Athlete Resurfaced and Happy

[roosevelt heights]

Big O-Dub,

The body will definitely tell you when it is time to transition from one walking device to the other, and then when to go without without. As I reflect back on this expereience, it seemed like a natural progression. It was amazing how the body told me when it did not like something and didn't feel "right".

Dr. P typically gives approval for the pool at week 4, I cannot help but emphasize the benefits of getting in. My quad strength improved tremendously and I witnessed great improvement in my flexibility...I put on some running shoes for extra resistance...SPEEDO makes a water proof MP3 so my workouts are AWESOME ! I can jog in place, back paddle and side step (no cross overs), along with some other great exercises...At week 6 stairmaster, and this week treadmill 2.0 at 2.0 elevation...IT FELT WONDERFUL TO SWEAT, AND FEEL THOSE LUNGS BURN...No issues at all with the prothesis, some "clunking" but from what I hear that is to be expected unless you feel pain...Just watching others "get after it" in the gym was a sense of motivation... Still unable to put on socks and shoes without assistance, but not overly concerned because Dr. P, will do LH in 11 days...All-STAY ENCOURAGED !

[duck4three]

Hello Scott,

This is absolutely incredible, thank you very much for your insight!  I will take your words of wisdom regarding consulting my PT prior to starting many of these.  A few of these were given to me as well, but you name a few that I would love to do, but I'll wait until next week.  This is so incredibly helpful as I am not sure if my PT has dealt with other resurfacing patients.  I chose them because they are PT and Sports Medicine and the pool is onsight.  Thanks again for taking the time to put this together for me, I'll let you know how the PT goes.

Thanks a Million!

Big O

[duck4three]

Hey Brian,

Thanks for the insight, I am anticipating some great pool work.  I chose my PT based on the fact that they were not only PT and sports medicine, but they had a nice pool onsight including a large multi court basketball area.  The facilities are incredible and the PT I will be seeing was a former athletic trainer.  The only downside at this point is I am not sure if they have dealt with hip resurfacing.  However, I am not as concerned as I am so well informed thanks to you and others that I can take an active role in my therapy. 

The information you provided regarding the pool is great, it will be interesting although based on what you said about Dr. P I won't be in the pool for another week, it sounds like it will be worth the wait.  Oh, by the way, only one belly shot left!  I will be done today, Hallelujah!

Thanks again! B

"O"

[roosevelt heights]

LOL at last shot...before you know it you will be setting picks for the "skins"...

[saa115]

Duck4three,

I forgot one important set of exercises.  Lying on my back (in my recliner), legs straight, someone puts their hand under the heel of my operated leg and I push the heel down into their hand.  My spotter provides resistance, and I push only for a second or two, just to activate the muscles.  Next, my spotter puts their hand under the knee of my operated leg and under my heel.  I push down just at the knee, for a second or two, just to activate the muscles.  Lastly, with my spotters hand under my knee and under my heel, I push down with both the knee and the heel.  For me, this has greatly improved the muscle activity in my operated leg.  Once again, these are just an illustration of what I am doing.  Do NOT do any of these exercises without consulting your PT or your physician.  Good luck. -Scott

[duck4three]

Thanks Scott,

I will keep all of these in mind as I meet with my PT next week.  I like your routine quite a bit, it seems that by doing those exercises each day will bring the strength and ROM back in no time.  Once I start my PT I will report on my progress, i will certainly be suggesting the excercises you have listed for me.  I am sure they will have some they like, but what you have described really reminds me of my playing days.

All the best,

"O"

[medgerton]

You can read about my return to B-ball on the basketball thread. My comment here is on the use of crutches and canes. Pat will probably kill me for saying this.

I dumped the crutches 6 days after surgery and did not use a cane ever. I don't mean to brag but say this because of a mindset of "babying the joint" after surgery. Yeah you need to be careful and don't do stupid things. I felt from day one that nothing was going to happen to the resurfaced joint.  My gait wasn't pretty in the second week of recovery but I certainly did no damage walking without aids.

Doctors have different limitations on patient activity after surgery. My doctor was liberal when it came to restrictions.

[Pat Walter]

medgerton

Hi. It is not my idea to use a walking aid as long as you are still limping - it is the normal doctor suggestion.  You are not going to hurt the hip device since it is metal on metal, but all the muscles, ligaments and bone around the device is healing.  As long as their is a limp, your hip is not healed.  You can injure the surrounding tissue and muscles more by not having the walking aid. YOu can actually do damage. 

So for NEW PATIENTS and those learning - please use your crutches, crutch or cane as long as your doctor recommends which is usually as long as you limp.  Don't stop unsing your device becuase you THINK you don't need it - you can't see what is occuring inside your hip.  You body has to heal and you need to give it time to do so. You can set back your recovery and do damage without the walking aid, especially with the posterior approach.  Some approaches are different, but most importantly LISTEN TO YOUR DOCTOR  You are not a doctor and don't decide you know better, you could pay a big price for it - a handful of people have.  Be careful and cautiuous for the first few weeks and months.  I read thousands of stories and I have read those of people that now regret their decision to "ignore their doctors post op recovery protocols"  We are not doctors and we as patients don't have the experince they do.  We seldom know better than the top surgeons!

Pat

[duck4three]

Hello Hoopers and other athletes;

I have officially started physical therapy and wow what an experience.  I am a late starter from what I have read, my first therapy session was at three weeks so I had some pretty good healing time prior to someone pulling and pushing on my new parts.  I think this is a good thing because my therapist is also a sports therapy specialist and has been an athletic trainer.  He has been stretching me and really wants to make sure my scar tissue does not get stiff.  I agree wiht that theory, i would hate to have gone through such a major surgery only to have the tissue not allow me to regain my ROM.  

So far have have used a resistance cord to help stimulate the bone growth around the new parts, I am officially now only using one crutch and moving smoothly (could probably go without but really don't want a limp when I transition fully), next week the crutch will likely go away altogether and I don't think a cane is in my future at this point.  I have also done some body weight leg press exercises, which have been great and my quads and glutes are firing nicely, I know this because i can see and feel them trembling as I bend my knee.  The deepest bend I have had is about 74 degrees which for me is great (I am naturally tight).  Today I did 10 minutes, on the eliptical machine,...something I have never done before, even prior to surgery.  It was great to sweat and have no impact.  I feel like I am getting stronger and more confident everyday.  Still not in a hurry, taking my time, but as things progress I will slowly be more assertive.  I would recommend to all to listen to Pat's advice regarding taking it slow.  

Anyone else using a sports medicine therapist?  It feels like we are pusing it, but it feels great. Not really that sore but this reminds me of the therapy I experienced in college when i was in my twenties.

All the best,

[duck4three]

Greetings fellow athletes,

I haven't posted a new post since a month following surgery, so I thought it was time.  Ok, so I am not even sure how many will read this but I think the encouragement that I have received on this site has been critical to my confidence and recovery so if only one person reads this post and it helps them then it's worth it!

Ok, so I had surgery March 9, 2010 and I am about a week and a half from my six month anniversary.  Below is a list of things that i have experienced.

1. ROM has dramatically improved: I still have a long way to go, as I was the most inflexible guy in the world before surgery.  My nickname when I played professionally was the "Tin Man"  You know the metal man from the Wizard of Oz that needed Oil...anyway I can put on my own socks by either crossing my Op leg over my knee or bending over keeping my Op leg straight putting my sock on and then crossing my leg to finish the job.  I can also tie my shoes, but can't do it as easily as my non Op leg just yet.  Everything else is great. 

2. In the Gym: currently doing light squats, eliptical, stair step, and cycling.  The workouts have been awesome and I can't wait to push even further.

3. On the court: I am feeling  great playing hoops.  I am only working out by myself right now byt I can jump pretty high, impact isn't a problem as long as you have great shoes. Cutting, jab steps, Cross over dribbles, spin moves it's all great.  I am only waiting for competition because i hve been pretty conservative.  I could play today but i think i will wait for the winter leagues to begin before I lace them up competitively.  (Oh, the padded compression shorts are a great idea if you are going to play competitively)

Hiking & Family: Kids on my shoulders, walks to the zoo and park chasing them around, running on the beach, WOW! I could do none of this prior to surgery, praise God for the wisdom of this medical wonder.

My next post will hopefully be a video of some hoops etc. 

All the best to each of you, no matter what sport you participate in!

Big "O"

[wesinator]

Big O,

Congrats on getting past 6 months.  Glad you are doing good, and looking forward to hearing how your competitive games go.  Based on my experience, I anticipate that you will be a little cautious for about a month, but once “crunch time” arrives, you will forget about your hip and play as you always have.

I am looking forward to my second hippy season, and since I’ve got an Achilles recovery this year, it’s like the whole starting over thing again.  Oh well, it’s still worth it.  Especially since we’re defending rec league champions!

Sweet.

Wes

[duck4three]

Hey Wes,

Thank you for the positive and encouraging words!  I posted in another area, but wanted to reply to you as I returned to competition this past Saturday. It was fantastic!  I was able to do more than I could have ever imagined.  I have been working out with an old NBA buddy of mine and he has been kicking my butt with all the NBA drills.  Man, not only is getting the weight down and endurance up a chore, but pusing my op leg to get stronger and faster is really a bear.  I am not satisfied with mediocrity with this thing, it feels so good I am going to try to get in great shape and really compete again.  So far the training work outs have been very rewarding, I am viewing it as just another level of physical therapy.  I am getting faster with each workout and stronger as well, it's just awesome.  I hope to play again this coming Saturday, it's a group of former college standouts and NBA guys so it's pretty competitive.  Even intimidating to be down right honest, getting back in with these guys was a major challenge.  I am still about 70%, but look forward to 100% and repaying some debts and joining my league team in November.  I'll keep you posted and I'll put a video up soon as well, probably at 90%-100%.  I want to give those who are contemplating surgery a positive image as you did for me!  Thanks again, talk to you soon.

"O"

[duck4three]

Hello Hoopers,

Completed my first season or partial season recently.  Played my first game on 11/7 and it was incredible, I played decent, not nearly where I would like to be though.  I have played in three games since then and have improved with each contest.  I am still working on loosing up my groin and hamstring on my op leg.  I was very tight to begin with and all the years of compensating for my poor hip did not help my case at all.  Now I am rebuilding my body to work in the way that it was originally supposed to.  I can jump fairly well, having pushed to hard, just grabbing rebounds over guys is pretty impressive for me at this point.  I can drive to the basket, but it is a slow move, not explosive just yet, mostly due to my tight hamstring and being a bit cautious at this point.  i don't know why my hip responds just great, i guess it is just in me to take it easy.  It's almost like i am waiting for that 12 month mark to really let loose, it's a mental game right now.  Maybe I just need someone to make me angry on the court and get the competitive juices going.  Anyway, I am still amazed at what i have been able to accomplish, I had an incredible game in my last outing and look forward to getting explosive as I compete more.  I just signed up for a Pilates course to help with my fluidity and flexibility and it seems to be working we'll see how it goes this weekend. 
Oh, has anyone experienced a tight hammy right at the glute/hammy intersection.  It gets weak and a little painful at full stride and step, and it's slowing me down.  Any excercises ideas etc. Please let me know.
Thanks! 8)
Big "O"

[duck4three]

Hello All,

Ok, it has been over a year now and I am enjoying the success of my surgery.  It's interesting how things begin to smooth out over time.  My competitive abilities have improved dramatically and I am now competing at a pretty high level.  It is a lot of fun, and it makes everyday activities much easier to accomplish.  So, while I was realizing significant gains, i still had some weakness in my glutes so I searched for something challenging to help me really excel.  What I found was P90x and it has been amazing, it's challenging for sure and there are plenty of excercises that challenge someone that has had any type of hip surgery.  The positive is I can go at my own pace, which is pretty intense, and I can skip certain excercises that I currently struggle with as a result of my poor flexibility.  (which existed well before my hip went bad)  So, I wanted to write an update for those that may be new to the site or thinking of surgery.  It's often a good thing when a person doesn't return to the site, you can guess that they have moved on with life and enjoying the fruit of their surgery.  That would be me, but I thought of writing a post since I started this topic for those who may wonder what the future of their resurfacing may be like after a year.  Finally I have been playing hoops for about eight months and I am still experiencing gains, my surgeon Dr. Pritchett of Seattle told me he has clients that have realized gains for up to two years.  I hope all is well with you keep pushing and enjoy the life that God has blessed you with!

All the best,

[Luann]

Hi Duck!

Thank you so much for coming back to the site and letting us know how well you are doing. You are not the first hippie to say that it took them more than a year to completey heal. It is good to know. I am 14 months and still feel there are muscles/tendons to strengthen/heal. Please return periodically with more updates. Happy hooping!  Lu

[duck4three]

Will do Lu!

It is a pleasure to return from time to time with an update.  I will continue to do so over the next year.  To be perfectly candid, i feel best (flexible, strong) when I excercise each day.  It's only when I sit around doing nothing that I feel the tightness etc.  So a tip is to stay active, i had to restructure my body.  Happy healing and recovery!

All the best,