Cold Therapy Devices

[shoraztri]

Hi Dan L,.
Thanks for the post and update. Its very encouraging to heat from "older"hippies [3yr veteran], for this gives us "new fellows" something to look forward too. ;) I am a mere youngster at 7 months , and its incredible how it has changed me - re hip pain and activities. ;D
Cheers,
Kiwi Boy from Down Under. :D

[Boomer]

Nice to hear from you Dan. Glad you are doing well. Good advice on the exercise program. I agree with you wholeheartedly. We Hippys have to keep moving.

[DirkV]

Hi Igbran,
I'm a returning member of this community. Reacquainting myself as I approach 7-yr milestone.
For the first 3 yrs post surgery, cycling came back quicker than other sports, so I focused on that. I was never a "categorized" rider, but found a competitive outlet in weekend group rides and occasional timed events. Now I try to take it out on my hockey friends :-)
During the 1st yr of recovery, I recall some twinges and pain related to cycling. During the 2nd yr, all pain went away, and I recall participating in the 110 mi Tour de Tucson with no problems.
After a couple years, other sports came back, and I reduced cycling, but I still ride year around, just because I love it and it's good exercise, and it's never a problem with the hips. Summers I am usually over 100 mi / week. Done a few centuries, a few "Ride Across Iowa" events (500 miles in a week - more of a eating/drinking fest than endurance event, but still, it's good to have decent training, so you can enjoy).
I wish you good recovery. I'm at the point where I don't even think about resurfaced hips - except to count my blessings.

[JHippy]

That's awesome, Dan!

[evant]

Good post Dan - glad you're doing great.

Dr Brooks sure knows how to place those BHR's.

[jss]

ThinkSmall,

I don't know the answer to your question,  but double-ditto both Danny and Matt.  You have a very unique case that likely requires the attention of an uber-specialist in hip resurfacing.  As PAO seems to be being performed with increasing frequency, you'll likely find that most of the resurfacing gurus mentioned on this site have experience with it and know what, if any, unique attention must be given for a successful surgery.  Whether you use one of those guys or not, I would highly encourage you to consult with at least a couple of them.

BTW: I had a very unique case as well; magna coxa. I consulted with Pritchett, Rogerson and Gross; along with two Dallas area OS's that came highly recommended.  None of the three I named charged for the consult, but I would have been happy to, and even offered to pay.

Good luck!

[Dan L]

Thanks everyone, having hips without pain is a blessing for sure.  I really didn't expect to have all these other positive things come out of the BHR journey, it's simply amazing when I look back.  The recoveries were not all puppy dogs and moonbeams for me, at all, but so much worth it 3+ years later.  Been reading up on the Appalachian Trail lately and trying to envision hiking those 2190+ miles on these hips (after retirement perhaps), whereas that would have been impossible on my "OEM" hips, it's now within the realm of possibility.

Best regards for everyone approaching the surgery and those rehabbing after, it's all worth it.

[Beth]

I am just besides myself. I saw Dr Brooks at CCF for my 1 year post-op check mid-January.
Although my recovery as been a bit slower than I had anticipated, I haven't suspected any serious problem...well, until now.
Since my surgery, I have experienced some hip/groin soreness on most days. Worse with activity like mowing the grass or on my feet all day, but better the next day. I have been unable to increase my exercise beyond short walks. I have never been able to return to the elliptical for more than 10-15 minutes. Dr Brooks wasn't concerned because my xrays look normal.
At the end of January I did some moderate snow shoveling. Big mistake. In a few days I was experiencing pain, snapping, clunking and general laxity. Honestly, I never felt this even immediately after surgery. I called Dr Brooks office and was told by a clerical person that he or his PA had no appointments for several weeks and recommend that I call my pcp or go to the ER.
I did neither but dragged out my crutches and began the Advil/ice regimen. My symptoms improved a lot over the next 2 weeks but I still have considerable discomfort. I am unable to be on my feet for long. Snapping, clunking and laxity less but still present. My leg/hip gives out occasionally when going down steps.
I called again yesterday and then went on-line and sent Phil an email. This morning Phil called. He said he thought I was experiencing psoas tendinitis but was concerned that it could be more serious since I am 1 year post-op and it had lasted for a month, despite my home treatment. He said he would have his nurse call me and work me in within a week. I waited by the phone all day but did not get a call yet.
I am so concerned. I really feel like someone has tried to twist my leg off.
I am scheduled to have my other hip resurfaced in June. I hope that surgery doesn't get changed to a THR for the hip that got resurfaced last year.
Beth

[Tim Bratten]

Sorry to hear that you are having difficulties, Beth. Hopefully your problems are temporary and will improve. I just wanted to weigh in and say that revision (if necessary) doesn't have to be the end of the world.
Good luck
Tim

[seahip]

Just had my first bhr done this week by Dr. Pritchett.  Will be doing a bilateral sometime later this year.

I've reduced the pain meds and icing is helping but just can't get rid of the constipation.  Using a walker to get around.  Hope to see improvements and feel the new joint next week,as the pain and swelling reduce.  My leg definitely feels longer.

One thing is that if I try sitting up in bed without a pillow under my operated knee it really hurts but is fine if I put a pillow underneath.  As others have noted, getting in or out of bed is really tough because of the lateral motion and force required. Since my wife is off work right now I'm cheating and havingg her help me.

Swedish was a great hospital and the care is top notch. Dr Pritchett is pleasant and professional and very respected and liked by all the staff there.

5th day and still constipated, prune juice etc, nothing seems to be helping. I'm having about two oxycodones  a day

[MPH]

It gets easier and more bearable. Stick with the ice 24/7. As soon as you can control the swelling the easier the initial recovery phase. I'm into week 6, walking 4 miles at a time, doing a hard hour on my road bike turbo trainer plays hydrotherapy which has helped enormously. Stick with it, I don't feel like I've a false hip at all.  Good luck.

[seahip]

Thanks, good to know. I'm icing all the time and it has helped. The swelling is big especially at night but reduces during the day somewhat.

[mickymoko]

Hi Beth,
Sorry to hear about your problems but I am experiencing something similar.After blood tests to rule out metallosis,I had ultra sound which revealed psoas tendinitis caused by bone spur irritating tendon and causing subsequent pain..
Unfortunately, standard protocol appears to be :
Rest
NSAID' s
PT
And steroid injections
None of which will sort out the problem of the bone spur.I have managed to get an appt. to see my surgeon to discuss further options.
Perhaps I Am being cynical,but it appears to me from reading dozens of posts,that almost all surgeons state that the components at fitted correctly, as though that will stop the ensuing pain.My view is that they are far more concerned with the mechanics of the operation rather than the aftercare element which is just as important as the initial procedure.
My advice would be to go back and explore the cause of the tendinitis and then try to sort that out.

[Comfortably Numb]

I am scheduled for resurfacing surgery with Dr. Gross in April.  In my readings on this website, I've seen different sedation techniques discussed.  Among them are general anesthesia; spinal anesthesia; combined epidural-spinal anesthesia; nerve blocks; and probably others.

My Surgery Order calls for "Spinal with Sedation."  Would some of you who are familiar with Dr. Gross please explain which category his technique falls into.  If you had an epidural, then you woke up with a catheter in your spine.  If you had general anesthesia, then you had a breathing tube and were placed on a ventilator.  I don't think he does any of this but I may be wrong.

My impression is that a spinal injection is administered after you have been sedated with something to the point that you have no recollection of the experience.  After that, you remain heavily sedated throughout the procedure (almost as though you have had general anesthesia) and then awaken in recovery amazed that it's already over.  Apparently there is an IV cocktail being administered that is keeping you way under but not making you totally unconscious.  I have had this experience with propofol during an upper endoscopy procedure.  It was wonderful!

I certainly don't want to be awake for any of this and have had no problems with anesthesia in the past (other than it takes a lot of Versed to put me down--thankfully, my gastro now uses propofol!).  Am I interpreting Dr. Gross' procedure correctly?  thanks

[einreb]

"Spinal with Sedation"

Spinal is the epidural.  The sedation is likely Propofol with some other stuff thrown in.

The meds start as they prep you.  This will take the edge off a bit.  I became a little fuzzy, but it was pleasant.  To be frank, I don't recall when the epidural was administered, but I'm pretty sure I was awake for that and it was a complete non-issue. 

Then at some point, you get rolled into the operating room and the anesthesiologist with talk you through whats happening and they administer the Propofol.  Next thing you know.... you're waking up.

I was stunned at how clear headed and pain free I was when I woke up.  To the point that I wasn't even sure the surgery had taken place.

BTW....don't forget that the spinal will wear off.  I tried to tough it out and avoid pain meds after and that was a big mistake.  Don't hesitate to stay ahead of the pain with the narcotics.  I was off the oxy after 3 days and then only taking the norco at night for the next week along with advil type stuff.  But, that's jsut my experience.  Some need more, others less, etc.  I will say that I was a religious user of the ice machine/elevating and I think that helped a lot.

-Bernie

[Comfortably Numb]

Good information.  Correct me if I'm wrong however.  I thought an epidural included the placement of a catheter, whereas a spinal is basically an injection.  Did you wake up with a catheter in your spine?

[petemeads]

I had a spinal, a one-off injection, and no catheter in the spine. Sedation was administered via cannula in my hand, along with antibiotic and blood-pressure lowering drugs, but just enough to feel happy so I was awake for the whole operation - about an hour. The whole thing was surprisingly enjoyable with just a brief claustrophobic sensation near the end when I wanted to move my unoperated leg a little but could not. Immediately the 'antidotes' were given I felt very cold and spent another hour in the recovery room under a heated blanket, then back to my room for tea and sandwiches. Highly recommended! Strange to be able to hold a conversation about cup sizes while your surgeon is delving inside you...

[hernanu]

Congrats Dan and keep loving life.

[hernanu]

Just had my first bhr done this week by Dr. Pritchett.  Will be doing a bilateral sometime later this year.

Congrats! I'm about 4.5 years now and have great hips.

I've reduced the pain meds and icing is helping but just can't get rid of the constipation.  Using a walker to get around.  Hope to see improvements and feel the new joint next week,as the pain and swelling reduce.  My leg definitely feels longer.

Keep the ice up as much as you can. Always allow 15 to 20 minutes to go by after icing before reapplying, you don't want to add frostbite to the list of things you're dealing with.

One thing is that if I try sitting up in bed without a pillow under my operated knee it really hurts but is fine if I put a pillow underneath.  As others have noted, getting in or out of bed is really tough because of the lateral motion and force required. Since my wife is off work right now I'm cheating and havingg her help me.

Like the joke says ... "Doctor, it hurts when I do this!"  .... "Well don't do that!"

Keep the pillow there while you need it. I used pillows for a long time.

One thing I've described before, and a really good way to move your leg when you get in / out of bed is to get the other one involved:

When lying down at the bed

• Tuck the unoperated leg under the other at the ankle.
• Use the unoperated leg to lift the operated leg ankle slightly off the bed
• Move 90 degrees to the edge of the bed with your leg up, supported by the other at the ankle
• Using your other leg for support, lower the operated leg to the floor.

When sitting at the edge of the bed

• Tuck the unoperated leg ankle behind the operated at the ankle.
• Use the unoperated leg to lift the operated leg ankle up level with the bed
• Move 90 degrees to the the bed with your leg up, supported by the other at the ankle
• Lay down on the bed. 

This was the best for me, and since I was living alone, was great since I needed no help.

Swedish was a great hospital and the care is top notch. Dr Pritchett is pleasant and professional and very respected and liked by all the staff there.

5th day and still constipated, prune juice etc, nothing seems to be helping. I'm having about two oxycodones  a day

You are still (and will be for a bit) dealing with both the effects of the surgery and the chemical changes from the anesthesia, etc. Be patient with your body, it will return to good balance in due time.

[John C]

My surgery with Dr Gross used a spinal with sedation, and the experience was perfect. The sedation started in pre-op, and my last memory was being wheeled towards the doors of the OR. I have no memory of the spinal injection, or of the operating room. I woke up in recovery feeling clear headed and pain free. The urinary catheter is a little strange to have pulled out. The real side affects from the anesthesia for me was taking a couple of days to get things flowing and moving bowel wise. I believe that Dr Gross also injects some local pain killer around the inside of the surgery site to keep the pain at bay for the first day or so. I just know that I was pain free for that first day or two.