One year anniversary of BBHR (Operations in 2017) with Dr. Philip Schmitt

[JoeV]

Hello,

57 year old male here.  December marked my one year bilateral BHR operations with Dr. Schmitt in Commerce, MI.  In short, this is was a wonderful method to reduce hip pain and improve mobility!  My hip pain is down a great deal, so much that I'v never taken an ibuprofen or other OTC pain pill since my early operations recovery!  Yes, my pain is reduced that much:)  Further, I'm back to running between 3-6 miles per week.  My pace is slowed, my range is shorter, my stamina is reduced, but all of these are slowly but steadily improving as time marches on.  My ROM is steadily improving and I'm very pleased with it overall.

I have a noticeable grinding/rubbing sensation on the outside of my right hip (only noticed when going up stairs or other steep incline) which they attributed to bursitis.  My instructions are to roll my IT Band.  I have been rolling and yes, the rubbing sensation is reduced.

The one year x ray images show the parts are well aligned in both hips.

My right hip was operated on in November 2017 and my left hip six weeks later in December 2017.  So basically Thanksgiving and especially Christmas I was laid up.  But in reality, this ended up to be a good plan because as the weather here in Michigan grew better, so did my hips.  When Summer arrived I was running my first steps post op.  The only regret was we had a lot of snow here last winter and my lovely wife got stuck shoveling multiple times.

Here are suggestions based on my hip arthritis experience:

• Get multiple doctor evaluations.  Do not necessarily accept the first diagnosis.  Why?  Doctors, like all of us have bias.  It's not necessarily a bad thing, rather it's human nature.
• Do your homework on BHR.  Read all you can.  Search forums like this one.  Ask questions.


• Find a good doctor (like I did).  Evaluate the doctors comfort level with operating on you.


• Have good support at home.  You're going to need it for post op recovery.


• Walk, walk and walk.  As. Much. As. You. Can.  It's important!

BBHR turned out to be a winner for me.  I hope it can be for you also.

Thanks,

Joe

[Joe_CA]

Congratulations JoeV on the one year anniversary. As another fellow bilateral (two years ago) patient, I also can attest to my overwhelming happiness with my decision for this awesome surgery. Your suggestions are also very accurate.

I would also add that another key to a successful outcome, in addition to the walking which is key, is the post-op training routines necessary to get you back to your desired activity. Especially if that activity (or activities) is one involving high impact. I would think that some sports might mostly require simply performing more of the actual sport. So if you wanted to get back into competitive cycling, perhaps a steady progression of road miles on your bike might get you to your goal. Running might also fall into this category. However, I'm certain I wouldn't have been playing volleyball and other similar activities at my desired level if I hadn't also trained with the weights regularly (squats, lunges, etc.). This also includes stretching (which I must admit, I have been somewhat lazy to do).

Good luck on your recovery. Other told me last year that you will still show some improvements in your second year. I wasn't so sure, but they were definitely right!

Good luck!

[JoeV]

Thanks Joe,

Yes on all you said.  It brings to mind that post op my hip muscles were trashed, big time!  Laying on my side and lifting a leg was extremely challenging.  I remember the PT could just about force my leg down using only one finger!

I was diligent in my home exercise routine.  Even so, it took a long time before I could stand up from a seated position without using the armrests to push against.

My wife and I started doing yoga about once per week and that’s been very helpful in recovery, especially for stretching and balance.  Now my ROM seems better than it’s been in a long time, maybe years.  At my one year follow up the PA evaluated my ROM and said if she didn’t know my history she wouldn’t know I had new hips:)  In other words, my ROM was as good as my natural hips, assuming no arthritis etc.

Along with my muscles getting trashed, so did my sense of balance.  But, both are coming back.

Squats and lunges are a great exercises, post op.  So are leg lifts.  If possible, start a yoga routine.

Cheers

[Pat Walter]

Hi Joe


Congratulations on your bilateral anniversary.  Great to hear you are doing well.  Thanks for the update.  They are so nice to read and important for perspective patients to learn about the success of hip resurfacing.


I wish you many more anniversaries.


Pat

[Charvel101]

Great post Joe well done, it is  good to know things work out for everyone .. I took 10 months to feel real again fully every week things got better..


Chris

[JoeV]

Thanks Chris,

You had McMinn!  Wow.  Yes it takes time to recover, and it seems a never ending process.  In the end, is life better now than pre-surgeries?  For me, yes.  That’s the result.  I wish you well also:)