8 Year Update  July 13, 2017

8 years and still going strong. 64 years, very active, hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, weight training, 3400 miles on road. gravel, and mountain bikes in 2016. Never any issues, hips totally pain free. Aches and elsewhere lol! Thanks to Pat for this site, great info.  BHR’s changed my life. 

7 Year Update  July 13, 2016

7 year anniversary for this bilat, both done on the same day. I was 56 at the time. I was basically becoming a cripple, barely able to sleep, walk around the block or get on and off my bike. I have had a totally positive experience post surgery, hiking, road/dirt cycling and mountain biking, kayaking, weight training, no issues whatsoever. I had a few bike crashes, including a serious crash on ice resulting in a broken femur, but I survived along with the BHR’s.

Dr Marchand and South County Hospital in Rhode Island did a great job.

Original Story

Moe’s Bilateral Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Marchand 2009

I bought a LaFuma Mellow indoor recliner and it is great. I slept in it for the first week, and nap in it everyday. The padding is thick, you will not need more. Some of the other models do not have thick padding. I’m sitting in it right now. I had same day bilaterals (7/13) and have no trouble getting in or out of it. It is very stable and comfortable and has strong arms for assistance. It just takes a little practice the first few times but it is much easier than I thought it would be. I used some WD40 on the hinges as they were squeaking a bit. You will need a place nearby to set your crutches down. I will be using this chair for a very long time even after recovery is complete.

Dr Su trained my surgeon, Dr Robert Marchand. All is going well. Dr Su is one of the best.

January 24, 2010

I’m 56 and had bilat BHR just over six months ago. Was on crutches for 4 weeks, used 2 canes for a week or so. I went back to work at three months, most people seem to go back earlier. My occupation can be dangerous, high voltage, hydraulics, climb ladders, etc. I used those months to really work on my strength and mobility to safely go back to work. Worked with weights and therabands, naps, walking and cycling, lots of stretching, still do. I had lots of help from my wife to do the everyday things of life. I feel better than I have in a long time, no pain or issues at all. So much depends on the skill of the surgeon. It’s not easy having both done at once but you can do it.

August 19, 2011

I crashed on my right hip on solid ice at 5 months, I was really shaken up but the hip was fine. I also went down on the left hip about 4 months ago, this one really hurt and I had to head out of the woods, but once again the BHR was fine. They really can take some abuse. After the surgery I never thought I would ride like I used to, but after a while the fear went away. That’s not to say that I don’t use a bit extra caution at times. I’m 58 years old, ride xc 29″ rigid, but keep the wheels on the ground. I also ride road, but I actually feel safer on the MTB, what with people texting and talking and drinking etc. If I get hurt on the MTB it’s because of something I did and no one else.

October 23, 2011

 2 years + post bi lat, totally able to do anything I did before, road and off road riding, hiking, lift weights, climb ladders at work. No pain, no rom issues, pre surgery I had to lay the bike down to get on and off. I’m in my late 50’s and ride a rigid 29er on the rockiest trails I can find. Sometimes I have to remember to back off a bit. But I totally don’t even feel that I had the surgery. Life is good.

July 12, 2012

three years
               no tears
                          no fears

three years
               many thanks
                               no regrets

three years
               two hips
                          one life
 

January 17, 2014

About a week ago I was mountain biking with a friend in an inch or so of slushy/ snow conditions. It was also dry and clear in 50% of the trails. After about 90 minutes or so of really good riding we started down a new trail and almost immediately I went down very hard on my right hip, there was some solid ice under some leaves that I didn’t see. I knew right away that I was in serious trouble. I tried to stand but could not, I was almost passing out from the pain and shock. After about ten minutes trying to gather myself I was able to crawl to a parallel fire road about 75 feet away.

I was able to stand with help from my friend but could not move. Luckily I had my cell phone and my friend was able to get a 911 call out. After 20 minutes I could hear the siren and an ATV showed up with 3 rescue personnel. They had to strap me to a board while standing up and lay me down in the back of the ATV. My pain was already at 10 but that 1.5 mile ride out on a bumpy washed out trail it was all I could do to stay conscious, I think I was screaming all the way, but there was no other option.

Into the rescue vehicle at this point and they took my vital signs and gave me morphine. Was rushed to the trauma center at the city hospital. There they did more testing and x-rays, which showed a crack in my femur just below the femural component. They started talking about surgery, but they do not perform HR’s at that hospital. I requested to be transferred to the hospital which did my surgery and be seen by Dr Marchand. They agreed to this after I signed some papers.

After transfer the next morning I took a CT scan and Dr Marchand saw me later and he did say he sees some cracks but nothing has moved and the bone is not displaced. He recommends crutches and non weight bearing for 4 weeks and hope it heals w/o surgery. I did not see the CT scan yet, I trust his judgment.

So after 3 days in hospital I am now home and resting with a walker and crutches. I have to say the pain has been quite awful at times, much worse than post surgery, I suffered much trauma to the area. Right now I am using Percoset, which helps. I also had Morphine, Dilauded and Vicodin.

I’m not sure how this will turn out but I see Dr Marchand in a week and will report back then.

January 23, 2014

Just saw Dr Marchand and I got a good look at the fracture on x ray. It actually crosses the stem, about 1.5 inches from the end. He still advises no surgery, it will heal, just need to be careful. Chuck, he said there is no way to know if it would have been better or worse w/o a device in place. I just think it’s amazing that one can fall so hard and fracture the femur and the components not move or be effected. My pain is easing somewhat but I really have to stay on top of the meds.

February 7, 2014

4 week update. Saw Dr Marchand yesterday and he says healing is taking place and I should be fine in time. I am now walking with 1 cane. Got the OK to start riding the trainer and doing some light workouts. Pain is much less although I still take a couple of Aleve daily. I am able to walk about 2 /10s of a mile. Will continue updating in the future.

March 8, 2014

Well here is my 8 week update. I saw Dr Marchand this week and healing is going well, the crack is still visible on x ray and he says this will be the case for 6-12 months. I am walking unaided and did 40 minutes on Narragansett Beach the other day and 90 minutes this morning. No pain. The limp is just about gone. I am riding my trainer a bit to warm up but am concentrating on walking and weight training to build up bone strength. I will ride again in the future when the trails and roads clear up, lots of snow, ice, and sand out there.

I am still amazed that the BHR is in perfect shape after all the abuse I’ve given it. Thanks to Dr Marchand and South County Orthopedics, first class all the way.
 

April 3, 2015

 I had a femoral head fracture last year from a bike crash and was touch toe weight bearing for 4 weeks. It took about 12 weeks before I felt healed but it is all good now. I used a walker instead of crutches for those 4 weeks, it felt more stable than crutches.