New Hippy

[patrick_d]

Yeah, I never idled well either, my RPM's were just set a little too high at the factory.  But after reading many of the other comments and stories on this forum I just resigned myself that this endeavor is one of those "Less is more" and "Quick is slow and slow is quick" type things.  I am trying to stay focused on weeks and months down the road.  I figure a year from now this will all seem like a distant memory.

[Bryan712]

Well 15 day mark today getting the 32 staples outta my behind tomorrow!!. Doing well I must say, still sore and a little bruised, working about 5 hours a day, crutches are gone as of yesterday, still need a cane if walking a long way, but short walks are no problem without assistance WOOHOO! and no OA Pain  :D.

Still getting tired rather easy but my strength is slowly returning. I actually almost got my leg in the truck without having to pick it up and put it in there today.. Its the small things I guess.

[patrick_d]

Awesome, that has to be real exciting.  I am sure having them out will really feel better when you are moving.  Good luck tomorrow.

That no OA pain is so amazing it is difficult to fully explain to people that have never had to deal with it.  That OA pain was just always there and now just totally gone, almost unreal.

And that first time I walked across the kitchen without the cane I felt like a kid who just took his training wheels off his bike, like I was not really sure if I was supposed to be doing that.

I am almost 3 weeks out and still find I need 9 (or even more) hours of sleep at night.  I think that is normal, lots or trauma requires lots of rest to heal properly.

[OtterDriver]

Hello again Bryan-

Hope the staples didn't cause much grief!

Your truck comment sure rang a bell for me.  That was my drill for quite a while.  Now I just jump in and go again...
it's great!

Take care, Bruce

[Dan L]

Bryan;

Congrats on your new hip and welcome.  I found early on the wisdom, support, kindness and willingness for all here to give unselfishly is a huge element of getting through this, so along with ice, sleep, and excercises/restrictions you're on the way to a great recovery already.

OA pain going "poof" is a theme here, like magic for many of us. Once you heal more you'll be amazed how good you feel overall.

I didn't have any staples just the glue, which was no problem, and my incision was only on the side (anterio-lateral) so luckily my sorry ass didn't have to go through that.  Swelling and bruising was considerable.

Sleep is really important and getting as much as you can do, will help alot.  My sleep was fubared at night for some time after each, so naps and such made up for it.  Working wiped me out for weeks afterwards-- I would nap when I logged off (when working from home) or even longer after coming in to the office.  Standard operating procedure.  It will take some months to get back to "normal".

Best of luck and welcome again

Dan

[gary2010]

A 20 minute rule is useful for the first 6 weeks: Sit, stand, lie flat, walk, flex, 20mins at a time. Even when I started driving at 3 1/2 weeks I would stop and walk around after 20 mins.

Good luck!
G

[Arrojo]

short walks are no problem without assistance WOOHOO! and no OA Pain  :D.

Terrific for two weeks out!

[Jason0411]

My gutters could do with a good clean done the garage, porch and conservatory but couldn't reach the top of the house so if you are volunteering ? :P

[Bryan712]

Well tomorrow will be four weeks, seems like all this happened rather quickly, I seem to be back to normal for the most part walking now 2 weeks + without assistance, getting shoes and socks on, scar is healing well, driving is back to normal using RBHR leg  for braking and accelerating, ( I cheated and used both legs at first. )

I still feel like my gait is still off a bit, some soreness (feels like muscle or tendon issue though no bone pain). Still tired as 2 of my three kids ended up with the Flu, and of course the passed it on to me. A little stiff in the morning.

Was wondering how many of you had the 90 degree rule, seems like some docs use this and some don't. Are they worried about a femoral fracture and if so why 3 months? Bone heals in 6-8 weeks right? 

[Baby Barista]

I haven't heard of a 3 month 90 degree precaution... but 6 weeks is pretty common. With THR's the biggest concern is dislocation. But I think as most resurfacing docs will tell you, it's damn near impossible to dislocate a properly placed BHR.

Dr. Pritchett advises a six-week 90 degree precaution. He says that's about the time it takes for the primary healing of any transected muscle tissue. More importantly, it also allows the detached and then surgically reattached, short external rotators and their tendons, to properly heal.

[hernanu]

Well tomorrow will be four weeks, seems like all this happened rather quickly, I seem to be back to normal for the most part walking now 2 weeks + without assistance, getting shoes and socks on, scar is healing well, driving is back to normal using RBHR leg  for braking and accelerating, ( I cheated and used both legs at first. )

I still feel like my gait is still off a bit, some soreness (feels like muscle or tendon issue though no bone pain). Still tired as 2 of my three kids ended up with the Flu, and of course the passed it on to me. A little stiff in the morning.

Was wondering how many of you had the 90 degree rule, seems like some docs use this and some don't. Are they worried about a femoral fracture and if so why 3 months? Bone heals in 6-8 weeks right?

The reason I've heard given for the 3 month time and femoral neck fracture is that the surgery depletes blood flow to an area that is not highly vascular. At three months it is at its weakest point, eventually returns to fully capable by the time six months have gone by, so the threat of fracture is lessened significantly.

The bone overall heals almost completely by the time a year has passed. Neck fracture is a significant issue to keep track of for the first six months, though.

[Dan L]

I believe, but may be wrong, that the 90 degree rule is assocoated with certain approaches to the surgery, for example

anterio-lateral (what I had) and reportedly 20% of all HR's, does not require any 90 degree restriction because the risk of dislocation is relatively lower than other approaches.

Others, particularly posterior (not even sure that is the right name) due to the risk of dislocation with total hip replacement (and much less of a risk with HR) I believe include the 90 degree rule.

Dan

[phillwad]

Congraton getting better - keep it up and do not climb the ladder yet  :o

[Manofword]

Congrats, Bryan! I am 3 weeks today and and finally getting into my normal sleeping routine. Like you, I was getting tired in the afternoon and early evening. I have learned to listen to my body, so I just slept when it wanted to. Never used ice when i got home and probably don't need the crutches but Dr. Brooks' protocol is 6wks, so I'll be good and follow that. Can't wait to get back in the pool and train!

John

[Tin Soldier]

At 4 weeks (now 5) you shouldn't be too worried about having a perfect gait.  It could take a couple months to feel like you've lost the limp, especially if you already had a significant limp from OA for the last few years, like many of us did. 

Also on the topic of the femoral neck fracture concern and the 3 month number, there's been a lot of discussion about that and as Hern said the bone is still reconstructing and getting organized with the slightly modified loading.  There are some pretty interesting x-rays around here somewhere that show a progression of bone growth and readsorption in the femoral neck after HR, over a several month period.  When I saw that, it was very eye-opening about this issue.  Definitely take it easy all the way up to the 6 month mark with lifting, jumping, runnig, and other impacts and loads to the hip.  Stick with the soft stuff for awhile (walking, cycling, swimming,...)   

[Bryan712]

Eight weeks ago I could not walk without pain, stand during church without pain, and was a part of the Arthritis club at work (The one where on bad rainy days we would all compare aches and pains). Seems like a long time ago now. Yesterday I went riding bikes with my three kids for about an hour and a half What a Blast! ;D.  Thanks so much Pat for this site and everyone's encouragement through this life changing surgery.  Last doc visit was about 2 weeks ago and he does not want to see me again until Jan 2014 wohoo.   ROM still limited somewhat, some aches and pains after  5 miles of biking but I am happy to say the least..

[hernanu]

Getting there, Bryan..  it is a blast finding out the things you can do again along the way to full recovery.

[Manofword]

Bryan,
It is a blast w/o pain! I've been out twice on a ride on my Triathlon bike. Haven't pushed it too hard but rode 17mi last Sat. Zero pain & my right leg is now back in line with my other leg and it is much easier to pedal. Staying in the saddle for a while but it certainly is a big difference. Enjoy!

[Dan L]

Congrats Brian, it's going to continue to get better over the next many months, so enjoy the ride!

Dan

[Bryan712]

Just checking in cant believe it wil be 6 months on May 19. Definite life changing event for me. Update for me I have some external numbness near the incision site and some groin pain when I fell off my bike one day riding with my kids. Today playing soccer with my daughter some weird groin pain when kicking the ball sideways. Kicking it straight on no problem.  Minor issues really compared to how it was 6 months ago. Would do it again in a second. 👍