It was just over two months ago that I decided to pursue a BHR. After seeing three doctors and running around for a couple of weeks assembling all of the medical authorization information I got the call today from Dr. Ball's office. I'm scheduled for February 11 for the LBHR and March 11 for the RBHR. Unfortunately I was in a meeting when the call came and I got the information from voicemail. I couldn't respond before COB so I left a message with the office. So, I guess I'm not technically confirmed until tomorrow, but I hope these dates are set in stone.
So now reality is setting in, with a mixture of excitement and a little fear as well. This is actually going to happen. It's definitely what I want but the whole thing is more than just a little daunting. The next 6 months or so will be very interesting, and I know my Kindle is going to get a big workout.
Let's get it done!!!!!
I think I am similar. I have been active, played sport all my life, squash and football in particular. Over the last couple of years I have been able to 'hop' around a squash court, but its not much fun and walking is now no fun either. I have my operation with Dr Bose Next month and initially I was full 'fear' - in fact I almost cancelled twice. Now its completely different though. I am just looking forward to getting my life back. In fact when there was a problem with my India visa I jumped through hoops to sort it out. The thought of not being able to travel to India and have this operation was just not an option - I think like you that now I have decided to do it - I want to get on with it.
The sooner its done the sooner we can do those things we love doing again.
Good luck and I hope you do get the dates you wanted confirmed...
Dave.
Hi Guys
Dr. Ball is an excellent surgeon and I am sure you will do well. Please keep us updated and write a story for the website.
Dr. Bose is one of the best in the world. I know he is far far away, but the trip will be worth it. Don't change your mind, just keep thinking how great your summer will be. Vicky, one of the other patient advocates, just came back from her surgery with Dr. Bose. THis is her second BHR and she has traveled to India twice by herself. So I know you can do it too.
Stay in touch and good luck to both of you with those new hips.
Pat
I spoke with Dr. Ball's scheduler yesterday and got all of my appointments set up.
LBHR on 2/11
RBHR on 3/11
Four week and four month followups for each, and a pre-surgery meeting with Dr. Ball's team a week or so before the first procedure. I still need to set up the joint replacement class.
The two dates are perfect, IMO, because they're both on Fridays. My wife and I can both take that day off work and she can (hopefully) drive me home on Saturday or Sunday. I can then take the next week off and, if all goes extremely well, start doing some work from home the second week after.
My ultimate goal is to make it to Park City on April 29 for my nephew's wedding. OK, I guess that's the penultimate goal. The ultimate goal is to get back to a normal and healthy lifestyle.
I'm very excited to be making some progress toward the surgery. It's a little scary, though, now that it seems it's really going to happen. It sure helps to be able to come here and read of other peoples' experiences.
Mike
PS, I'm wondering if I need to paint a big target on my left hip to ensure that they do the right...errr, correct...one first.
Authorization from Blue Shield for the LBHR came in yesterday's mail. W00t! (as my kids would leetspeak)
Also, instructions from the hospital, referral to the home healthcare service and dental antibiotic prophylaxis instructions.
Dr. Ball's PT left me a message to give him a call on Monday, and my pre-op meeting is on Tuesday.
It looks like things are actually coming together, and starting to get a little scary. I just got promoted to engineering manager in my office. Nice timing, so now I have two weeks to learn a new job before I take medical leave ??? . Got a big project starting next week, which I will be handing off to somebody else. Oh well, when it rains it pours. I guess.
Maybe the new developments at work are a little bit of a blessing in disguise - a focus to keep you from worrying too much about surgery. I know that scary feeling, however confidently well prepared one may be, there's still that feeling of stepping into the unknown and handing trust and control to others. Stay positive - looking forward to welcoming you on the other side (as it were) where the grass really is greener. :)
HD
So did I. I have my left scheduled for the 22nd of Feb by Pritchett in Seattle. My right will follow 6 weeks later. I was fine with all of this until I started reading the pre-op details and then I started getting a little freaked out. The way I deal with that is to remind myself of all the very positive stories here on the website and all the positive info from the doc. He was so matter-of-fact and confident about my hips that I feel pretty much run-of-the-mill. He does about 6 RS's a week and has over 2600 now. He was researching this stuff in the 80s so I feel very confident with him. It's still surgery though.
Hope all goes well with yours. I think keeping your head out of it by staying busy is probably the best.
Bryn
I'm on my 8th week of my second resurfacing. I was having dinner with my 18 year old daughter at her favorite pancake place (don't ask), when she looked at me and said - Dad, how does it feel not to have that pain any more? - And it really struck me how much the constant pain from before the surgery had not only affected me, but those I loved as well.
I know it's scary to go through surgery, and I would never minimize that; the feeling I have is that it has been such a positive for me that the second time around I was excited to get to my right hip. I feel like I've been launched into a pain free part of my life.
So good luck, from this point of view, you've taken a brave step that I feel will pay off.
I hear you . My kid keeps telling me I have to get on the unicycle and do some tricks like him. I don't need to do any tricks, I just want to be able to ride it again without pain. It's probably the worst thing I can do to my hips, all the strain goes right through the hip. Hey, I'll be happy to just walk without a wince and gimp. Thanks for the support.
Hey FM, good luck for Friday and your first speedy recovery.
When I got to outpatient Physical therapy, the first thing they did was to slap me onto an exercise bicycle. I was leery, since for a couple of years that had been painful, but the only pain was from the leg that still needed to be operated on. The first time, I had a little discomfort from sitting on the bicycle seat, but that went away quickly as I got stronger. The resurfaced leg eventually got strong enough that it started causing problems for the other leg, which couldn't keep up.
The second surgery cleared all of that up, and I can comfortably go 20 minutes on the exercise bike without any problem. I use it for a warmup for my PT exercises - I'm not a biker, but after feeling this good on it, I may pick it up.
Good luck!
Thanks, I feel like I'm on the final countdown now.
I still have a lot of stuff to wrap up at work, but once Friday morning (even Thursday night) comes around I have a feeling that I'll feel a huge weight starting to lift.
It'll be nice to be able to ride a bike again. What I'm really looking forward to is getting back on my rower.
So, today is my big day. We woke up at 3:30 a.m. to get showered and dressed for my 5:30 check-in at Thornton Hospital at UC San Diego.
Most everything has gone very smoothly and I can't say enough good things about the doctors, nurses, and staff here. I was fully prepped and in the OR by 7:30 a.m. A few minutes of bantering with the surgical team is all I remember before waking up in recovery at 10:30 a.m. with a new left hip. At this point I am truly amazed at how easy this has been. When I woke up I had some fairly strong pain at the incision site and my lower back was also in great pain. This had me a little worried, but the back pain was primarily from lying down flat for too long. After raising the head and knee area of the bed the back pain resolved in 10 or 15 minutes.
I had a general anesthesia for the surgery, as well as an epidural, which is still in my back. There's a PCA attached to the epidural, and a few shots from that pretty much took care of the hip pain. There's still obviously some tenderness and stiffness there, but much less than I expected. I haven't had to max out the PCA (30 minute intevals) since the first hour.
The PT was in about an hour ago and got me sitting up on the side of the bed, with no dizziness at all. I was able to raise my knee and my foot against her pressure with no problems at all. Really, I feel like I could get up and walk right now, but we are going to wait until tomorrow. I seriously don't think that could possibly be more happy than I am right now with the way things are going..
Great to hear everything went well, now when the other is done you will have a matched pair of good joints!
Chuck
Once I get the second one done, and the nuclear fuel implant is complete, I should be able to give this guy a run for his money...
(http://blastr.com/assets_c/2010/09/sixmilliondollarman-thumb-513x384-47788.jpg)
Sounds like you are already there.... good luck on a very quick, painless and easy recovery.
Chuck
Great news. Hope all continues smoothly! You'll crush Steve A - he's old tech.
Awesome results! glad to hear how well it's going.
Had two walking sessions yesterday (with two crutches). Early afternoon I went once around the ward with Dr. Ball (a triangle with maybe 3 or 4 rooms on a side). Found also that I could do fine with one crutch, but will keep the two for now. Later with the nurse I did one lap and then out to the 3rd floor mezzanine all the way to the end and back, about 4 times the length of the first walk.
Everybody seems amazed at how well I'm moving. It seems sincere, but could also be encouragement. Also getting up and going to the bathroom with no problem. Dr. Ball says there's no weight bearing limit, just whatever I can handle. Flexion limit is 120 degrees, but I don't expect to be approaching that for quite a while. No crossing of legs, and avoid moving left hip toward right shoulder.
Pain last night was worse than the night before, probably because the epidural is gone. Unable to sleep without the oxycontin, but at least I'm able to roll over on my right side for awhile and read my Kindle. Still hoping for discharge today.
The hospital had some problems finding an adult sized wheelchair in which to ship me out ???, but after an hour or so of searching they finally came up with something wide enough to accommodate my ample girth without compromising my incision. I'm now sitting in my favorite recliner, thanks to a ride home from my wonderful wife, with the heat turned up to 71 deg from the usual 65 (I almost got a chill waking up from a nap this afternoon). Trying to sleep comfortably tonight may be an interesting adventure.
Really, though, all I need now is a good bowel movement and I'll be able to consider the whole episode (so far at least) a resounding success.
Take it a day at a time and enjoy all the small steps forward on the road to recovery! Good luck sleeping. Sounds as though all is on a good track. Best wishes.
I had my first home PT appointment yesterday. The therapist mostly just took some baseline information and reinforced the exercise instructions, both lying down and standing, sent home from the hospital.
I hit several milestones this morning, day 4 after surgery:
1) An almost normal "morning constitutional." With this accomplishment the sun just seems to shine a little more brightly, and the birds sing a little more sweetly. ;D
2) Walked down the driveway with two crutches and picked up the newspaper. This involves three steps down, outside the front door, and probably 150 feet of a fairly steep driveway. This was my first outdoor stroll since coming home on Sunday, though I've been walking a lot up and down the hallway. Unfortunately we are expecting rain tonight through the weekend.
3) I was actually able to put both socks on this morning with no assistance and no sock puller (didn't bring one home from the hospital). My doctor said that it was OK to rotate my left knee outward while sitting and put my left foot on my right knee, once I have sufficient flexibility. I'm not quite able to get the foot up that high but was able to get close enough to hook the sock opening over by big toe. I find it amazing that I already seem to have better ROM on this side than I did before the surgery.
Congrats on the socks! I know I get the biggest kicks out the little triumphs. Putting socks on without a sock puller, the first time I put my foot on the opposing knee without using my hands, the first time I stepped over the bathtub's side without pulling my leg up... The day is full of little things that I had maneuvered around and now don't have to.
Sounds like you're right on track.
Surgery + 9, one week after discharge.
Went on an extended outing with my wife yesterday. First to a local pharmacy to pick up a cane, then to the grocery store and then to Costco, which is about a 30 minute drive each way. I was still on one crutch at the time but used the cart at Costco like a walker. I've always gotten tired walking around Costco because of the concrete floors and so much space, but everything went fine yesterday. The store was really crowded, and Patricia had to park at the far end of the lot, so I waited by the entrance while she got the car and pulled up in front to load the fruits of our pillage.
As of yesterday afternoon I've discarded the crutches completely and am only using the cane around the house. I actually seem to walk better with the cane because there's less to lean on. I really can put most of the weight on my new hip and the cane makes me do it. I'll be going out shortly for a 1/4 to 1/2 mile walk and will see how I do with the cane only. I'm still planning on going into the office tomorrow morning. That will be interesting.
I've pretty much weaned myself from the painkillers (oxycodone), except at night time. I still have significant soreness in my thigh and under the incision, which I can handle during the day but which also makes it very hard to get comfortable enough to sleep. Sitting or laying in any one position for an extended period eventually becomes somewhat uncomfortable. Strangely enough the most comfortable position for me seems to be when I'm up and walking around.
And now, I'm starting to count down to my second surgery...19 days. It'll probably seem like deja vu all over again.
UPDATE:
I just got back from a 1 mile walk in our very hilly neighborhood, using the cane only. By the end of the walk my operated hip felt better than my unoperated hip, and no ill effects at all.
Quote from: FlbrkMike on February 20, 2011, 02:49:09 PM
Surgery + 9, one week after discharge.
.....
I'm still planning on going into the office tomorrow morning. That will be interesting.
.......
And now, I'm starting to count down to my second surgery...19 days. It'll probably seem like deja vu all over again.
Whoa buddy! Don't overdo it. You need a lot of rest to recover from the last surgery and get ready for the next.
Glad it's going well.
Thanks for the concern. I know what you mean, and I'm being very careful not to overdo it. My wife is a former nurse and has no problem letting me know if she thinks I am. It's just that I'm feeling very strong and want to keep getting stronger. I figure that the stronger my left leg gets before I have the RBHS, the easier my subsequent recovery will be. I'm also doing all of the lewft leg exercises given me by the PT with both legs, with the thought that it will help my right leg be more ready when the time comes.
I'm going to the office tomorrow (my wife works in the same office and will do the driving) but probably work from home on Tuesday. I'm going to do all of my exercises before leaving the house, and I should be able to do the standing moves at lunchtime in the office, and then take a short walk outside. Planning on getting up from my desk at least hourly for a stroll around the floor. I'm truly blessed to be living in the San Diego area right now. It has rained for the past few days but by tomorrow should be sunny and in the 60s, perfect weather for a stroll outside.
Quote from: halfdone on February 20, 2011, 04:19:18 PM
Quote from: FlbrkMike on February 20, 2011, 02:49:09 PM
Surgery + 9, one week after discharge.
.....
I'm still planning on going into the office tomorrow morning. That will be interesting.
.......
And now, I'm starting to count down to my second surgery...19 days. It'll probably seem like deja vu all over again.
Whoa buddy! Don't overdo it. You need a lot of rest to recover from the last surgery and get ready for the next.
Glad it's going well.
Great job, very nice to hear you are doing well, now off for the second one so you can enjoy your summer.
Chuck
Day 11...
I went to the office yesterday. Felt fine until about 2:00 p.m. when I just got really tired. The wife and I went home a little early, around 3:00. Decided to work from home today and go back to the office tomorrow. Took a 1/2 mile walk at lunchtime today and got a nice nap after eating. Worked about 6 hours and feel really good. Had my 3rd home PT appointment this evening and the therapist said it would be OK to walk around without my cane, except if I'm out or walking long distances.
Dr. Ball called today to answer any questions I might have. He cleared me to start outpatient PT, and I have an appointment next Monday. I'm really looking forward to getting some more intense stretching and strengthening. I'm also cleared to drive during the daytime (my BHR is on the left) as long as I'm not taking painkillers. I'm now down to a couple of vicodins at nightime to help me get to sleep. Most of the remaining pain seems to be around the IT band and around the hip flexor, and only really bothers me at night. Have to keep shifting positions.
Great to hear that you are doing so well. No surprise that you get a little tired from time to time! My only suggestion is that you curb your enthusiasm for too much "intense" PT in the short term - you can't rush the healing and the bone growth and IMHO it's more important where you are 2 years post-surgery than where you are 2 weeks post-surgery.
Best wishes
You make a very good point. I do tend to get a little too "gung ho" at times. My wife often has to hold me back.
The other thing is, two weeks from Friday I'll be exactly where I was two weeks before...sitting in a hospital bed connected to a bunch of tubes and wondering when I'll be able to stand up again. I'm going to need to control my expectations because things might not go as smoothly the second time around.
What I'm mostly looking forward to with the outpatient PT is to have access to a stationary bike. My surgeon said that it would be a really good thing to try, using mostly the non-operated leg to move the pedals, with the operated leg going along for the ride to help with mobility. It would be nice to be able to get a little cardio in after two weeks of mostly sitting around.
Quote from: FlbrkMike on February 23, 2011, 11:41:23 AM
It would be nice to be able to get a little cardio in after two weeks of mostly sitting around.
Amen to that! The whole process can make you a little stir crazy and bring on exercise/activity withdrawal symptoms! ;D
Day 17 -
I went to my first outpatient PT appointment this morning. First we went over my history, and then she checked ROM on both legs. I'm very tight in my hamstrings and quads on both sides. Pretty much because I haven't been able to use those muscles much for the past few years anyway.
15 minutes on the treadmill, in front of a full length mirror, at normal walking pace to warm up and also to work on my gait. Once that was done she stretched my operated leg for a while and then used the foam roller on my painful PT band. The stretching was pretty painful but the PT band thing was excruciating. I'm feeling pretty good now, though. Got some new exercises to do as well.
Important milestone this past weekend: I can put my left foot on my right knee without causing a painful cramp. This is great because it turns putting on socks and shoes into an almost normal activity. Actually it's easier now to put them on my left foot than on my right.
On Wednesday I have my post-op appointment with Dr. Ball. Normally it's a 4 week check-up but since my second operation is exactly 4 weeks after my first, we pushed it up a bit. Right after my post-op meeting I have my pre-op anesthesiology meeting for my RBHR.
3 week anniversary today!!
Had my first post-op followup on Wednesday, followed immediately by my pre-op meetings for next week's RBHR. I'm set up for a 9:00 a.m check-in on Friday (a little more convenient than the 5:30 check-in three weeks ago). The doc seemed very pleased with results and rehab progress
I'm now walking 100% without the cane, except on long walks where I take it along for support if needed. Walked over 1/2 mile uphill on Wednesday (followed by 1/2 mile downhill, of course) after my appointments with no problems. I had my second outpatient PT appointment yesterday and am continuing to increase the stretching and strengthening exercises. The stretching done during physio can be quite painful but I think also very effective. The IT pain is almost gone and the groin/hip flexor pain is getting much better. I'm still very tight in the quads and hamstring, but getting better with stretching.
I went to the office Monday - Thursday this week and am working my usual Friday at home.
I just hope I don't lose all the progress I've made on the left side while waiting for the right side to catch up.
Fab progress Mike! You're all set for the RH! Fortune favors the brave!
Sweet progress. Mike - I'm almost in the exact place you were in during your recovery 2 weeks post-op. I saw my PT from before surgery today and set up formal PT. The guy is awesome. He's a PT on steroids and he really knows hip stuff. He worked with Phillipon in CO (the surgeon that wrote the book on arthroscopic surgery for FAI). All he did was rub my butt today, though. Kinda funny. Anyway he did really emphasize the straight walking and focusing on getting a nice symmetrical gait. I agree, it's to easy to pick up bad habits.
I made myself a cane for fun and I'm stoked about using it tomorrow. It's got a femur-shaped top (just for fun.)
The PT and my surgeon both said that as soon as the left hip heals well, I'll be noticing the right hip and so I think you're doing it right. "Just Git'r done" My right hip isn't too bad, although the PT bent me around in front of his colleague to show her what impingement looks like. They both said " wow, that's not much ROM". Anyway, I'm mentally preparing for right hip in the fall and I'll have it all under one deductible.
Keep us posted on no. 2
Sounds like you're doing great on your recovery.
The most important thing, IMO, is to keep up on the exercises and stay as active as you can. Don't get frustrated if you seem to hit a plateau, you'll see more progress soon. I was getting tired of doing just my home exercises and it seemed like progress was slowing down when I started my outpatient PT. I've been three times since last Tuesday, and the extra stretching and exercises that the therapist have given me, though sometimes painful, have helped immensely.
I'm really ready for the second one right now because it's gotten to the point where my unoperated leg is holding me back in some cases more than my operated leg.