Almost 6 months on first and 6 weeks on second, seeing doc this Wed

[mikebaker]

Hi all,
Well the second time around seemed much easier but it might have been a bit harder. The reason I say that is that my left leg (which was the same side as my first operation) was really weak and I think it has been weak for a long time given that the OA was much worse on that side and I limped and favored that hip for a long time. Since my doctor is very conservative I have been toe touch weight bearing for the last 6 weeks and I am not sure that my left leg was really ready for it. I think that I am ok but the stress a couple of times caused some discomfort in my joint and I still have some muscle pain and general discomfort in the incision area of my left hip. I think that all is ok but sometimes I worry that I may have caused too much stress on my left hip and maybe I have done myself a disservice and have shortened the life of that hip. I have not been in any extreme pain at all but I worry so much about a femoral neck fracture. I think my doc will order a full pelvic xray and then some specific shots of my right hip on Wed, so he will be able to look at my left hip and hopefully reassure me. The right side has gone so well and I believe that even though I have been non weight bearing for six weeks my ride side will be stronger very soon after I can start activity again. So please wish me luck and any advice to reduce my fears would be appreciated. Thanks again hippies.
Mike

[Woodstock Hippy]

Best of luck for a good report at your doctor's visit.  I'll bet you come through with flying colors.

[Pat Walter]

Hi Mike

It is always stressful on the opposite unoperated hip, knee and your back when you have surgery, as you well know.  So I would not worry.  At 6 months your first hip should be well on its way to being mostly healed.  It is just sore from all the additional work it has to do.  Stay relaxed and be patient.  I am sure everything will be OK.  Good thing that you surgeon will check your first hip.  That will put your mind at ease.  I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers until you see those x-rays of your first hip.

Pat

[hernanu]

Hey mike, I'm with Pat on this. I had three months in between hips, and had a lot of the same concerns as you. I didn't have the touch bearing thing, so it was probably much easier, but still worried that the left hip would be somehow injured by having to support the other.

I had my 6 month on the left hip (three on the right) and everything looked peachy, so any aches / pains that I was dealing with on the left were just the cost of doing business. I think if I have the mechanics of the hip resurface device merging with the bone right, unless there is something catastrophic like loosening, neck break or another issue, that the bone should be just fine.

I saw a study that said that for HR patients, at 6 months, the healing of the bone is usually very good as monitored by MRIs, so the real danger time for a break of the femoral neck is at three months. You seem to be past that, so...

BTW - my left (first leg) is actually very strong now, and probably profited from the extra work, the right still needs some work muscularly.

[mikebaker]

Thank you heranu, Pat and Woodstock!! I think that the mind can play tricks on us at times especially when you have too much information. I have been feeling very good as of late and believe I will get the good report I need to kick my second hip rehab into second gear again. I think I will do the exercises on both hips/legs this time as I could not really do the first set on my left side because I had to be non-weight bearing. Also I am looking forward to driving again, the local cab company loves me and actually knows me now by name when I call. Really appreciate the well wishes and will let you know the report on Wed. Mike

[Boomer]

Mike,

It sounds like you didn't do anything against doctors wishes. If you followed the recovery guideline, you should have nothing to worry about. We're pulling for you.

Boomer

[mikebaker]

Hi all, just got back from the doctor and everything is fine. He came into the room and chatted with my wife and I for a bit about our 18 month old triplets and then did some range of motion stability stuff and said - ok you are all good lets go see your xrays and you can ditch your crutches!! The placement this time was very similar to my first hip with the stem of the femoral component tipped valgus but a bit off center which places my cup very close to the neck of my femur. He mentioned that I must have had a slight deformity in both of my femurs for him to place it that way. Also this time my cup angle was placed at 35 degrees vs about 40 degrees last time. He mentioned that 35 is the new 45 in the surgical community but not to worry that it will be fine and no issues with edge loading. So now the hard work begins on stage 2 exercises, work in the pool and work on the stationary bike!! But tonight after a 6 hour drive (3 hours there and 3 back) and my wife almost getting a $300 ticket for going 152 kms per hour in a 110 zone (US conversion - going 90 miles per hour with a speed limit of 65 miles per hour), I am going to go to bed and start fresh tomorrow. Thanks everyone for the support as always and I will keep you posted. Mike

[hernanu]

Good stuff, Mike! it is awesome to be done if you're a bi hippy. Now you can just go forward.

[Aerial]

Sounds like a positive appointment!  Good luck as you move forward with your recovery.  You made with laugh with "35" is the new "45" comment!