated left hip is another story, bone on bone, but not much pain yet.

He lifted all hip restrictions, so now I can start stretching without fear of dislocating the hip. He said as tight as I was, there was zero chance of that happening!  I'd already been lifting weights with my upper body for the past two weeks, but now he OK'd me to add some leg work (leg extensions and curls, not deep squats or leg presses yet)

He also wrote me a referral for 6 weeks of PT if I want it to work on range of motion and flexibility, though he said I'd probably get the knowledge I needed in a couple of sessions.  When I called for an appointment though, the soonest I could get was 3 1/2 weeks from now!  Will I still need it or want it by then?

While I was in the doctor's waiting room I saw a young man (between 30 and 40) with a cane, obviously in pain, looking very disheartened, and I thought, "this was me just six weeks ago!"   

I remain amazed and grateful at the new lease on life this surgery has given me!

[halfdone]

All sounds good Ernie!

He also wrote me a referral for 6 weeks of PT if I want it to work on range of motion and flexibility, though he said I'd probably get the knowledge I needed in a couple of sessions.  When I called for an appointment though, the soonest I could get was 3 1/2 weeks from now!  Will I still need it or want it by then?

My 2 cents is take the appointment and make decisions from there.  I was fairly well prepared on the PT knowledge, but I still found it very useful to do a few PT sessions.  (All after 6 weeks)  My PT was actually quite magical in releasing tension in my IT band, glutes and quad using her elbow to do what I guess would be called "pressure point" massage or something similar.  Mike I'm sure would be singing "Hurts so Good" with this, but it really helped me once I stopped crying  :)

Best

[Ernie]

Halfdone,

Thanks for the advice.  10 weeks post op may be just when I need the PT to keep progressing.

Ernie