My Hip Resurfacing Story and Condition at 14 Months Post-Op

[millerp]

Hello eveyboby, especially those thinking on a hip resurfacing operation,

I am an active 45 year old male.  Including weight lifting, hiking, and walking.  My right hip began to lock-up and cartlidge was breaking off the joint socket wall for 2 years prior to my hip resurfacing operation.  I had two arthroscopic operations to remove the broken cartlidge.  A short time after my second operation my hip capsule collapsed.  I was then walking femor head on socket.  It was very painful and I had to take pain meds just to walk and get to sleep.  Maximum distance I could walk was 200 feet with meds and cane.

The doctor at University Hospitals in Cleveland said I was a perfect candidate for hip resurfacing, being 44 years old.  I have  a Wright Medical Conserve +.

The day of the surgery (April 2007) went smooth.  Infact, the anesthesiologist said it would be faster and safer in recovery if I am not full out.  I agreed to try, and it was fine.  I was up and walking around the next day.  I was encouraged to walk every few hours with a walker in the hospital, and start rehab excercises, in which I very painfully did.  My hospital stay was 3 days with i.v. pain killers the first 1-1/2 days and oral pain killers after that.

I went home and had my rehab at the house. WHAT EVER YOU DO --- RENT A HOSPITAL BED WITH A TRAPEZE.  This was a lifesaver.  It was much easier getting out and into bed by adjusting the height of the bed and raising the upper part, plus the trapeze helped a ton to lift myself out of bed.  Also another tip - do not drink too much water.  I was always used to drinking lots of water, being active.  I continued doing this after my surgery which caused swelling at the insicion area.  I soon as a cut back my water intake to normal human levels the swelling went away.  This makes it easier for the nurses to take the staples out.

My walking time increased each day and the pain meds were reduced over the first two weeks.  Physical theropist came 2x a week and strength slow increased over the days.  I was able to go back to work after 4 weeks.  The biggest problem was sitting.  Sitting more than 5 or 10 minutes was painful for the first 4 weeks. Of course this is all muscle pain from the operation.  The "bone pain" was gone shortly after surgery.

I started using a stationary bike at 3 weeks which vastly improved strength and stamina.

At 6 weeks I was walking 1/2 mile a day.  At 2 months I was walking 1 mile a day. Things progressed and I started using a stepping machine at 4 months.  Hip excercises (leg raises while laying on your back and side) helped stengthen the hip flexure muscles which are needed for balance.  I hiked into the Grand Canyon 5 months after my surgery, and just resently at 14 months after my surgery I hiked to the top of my first 14,200 mountain in Colorado.  All things are possible now.


Range of motion is great.  I can almost put knee to my chin (4 inches away).  I get slight pain in my hip flexure muscles which is relieved with ibuprofin.  This operation is worth it.  Do not hesitate to have it done if you need it.  Good luck.

[Pat Walter]

Hi

I am glad to hear you are doing really well.

I am from Marietta, OH. 3 hours south of you.

What doctor did you use in Cleveland.  The main two I know about are Dr. Stulberg and Dr. Brooks at the Cleveland Clinic.  Other Ohio people might like to know who you used.

I hope you continue to do well.  If you let me know who your doctor was, I will post your story on the main website.  I would also love to have a photo or two of you hiking in Colorado for the story.

I wish you the very best and hope you can do more and more.

Pat in Ohio