My 2nd hip resurfacing log. Dr Marchand

[PistolPete]

Day 7 Post Op:

Hopefully someone at some point finds this post helpful.  Yesterday was GREAT!!!!  I did my 1/4 squats and still on one crutch.  Last night I thought I would try using my crutch like a cane to see if I could take a few steps.  Yep, NO problem at all.  I did a bunch of walking this way without any issues.  I'm def. progressing well.  Since about day 3 or 4 I was able to lift my leg from the floor into the leg without any assistance.  Today the swelling and bruising is increasing and the outside of my leg is VERY SORE.  I think I'm going to take it a little easier today to see if I can keep the swelling in check. 

[moe]

It's good to read that your recovery is going well Pete, keep it up but don't overdo it. Marathon not sprint.

Moe

[PistolPete]

Today is Day 8 Post Op.  Yesterday my leg was SUPER sore.  My hip was fine but my quad and hamstring were REALLY swollen.  I took it easy yesterday.  Def. don't want to overdue it.  That said, I'm already for the cane.  I ordered one from Walmart and I'm leaving in a few to go grab it.  This will be my first time leaving the house since my surgery.  That said, we've had a ton of snow and icy conditions so I didn't feel it was safe walking outside.  My driveway gets a lot of ice so I didn't want to risk slipping and falling.  I've been diligent with my PT and ice.  I ice almost all day long.  I have an ice machine so that's a god send.  If you don't have one and you're going thru this surgery GET ONE!!!!!  Works so much better than using ice packs and lasts 10 times longer.  I fill the bowl with water and then add 4 frozen mini water bottles and it stays cold for HOURS.  Much better than using ice in it.

I feel good today.  I'm taking steps without assistance pretty easily.  Again, not pushing it but I will transition to the cane today once I have it.  If things start getting sore I will revert back to the crutch or even the walker.

[tallmarkr]

Hey Pete - Thanks for the log. It sounds like your first week has gone well overall. I'm wondering if you did any "pre-hab" work to strengthen that side before surgery?

[PistolPete]

I go to the gym lifting about 6 or 7 days per week and I did this up to two days before surgery.  That said, because of the major impingement I was hardly doing legs.  Literally impossible to squat or do leg presses.  I was doing leg extensions, leg curls, and calf exercises as well as riding the exercise bike.  I did the bike nearly every day for about a month.  I think just overall I'm really strong which has def. helped to this point.  If you're thinking about or have surgery scheduled I recommend getting in shape prior 100%.

Hey Pete - Thanks for the log. It sounds like your first week has gone well overall. I'm wondering if you did any "pre-hab" work to strengthen that side before surgery?

[PistolPete]

Day 9 Post Op:  Yesterday was AWESOME.  I went to the store and it was the first time leaving the house.  I was able to walk around and get a cane.  I will say that people are ignorant though.  Walking on a crutch you would think others would be careful around you.  NOPE, some old woman literally cut me off to get out the door before me.  I told her she was ignorant.

Anyways, PT came and she did clear me for using the cane.  We went outside as the street was clear but it was VERY COLD out.  We walked mostly the length of my street and back.  Would have gone further but she was freezing.  haha. She wanted me to call my surgeon to confirm if it was OK to already be on the cane and they said it was fine but if I feel any pain or discomfort to listen to my body and go back to the crutch or walker.  No issues so far.  Still no issues going the bathroom or sleeping.  I tried laying on my operative side last night but that was a no-go. 

Doing my marching exercises this morning I noticed how smooth my leg comes up.  Pre-Op I could not do this or it would be extreme pain.  It would also not be smooth and feel like everything was grinding.  I'm really happy about that.  The bruising is still growing but the swelling is starting to go down a bit.  It's crazy because I have a large bruise around the back of my knee.  I'm wondering if this is from pulling on my leg during surgery or just the bruise traveling down.  Very strange if it is the later though because there is no bruising between my hamstring and this spot.

[Pat Walter]

Glad to hear your recovery is moving along.  I wish you the very best.
Pat

[PistolPete]

Thank you so much I'm very happy with how far along I am so quickly.  Thank you for this awesome website.  You might not hear it enough but it is the best resource we have.  Going thru previous logs has helped me tremendously esp. before my surgery as I was getting more and more nervous about it all.

Glad to hear your recovery is moving along.  I wish you the very best.
Pat

[PistolPete]

Day 10 Post Op:  Coming up on 2 weeks.  WOOT WOOT.  Things still going well.  I'm still only using the cane at this point and I'm taking steps without it.  Going up and down stairs I'm stepping foot over foot so that's a huge step in the right direction.  The weather here has been awful so I haven't been able to get outside for a walk.  My road is covered in snow and it's basically snowed all week long.  Not a ton but enough to cover the road.  I may take a trip to Walmart just to walk around for exercise.  I've been doing my PT exercises religiously which I def. think is helping.  They are all getting easier.  The 1/4 squats though KILL so I've been doing those sparingly.  My PT said it's a little premature to start doing those.

Last night sleeping I had an issue.  I had a dream that I was in a fight and got knocked to the ground so I side kicked the person attacking me.  Problem is I actually threw a side kick which woke me right up.  Def. didn't feel good.  Def. don't want to repeat that ever again.

[MarvinB]

Gonna start calling you “ProgressPete!”   :)  Watch what you eat before bedtime there, Chuck Norris!  Kinda jealous about the snow report.  We haven’t had a single flake here down South.

[PistolPete]

Gonna start calling you “ProgressPete!”   :)  Watch what you eat before bedtime there, Chuck Norris!  Kinda jealous about the snow report.  We haven’t had a single flake here down South.

HAHA. Thank you.  Sure rub it in that you haven't had any snow.  We are getting ANOTHER storm Monday night.  February has been Brutal.  Tons of snow and VERY cold temps.  Oh well, usually when we have a tough winter we have an awesome spring and summer so I will take it now to have the better weather later.

[PistolPete]

Day 11 Post Op:  (this post might have TMI just warning)

Yesterday was my best day yet.  Got up, did my exercises, iced my leg etc.  The weather warmed up to a balmy 20 degrees so I decided to venture out alone.  I walked down to my mailbox and back.  It's prob. 1/4 mile total.  I took a bunch of unassisted steps with mostly ease.  I am limping though when not using the cane so I'm not going to push it.  Def. don't want to build bad habits and then have to learn how to fix a bad gait.  So, def. keeping an eye on that.  But, it felt great.  My fiance and I decided to go on a date.  We went to a Habichi restaurant and had an awesome time.  It's interesting the strange looks people give me walking on a crutch.  I'm pretty built as I've been lifting for decades so people look confused.  haha. I think my fiance wishes I took my single crutch instead of the cane though.  haha

We came home and watched a movie and then had sex.  Yes, we had sex with NO PROBLEMS.....  We did it doggie style (I know TMI) but this worked great.  If you're a new hippie I 100% recommend this.  It didn't put any stress on my hip and we just went slower than usual obviously.  My fiance was VERY happy as she was starting to feel neglected.  HAHA. Kidding obviously, but she was teasing me about it.

The ONLY real nagging problem I'm having is my incision is SUPER ITCHY.  Esp. at night.  OMG I want to tear it off.  I've read that taking Benedril will calm the histamines down and it won't itch.  I haven't gone that route yet but last night I deeply thought about it.  haha. Pain has been maybe a 1 or 2.  My hip is tight and gets sore but doesn't hurt.  Again, the marching exercise feels AMAZING.  If I were to try that pre-op there is no way I could do it.  It would hurt so much and would snap, crackle, and pop.  Now, I can't believe how smooth it is.  Also, on the laying heel slides my leg is extending further and further every single day.  I meet with my surgeon in 2 days and I'm planning on going to the gym on day 3 to do PT stuff, ride the bike with no resistance, and do some light machines.  Can't wait to have my life back but I'm feeling closer to normal with each passing day.

[PistolPete]

Day 12 Post Op:

I can't believe it's already been almost 2 weeks.  Things are essentially the same.  Yesterday we went to Walmart and I got to walk around the entire store.  Def. the most I've walked at this point.  I used the carriage as support and didn't have any issues.  My incision is still super itchy esp at night and early morning.  My leg is getting stronger and my PT exercises are getting easier.  I have my follow up tomorrow.  I'm hoping he lifts the 90 degree restriction but I'm not sure if that's at one month.

[MarvinB]

Dr. Gross prescribes Mupirocin ointment, stage name “Bactroban”, for the incision once a day.  I rub it on after showering.  Mine never itched, although sometimes it feels like it is itching INSIDE.  Must be the healing!  Still using it, but about to run out.

[PistolPete]

Very interesting.  I get my bandage removed today so I will ask if I can use this.  They did say I could use Benadryl which would stop the itching.  I might have to try that if it continues like it has been.  Does the Mupirocin Ointment also help with scarring?

Dr. Gross prescribes Mupirocin ointment, stage name “Bactroban”, for the incision once a day.  I rub it on after showering.  Mine never itched, although sometimes it feels like it is itching INSIDE.  Must be the healing!  Still using it, but about to run out.

[PistolPete]

Day 13 Post Op:

I honestly cannot believe it's been nearly 2 weeks already.  Time is FLYING by.  I have my follow up today so they will remove the bandage.  I'm going to attempt the gym shortly.  Will keep it VERY VERY easy just mostly want to get in to see many of my friends and to try to get back into a routine.

Yesterday during PT things were going great UNTIL I tried getting up from the floor.  She wanted a harder surface than my bed and I told her I could get down on the floor.  I did without issue but getting up I strained the front of my hip.  It hurt REALLY REALLY BAD.  Like, nearly passed out.  haha. It was fine after a couple of minutes but I took it very easy the last few days.  She went over my walking and said my stride is short so I need to do some stretching.  She said I'm doing great off the cane but when I do my stride gets even shorter so she wants me stretching and walking on my longer stride.  I'm guessing because the impingement I had prior to surgery my stride has DEF. shortened.  Glad she pointed it out so I can be aware of it.  Def not something I would have known prior.

I will post back later after my follow up.

[PistolPete]

So, I went to the gym this morning and did some machines and 10 min with no resistance on the exercise bike.  Felt good to be back.  I then had my follow up.  They removed the bandage and Holy Hell my scar must be 12-13" long.  My other side is only 6" or so.  They have some weird bandage with strips over it that I need to keep on for another week or two.  Looks like Train Tracks running the entire length.  I cannot believe how large the incision is though.  OMG

Anyways, they said things are looking awesome.  X-Rays are perfect, mobility is great, healing looks perfect, swelling looks good, and bruising is nearly gone.  They said I can go beyond the 90 degree bend but listen to my body.  Any pain and it means my body doesn't like that yet.  He said I'm cleared to do pretty much any upper body exercises so long as I'm not twisting and torquing on my hip.  He said most machines are perfectly fine.  He said let PT guide me into adding lower body exercises and be extra cautious when doing it alone.  He said there is almost no risk of the implant moving at this point but to be smart and let my body heal.  He said the 6 month restriction is because they want to be conservative with things and have people ease their way back into activity .

[MarvinB]

The Mupirocin doesn’t necessarily help with scar appearance, but it does keep the itching at bay.  Perhaps Polysporin or Neosporin would do the same.  This is prescription, not OTC.  Dr. Gross’s literature says that he doesn’t believe in “potions” that will reduce the appearance of the scar.  Personally, I’m going to tell everyone that I was lucky that shark bit me where he did and didn’t take my leg off!   ;D

[PistolPete]

They said not to put anything on it.  He said the itching is from the dry skin caused from being taped and under dressing.  SO funny how each surgeon has a different approach.  haha

The Mupirocin doesn’t necessarily help with scar appearance, but it does keep the itching at bay.  Perhaps Polysporin or Neosporin would do the same.  This is prescription, not OTC.  Dr. Gross’s literature says that he doesn’t believe in “potions” that will reduce the appearance of the scar.  Personally, I’m going to tell everyone that I was lucky that shark bit me where he did and didn’t take my leg off!   ;D

[PistolPete]

Day 15:  Yesterday was another great day.  I'm pretty much off the cane around the house at this point.  I can go up and down stairs without issue without it and going foot over foot.  I have a bit of a limp but not too bad.  My stride has gotten much much longer.  I also went to the gym again yesterday and it went great.  I added a bit of weight to the machines I did and went up to a level 3 on the exercise bike.  I will keep the resistance low until PT clears me to go higher.  My In home PT discharged me yesterday.  She said she has been doing this for 20 years and this is the fastest she's seen anyone recover to where I'm already at.  I start outpatient PT on Monday.  I'm going to the gym again this morning.  I've still been icing it most of the day.  Swelling has gone down and the bruising is almost completely gone.  I'm happy with where I am at this point and excited to see where I am in the next 2 weeks.  They lifted the 90 degree restriction but said don't do anything that hurts and to slowly work into it.  My PT had me doing a lot more stretches as she said I'm really stiff and tight in certain areas.  I haven't been able to stretch for the past year or longer because it hurt too much.  I'm excited to start working on my flexibility again.