Holly’s Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Brooks 2011
November 30, 2011
I am new here and scheduled for BHR with Dr. Brooks on December 20. I’m also a marathon runner. I know Dr. Brooks says I shouldn’t run for a year, which pains me.
December 31, 2011
I had left BHR with Dr. Brooks on December 20. He said it was “perfect, textbook surgery” and I got out of the hospital a day earlier than I had planned.
But now I’m home and I’m depressed and freaking out. Can others share if they’ve felt this way?
I feel like I’m walking around on glass and am somewhat obsessed that one wrong step will cause a break of the femoral neck, leading to revision, etc. I KNOW rationally that it takes more than one step and that Dr. Brooks has had only two such issues out of more than 1,300 surgeries, but still . . .
And it’s hard and humbling for me to accept that after running two marathons in six months, and regularly running half marathons and tris, it’s now a triumph to dress myself.
I’m not sure if it’s normal to still feel pain or not.
I don’t know if I’m overdoing it (some friends think so) or under-doing it (which I feel when I read some of the post-op entries here about people walking a couple of miles two weeks after surgery, etc.)
In short, I feel crazy. Would appreciate post-op stories from others on their mental state.
On a happier note: I see a lot of comments on here about Dr. Gross but few about Dr. Brooks. Let me say this: Dr. Brooks was outstanding and the care I got at Cleveland Clinic was unbelievable. Not only is Brooks one of the guys who worked with the FDA to get the technique approved in the U.S., but he is no-BS. Communicates often and clearly. His resident, Dr. Nate Mesko and PA, Phillip Golnick, also radiate competence. I feel completely confident I got the right guy.
January 1, 2012
I feel a little better – yesterday was a bad day. I have a high tolerance for pain – as long as I know what it is! When I was dealing with OA, I knew it wasn’t going to get better so I knew it would hurt and I got used to it. This is a different story.
On my good days, my philosophy is to approach this like training for a bodybuilding show or marathon: the “race” is one year from now (353 days, to be exact) and the exercises, precautions, etc. are part of my training steps.
This site is such a great resource. I’m sure yesterday wasn’t the only crazy day I’ll have, so I’ll be back.
March 2, 2012
Tuesday, 2/28 was 10 weeks since my surgery with Dr. Brooks and I really couldn’t ask for my recovery to go any better. I’d like to give my body credit for a little of it and a LOT of credit to Dr. Brooks and the excellent care I got at Cleveland Clinic.
The worst pain I had was in my quad muscles for about two weeks after surgery, as they recovered from being retracted. I had almost no bruising. Pain meds did little for me so I think I just stopped at 10 days. I did no “real” PT other than the six exercises Dr. Brooks gave me to do at home. At two weeks and one day, I could put my shoes and socks on with little difficulty. Got off crutches at six weeks and immediately after, hired a triathlon coach. Normally, I run marathons but since I can’t run for a year (and I see some docs aren’t as conservative as Brooks is, but I’d rather be safe than sorry) I’m focusing on swimming, biking, and weightlifting so I can do some aqua/bike events this year. My flexibility and range of motion is almost as good as it was before surgery.
I don’t mean to sound like a big brag, but I was a nervous wreck before surgery so I get anyone who feels that way – and I feel so good now. If you are thinking about having BHR and have nerves – I understand, but I want to tell you: my experience has been 100 percent positive. If you are hesitating: DON’T. Get it over with and re-start your life. And I unconditionally recommend Dr. Brooks. It has been a huge relief to realize this surgery hasn’t negatively impacted my life in the way I anticipated it would.