Joe_CA's Bilateral Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Gross, December 2016

[blinky]

Hey Joe!


Your progress sounds great. The rate sounds familiar. Like you, I made remarkable gains at first, going from someone in pain (who denied she was in pain) and avoided moving to someone who wasn't in pain and wanted to walk and move all the time. At eight weeks I remember I did an hour charity swim and was so stoked afterwards I fairly skipped across the parking lot. Would have skipped except I remembered no running until six months out. I went home and walked a good distance, then felt like crap the next day because I overdid it.


That continues to be my story. I feel really good. I try something new. I can do it! Yay! I over do it. I set myself back. But after a few days I am ready to go again. My abilities keep growing, but it is two steps forward one step back, largely due to my own choices.


You will continue to make gains, maybe more slowly. Like hernanu says you may plateau or find your progress to be nonlinear, but you will keep improving. I am still trying new things, testing out the hips.

[Pat Walter]

Hi Joe
Thanks for your update.  As others have said, healing is not a straight line.  Sometimes 2 steps forward and one back.  Just be patient and let your body heal at it's own speed.  Six months is a time when many people feel more normal -  varies for many people.

Good Luck.

Pat

[sheltons]

Hey Joe,

I had to laugh when i read your latest post because my recovery seems identical to yours. My sixth week actually felt like week three. Knock on wood, the last two weeks have been good. If i push the walking and excercise, pay for it the next day with soreness.

I guess patience is the key.

Going to walk a mile today and do all my leg excercises.

Shelton

[Joe_CA]

Hey Sheltons,

Yeah, it was kind of funny that I somehow thought this recovery was going to be a piece of cake. I'm not even an overly optimistic person by nature, but since things were going so positive and quick the first month, I thought that I would be back to normal in less than 2 months. Then my body slammed me back to reality by saying:

"Hey dummy. You think you're special or something? You think you can avoid all the pain and work everyone else did with their recoveries? Think again brother. We've got a lot of work and time to go through."

So yeah. This is definitely not an easy ride. One thing I did notice by reading the stories here though. There appears to be a common pattern I've noticed on here with recoveries. People's stories seem to drop off noticeably right around the 4-month mark. If I'm right, I'd say that's the point where things really improve. We will have to wait and see...

And thanks blinky, Hernau, Pat etc. for your helpful advice.

[Joe_CA]

One more quick note for any prospective patients. Please understand that I'm simply saying my recovery wasn't a "walk through the park" as I initially envisioned it would be given my experience the first few weeks.

But my recovery isn't difficult at all up to this point. It's just that you will likely experience some pain/soreness. However my soreness isn't anywhere near the level it was pre-surgery (I'd say perhaps 50%), and it is only there perhaps an hour or two after exercising, or for the first few seconds after standing up. The pain and soreness aren't there constantly like it was pre-surgery.

Just want to put a more positive spin on things, because I am still very content with my recovery!

[catfriend]

"Yeah, it was kind of funny that I somehow thought this recovery was going to be a piece of cake. I'm not even an overly optimistic person by nature, but since things were going so positive and quick the first month, I thought that I would be back to normal in less than 2 months. Then my body slammed me back to reality by saying:

"Hey dummy. You think you're special or something? You think you can avoid all the pain and work everyone else did with their recoveries? Think again brother. We've got a lot of work and time to go through." "

I think it's very easy to read the stories by those who recover super fast, and assume you will be one of those and not one of those who recovers at an "average" or slower rater. (Really, there's no such thing as average in your recovery. It's all about you.) Also, just because someone recovers fast doesn't mean there isn't pain, soreness, weakness, and a lot of work along the way.

"So yeah. This is definitely not an easy ride. One thing I did notice by reading the stories here though. There appears to be a common pattern I've noticed on here with recoveries. People's stories seem to drop off noticeably right around the 4-month mark. If I'm right, I'd say that's the point where things really improve. We will have to wait and see..."

At first you have daily or near daily milestones. Then it's weekly. Then it slows down and you hardly notice. You'll probably still have some weakness and occasional soreness, but it diminishes in frequency and intensity. You know you're improving, but the steep part of the improvement curve has passed. It's gradual now. It becomes hard to update because you just don't feel it. No news is good news. At some point you'll realize you're back to normal. Maybe that'll happen at 6 months, or maybe 8, 10, or 12. I'm at 13 months out and I would say I'm fully recovered, and I would have said this a few months ago (although I can't put a date to it). My surgical leg is still a bit weaker, but if I spent more time on it I could get it back faster. Right now I've injured my right (surgical side) foot somehow, so walking etc are out until it gets better.

[Quig]

Hey Joe, I'm glad to hear things are progressing... they'll keep getting better and better and better but, like you're learning, the progress is not necessarily linear.


I agree that the 4 month mark was a big milestone. That's when I really started to feel GOOD again. Granted, after surgery was a huge improvement that the bone-on-bone pain was gone but there is plenty of soft tissue soreness and stiffness and weakness and that is NOT pleasant. Seems like right around 4 months is when things seemed really get much easier and the strength really starts to come back.


Hang in there...  8)

[Joe_CA]

Just a quick update at a little more than the 3 month mark.

I can already jog!

Don't worry, I know I'm not supposed to do run until I'm cleared after 6 months, but I was feeling so good that I had to test my new legs out. I only went about 20 feet on soft surface (sand), and I proceeded very gingerly. But it felt so good and normal. I haven't run properly in probably ten years! In the last several years, it would seriously take me a couple of laps around the track to even feel halfway normal. I am now super confident that I will be able to run again, pain free and without limping! :-) And it's funny because I was never a big runner in the past (just perhaps 5 miles per week on average to stay in shape).

Like me, I bet many of you prior to surgery had dreams where you were running. The dreams were pretty powerful and uplifting, and you felt as if you were back in a time before the arthritis came into your life. Then you woke up, and were let down, reminded of the reality that perhaps your running days were over... Again, I don't even know how much I will run if/when I make a full recovery, but it is damned good to know that I at least may have the option!

Things are only improving in all other areas. The pain after sitting for a long time is pretty much gone, and much of the strength has come back (I'd guess around 60-70 percent). I still truly believe that something magical happens for most of us right around the 4-month post-surgical milestone, which is about 3 weeks away for me.

So far, so good. I wish all of you the best in your own personal recoveries.

[Quig]

What a great update Joe! It's awesome to see you enjoying your progress and looking forward with such an optimistic outlook... and just wait, it just keeps getting better.


You sir, are going to have the best summer you've had in many years!  8)

[Joe_CA]

Hello,

Just here to add another update at the 4-month mark (well, 16 weeks anyway). My recovery is going very well, and I am very satisfied with how things are progressing. I haven't been on this site much in the last couple of weeks. I have read some of the other recent stories here, and have seen several individuals who are having some difficulties. I'm confident that their aches and pains will soon subside, and that when it's all said and done, we will all be satisfied with our new hips in the long run.

I'm still performing my recommended exercises (weighted front and side leg lifts), though not as frequent. For the last couple of weeks, I have integrated some other rehab activities which may not explicitly be advised by Dr. Gross's staff. I'm doing light lunges (no weights), some light weight (and not too deep) squats, leg extensions and curls etc. I've also started to run in the sand for approximately a half a mile several times per week. I'm being very careful to not put any undue force on my hips when I do these new exercises, and even the sand running probably isn't as impactful as walking fast on the cement. The running was a little hard at first, but after the first few times, it really has helped the front psosas tightness.

Every once in a while I will overdo things, and my muscles and tendons will be sore. But this pain truly isn't even close to what I was prior to surgery. Maybe my level of satisfaction as this point (besides dumb luck) is due to letting my hips deteriorate for so many years (probably 10+). So in comparison, things just appear to be better. Another thing I've been doing is simply working through the pain if/when it comes during my workouts. I know my body good enough to know when I can push a little harder, versus stopping because I'm doing more damage.

I wish you all the best, and for those of you with ongoing issues, don't stop doing what you can to get over the next hurdle. Whether that be resting more, new stretches, and/or different forms of PT/exercises. Good luck.

[Quig]

Congrats on your 16 week milestone. Isn't it crazy how the time flies? Keep up the great work, I'm sure the progress will continue!

[Joe_CA]

Just posting for my (almost) 6 month post-surgery mark (I used 24 weeks because it came quicker :-))

Bottom Line: I couldn't be happier.

To go back a year ago and  recall all the hobbling and pain I experienced while trying to remain active, and then compare to how I feel now is simply hard to imagine. I'm doing activities that I haven't done in *years*. I ran on the track a few weeks ago and did a little more than a 9 minute mile. I know that's not too impressive, but  in years past it would take me 9 minutes just to warm up a half of mile so I could even attempt to run more. I've played beach volleyball for a few weeks too, and while my jumping isn't back to 100%, I've been able to run after balls and dive like I did 20 years prior.

At the gym I'm doing squats, lunges with proper form and little pain. I'm picking stuff off the ground and putting on my pants without holding onto to something, tying my shoes with ease, running up stairs. Senior citizens are no longer stepping around me during walks because I was too slow. Forget about it! I've even returned to playing basketball with my kids again in the driveway. I'd like to say I'm beating them, but I'd be lying (they're teenagers now, and getting much better than me).

I could yammer on for the next hour about how satisfied I am with deciding to obtain hip-resurfacing. This website was such a important part of my decision. Without it, I'm not sure I would have been able to reject the numerous ways in which I was being dissuaded from getting this done, from unscrupulous lawyers ads on TV, to the uninformed and/or untrained physicians I encountered. I recall my rock-bottom moment during this journey one night after being informed that afternoon by a MD that "there was no way" I was a candidate for this procedure, "You're hips are too far gone". I remember sitting alone at home, and telling myself over and over "You're becoming a cripple, and there isn't much you can do about it". I cried like a little baby.

Yep, that was the lowest moment. And guess what? The highest moment came, even surpassing how great I feel now, was when I found this website, and was advised that perhaps my path was not set in stone, and that many people have encountered the exact same headwinds that I have. And then adding to that, getting to view so many fine examples of real people with their personal stories of great outcomes, and returning to sports that provide them with a quality of life they once enjoyed. It was like finding an oasis in the desert.

I'm sure Pat gets tired of hearing this, but we are all so blessed and thankful for what you do. And thanks to all who share here, and who have helped me.

Joe

[Pat Walter]

Joe

Thanks for the update.  Glad things are moving right along for you.  Thanks for taking time to share your experience.  I know other people enjoy reading about your journey and as you said, it is great for perspective patients to learn what great options are available.

Thanks again for your kind words about the website.  I am very, very happy that it can help people solve their problems and get back to a normal, pain free life.

Good Luck.

Pat

[Quig]

Awesome report Joe!

And, guess what....? It's early sir, you're still healing. You have plenty more progress ahead of you. It's going to keep getting better, and better, and better!

Congrats and it's great to hear how pleased you are. Gonna be one heck of a summer!  8)

[Joe_CA]

One Year post-op Update:

Hi everyone.

Well. it's been a year since my bilateral hip resurfacing surgery performed by Dr. Gross last December. It's been an amazing ride. I would have been completely satisfied even if I didn't recover any more since the six-month mark last June. But, as everyone informed me, I would continue to improve. And I have. Perhaps I'm done making additional physical improvements, and I don't care. I'm at the point where I don't even think about the surgeries, or my hips.

I'm trying hard to come up with some additional information for people on the fence, considering having the surgery. I don't need to rehash all the fun I've been having this Summer and Fall. Well, except to say I'm now getting some wins at the beach volleyball courts, and occasionally kicking my cocky 15 year old teenager's a$$ in basketball now and again . :-)

All I can say is, if you're in pain and feel like your quality of life has diminished because you can't participate in physical activities you once enjoyed, please seriously consider having hip resurfacing done. And the sooner the better. And the only other piece of advice I can offer, which is a daily mantra here, is to choose an experienced surgeon. I happened to get one of the best, but I'm rather certain I would still be completely satisfied if I were to have chosen one of the other 10-20 top surgeons recommended here. Also, while luck no doubt played a factor in my trouble-free recovery, try and stay active and strong (where possible) before your surgery date, and stay committed to your post-op rehab routines.

As my good buddy and fellow bilateral Dr. Gross patient Quig stated to me, I will continue to "pay it forward" here, and chime in when I have some advice to offer throughout the years.

Simply an amazing website and people here. How lucky of me to have landed here when I did.

-Joe

[packman]

Great update Joe
Nice to hear that your new hips can fully take the weight transfers, the pounding on the joints from basketball, and the pressure strength from weight training squats/lunges and the push off rigours of beach volleyball

[Quig]

Yeah! Go Joe!


Crazy that it has already been a year.... time flies when you're having FUN! I can't tell you how happy I am to see how well you're doing. Keep kicking that kid's butt on the basketball court(!!!) and keep up the beach volleyball.


Congrats, and keep up the good work. It just keeps getting better and better... you're not even close to being done improving. Enjoy!!  8)