Lori’s Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Rector 2011

 I was 36 when I was diagnosed with OA. It was quite an emotional process for me. The first ortho suggested that I modify my life and take pain pills. He suggested no impact sports, so no hiking, walking, stairs and to try low impact sports like swimming and biking. I liked his ideas, until I could not hold my baby and walk around with her. It sucked I thought surely there was another option. I went to the same office by a different doc and he said that I could have surgery now. My x-rays are that bad and no reason to be in pain. I asked him about HR and he was against it, because I was a female in childbearing age and he said the MOM causes cancer.
I then found Dr Rectors website from a google search and that is how I learned about hip resurfacing. I filled out his little form on his website and he called me 5x and left messages. I was amazed with his passion.

I then meet with him to see if I was a candidate for hip to perform HR and I was. I still waited 8 months to decide on getting the BHR, but I finally came around to doing this surgery. I waited a little over a month for the date that I requested and on 5/11 I got my BHR.

May 11, 2011

I am on the other side. I am now in my hospital room, a wonderful corner unit, watching the Notebook. My son came and brought me pictures and the doc said everything went perfectly. I am having my gentle squeezing on my legs and eating crackers. No nausea.

May 14, 2011

Today I am Post-Op 3. This is the day that the PT says that everyone feels groggy and needs to rest, which is perfect, because today we are heading back to our home. I should back up a litle bit for everyone.

So I was doing wonderfully on Post Op day 1 I was walking around on the crutches and did stairs the first day. I was able to get in and out of bed by myself. I needed help with the abductor wedge and also the Game Ready machine. The nursing staff was amazing and fun to talk with. I did not have to take anything for the pain, no narcotics.
Well Post Op evening I thought, hmmm I should take some pain medicine to make me sleep. Bad Idea. I took NarCO, which is Vicaden Oxyc I think. OMG My stomach started to gurggle beyond belief, and I thought it was because I needed a to poop, I went to the bathroom. The nurse left me alone for some privacy and then the room started to spin. I know that this is a precursor to Blacking out, so I pulled the Nurse String. I woke up to the nurses yelling at me, in total panic. 😮 The nurse called a code Blue, I told her I just blacked out, and that there is nothing to worry about. Just lay me down. I was lucky, I sat down in a spot that wedged me and I did not fall on the ground. 🙂 I decided after that I do not want any more NarCO.

Post OP day 2 I was woooze from blacking out. It took me a while to get my bearings together and also the confidence to start crutching. The OT talked me into taking a shower, which cured me. I even shaved my legs. I felt like a million bucks. Dr Rector came to see me in between surgerys and said not to worry about the black out incident that it happens all the time. He is so calm and sure that I feel even better. He tells me to take it easy and if I need to stay in another night then I can.

May 21, 2011

 I am also healing and amazed everyday with my progress. Today I crutched down the street with one crutch. I also did my Pt exercises and rode the stationary bike. I feel pretty active considering I had major surgery 10 days ago. Oh and yesterday I took off my bandage. My incision is glued and very crunchy. I would say my incision is 8 inches. So I am off pain pills, just taking Celebrex and the blood thinner. I am going to call the doc on Monday and ask to get off those two also?

June 5, 2011

Today I had a breakthrough day. I am now getting strong enough to walk with out a cane. 🙂 I am estatic. I went for two walks today that we 3/4 mile each, I also went swimming and also the exercise bike. I am able to walk up and down the stairs with normal range of motion, just really slow. So thrilled.

Strange the only time I feel the clunking is when I am stretching or in the pool walking. I am thinking it is the resistance of the water that is causing the tendons to respond. My body has been put on snooze for a year prior to surgery. I wanted to wait until I weaned my little one, but then I learned that I did not have to wean her, but still waited until she was 18 months old.

June 24, 2011

I am at 6 weeks and I am able to touch my toe, I can cross my operated leg on to the other knee (although it is high and hurts) and I am 85% of the way to get the knee to the chest. I feel like I have excellent range of motion the PT does not even check me anymore.I am now doing small squats, and balancing on operated leg.

August 17, 2011

Yesterday I had my 3 months follow up appointment with Dr Rector and he was amazed with my flexibility and strength.  Stating that I am further along than most on ROM with a 3 month post op appt.  I am able to kick my leg out to the side with full extension, bring my knee to the chest, bent knee rotate in and out.  I have been released to do Yoga, Pilates, Snowboarding, Skiing, Rollar Blading, Hiking.  I am not allowed to do high impact sports, like running or basketball, which is convient for me because they are not my favorite. 

I was thanking Dr Rector for giving me my life back.  I am living without pain!  I am able to walk as far as my mind wants, I am able to play with my kids, I am able to grocery shop.  I am able to live life and be happy.  Again I am just really thankful for my life to be given back to me.

January 27, 2012

Today I went skiing, and not only was I able to ski, which I am not so good at. I was able to teach my 4 year old. I was able to pick him up, hold him between my legs with doing a wedge. I am just amazed with my hip and the recovery. I just hope for more snow, it has been quite dry, but today it snowed a FOOT! so excited that I get to enjoy it, without any OA pain. my hamstrings are killing me though.

I am a 8 Months post op and loving my new hip.

May 8, 2012

Well I just had my year post op and asked my doc about the pain in my right side. I am not bone on bone, but the joint is narrowing. I am hoping to get two more years.