I wanted to tell everyone of my great experience with Dr. Gross in Columbia, SC and the excellent care I received from his staff and the hospital staff. Everyone was extremely kind and caring. As I had never had any major surgery, I was very anxious prior to surgery.

I am 51 and consider myself active. I had been having groin pain for the last two years and have been going regularly to a chiropractor for 9 years. I had always had lower back pain, but my chiro would usually straighten me out and I would be good to go for another 4 to 6 weeks. About 18 months ago, I started to notice that my back wouldn’t hold for 1 week after visiting the chiro. The chiro said my groin pain was related to my back problems. When the pain began to intensify, I decided to see an ortho doctor. He informed me that I needed a THR. After the initial shock, I decided to go for a second opinion which also confirmed that I needed a THR.

I then began my internet research , heard about hip resurfacing, which no one had mentioned and found this website. From here I was able to locate Dr. Gross who is only 2 hours away, how lucky for me!

My surgery was scheduled for 12PM Monday, February 25, 2008. I remember being wheeled into the operating room around 12:30PM, the anesthesiologist began to administer the epidural, the other meds must have kicked in about the same time as I don’t remember anything until they woke me up in recovery at 4pm. I was moved to my room at 5:30PM. All my nurses were extremely caring.

Post op day I was feeling pretty good, arthritic pain gone, now minor pain from surgery. Low blood pressure, very thirsty. Nurse removed catheter at 6:30AM. Dr Gross came in around 8:30 said everything went well, no problems. Had pysical therapy at 9:30AM and 3PM. Very light headed in AM, after morning physical therapy, became nauseated, nurse gave me anti nausea medication. Nurse asked if I wanted to go home, I was released at 4PM. The anesthia drugs were in my system most of the day and appeared to wear off on way home to Charlotte (1.5 hour drive). Should have asked for a pain pill prior to drive home. Very hard to get in and out of bed. Remembered reading about sleeping on plastic trash can liner, to help you slip in and out of bed more easily. This was a great help. Kept ice pack machine on all the time.

Second day post op – left leg swollen, thigh 1 inch larger than right side. This was cause of most of my pain. Leg felt very tight and hurt whenever leg was bent. Placed call to on call doctor at 6PM. Said swelling was normal in addition to being on blood thinners.

Third day post op, call to Dr Gross’ office, they confirmed swelling is normal, and to continue with ice. Swelling should go away in 5-7 days.

Day 6 – First day where major improvement noticed. Still hard getting in and out of chair and bed. Still need both crutches to get around.

Day 7 – Felt light headed in the middle of the night and in the morning. During morning shower, felt light headed again, had to sit a while in shower before I could get out to dry off. Moved to chair for most of day, felt better as long as I was sitting.

Today is 3 weeks postop. I am able to walk about 1 mile with a cane. I can hobble around without a cane, but feel more comfortable having a cane for support. I try to increase my walking daily and am working towards walking without the cane. I am extremely happy with the progress I have made over the last three weeks and am looking forward to getting my old life back. My only regret is not finding Dr. Gross sooner.

I have been told that I will need my right hip resurfaced. I will not wait as long and will return to Dr. Gross.

Thanks for all the info this site has provided.

Karin