Mike F’s Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Drinkwater 2013

July 31, 2013

Two days after my surgery I was walking more briskly than I expected with a wheeled walker in the hospital. I think I pushed the envelope a little after I was released on July 17th. My cell phone ‘drowned’ in some water on my hospital tray while I was there. So, after I went home for a few hours I was off to Verizon on crutches to get a phone, with help of course. Then a trip to the grocery store before back home to crash. Two days later I was cruising around town with a friend trying to replace a washing machine that died when I got home. So, maybe a little too much too soon.

Right now I’m home managing alone and moving only when necessary, on one crutch. Still having some discomfort sleeping but visiting nurse service and in home PT have helped. I am experiencing the ‘clunking’ sensation many have discussed here. Interesting feeling, my hope is that it goes away. Thirty-one staples removed two days ago. I’m just now getting some stinging around the incision. Today some new aches around the hip come and go. I expect this and it motivates me to rest and get off my feet when that happens. I think I’m having a pretty normal experience so far and wouldn’t know that if I hadn’t read all the helpful posts on this thread.

August 1, 2013

Bad night last night trying to sleep, .side sleeping on my good side with a pillow is still a challenge. I can do it for awhile but not long enough to fall asleep. Finally, at 3am I waved the white flag and came downstairs to ice up. First time this has happened. Probably no coincidence that I stopped pain meds yesterday for the first time. I was getting headaches from it and often felt ‘foggy’ so I cut it out. I will ice religiously every day now as it does give relief. Funny (or maybe not so) side story is a good friend who was my ‘taxi’ to get around for groceries, etc. broke his right leg on Saturday in a ‘muddy runner’ competition. So we get on the phone and ask if we each other if we need anything, and the truth is we can’t do anything about it anyway!

 August 2, 2013

 I feel really good today. I can walk down stairs slowly without any pain. Not close to going UP the stairs though. I took the car out for a short ride this morning in very low traffic roads near horse farms close to my house. Nice boost of confidence there.

I’m cleared to back to work on August 26. I may be ready sooner but I won’t go back in until then. I work in Pathology and my time is spent sitting at a microscope or off to clinics for biopsies so I want to be as strong as I can be.

August 5, 2013

 I’m driving a little at this point but still 95% using one crutch. I may go to my health club this week to start light weight work on my upper body if I’m confident I can do that without straining the hip.

I’m not sure what is better at this point to get the muscles around the hip to tighten back up, rest or light strengthening. That point isn’t clear to me.

August 12, 2013

I mowed the front lawn today, carefully. I’d say when I’m off my crutch every fifth step is norma, the rest have a bit of a limp to them. When the operated side ‘feels’ tired I use the crutch. I’ve been driving for a little over a week but I have to adjust the seat so my feet they stretch to reach the pedals. I still use Percocet once a day to give me the illusion of ‘pain free’ so I can practice the art of walking correctly. Mind you, I’m not in allot of pain anyway, but relieving whatever is there does help. As of Saturday, I will be going to my health club every other day to do upper body work, mostly shoulders and arms. I use the crutch when I’m there just to be conservative. I haven’t tried sleeping on my stomach yet. I’m still using a pillow between my legs to lie on my good side. Can’t tie a shoe on the operated side, still using assist of my ‘hip kit’ to pull up pants and shorts.
All in all I’m pleased. and back to work in two weeks.

August 20, 2013

For the first time yesterday I walked on a treadmill. I took it for a mile at a moderate speed. There was some discomfort but interestingly later in the day I was feeling much stronger and didn’t use any assistance at all for the rest of the day. I get tight sitting after a few minutes and my first steps up are hobbly, but after a few steps I’m walking pretty well. I will walk every day this week working on good heel to toe technique for strength.

Sleeping is much improved, I can sleep well on the ‘good’ side with a pillow and have been able to lie on the operated side for some duration as well. My lower back has been a problem in bed and I can’t get my head around that??? Not sure what’s going on there.

I’m pleased I guess, getting my head ready for work next week and my first post-op appointment.
 

August 23, 2013

I’m essentially crutch free but I drove 3 hours home from the Adirondacks this morning and after sitting that long it takes awhile to walk close to normal again. I did break up the drive with one break.

Anyway, I was originally written out of work until Oct. 15, surgery was July 15. My surgeon admitted that was a conservatively long time, but I had to negotiate getting back to work this Monday. Now I’m sorry I didn’t wait until after Labor Day weekend.  While I know we all heal differently I think more time to your own devices while enduring this discomfort really helps healing. I can tell you dining and strolling around Lake Placid Lodge yesterday really helped and that’s why I wish I had another week off.