Justin R's Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Gross 2016

[Pat Walter]

Note: Posted for Justin by Patricia Walter

As so many of you have, I benefited tremendously from the website and the stories told. As a result, I wanted to share my story and experience with Dr. Gross and Lee Webb and their outstanding staff.

History/Dr. Selection

My story is very similar to many of the others that I have read about on this website.  Roughly, ten years ago, I started to experience some pain in my hip after a workout. I dismissed it initially as it was intermittent. Eventually, I had an x-ray taken and was advised that I had moderate to severe arthritis in my left hip. As you can imagine, this was a huge shock for someone who has worked hard to stay in peak physical shape my entire life and was facing such a diagnosis in my mid-thirties. I followed the standard HMO protocol and sought the advice of an orthopedic surgeon. He confirmed my diagnosis and prescribed an NSAID and physical therapy. The surgeon and x-ray confirmed that the damage was likely caused due to femoral acetabular impingement (FAI). An active lifestyle led to accelerated degradation of the cartilage. I attended physical therapy but didn’t initially take an NSAID. Ultimately his prognosis was to get a hip replacement when I couldn't bare the pain any longer. I also met with several other doctors who confirmed the aforementioned. I managed the pain for years through exercise modification and ultimately did start to take an NSAID (Meloxicam) on an intermittent basis. At some point I started to research my options. Fortunately I have a few colleagues that I know that have had hip resurfacing. At the time of their ordeal, I had no idea I would be facing the same predicament years later.  One of the things they shared was the surface hippy website. As you all know, this afforded me the opportunity to learn everything I needed about hip resurfacing. Over the last few years I began taking an NSAID every day and I was experiencing significant pain to the point it was more difficult to hide it and was impacting other parts of my body (e.g., back, gait). A new x-ray revealed severe osteoarthritis with large subchondral cysts. In my research I narrowed it to three doctors that I felt were a good fit for me: Dr. Pritchett (Seattle), Dr. Su (NYC), and Dr. Gross (SC). I reached out to all of them. They were all wonderful and I am certain I would have had a great result with any of them. Each of them shared that I was a great candidate for resurfacing and answered all my questions. I ultimately chose Dr. Gross for the following reasons: 1. Uncemented approach; 2. vast experience; 3. skill set that allowed for a minimally invasive approach and; 4. his dedication to research and published results.


Surgery

I scheduled my surgery for September 14, 2016. My experience with everyone I have dealt with at Midlands Orthopedics has been exceptional. They have been extremely responsive and helpful. Prior to surgery, I purchased a Lafuma zero gravity chair as well as a raised toilet seat, both ideas from others on this website and I would highly recommend.  I traveled from Sacramento, California via American Airlines to Charlotte, NC. I took an Uber to Columbia ($79). I planned on taking a shuttle (Columbia Charlotte Shuttle) but they could not accommodate me that evening. I stayed at the Residence Inn, Marriott across the street from Providence Hospital. The hotel was fantastic. The room and staff were outstanding. 

The surgery went great. I had some nausea when my main IV was started pre-op and when I got up the first time post op to walk. Otherwise, I was in zero pain and very comfortable. It was almost surreal.  Dr. Gross has his protocol down to a science. The staff at Providence Hospital was fabulous. Prior to the surgery, I worried about the spinal shot and the catheter. Both were non-issues. I was out before getting the spinal shot and taking out the catheter didn’t hurt, just a strange sensation but it comes out in seconds.

Post-Op/Lessons Learned

My wife flew back on the day I had surgery so she was there the night after the operation and could help me the following few days. It worked perfect. She took great care of me and stocked the kitchen with healthy food and drinks. We rented a seat lift chair for the room. I could have made it without it, but it worked great. It allowed be to elevate my feet and ice with the polar ice machine with ease. We rented it through Hawthorne Pharmacy and Medical Equipment (803-256-3440). It was $140 for the week. I spent a week at the hotel before flying back to California. I wanted to get off the narcotics and be as mobile as possible before heading back. My wife returned to California a few days earlier. I had no idea how I would get through the airport as I have never been through this before. I took the Columbia Charlotte Shuttle to the airport ($55). They dropped me off at the curbside check-in for American Airlines. The curbside staff checked my bags and requested a wheelchair. Ultimately, they took me straight to the gate. Although it was hard for me to be wheeled, it was best for me to stay off my leg and hip as much as possible to keep the swelling to a minimum. It worked well. I flew with American Airlines, direct, back to Sacramento. I flew first class to ensure I would have extra room. I got up often and did lots isometric exercises with my legs. Moreover, I wore a compression stocking on my operated leg for the trip home.  I also asked for a bag of ice and iced when I was sitting down. The flight and return home was uneventful. At home I continued to ice, do my isometric exercises and walk. I worked from home for a week and half before returning to the office.

Current Status

I am currently 24 days post op and I walk unaided without a limp. I walk several miles a day and can navigate stairs as well. I have zero pain and haven’t taken any pain medication since the second day after surgery.  I also started back at the gym, working my upper body. My biggest challenge thus far is to not do too much, but I feel fantastic. As you can imagine I highly recommend Dr. Gross, Lee Webb and their entire crew. I am so grateful for what they do and for changing my life for the better.

The only bad news thus far, is my other hip is starting to deteriorate (mild osteoarthritis) so eventually I will be making a trip back to South Carolina.

If anyone has any questions feel free to reach out to me personally. I would be glad to help in any way I can. I left some of the other details out because the others already covered them. I encourage you to read all the Dr. Gross stories, you will not be disappointed. You will know what to expect every step of the process. I will say, I highly recommend being in the best possible shape as it will make your recovery easier and make you a better patient. I felt it was my responsibility as a patient and the least I could do to support Dr. Gross and his crew’s dedication. The same goes for rehab by being diligent with the prescribed exercises, diet, icing, etc.  As many have said before, I just wonder why I wanted so long to get this done. Life is good!