Help about tape on the incision!

[KevinHalicki]

Thanks Pat for the reply. The costs for surgery in the US or Canada for hip resurfacing ranges from $25-$30,000 US. In Canadian funds that becomes quite pricey. If I can get it done for $15,000 Canadian in India, and am getting one of the top 3 hip resurfacing surgeons in the world it may be worth the trip. I want to get the best surgeon and will pay for it if necessary but it sounds like Dr.Bose is one of them.
My family is a little concerned about the political instability over seas as well.

[KevinHalicki]

Hello

Here is Susan's contact at the end of the email. I have been considering Dr. Pritchett as I live in Vancouver Canada, and have been quoted $25,000 US, where are you from? Would be nice to compare some notes on the research I have done.

S.Knudson@proliancesurgeons.com

Kevin

[JHippy]

Been meaning to post since my 6-week follow-up and I'm a little behind. I'm at 7 1/2 weeks now and doing great. Very pleased with how my recovery has been so far.

6 week follow up

So at one day shy of six weeks I was back in South Carolina for my follow up. Dr. Gross, Lee Webb and Nancy are all fantastic. And the staff. They really care a lot and it shows.

Up until that point I had still been relying on a single crutch for longer walks even though I should have been off it by then (really glad I had it at the airport though). I didn't take it to the appointment, though a few times I almost wanted to run back to the hotel and grab it.

Had xrays taken. All was well presumably. They gave me the next round of exercises and stretching. The only meds I need to continue are the Fosamax once a week, and vitamin D + calcium. I'm cleared to bend past 90-degrees, just no deep squats or extreme bending. Still doesn't want me rotating the leg inwards or crossing the legs, even ankle over knee. No lifting over 50 pounds. And no impact activities. All this only applies until I hit 6 months.

Prior to the my appointment I was really paranoid about fracturing the femur. They set my mind at ease. First, the xrays were fine (I 'm assuming, I'm sure they would have said something if there was a concern). Second, he reminded me that they haven't had a fracture in the last 2000 cases now that they have the new protocol to prevent it. As long as I adhere to the restrictions I should be fine. The pains I had experienced up until that point were normal. Said I will have aches and pains of various types throughout recovery, and maybe even beyond (he can't create a perfectly normal hip -- it's close to normal, but not perfect). Though he did say to use the crutch if I had pain on weight bearing.

I asked about bone strength as I age. He said that my bone density is great now, and impact activities (obviously after 6 months) will keep my bones strong. Also said I should take vitamin D if my levels are ever low which makes sense.

No chiropractor until 6 months. No massages around the incision area until 6 months.
On exercises don't bring leg up past 90 degrees, though if it slips past 90 degrees during normal activities that's fine.
Don't internally rotate.
Don't cross legs. Not even ankle over knee. Use a small footstool for socks with knee out and ankle in (like half cross-legged position).
Said the leg lifts will get rid of my limp.

Incision looked great and I can swim, etc now if I want.

So that was the follow-up appt. Felt relieved afterwards and ready for the next phase.

Between 6-week and now (7 1/2 weeks)

Major improvement in just that amount of time. I've completely stopped using the crutch and flat out don't need it. With the restrictions loosened I'm getting around pretty much normally, at least as far as day to day stuff goes. I'm putting my socks on. :) I even trimmed my toenails, though that wasn't so easy. Feeling pretty normal. I'm still aware of my hip, though, and have little aches and pains here and there. Occasional slight limp. Lying on the incision can still be uncomfortable after 10-15 minutes or so. Feel it a little when getting up out of a low chair, but I can shake that off in a few steps. All of this is really minor, generally speaking this has been great.

Still get in and out of the car a little weird because when I try to do it normal I often slam the incision area into the door frame, ouch.

Also just starting to feel more confident with stairs where I can go foot over foot without a handrail. I'm still careful around stairs though.

One of the exercises is a psoas stretch where you stand on the good leg and pull the ankle of the operated leg behind you. That's no problem, but when I switch sides where my operated leg is the only one supporting my weight, nope, not ready for that yet.

Getting out of a low chair is fine but still feel that the operated side is not very strong in that way, so I kind of assist it with my arms.

What I am having a hard time with is doing all of the physical therapy -- just the amount time it takes. I really have to rearrange my life. But I am excited about working out regularly again. And I want to get back to the gym and do the stationary bike or the elliptical (both are great for the hips Lee Webb said). This will get me back in the habit of working out, which I used to love.

Got back to gigging (playing music) where I'm on my feet for the better part of 5-6 hours. No problems there either. I'm just careful.

There's still a lot of recovery to do to get my full strength and ROM back, but where I am now is so much better than pre-op. As I'm running around (not literally, haha) and doing stuff I often remember how difficult these things were prior to surgery, but now it's like a distant memory.

[JHippy]

Prior to my surgery I got a call from a nurse that my insurance plan provides to answer questions, offer advice, etc. She mailed me a CD that contains affirmations and guided imagery for patients that are about to have, and have just had, surgery. Honestly my first thought was oh c'mon what is this new age BS, but I gave it a chance and I have to say it helped me so much. I listened to it 3 or 4 times pre-surgery and at least that many times afterwards. It just put me in the right frame of mind, before and after. Helped quell the jitters and helped me stay real positive. I really relied on it in the beginning and I truly believe it made a difference in my recovery. So I recommend it, or something like it, to anyone about to have surgery. Try to listen at least several times prior to surgery.

The one I have is called "guided imagery pre-surgical" from blue of california. The psychotherapist that was credited in the liner notes was Belleruth Naparstel, LISW, BCD and order information is Health Journeys at 800-800-8661, healthjourneys.com. Though it has a different name, the audio sample here matches what I have: http://www.healthjourneys.com/Store/Products/Successful-Surgery-Health-Journeys/29

I'm not affiliated in any way. It just helped me a lot so I thought I would pass it on.

If anyone else done tried anything similar (or different) pre-op that helped you, please chime in.

[JHippy]

It's been recommend around this forum. Based the experiences of others here I bought a LaFuma zero gravity recliner. It was awesome. I wouldn't say necessary, but it was really nice to have and I'm glad I had it during the first few weeks. Thank you to all that recommended it, I would have never thought of it or discovered it on my own.

I bought the XL size which is quite big (I'm 5'10'' and it's probably made for someone over six feet). After sitting in it, though I liked it I thought maybe I should get the normal size one instead. But it was too close to surgery to send the XL back and get the other one delivered in time, so I bought the normal sized one as well and planned on returning the one I wasn't going to keep. With both in my living room I compared them side by side and ended up keeping the XL after all. The only bummer is shipping isn't free on returns, so it cost me $75 to ship other one back.

This the one what I have:
http://www.shoplafuma.com/product/futura-clipper-xl-mesh-zero-gravity-recliner-black-grey-frame

[jss]

That all looks like you're right on schedule.

The configuration of a road or tri-bike on a trainer (to make a stationary bike) will require a greater than 90 degree flexion of the hips. That's still not Ok at 6 weeks? Only up to 90 degrees? Still not more than 90 degrees? Is that still because of dislocation concerns? Or to protect the still-healing gluteal muscles that were split during surgery?

[maquino20]

Things are getting better, now on day 6 aftter surgery. Pain is better and Dr. De Smet told be that I hadn't fully extended some leg muscles in a long time (due to the osteoarthritis on the hip), like the hamstring for example, now that they are fully extented again of course they hurt and need time to recover, makes sense to me.

[maquino20]

Thanks everyone, I do feel a little better everyday. Amazing how PT results are seen on day-to-day basis.
Things are getting better, now on day 6 aftter surgery. Pain is better and Dr. De Smet told be that I hadn't fully extended some leg muscles in a long time (due to the osteoarthritis on the hip), like the hamstring for example, now that they are fully extented again of course they hurt and need time to recover, makes sense to me.

[chuckm]

That's great news. Getting motion back is a fantastic feeling. But the range of motion you lost while osteoarthritis set in is not going to just come back now that the bones have been fixed. It will be better than pre op very quickly but getting back to where you were before OA set in will take time and work.

Chuckm

[rburns]

Thank you Kevin! Much appreciated.
Richard

[rburns]

Hi again,
I was quoted $30k approximately, but his front desk seems a little vague. I am in Victoria, and will be getting a consult with Dr. De Smet in March (approx 15,000 euros for surgery), but thought it might be wise to get another opinion closer to home. There are some local people here who had good experiences with Dr. De Smet, and I am leaning that way, however I have family in Seattle....

[toby]

for around 20k us$ all inclusive you could have it done in UK and enjoy a couple of weeks holiday!

[KevinHalicki]

Richard...are you going to travel to Belgium for a consult and get it done while you are there? I have considered Dr.Bose in India, a guy from Nova Scotia had it done with him 2 months ago and was quite happy. I am also considering Dr. De Smet in Belgium. I would also go  the UK if I could get it done with Dr. McMinn who was the pioneer of the Birmingham method. I just want the surgeon for the best possible outcome.

[JHippy]

He did say to raise the seat of the bike up so I'm not flexing too much, and he did say not to go past 90 degrees when exercising. I'm pretty sure he's still worried about dislocation because he mentioned it in the context of showing me how to reach my feet -- said that I can't dislocate my hip in the position he was showing me, which was ankles in and knees out.

[China Lady]

how do you manage the necessary follow up examinations? is he working together with a doctor in Canada?

[ecchastang]

I am seeing him March 2nd.  He has done over 800, to my knowledge.  Any good or bad feedback from people on here.

[KevinHalicki]

I think you just send X-rays after 4-6 weeks and he reviews them.

[evant]

Prior to my BHR with Mr Treacy (made possible with the help of Dannwayoflife / MikeD) I contacted Dr Bose.

If memory serves me right he did his training with Mr McMinn and Mr Treacy.

He always responded promptly and courteously to my emails. He viewed my xrays and suggested I was suitable for a BHR or DeltaMotion. I priced flights to Chennai. I researched the Apollo hospital. I had total confidence in him, his team, and his hospital.

He wasn't offended when I told him I wanted to at least try to get the operation done by Mr Treacy on the UK National Health Service - he supported my decision as he knew Mr Treacy very well.

[KevinHalicki]

Thanks event...I feel the same way up to this point for Dr. Bose. I have also contacted Dr. McMinn in the UK...did you ever consider him to do your surgery?

[livendive]

I'd offer to help if I wasn't hundreds of miles away.  I do remember there being talk of such things at the new joint seminar, but didn't pay particular attention as I had my wife with me at the first surgery in January and she'll alway be with me at my second (March 2nd).  Susan (Dr Pritchett's assistant) has been very helpful for me...maybe she has contact information for such a service.  When is your surgery scheduled for?