Dr Brooks BHR #2,030

[Beth]

Glad to report I survived my surgery (RBHR on 2/17) and first week post-op.
According to Dr Brooks I was approximately his 2,030th BHR!
I already feel that having this surgery is like childbirth- you soon forget the bad and/or difficult parts!!
The highlights of my first BHR:
1. Waking up mid surgery.  As Dr Brooks was hammering my fancy new femoral component on my femur head, I woke up enough to proudly report to the anesthesiologist that from the sounds I was hearing that I could tell what was happening based on recently watching Mr McMinn’s video of a BHR surgery!  Dr Brooks seemed happy to let me know my surgery was going well and updated me on the progress of the surgery!  I asked the anesthesiologist that he hold off knocking me out for a few minutes but it wasn't long until I was waking up in the recovery room.
2.  Muscle spasms. I’ve always had issues with muscles spasms and cramping. I’ve  experienced them during pregnancy, with exercise-especially running, post runs, and after my hip scopes. My BHR was no different. First day post op, it was time to get out of bed. Easier said than done. I had 2 complete meltdowns before my nurse went to bat for me and got an order for a muscle relaxant. That took the edge off but it took ANOTHER meltdown to get the dose increased to the point where I could actually begin to move without having muscle spasms.
3. Spinal headache. 2nd day post op....Are you kidding me? I was looking forward to being discharged but those plans were altered when I couldn’t lift my head upright enough to do the required physical therapy. My physical therapist (who was terrific) realized immediately that I was experiencing symptoms of a “spinal headache”. The headache simply was not present as long as I was in the supine position. It seemed like everyone had a opinion on what I should do but after speaking with the anesthesiologist we decided that since I had no history of migraine headaches that I would be given additional IV fluids and prescribed caffeine pills! Although the idea of having to get out of bed more frequently to go to the bathroom didn’t appeal to me, having a “blood patch” in my spine didn’t either. I also had to have an ultrasound of my legs- not sure if this was just routine or if this was precautionary due to the headache. Symptoms began to immediately resolve with this treatment
4. Diarrhea. Maybe TMI, but I don’t know that I've read of anyone having diarrhea. The nurses told me that I had been prescribed a stool softener to help avoid constipation- a frequently reported complaint. On my 2nd day post-op I complained to the nurse of having “gas” and asked for a OTC such as “Gas-X”. She insisted that I was experiencing constipation and promptly served up a dose of Milk of Magnesia. I only took about half the dose of medication and had my husband pitch the remaining down the bathroom sink.  2 hours later....not a pretty site. I simply could not contain the contents of my lower bowel long enough to make it to the bathroom. My poor husband. I guess this is where the “for better or for worse” wedding vows comes in.  That was the last time I let anyone decide what medication I needed and when I needed it.

The best part is that I see progress every day.   

[evant]

Great unique post-op report.

Number @ 2030 for Dr Brooks - fantastic.

Best wishes for a strong recovery.

[China Lady]

oh dear, oh dear!!! but nothing has taken your humor away!
now it seems you have experienced the ugly part, from now on it will become better every day!
I send a big hug to you!

[grapesintx]

Hi Beth!  Good to hear from you!!

OMG--I can't believe you talked to Dr. Brooks during surgery!  I wonder how often THAT happens!

I had a bad headache on day two as well.  Wasn't as bad as yours though.  A shot of morphine and that did the trick.

Great post!!  --Lorie

[whyme]

Ha ha well written!
That brought me back some memories. As 99.9% of us, I didn't experience highlight #1, but it would have been an interesting one...
#2 is very common, I had some of that down the operated (and sometimes non-operated) leg for a good few days, particularly while in bed at night. But your case seems it was a bit more extreme.
#3 that was hard luck, I hope it's all gone now.
#4 Constipation is very common, I had that, so it seems in your case they took preventative measures and it worked the other way round...

[Debcoco]

congratulations!  One thing is for sure...it can only get better from here:0

deb

[lttez]

Hope your continuing to improve.  I'm scheduled for a resurfacing with Dr. Brooks on St. Patricks Day.  Just had my pre op visits yesterday.  Tom

[Beth]

I am now 8 weeks post-op RBHR with Dr Brooks.

My recovery has gone well but slower than I had hoped due to the pain and discomfort of my non-op hip. It’s been a balancing act trying to move forward with walking and the exercises for my surgical hip while not flaring up the pain in the other hip. There have been days where the pain in my non-op hip has been far worse than my surgical hip. I have used 2 crutches for 6 weeks per Dr Brooks protocol and then 1 crutch for another week which I seemed to need to wean.

My incision= 7 inches. Looks great.
The hip clunking which in the beginning was almost constant with every step has greatly diminished. This is really quite a freaky sensation and in the beginning I found it somewhat unsettling to say the least!

The best “tool” I had early on was my “In-Motion” forearm crutches. I loved them. No sore armpits! My second favorite tool was my stability ball. By sitting and balancing on the ball it provided me with early and gentle range of motion. I use it now to stretch my hip flexors.  Most recently my foam roller is becoming one of my favorite exercise gadgets as I begin the process of performing my piriformis stretches.

I did not have a recliner.  I will have a recliner purchased prior to my 2nd HR. Sleeping was such a struggle those first few weeks. I really think having the option of sleeping in a recliner would have been nice.

Despite the struggles, I really have seen ongoing improvement. Keeping a diary of my exercises, pain and the milestones I have reached (no matter how small) has helped keep my spirits up on days that are a struggle.

At my 6 week post-op visit I saw Dr Brooks’ PA, Phil. I was relieved to find out that despite “normal “ hip x-rays, at the time of my surgery I had a shredded hip labrum, bone spurring with a good size area of bone’-on-bone. Phil asked me if I wanted to schedule the surgery for my other hip. I had planned on having the 2nd surgery as soon as Dr Brooks would do it, but at this point I am wanting and hoping to enjoy the summer and put it off until late fall. I have this crazy idea that since I had one hip fixed, the other would miraculously feel better. Likely wishful thinking.

Last week  I worked out in my yard. I was bending over picking up yard debris, when I had an “ah-hah” moment.....NO PAIN! It was WONDERFUL! Yippie! I have had hip pain when getting up and down for YEARS. I had to stop what I was doing and have a moment of giving thanks.

Yes, I still have soreness and pains that come and go-some of which I have no idea what they are. Yes, I have stiffness first thing in the morning and after sitting for a while, but this is lessening as the days go by. Yes, I still limp in the evening if I have been on my feet a lot- again getting better every day. I figure all of this is normal and just part of the healing process.

I do some type of exercise every day. I vary what I do to work different muscles. Anti-gravity treadmill, walking, stairs (in my house), gentle running in deep water, elliptical + various floor, isometric and stretches. I am looking forward to getting on my bike as the weather warms up here in Ohio.
If I am in a lot of discomfort one day, I throttle it back a bit for a day or two.

Although I want to get back to being active and return to running, I  realize that I can’t rush my recovery. My sister put it to me so eloquently....”Just think, by the time you are back to running 5k’s, you’ll be in a older age group and there won’t be as much competition.” Thanks sis!

[lttez]

Beth, thanks for the link.  I think that's going to help my leg crossing limitation.  6wk check up next week.  Take Care, Tom

[Dan L]

Congrats on your recovery and resurfacing, cool to see he is over 2000 resurfacings.  One thing Fenceman (another Brooks patient) noted and was also true for me, was that I continued to heal and improve between year 1 and year 2.  Staying active and getting excercise regularly still helps me when I get stiff.

Best luck on #2, your a pro now, it will be easier.

Dan