Details:
Age: 51
H/W= 6'4/238 lbs
Previous Surgeries: 2006 FAI/Cam, 2012 FAI/Cam with labrum fixation (same hip)
Athletic level: weights 4-5 days a week, extreme skier, college athlete
The day was March 30, 2016.
I flew in from California on Monday March 28th. I made sure the trip wasn't just about the surgery. It is of course ALL ABOUT THE SURGERY, but for our caregivers, we need to be aware of their needs too, and not just think of ourselves. So I saw that one of our favorite bands was playing in Durham, so I secured some tickets and surprised my GF. So we took a 5 hour flight into Charlotte, rented a car and drove another 146 miles to Durham, where we grabbed dinner and treated ourselves to one of the top bands of the 1980's. DURAN DURAN. The show was great, and it was nice to do something for my caregiver because I knew that I would NOT be such a good patient once the surgery took place.
The show ended around 11:30 and we drove back down to Concord. Where we spent the night and got up early to drive to meet Bruce at Providence Hospital. He was great. Gave us a lay the land and explained step by step what would happen as the day progressed.
From there, I met with Dr. Gross, where I was x-rayed, picked up crutches, etx, and did the DEXA SCAN. My dreams came thru, and I was granted FULL WEIGHT Bearing after surgery since my bone scan was top tiered.
He answered my questions as I kept drilling him about the 90 degree rule. He laughed and said don't worry about it as much as you are. Just be aware of it. Finally I took his advice and stopped concentrating on it.
We grabbed some lunch at the Blue Marlin in downtown Columbia, and then picked up all of my presecriptions, some water, Gatorade etc. Staying at the Marriot next to the hospital was amazing. The ease and proximity made that step a lot easier. What I wasn't happy about was that they were renovating the lobby and putting down new tile. I could just see myself getting thru a successful surgery, only to slip and fall in the lobby of the marriot. It never happened, but it was on my mind. My surgery was the 2nd of the day and scheduled for 9am. When I arrived at the hospital, I was brought back around 6:30, where they changed me, shaved the surgical site, and then had me wait. Lee came in and marked the CORRECT hip with a smiley face, and said it would not be much longer. My nerves were in check due to the happy juice that started to flow in my IV. I remember being wheeled in and asked to move on to the surgical table. I leaned forward for the spinal, and next thing I knew, I was waking up in my recovery room.
Stiff, SORE AND WEAK are the 3 sensations I was feeling post op. Dr. Gross came in and said everything went perfectly. They got me up out of bed and had me walking down the hallway right away. I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to stop. I wanted to keep walking. Of course I was with both crutches, but I was walking. Not really in pain, but rather stiff is how I would describe it.
I did the prescribed isometric exercises as I lay in bed. I watched some tv, and then loaded up on pain meds to make it through the night. I was hoping for a easy night.... Guess again.
I believe I fell asleep around 9:30......which felt like eternity. Then all of a sudden, this loud alarm went off......I was PISSED. I had NO idea where I was, or what the alarm was. I was so disoriented because of the surgery and the pain meds.....I think I tossed and turned in my bed....trying to get out of the bed...or something. until I finally relized that the alarm was a medication alarm .. The IV had finished pushing in the antibiotic. Finally the nurses came in and settled my down. I was not happy. I just prayed I didn't break the 90 degree rule during that chaotic time.
I managed to fall asleep, and slept til 7 am. I was greeted in the moring by my GF and PT, OT etc. I completed all the exercises including the spirometer. I was instructed on how to get in and out of bed. I got up and walked the hallway some more. Still really stiff, and "crunchy" is how I can explain it. no pain, just tightness and stiffness.
They were holding a group therapy session and so I attended that. Showed you how to walk up stairs and curbs etc. Then I was released. It was nice to get out of the hospital and back into the hotel. Once there, I iced my hip and reloaded up on pain meds. Lot and lots of fluid to avoid the dreaded constipation man.
Grabbed some food later that night. Didn't feel to well so left the restarant early. Got back to the hotel and went to bed. The next day (Friday, we checked out and drove up to Charlotte Airport (131 miles away) so we didn't need to do that in the early am. Our flight back to CA was at 7:30am. So we found a Marriot 1 mile from the airport and stayed there Friday night. That was the worst night. I couldn't get comfortable sleeping, the room was hot despite the AC at full blast, and I was getting cranky. I told my GF to remember the concert :)
Got up at 5am and drove to the airport., Got a wheel chair and went thru security. I was hoping this was going to be a quick process. Wheelchair, full docs on my surgery etc. That could not be further from the truth. Since I didn't want to stand up unaided in the X ray machine, I opted to be patted down. Which I was. Then my bag was searched. For some reason it triggered an alarm. So I was patted down again. Yup # 2. And bag was searched again. The bag was then swabbed for explosives and triggered another alarm. Oh boy. Now I was getting frustrated. AND angry and PISSED. 2 pat downs and 2 bag swabs. Then they pulled me into a private room and did a more thorough pat down. So after 3 pat downs and 3 bag swabs, I was finally allowed thru security. I am sure I didn't look like a nice person. I stand 6'4 and 235, and grumpy. So by being delayed I was getting pissed.
Got on the plane. Took my pain meds and fell asleep.
5 hours later, back in CA, and now back home.
Take aways
1) Dr. Gross was my surgeon and wouldn't have it any other way
2) I wasn't prepared for how stiff I would be after surgery
3)Preventing the 90 degree rule break is challenging but not impossible.
4) How the hell do people survive BI Lateral resurfacings?
5) How long til the stiffness goes away?
Looking for other tips of people fresh out of surgery.
I hope this implant gives me my life back, for many many years.
Badbone! I have been waiting for your story.
Sounds like it went well, except for a few hiccups (the med alarm and the airport. Suspicious man in a wheelchair with fresh surgical dressing? C'mon).
You did a GREAT thing thinking of your GF before the surgery. That was very considerate.
Good luck. I look forward to the next installment.
I too, have been anxiously awaiting your report! Congrats on getting through the process and to "The Other Side" as they seem to say around here. It's great to hear your were pleased with the process and Dr. Gross. I hope your recovery is smooth and your new hip is everything you want it to be and then some.
I think it's great that you two found a Duran Duran concert to attend prior to the surgery. My girlfriend and I fly out for SC on Weds and seeing as we have Thurs-Mon free to explore, we're tying to find fun stuff to do to pass the time and keep our minds off what will be a tough following week.
And, regarding your 'Takeaways'... I coulda done without #4!!! :'( :'( :'( ;)
Great to hear the report, seems like you're handling the early recovery very well! Also great news that your bone density is all in order. I think you'll be amazed at how much progress you make day-by-day and then week-by-week.
Yup, blinky and the other bilats are insane ;) -- I really liked having one good leg!
Very glad to hear you're doing well, and do keep us up to date on your recovery.
4 days post op.
I am now 4 days post op. Two things I am still waiting to have happen. One is have a bowel movement and the second is to have the swelling go down on the operated leg.
I have been taking colace religiously and I am drinking fluids non stop. If you have any suggestions on what works in terms of inducing a movement please advise.
I am still pretty swollen on the operated thigh. That is what is causing the tightness. I am using ice packs and the ice machine. I think I walked on it too much and it's letting me know.
The pain is very low. It's more achy and stiff than pain.
Quig - you are going to do well with your bi lat. if I needed both hips done I would not hesitate to do them at the same time. Cutting your recovery time in half is well worth a little pain on the front end.
On a side note, one of the guys in my group therapy class was patient #2 for uncemented hips with Dr. Gross. That was 9 years ago. He said it is as good as new and still going strong. . He was in having his other hip done. That made me feel great.
Update: Colace has worked as directed.
4 days post op
I have been very diligent with the exercises.
Just be careful when you do the toe curls to make sure you don't irritate your heel.
For some reason I irritated the skin on my heel and caused it to become super sensitive. Almost like a burning sensation.
I'm icing now to see if I can reduce the swelling. Someone called it LOG LEG.
It's definitely added 7-10 pounds of fluid onto my weight as indicated by the scale.
Freshly showered today and feeling great. It's amazing once you get your bodily functions back on track how much better you feel
I should be clear that my comment above about bilats being insane was facetious! :D Hopefully I didn't scare anyone with it.
Badbone -- I found narcotic intake to be by far the biggest thing that impacted bowel movements (or lack thereof). I also took some fiber supplements but it wasn't the night and day difference that just reducing the narcotics was. Since you're really looking for that situation to change but not in much pain, have you tried cutting back a little on the narcotics? Obviously you don't want to cut back and find yourself in a lot of pain so I'd recommend doing it cautiously but it's something to consider.
With the swelling, everyone is different, you'll just want to spend lots and lots of time attached to the ice machine and probably reclining to keep the leg up. It'll go down in time with that.
Congrats on your great success! Getting everything moving really does make you feel so much better.....
Quig
You are going to ace your Bi- Lateral resurfacings!
Think positively and learn from Blinkys experience and others before her on how to prepare.
We will be thinking about you all next week.
Congratulations Badbone. Things will start to move along more quickly soon. Great story. I will be following you and will put you story on the main website after a couple months.
Good luck. Don't push it.
Pat
Sounds like things are moving in the right direction! Keep up the progress.
And I hope you're right about acing the bilats but I'm going to keep my expectations low and just take it easy. Fly out next week for the pre-op appt on Thursday and the surgeries are the following week.
5 days post op.
Thigh swelling has gone down considerably.
I have started to ice more frequently as well as elevate my thigh while resting.
Sleeping still remains a challenge. I really sleep in the fetal position because of the surgery I am forced to sleep on my back. I have on two occasions placed a large pillow between my knees and slept on my side for about 10-15 minutes. But that still is uncomfortable and a little bit painful. I am still preoccupied with the potential of crossing my knees or ankles while sleeping on my side
So I have reverted back to trying to sleep on my back throughout the night.
My mobility has improved greatly. I can walk unassisted but choose to have one crutch with me at all times.
I also feel that my muscles have loosened up more with each day whereas I don't feel as tight or as stiff when approaching the 90° angle
One of the ways that I get in and out of bed is I will walk to the edge of the bed where my feet rest and then I will lean back and push myself backwards onto the bed so that my legs are flat and I'm dragging them in a horizontal plane as I inchi my way towards the head of the bed. It's the best way I've found to keep my leg straight and not break the 90° rule.
Since the ice machine uses a lot of ice I have filled up Tupperware with water to make blocks of ice to fill the polar bear and that has served me well
No pain. Just stiffness.
This sounds like such good progress. You are getting more comfortable in your body and using the new hip.
Sleeping: I slept really well in the recliner and still do. I feel like an old person dozing off in front of the TV! The bed was and sometimes still is a challenge. Do you get outdoors? I find that really helps me sleep.
Thanks Blinky.
I have started to walk outdoors.
It's going to be in the 80's thru Wed so I'll enjoy the nice weather.
Quote from: blinky on April 04, 2016, 04:31:26 PM
This sounds like such good progress. You are getting more comfortable in your body and using the new hip.
Sleeping: I slept really well in the recliner and still do. I feel like an old person dozing off in front of the TV! The bed was and sometimes still is a challenge. Do you get outdoors? I find that really helps me sleep.
Thanks for the update Badbone! Sounds like you're making really good progress.
I'm dreading the back sleeping as I'm very much a side sleeper also. I plan on using a recliner but have no idea if it'll work for me. Do you have a recliner to try? Also, I've read on here that putting pillows under your legs while sleeping on your back is helpful for some. I actually tried it last week and was able to sleep on my back a bit. Maybe it's worth a try? Your trick to get the bed sounds like a very good idea.
And, thanks for the hint about making ice for the ice machine. I think I'll stock up the freezer before I leave.
I hope the good progress continues. 8)
Quig
Yes I have put pillows under my legs while sleeping on my back and that has made a big difference. I am 6'4 with a 36 inch inseam so sleeping in a recliner might be difficult but I will consider anything at this point since sleep is critical to the healing process
Quote from: badbone on April 04, 2016, 04:50:09 PM
Thanks Blinky.
I have started to walk outdoors.
It's going to be in the 80's thru Wed so I'll enjoy the nice weather.
Quote from: blinky on April 04, 2016, 04:31:26 PM
This sounds like such good progress. You are getting more comfortable in your body and using the new hip.
Sleeping: I slept really well in the recliner and still do. I feel like an old person dozing off in front of the TV! The bed was and sometimes still is a challenge. Do you get outdoors? I find that really helps me sleep.
Post op day 6
Today is a great day! I was able to accomplish 2 goals.
1) in the middle of last night I was FINALLY able to rotate onto my non operated side (right) and move into a fetal sleeping position. It's these small wonders and accomplishments early on that indicate progress. It felt so good to sleep in that position but just as important I was able to move my operated leg without much pain or muscle tightness.
2) I got up this morning and greeted my body with fresh morning air at 6:15 am as I ventured out for my first loop. I was able to walk (with both crutches) a 1/4 mile. No pain at all. Maybe a little tightness towards the end but the hip felt great. Before I sit down to ice I am going to do my exercises.
I will follow up tonight and let you know if my walk created any unwanted consequences
Yay! Sleeping...walking...it is the small things.
Okay, a nice side benefit from walking outside I experienced was that my neighbors became my biggest fans. I had no idea how many people were watching me move from two crutches to cane to nothing.
Great stuff badbone! You've gotta love how quickly progress comes. Are you comfy sleeping on your side? I'm impressed if so! I was super happy to just be able to get onto my side with a pillow between my knees initially but it didn't last long before I had to go back on my back.
Quote from: jd on April 05, 2016, 01:51:38 PM
Great stuff badbone! You've gotta love how quickly progress comes. Are you comfy sleeping on your side? I'm impressed if so! I was super happy to just be able to get onto my side with a pillow between my knees initially but it didn't last long before I had to go back on my back.
It was a welcomed change from being on my back. But yes. I would have to resort back to being on my back after 5-10 minutes. But the fact that I was able to do that rotate my body without feeling tightness in my hip made me smile
Another very good progress report! Nice!
I'm glad to hear you are doing well. I understand the log leg syndrome and the not defecating. The worst thing is all that swelling from the leg has to come out somewhere. I learned never to wait to long to use the toilet. Don't wait for the commercial break, puase the tv and hobble down the hall to the bathroom. I have been working on a blog about my experiences, although I am weeks behind in updating it: hipresurfacingwoman.com The first part deals with the surgery and recovery (weeks behind), and directly after that is an entry on the constipation entitled 'An unpleasant consequence'. I'm sure you can relate at this point. Fortunately I've always been a back sleeper, but a lot of the time the first few weeks I couldn't always get comfortable in chairs and in beds. It wasn't that I was in pain, or that something was wrong, but I just couldn't shift positions easily, especially worrying about the 90 degree rule.
Hey cat friend! I read your story and enjoyed it. So where is that update?
blinky - In my voluminous spare time! I really want to get it done, especially since most hip resurfacing stories are by men. But you know how it goes: too many things to do, not enough time.
7 days post op.
They call him "Flipper"
Yup...... That wondferful dream state called sleep vastly improved last night.
Not only was I able to rotate or "flip" from right fetal position to on my back, but I was able to rotate another 90 degrees to the LEFT and actually sleep on my incision side (LEFT Fetal position) for a few minutes at a time. Great dreams but more importantly great much needed deep sleep.
It was humorous that my body almost instinctively went into "rotate" mode and knew exactly where to place the pillow, the knees and ankles and viola. A perfect "Flip"
I just got back from my new morning routine which is a 1/4 mile walk (with both crutches) and I feel great. Towards the last 100 feet I could feel some tiredness in the hip but no pain.
Once home I did the 4 exercises immediately followed by my morning spa treatment. ( the ice machine hook up)
I'm off the short and long acting pain meds. However I might use the short acting on an as needed basis to help me fall to sleep but I will only go there if it's really bad.
Already a week! I am impressed you can sleep on all sides, flipper.
8 days post op
Bandage will come off today and I get to see the incision.
Sleeping last night sucked.
I'm not taking any pain meds as a preference. I did take 2 Tylenol xtra.
Pain was present last night. Not sure why.
This am I did my 1/4 mile walk with crutches.
1/2 way thru my hip go tight. But persevered. No pain just tightness.
I welcome any input on walking schedules
He wants me to be at 1 mile at 6 weeks. Right now I'm 1/4 of that.
I'm thinking of this regimen.
Week 1 = 1/4 non stop
Week 2 = 1/4 non stop
Week 3 = 1/2 mile non stop
Week 4 = 3/4 mile non stop
Week 5 = 3/4 mile
Week 6 = 1 mile
Thx
Suspense! I hope the incision looks good. I am sorry yesterday was a less good day. There are ups and downs, especially as you try new things.
The schedule looks reasonable. Be prepared to be flexible in its execution, like if you don't make the goals, don't worry, and if you find yourself feeling good and able to do more, go for it.
Did Dr Gross cap your walking at one mile at six weeks? Or was that the goal? I was capped at one mile quite emphatically. Felt like it would be a lot, ended up being a modest goal.
Incision looked great.
Clean and normal.
I got the 5 inch model :)
Still getting some swelling after my walk.
I'm going to start to ice more.
Any suggestions on icing schedules?
On a big guy like you five inches probably looks pretty small.
When to ice. The first week I iced whenever I was sitting down. That's a lot. I didn't ice at night, to not be the next person who suffers frostbite from the ice machine. I was moving the ice from hip to hip, so it ended up being a switch every 20-30 minutes. The second week I iced when I was sitting in the recliner. That was still a lot, but I was spending more time in the kitchen at the table so it wasn't as much as week one. I might get up to eat breakfast and not ice all morning because I would be in the kitchen. The third week we traveled. I iced in the car, but when we got to our destination, I was busy with family and so had to set a date with myself to sit and ice. I ended up icing for a few hours in the afternoon.
Put your feet up, too, to keep the swelling down.
Post op day 9
Well ... I must confess that I had a great night sleep.
And my second confession is that I resorted to a short acting (4 hour acting) pain Med right as I climbed into bed. So much for staying off the pain meds. But I'm still taking Colace daily until I'm more mobile, so I can keep the GI track moving with zero stoppages.
The pain Med kept me sleeping so well..... That or I was just exhausted.
I'm leaning towards the pain meds assistance.
But the sleep was epic and much needed.
Thanks Blinky for the ice schedule.
I always have a barrier so no frost bite for me.
And 1 hour max.
Maybe I should ice 3x a day.
Am-noon-pm
I need to get a recliner. Sitting is so damn uncomfortable.
I'm hoping to venture out of the house tomorrow and take a drive just to change the scenery and walk around a park.
My pain is low to zero.
Getting less stiff.
I'm seeing daily improvement which keeps me going. Yeah
Sounds like a very good day. Glad to hear it, congrats on the continued progress.
I don't think there's any shame at all in continuing to use some pain meds especially when sleeping, it's early still.
Good luck getting out of the house and getting some fresh air! 8)
I used the slow acting pain meds for a while after I stopped the short ones.
I iced pretty regularly, though ... about an hour every 2 or 3 hours, really ... I had virtually no swelling.
I never could get comfortable in a recliner ... better sitting sideways on the couch with my legs up ... not sure why, but I tried it a lot (based on recommendations here) ... not my thing.
Sounds like you are doing great. I am 4 months out ... no pain, almost no limp ... really feeling almost too normal (like I might try running by accident, if I were being chased by something, without thinking about it!)
Keep getting better!
Update!
Walked this am and now I'm down to just one crutch!!!
Very excited
Quote from: badbone on April 08, 2016, 09:30:05 AM
Post op day 9
Well ... I must confess that I had a great night sleep.
And my second confession is that I resorted to a short acting (4 hour acting) pain Med right as I climbed into bed. So much for staying off the pain meds. But I'm still taking Colace daily until I'm more mobile, so I can keep the GI track moving with zero stoppages.
The pain Med kept me sleeping so well..... That or I was just exhausted.
I'm leaning towards the pain meds assistance.
But the sleep was epic and much needed.
Thanks Blinky for the ice schedule.
I always have a barrier so no frost bite for me.
And 1 hour max.
Maybe I should ice 3x a day.
Am-noon-pm
I need to get a recliner. Sitting is so damn uncomfortable.
I'm hoping to venture out of the house tomorrow and take a drive just to change the scenery and walk around a park.
My pain is low to zero.
Getting less stiff.
I'm seeing daily improvement which keeps me going. Yeah
Shirt and cane were "get well" gifts from my GF!!!
and don't you love the cane??? My fav
(http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y362/sanb0077/97aac2a9-19bb-4316-bc2d-170e32899d0b_zpsoc4y3aa3.jpg) (http://s1030.photobucket.com/user/sanb0077/media/97aac2a9-19bb-4316-bc2d-170e32899d0b_zpsoc4y3aa3.jpg.html)
(http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y362/sanb0077/IMG_2605_zpsgcjxbbse.jpg) (http://s1030.photobucket.com/user/sanb0077/media/IMG_2605_zpsgcjxbbse.jpg.html)
Awesome shirt & cane! ;D
That is a fantastic shirt!
And congrats on dropping to one crutch. That felt so good!
Great gifts! And great progress.
Hello badbone,
I have surgery on Wednesday with Dr. Gross. Your recovery is encouraging like JD and Blinkys. I noticed you had 2 prior scopes. Why do these fail so often, did Dr. Gross have any input?
I also had both my right and left hip scope fail. Seems like almost a waste to try a scope in the first place and just go straight to HR.
Thanks,
Larry
Larry
Good luck with your surgery. I wish you a speedy recovery.
My scopes actually changed my life.
I had a ski accident where I landed with full weight on my bent knee, sending my femur into my acetabulum. (Hip socket) with full force.
It resulted in creating a flap of dead bone at the top of the femur.
It didn't affect me til two years later when I noticed I could not get up and walk from a seated position as this flap would catch on the hip socket. The pain was unbearable.
I saw Dr. McCarthy from New England Baptist he was one of the first people to scope the hip.
He didn't do much except look into the joint. I was very disappointed. That was 1997
It got progressively worse. So bad in 2006 that I thought I was going to need a thr.
Luckily for me I found the best hip arthroscopy (my opinion) who said he could help me remove that flap. His name is Dr. Sampson. It was outpatient surgery and I walked out of there pain free.
One of the most emotional days of my life. He literally gave me my life back after 10 years of pain
The flap had wreaked havoc in the joint during the time it remained inside it. So I was on borrowed time. Due to margins getting smaller. While in there he addressed the cam defect and FAI
I did great for 6 years.
After that my labrum tore and in 2012 he went back in and attached the labrum and debrieded the socket of bone spurs. He said the clock was ticking and I would need a hip in 1-2 years.
My hip actually lasted another 3.5 years of pain free activity.
I found Dr. Gross and had HR on 3/30/16.
My scope didn't fail because there were specific goals that were accomplished that had high success rates.
Where scopes are not as successful ( my opinion) are when the main focus is microfracture
Where they poke holes in the femoral head to stimulate blood flow to help grow fibro-cartilage.
Once your articulating cartilage is gone or your labrum is gone and its bone on bone, you will need to decide what to do. No scope procedure can correct that condition.
Remember I am not a doctor but a research junkie. Information is power
Quote from: Ljpviper on April 09, 2016, 06:03:41 AM
Hello badbone,
I have surgery on Wednesday with Dr. Gross. Your recovery is encouraging like JD and Blinkys. I noticed you had 2 prior scopes. Why do these fail so often, did Dr. Gross have any input?
I also had both my right and left hip scope fail. Seems like almost a waste to try a scope in the first place and just go straight to HR.
Thanks,
Larry
Your correct I had microfractures done on both hips. After returning to light jogging they both failed. If caught early the scopes can help, I believe. My spots were on those most weight bearing part of the hip joint so they were doomed to fail, stinks.
Looking forward to get the right done, then the left later this year. Nice to hear your progressing so well.
Larry
Post op Day 10 !
Good morning everyone.
Today marks another milestone in my recovery as I am now CRUTCH FREE.
I did my morning walk today, and just took my skull cane !!!
WOW....pretty emotional....!!!!! to think where I was just 10 days ago!!! (2 hours post op in South Carolina)
Swelling is down to being non existent.
Still stiff, but I cant complain.
I tried Tylenol PM lastnight instead of the the short acting narcotic, and it did the trick for making me sleepy and helping me sleep, but it was only 50% effective in addressing the pain. I will try the short acting once again tonight and compare the results. Today I am getting in the car, but not driving. I could but I am not going to push it. So I will be out of the house for 3-5 hours so I will be curious as to how my hip handles the getting in and out of the car, walking back into the car...etc.
It will be the first time I put it thru its paces. Trust me when I say I am NOT going to push it, but rather expose it to different "stimuli" :)
I am thinking about Quig and Larry who are next in line this week with Dr. Gross (and anyone else who is undergoing this procedure). I am thinking great thoughts and speedy recoveries.
(http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y362/sanb0077/crutch_zpsrcjbb6mn.png) (http://s1030.photobucket.com/user/sanb0077/media/crutch_zpsrcjbb6mn.png.html)
Awesome progress! Great to hear and very encouraging for those of us next up. Keep up the good work and solid, continuous improvement. I hope the car ride and field trip is a big success and look forward to the report.
I thought I had extinguished my nerves but they're definitely back today. It's showtime, tomorrow is surgery one followed by surgery two on Weds. I'm excited but scared shitless! :-\
Outstanding, Badbone!
So how did the hip do on a normal outing?
Good luck quig,mine is on Wednesday 730.
Larry
Thanks. Good luck Larry!
Post op day 11
The hip is doing great.
I was in and out of the car 8 times in total yesterday (in and out = 1 time)
Thank god I have an SUV and grab handles by the roof line that allow me to lift my body into the seat. I had the seat in a reclined state to allow for the 90 degree rule.
I also sat on a gel ice pack for 30 minutes enroute to our destination but did not use it again that day.
It was raining so I was extra careful. I used my cane for support as I walked and for when I stopped walking and wanted it for stability if my leg got weak.
I put it thru its paces and it held up. My leg never got weak. A little stiff maybe but nothing that required meds.
I even went out for sushi that same evening for the first time in weeks.
My hip held up great. Sat at the bar so the chairs were bar stools helping me maintain the 90 degree rule.
I was expecting a lot of swelling at the end of the day.
But nothing. No swelling of any kind.
That made me happy.
The stiffness I feel comes from the upper buttock.
Is that where others feel it?
This mornings walk was great. I almost didn't need The cane but didn't want to be without it. So it was at my side. Every time I get back from my morning walk I complete the exercises. Then I ice it for 60 minutes using the polar bear.
I am going to start doing 2 walks a day.
1/4 in the am and a 1/4 in the pm.
I will always ice after each walk for 50 min.
Quig- once you get to the hospital they will sedate you and you will be relaxed. Hang in there.
11 days and sooooooo much progress. It's been motivational following along. Keep it up!
Post op day 12
Took a short acting pain pill to sleep
Woke up feeling great.
Hip felt great. No pain. Just the usual stiff/fullness.
Took my 1/4 walk and felt great. I alternated between using the cane and not using the cane.
Going up slight inclines made my upper buttocks feel it. Like a pulling sensation.
I would say that I used the cane on 70% of my walk.
Returned home and did the exercises and then iced.
Hip feels great. Getting up after being in a seated position for >30 minutes , really makes me feel the tightness.
Also sitting in a chair gives me a new sensation on the operated hip. It's not pain but it's not a good feeling either.
I'm assuming it's soft tissue getting irritated from sitting.
Quig- how are you doing? 1 down?
Sounds good. That start up pain lasts for a while, but it does go away. I liked to sit on a bar stool at the kitchen counter or even stand up to work.
Hey, were you affected by the new rules on opioid prescriptions? Just curious. We aren't really the target of the rules, since we are post op and not chronic pain patients. And since we were out of state patients, we had to do some things differently, like make sure we filled all prescriptions before we left town. I get the impression, too, that we as a cadre are more motivated to get back in action and back to normal.
Post op day 13
Can't believe it's been almost 2 weeks since my surgery.
I could not be any happier with my progress.
This mornings walk was great. This time I was 50% cane on and 50% cane off.
Again no pain just the usual stiffness.
Going up any sort of grade or incline will certainly make you feel it. I feel in the upper buttocks and then front of hip.
Just about limp free which is great.
In the house I'm not using anything to aid in my walking.
Sitting is still "awkward" and sometimes uncomfortable as I seek the proper position. Getting up from sitting for awhile causes stiffness.
I add a pillow on top of my big office chair to help with comfort while sitting.
On a side note .....I'm still waiting to watch the 90 min season finale of the WALKING DEAD.
My goal is to get back into the gym by this coming Monday. Of course just for upper body.
That would be almost 3 weeks post op.
I would be very happy if I could accomplish that goal.
Sitting around the house is not fun.
Blinky- I was not affected by the opioid issues. But then again I'm not yet in that age group. :)
Another great report! Hell yeah!! Time flies when you're having fun and it sounds like you're feeling great about and enjoying your recovery. Great job!
Can you tell I'm hopped up on pain meds? lol... ;D
The sitting around the house does get tedious. As you get closer to six weeks the 90 degree restrictions really become annoying.
When you get around to watching TWD finale make sure you don't have anything close to you to throw at the tv, or you might just do it.
Post op 14 days aka 2 weeks.
Wow. I'm a believer.
If you told me I would be 95% limp free after 2 weeks?
Or pain free after 2 weeks ?
Or able to walk 3/4 of a mile with minimal cane usage ?
I'd say you were joking.
But today on my 14 day anniversary I walked 3/4 mile non stop with little cane usage.
I had very little if any pain or stiffness afterwards. It felt so good that I sat at my desk for 2 hours straight and did work THEN got up to do my exercises and THEN iced.
No stiffness developed at all from the time I returned from walking my new distance of 3/4 of a mile to sitting for 2 hours to then icing. (2.5 hours after my 3/4 mile walk)
I'm icing as a preemptive measure. Not for pain. Plus I like to ice. It's calming for me.
I'm very excited. Maybe the gym in 5 days??
Go Badbone! That one mile walk, was it a goal or a limit? You are going to be there soon.
Quote from: blinky on April 13, 2016, 02:52:59 PM
Go Badbone! That one mile walk, was it a goal or a limit? You are going to be there soon.
Haven't hit a mile yet.
Only 3/4 of a mile.
Drove today too.
Great news Badbone! I'm glad to hear that you're doing so well and making such good progress.
Day 15 post op.
Feeling great.
Sleeping great.
No pain
Did 9/10 of a mile this am. Felt great. Didn't need the cane but carried it with me.
Hip felt normal. No pain
Returned home for my 1 hour ice spa treatment but not before carrying out the phase 1 exercises
My hip gets stiff sitting ( but not while lying in bed - like the next morning I would not be stiff sleeping all night ) but sitting in the chair for an hour or two and I go to get up it's stiff but once I get up and then start walking it will loosen up become normal again
Sounds like solid progress, keep it up! I can't wait till day 15!
Badbone, what were the most challenging parts of being a tall person and living with the 90 degree rule?
Quote from: blinky on April 15, 2016, 10:39:10 PM
Badbone, what were the most challenging parts of being a tall person and living with the 90 degree rule?
Hi Blinky
How are your hips doing. .?
Hmmmmmm to answer your question ........ Here is what I found challenging with a 36 inseam
1) getting in and out of a car. I have an SUV so I recline the seat almost in a horizontal position and then use the handles along the roofline to lift my body up and position it so that when I swung my legs around I could get them inside the vehicle and not break the 90° rule
2) toilet. I bought a raised toilet that has six or seven different settings I think the Highset is about five or 6 inches taller than my regular toilet seat For some reason I still could not get comfortable on the toilet seat until I was about two weeks out. It was painful if my knees rotated inward so I had to make sure I was aware if my feet were sliding causing my knee on my operated hip to move inward.
Before I was comfortable (2 weeks) I would use the hand rails on my toilet to support my weight and almost hover above. Sorry for the graphic nature but it helped with the pain of being in a seated position.
3) One advantage of being tall is that I have long arms as well and I can reach things easier
4) putting pants on was difficult because my legs are so long and trying to get them through the pants while using the grasper was challenging
5) haven't worn socks yet.
I think that's it.
Hey, Badbone.
I've been gone from HipTalk for a while (years?). Mostly because, at year 4+, I don't even think about my hip, mostly.
One thing you mentioned early on is that you hope it will give you your life back.
It will.
By year 2, you will hardly remember it.
Good luck.
Andy
Quote from: imgetinold on April 19, 2016, 11:57:23 AM
Hey, Badbone.
I've been gone from HipTalk for a while (years?). Mostly because, at year 4+, I don't even think about my hip, mostly.
One thing you mentioned early on is that you hope it will give you your life back.
It will.
By year 2, you will hardly remember it.
Good luck.
Andy
Andy
Thanks for the encouragement.
Glad to see you are doing well!
It's mind boggling to me that I'm walking without a limp at 3 weeks post op.
4 weeks post op.
Wow how did u get here?
All I can say is wow.
I'm up and downstairs with no issues
On my feet for 4-6 hours and just a hint of soreness
I'm becoming more limber.
Can't tie my shoes yet but close. ( told not to til 6 week mark) But I have long arms so I can reach without stretching.
I have intermittent clunking but I hear that's normal.
Happens when I shift weight or apply body weight.
Anxious to get my 6 week review with Dr. G
I want to hear that nothing moved
It was 6 weeks before I could tie my shoes. In fact did it for the first time on the morning of my 6 week check up. This is the milestone event that has made me most happy, even more than running pain free. Strange eh.
I am now at 6 months and still get that clunking sound, although its a lot less often now. And like you it seemed to happen most regularly when standing still and shifting my weight. Have to say, rather strangely, I found the sensation a little enjoyable. Am I the only one?
Been following all your posts and enjoying your journey, keep up the good work.
Badbone, you can relax on the implant moving. When that happens it is almost always accompanied by extreme sharp pain. And if somehow it migrated slowly without pain, you would not be going up and down stairs with no issues.
Chuckm
Thank you for the reassurance.
Do we know what causes the clunking,,?
Is it related to dehydration ?
I also look forward to driving a manual Two more weeks
There have been many theories tossed out there as to the source of the clunking.
One was that, as a result of this surgery where the hip needs to be dislocated, there are ligaments that "twang" across the ischial tuberosity (which is part of the pelvis). That could be the source for some of the clunks.
But the theory I like best is that there is a sudden shift in the synovial fluid. The diameter of the femoral part of the implant is not exactly the same as the cup. When you move the hip the device draws fluid in so it can ride on a fluid film. If you move quickly it will create a fluid film almost without you noticing. But if you move very slowly, the implant resists until suddenly it clunks as the fluid shift between the parts.
Early on after surgery the viscosity of the synovial fluid is different and so the clunks can be greater. But as the fluid returns to normal the clunking tends to dissipate.
I can reproduce clunks any time I want. But they rarely happen on their own unless I am standing and shifting my weight very slowly. It has never clunked before for me during any movement other than very slowly shifting.
Chuckm
:) :) Clunking is typically a mechanical device that has been asked to do a human replacement that has been around for millions of years. Clunks due to probably may variables. My opinion is the resurfacing device as you know is designed to have a small amount of fluid between the ball and the cup. Load shift, excess fluid, muscle imbalance, angles in correct, paralysis, incorrect muscle length (too short). The list could keep going on and on. Basically the clunking could get negligible or non existent later on if these all improve. That is what I have found. Hey but I can walk!!!! so that is a bonus.... :o Good luck with rehab.
Twangs are different than the clunks those maybe due to purely muscle shortening - tendon length sliding across structures due to old hip instability. That is the muscles contract to hold the worn hip. This is a process that normally is a long drawn out process and to reverse it sometimes is near impossible.
Example is iliopsoas. As long as it does not cause pain it should get better maybe never normal but better than being in pain. Hope that helps. Cheers K
Late to this discussion since I was out taking my hips on a trip.
I don't think I have clunked in a few months. I had a sensation that wasn't so much a clunk as a tendon moving over the hip in the early weeks. Later I had a sensation that felt more like popping or cracking, like it feels when you crack your knuckles, but in the hip. So I have had weird feelings, but nothing that felt as large or harsh as a "clunk." It felt more like popping or cracking.
5 weeks on May 4th.
It truly is amazing how my hip has progressed in only 5 weeks post op.
I did get some soreness today. Not pain but soreness.
I might have overdone the walking.
If anyone else has experienced this please post.
I did my walk this am. It was 1 mile. Made breakfast and ate.
Then sat down in my office chair and did work.
It was upon getting up from a seated position that I experienced soreness and stiffness.
It felt like I was hit in the operated hip's butt cheek.
I can walk okay but I can feel but when I go to sit down its at that time that I feel the sore sensation.
It is in the mid to upper buttock.
I'm guessing I over worked the muscle and its letting me know.
Anyone else feel that sensation?
Hey Badbone,
I'm getting the same kinda pains and I too have had that one in the but cheek. I can't help but constantly be attempting to walk a little further or faster or be on my feet longer, etc... As a result I'm constantly having a muscle or a tendon that reminds me, "Hey, take it easy I'm healing!" In fact, I haven't taken any pain meds in quite some time because I think I NEED to feel those little pains to keep me in line and from truly overdoing it.
Generally, I feel great but I am still stiff after sitting for a while and upon getting up in the morning. I also really paid for my big day of work at the cabin Sunday. My hips didn't bother me a bit like the old bone on bone arthritic pain but yesterday I was really exhausted and sore. Even the day after the actual hips didn't bother me at all, it's all the stuff around my hips and also my legs. I think my leg muscles are learning to walk a whole different way now that my hips are working well again. It's an interesting and bizarre process to be going through and I chalk it up to all 'part of the process'. It's a bit of a roller coaster and in general I'm enjoying the hell out of it.
I did do an easy 10 minutes on the spin bike yesterday evening and was pleasantly surprised at the complete absence of pain. Headed into the gym here in a few to attempt another limited workout.
Me? Overdo it? Never... 8)
Same here, I stood in a line for 30 minutes on Saturday, no crutches. In the evening and all day Sunday i was sore. Had PSOAS pain, dosed it with alot of ibuprofen, went away by Monday.
Its real easy to do too much at this stage, I am really just limiting to walking a mile and the basic excersises. I see Dr.Gross for the follow up in 3 weeks.
I cant complain, this was major surgery, so all these niggles are expected. Good healing to all.
Larry
Those odd aches and pains...
I do still have some start up pain, that stiffness you get after you have been sitting for awhile and then get up. Makes you want to not sit down. It didn't feel like a knot in my butt, just like a needed some WD40.
And clunking...so I hadn't clunked in a while and then I went to swim today to an IM practice. I did all strokes and did them with more vigor since the coach was watching. Afterwards i was clunking! Just the left side and just for a while. I think it is from moving my hips in new ways, new directions: in my normal life i don't make breaststroke type movements or fly type movements. Why does it happen? It feels like my hip is loose, but it could be that it is chuck's explanation, that the fluids aren't distributed evenly. It also feels like it could be that, and that when the fluids even out, I feel a clunk.
Also, let me add i am real stiff in the morning and sitting as well. I guess its a common after effect of the surgery.
Larry
Thanks for all the replies.
After analyzing it for awhile. I think the soreness is coming from sitting too long in a chair.
I also think it has to do with the way I'm sitting or the cushion is pressing on the incision. Or both.
I guess I am just being greedy because the progress has been amazing and this little hiccup even though it's a little hiccup we want everything to be perfect but as Larry stated we just had major surgery and this should be expected
Glad to hear that we are all in the same boat. In that these are normal sensations that we are feeling
I look forward to swimming soon. Need the pool water to be a little warmer.
Happy Healing
Hey Badbone,
I've enjoyed following your story. I'm scheduled for HR on my left hip in just over a month. Have to admit that I'm scared shitless, not just about the surgery, but mostly about not returning to the things I love to do (e.g., skiing, climbing, backpacking, etc.). Just curious... Do you plan to ski hard again? Did you do any pre-op PT that you think helped in your recovery? I posted earlier today, asking these questions to all hippies.
Keep up the awesome recovery!
-TK
7 week update.
I had my x rays taken last week as well as visiting with a PT to get measurements on my ROM (range of motion) as well as filling out the questionnaire provided by Dr. Gross. I am waiting for them to get back to me about scheduling my phone consult. I didn't want to fly to SC for the consult (no time) but I will fly back for my 1 year post op.
I am walking 1 mile in the morning and 1 mile in the evening. I am almost down to my college weight.
I am pretty excited at the prospect of having some good abs for the summer. LOL I am also back to the gym full time (nothing except above the waist exercises aside from stretching- until Dr. Gross gives me the OK to get on the abductor/adductor machine and begin Phase II rehab.
I am very happy with the progress. I will admit that I am still stiff after sitting for awhile and then getting up again. My hip is stiff and takes a few minutes to warm up/losen up after I commence walking. I see it more when I come back from my 1 mile walk and then sit down at my desk for 45 mins. I am sure once I am able to stretch those forgotten muscles, I am hoping I will be back to normal. I will ask Dr. Gross and get his feelings about that.
The weather has been cold here in So. Cal so I haven't entered the pool yet. I am anxious to go swimming and to see how weak my leg is. I don't even have a tan, which I had at this same time last year.
I am putting on socks and tying my shoes with no problem. I am lucky as I have been blessed with long arms which makes the task easier. But I do see a huge improvement in m ROM and flexibility when leaning over to tie my shoes.
One thing I did notice when I am walking, (operated hip is my LEFT) is that my leg is fussy when turning RIGHT hand corners and LEFT hand corners. I am sure it has to do with the tight ad/abductor muscles and my flexibility. It really isn't that big of a deal, just something I noticed. Uphills also taxes the upper buttocks...but it feels good to work those muscles again.
No pain and my "clunking" seems to have lessened......not sure why but maybe because my muscles are getting stronger???
I will follow up once I speak with Dr. Gross after he has reviewed my x rays and paperwork.
Quote from: BozemanHip on May 18, 2016, 03:48:44 PM
Hey Badbone,
I've enjoyed following your story. I'm scheduled for HR on my left hip in just over a month. Have to admit that I'm scared shitless, not just about the surgery, but mostly about not returning to the things I love to do (e.g., skiing, climbing, backpacking, etc.). Just curious... Do you plan to ski hard again? Did you do any pre-op PT that you think helped in your recovery? I posted earlier today, asking these questions to all hippies.
Keep up the awesome recovery!
-TK
TK
I (just like everyone that goes thru this) was in your same shoes 7 weeks ago. Scared, anxious, concerned...etc. You name it, I was experiencing it. I plan on skiing ABSOLUTELY!!! Obviously, I will wait til I get the OK from Dr. Gross. And that is the reason why I moved forward with this procedure....is that I wanted to get back to all the things I was doing PRIOR to my hip going south.
Just walking 2 miles a day without pain is a HUGE step for me. I was usually in pain a 1/4 mile in...
My PRE-OP Pt was my normal gym activity..weights/cardio (PRECOR) so I was in pretty good shape going in.
I highly recommend that you exercise right up to the day of surgery.
Do all the research that you can, and reach out to people on this site......
Feel free to PM me and I will answer any questions you have.
The surgery has be LIFE ALTERING for me !!!
Hey BB! That start up pain/stiffness and the soreness after a big walk, it will go away. I am on a trip and was ready to feel it when I stood up after being cramped in an airplane seat...no stiffness. I guess I felt stiff from the arthritis, then stiff from the surgery, so my mind expects there to be some resistance to standing up.
Just to be a spoke in the wheel regarding hard skiing... they tend to frown on that because if you crash (fall, someone hits you, or you hit something) chances are you will do damage to the hip.
Me personally, I only plan on returning to cross country skiing to get my skiing fix. ;)
But then again, that may mainly apply to THRs... ;D
Go Badbone Go!! It's awesome to see you check in doing so well. It really seems like things are going well for you and you're certainly headed in the right direction.
And, for what it's worth... I'm not a skier but I'd damn sure be planning on (serious!!) skiing with that new hip, that's exactly what you got the thing for! According to Dr. Gross, after a year juuuuuuuuust about anything goes. I see no reason at all to exclude skiing.
Keep up the good work!!
Just wanted to add a note about skiing. I have taught and coached high level skiing for 46 years, the past 8 years on my resurfaced hip. Dr Gross encouraged me to ski on it, and I started skiing at six months post surgery. I have heard of people rarely having trouble with THRs when skiing; dislocations, femoral fractures. I have many friends including instructors, ski patrollers, and students who ski with THRs, and they are advised to stay away from moguls. However, I have never heard of a person having problems from skiing with a resurfacing. I am not sure that pounding icy moguls all day would be a great idea, but that will eventually destroy the rest of your body anyway. For myself, I ski hard 8 hours a day, seven days a week all winter. That includes, heli-skiing, blasting through crud, moguls (preferably softer at age 65), hard carving, and gates. No problem. This past year I fell one time, and that was at about 50 mph landing right on my resurfaced hip on bullet proof ice. Bruised the soft tissue like anyone, but no problem with the resurfacing.The reason that we get resurfacings instead of THRs is so that we can push it in sports like skiing. Following Dr Gross's advice, I felt good about starting at 6 months, and then building up to heli-skiing, getting air, and skiing bumps at 9 months to a year. Go for it Bad Bone!
John C.,
Thanks for the words of inspiration about skiing. I ski 3-4 days per week, now exclusively in the backcountry. This year I had to scale things back, because of the hip, but I can't imagine giving up the sport. This season I really struggled in the typical backcountry funky snow conditions and continuously wondered if I'd fair any better with a resurfaced hip. Sounds like I have something to hope for. I'm scheduled for a Synovo implant with Dr. Pritchett on June 28. Got any pre- and post-op PT suggestions that might help me going into the next ski season?
Thanks,
-TK
Yes! Thanks for checking in John C! I'm sure Badbone will be very happy to hear that. And I know that the rest of us sure appreciate reading the experiences of those who have paved the way with resurfacing. I hope you enjoy MANY more years of serious skiing!
Bozeman, you have a little over a month to get into the best "pre-surgery" shape you can. I asked a friend for advice before my bilateral resurfacing (he had bilateral a year ago...) and his advice was to get into the best shape possible and it would pay off. I took his advice and did everything I could under the circumstances and my recovery is going well. Good luck!!
Ha! I think for all of you extreme skiiers, the resurfacing should be the least of your worries :)
Bozeman; I am sure that any good Montana PT would be on top of hip rehab for skiing, but here are a few ideas that were key for me: 1. Lots of one legged strength and balance work. Once your doctor clears you for it, add in a lot of things that fire all the smaller muscle groups. Gym machines, stationary bikes, two legged squats, etc are great for large muscle groups, but the ones that really need the rehabbing are the smaller muscles involved in balance, stability, and internal and external rotation. 2. Lots of one legged time on a bosu ball; one legged balancing to start, then one legged squats, then one legged squats with hand weights. 3. Cable weights with an ankle strap that allows you to work the hip in all directions. 4. I am a big fan of the Skier's Edge machines, but you might wait until six months before going hard on that one, since there might be a slight amount of impact involved.
The key point here is that skiing involves a lot of lateral and rotational forces, and these are the muscle groups that are most affected by the surgery. Make sure that your prep for skiing does not just focus on quads and hamstrings. That's what was key for me.
John C,
Thanks for the tips. I posted questions about PT and other things earlier in a thread "Pre-op preparation and Post-op expectations". Maybe we should move our discussion to that thread. I'm sure there are others that would like to hear your words from experience.
I used to nordic ski a lot. Since my hip went to crap, I've noticed significant loss of balance and tone in those smaller muscles related to balance. Hoping I'll be able get back on those nordic skis this winter.
-TK
4 month update.
Insert huge smile here.
I am truly amazed at my progress and recovery.
I am officially 4 months post op and feeling great.
It's almost as if I never had surgery. My hip has now become one with my body. I forget it's even there.
I don't feel any pain any or any clicking or popping, only an occasional clunk but that's very very rare
I have to remind myself every day that I have an implant especially when I'm bending over or taking a knee.
I still walk 1.5 miles two times a day in addition to going to the gym four times a week. Swimming has been great the frog kick did not feel very good and then I read that it was something not to attempt at this stage of the recovery.
Work has kept me busy and therefore I have not posted in a while. I'm glad to read that most everyone is having very positive experiences on this forum. Hopefully they feel the way I do.
I hope everyone is having a great summer and I look forward to catching up and reading the latest posts. I think we should start if it's not already a yearly occurrence but I think we should start and annual weekend get together for all the hippies
Never had any doubt you would bounce back easily and well!