6/10/24 Second Biomet Magnum Uncemented with Dr. Gross and Lee Webb

[IRONMAN]

Nice.

So if you have to compare both and this stage what would you say the differences are?

[MarvinB]

A little more steady pain this time, kinda tooth-achy.  When it weighs on me too much, a couple ibuprofen does the trick.  My fitness level before surgery was better the first go round.  I really think that helped with the recovery time being shorter.  I feel I’m a little behind the curve this time, but still progressing.  The ridge is almost completely gone, which is pretty much same as last time.  Not too many differences.  I used to see a pain management doctor when I had problems with deteriorating discs.  Something he said stuck with me:  “Your body works to fight pain.  Let it, if you can tolerate it, but if you can’t, let it rest.  Take some pain reliever and stay on top of it for a few days.  Give your body a break.”  Seems to be working for me with this as well.  As I keep saying, everybody’s mileage may vary!

[MarvinB]

Thursday - 94 days post-op - Missed posting on 3 months post-op Monday!  Deep in the guest room reno and forgot to update.  Still dealing with tooth-achy soreness and weakness.  Haven’t been to the gym since starting this project a week and a half ago, but figured the multiple trips up and down the stairs, lifting, squatting (not “heavily” exceeding 90 degrees), crawling, and walking make up for it.  Wear myself out every day!  Still some pain lying on the op side going to sleep, but found that if I roll further and extend my right knee and foot, it’s much more comfortable.  Still learning new things and discovering what works and what doesn’t.

[MarvinB]

Weathered the storm here in South Carolina.  Hurricane Helene really did a number on us!  135 year old red oak in our backyard hit the ground around 4am, squashing our wooden privacy fence flat.  Luckily it stayed away from the neighbor’s house, but others have not been so lucky.  Lots of damage here in Western South Carolina and a lot of folks still out of power.  Power just came back on for us yesterday after 2 1/2 days in the dark.  Coffee at the neighbor’s house across the street, who had power return rather quickly.  We have great neighbors!  The hip gave me no issues, but my back, shoulders, and arms sure felt it!  Cleanup pretty much done until the tree companies become available, so off to help the neighbors.

The only complaint remaining at 3.75 months is sleeping too long on the op side.  I can go maybe an hour or so, then have to turn over, but that’s it.  The clunk is fading, probably with all the moving, stretching and lifting I’ve been doing lately.  Haven’t needed the gym in a few weeks, so…progress!  :)

[IRONMAN]

Sounds like good progress! Lucky your clunk is fading! Mine is still there at 5 months….always there when bent over.

[BSarchet]

Ironman mine is like that also when I’m bent over and it’s like I can feel it in my lower back / upper buttocks area. And it’s on both sides for me.

Other that that it’s not often other than sometimes when I shuffle side to side. 

[IRONMAN]

How are you doing in general now? How far out are you?

[MarvinB]

Friday - 116 days post-op - Enjoying the sights, sounds (and smells) of Washington DC with the Mrs.  Walked over 10 miles when we arrived and logged 7 yesterday.  Probably will do the same today.  57 stairs at the Lincoln Memorial: no problem.  5 flights of stairs at the hotel:  no problem.  My feet hurt, but the hips are asking for more.  Wish we could pedal one of the numerous rental bikes or ride a scooter around town.  Two more months!  Counting down the days.

[MarvinB]

Monday - 126 days post-op - Overlooked another milestone:  4 months!  Cleaning up the yard, post-Helene and continuing the guest room renovation.  Lower back has been bothering me with all the lifting and twisting, but hips are begging for more and starting to yearn for a bike ride.  Light yoga stretches every morning ease the back pain.  Still being careful not to cross left over right until 6 months on December 10.  Counting down the days to “restriction free”!

[MarvinB]

Sunday - 153 days post-op - 5 month anniversary today!  Whoo hoo!  Started pushing the stretches a little more.  I can now easily do a seated soccer stretch on the floor.  A month ago, I could barely get my op leg foot to my calf, let alone beside my knee.  Lately, I’ve had charley horses in my right calf waking me up at night.  Last night was a bad one.  Don’t think it is related to hip, as it’s on the 3.5 year post-op right leg.  Just more age-related crapola.  Planning to check with my miracle-working chiropractor, who I have not seen in 6 months.  Still yearning for the 6-month anniversary bike ride.  Hope December 10 weather will allow it.  You never know in South Carolina… it could be sleeting and 30F or sunny and 82F!

[HippyDogwood]

Sunday - 153 days post-op - 5 month anniversary today!  Whoo hoo!  Started pushing the stretches a little more.  I can now easily do a seated soccer stretch on the floor.  A month ago, I could barely get my op leg foot to my calf, let alone beside my knee.  Lately, I’ve had charley horses in my right calf waking me up at night.  Last night was a bad one.  Don’t think it is related to hip, as it’s on the 3.5 year post-op right leg.  Just more age-related crapola.  Planning to check with my miracle-working chiropractor, who I have not seen in 6 months.  Still yearning for the 6-month anniversary bike ride.  Hope December 10 weather will allow it.  You never know in South Carolina… it could be sleeting and 30F or sunny and 82F!

I found taking magnesium capsules really helped this after my THR. Definitely something in it for me and not placebo

[MattFL]

If you're getting cramps, increase potassium and see if that helps.  Eat more bananas.  Potassium helps your muscles relax, when you're short you can start cramping badly.  This happens frequently in sports when drinking only water to hydrate, as the potassium gets used up and all the new water dilutes what's left.  Which is why the good sports drinks have potassium in them.  No guarantee that's your problem, but it can't hurt to try.

[MarvinB]

Never had a problem with either magnesium or potassium, according to my blood tests.  I eat bananas or oranges/mandarins almost every day and usually drink Gatorade Zero when I'm working hard.  Always had very tight calves, so adding some extra stretching may be in order.

[MarvinB]

Well, here it is… 6 months today!  Whoo hooo!!  :D  Today also happens to be my wonderful wife’s 60th birthday.  Couldn’t have done any of this without her love and support.  She’s amazing!

June 10th of this year, it seemed like such a long road to 6 months and zero restrictions.  Looking back, it’s pretty incredible how quickly it passed.  Sucks that it’s rainy here today and tomorrow, or I would be out on my bike!  Looking forward to next year’s beach kayaking trip and getting back in the gym, although I’m starting another DIY renovation project on another room in our house so probably won’t need the gym.  Time to strengthen this thing!  I’ve added the “Spiderman pose” back to the yoga routine to impress my great-nephew.  No issues!  Working on more flexibility and sitting crosslegged… my goal after the right hip operation was to sit under the Christmas tree crosslegged to open presents.  It truly is the little things in life!

Happy Holidays, Hippies!  Stay well!

[MarvinB]

1st anniversary of the 2nd hip on June 10!  Whoo hoo!  All is well, no clunking, tough as titanium and asking for more on hikes, climbs, yard work, doggie walks, etc.  Now if I can keep my right knee from complaining and trying to steer me towards another surgery, I’ll be happy.  I guess if it does, I know a guy…  ;D

[Pat Walter]

Happy Anniversary Second Hip!!!  I am glad things are working out well.  Usually it does for hip resurfacing, which you well know!  Thanks for sharing your story.  I wish you the best.    Pat

[Pat Walter]

Hi Marvin.  I finally collected all your story posts and placed your story on the main website under Dr. Gross Stories.  I will watch and try to add updates as time goes on.  https://surfacehippy.info/marvin-bs-bilateral-hip-resurfacing-with-dr-gross-2021-2024/     I wish you the best.  Pat

[MarvinB]

Thanks, Pat!  Love the new forum format.

[Pat Walter]

Thanks Marvin. I finally was able to get the forum updated and made a lot of changes. Hopefully all for the better!