Update

February 16, 2016

Just hit me that today marks five years with my resurfaced hip.

The results have been nothing short of spectacular.  Thanks to Pat for hosting this board and the others that chime in with support and feedback as others consider resurfacing or are on the recovery path.

The psychological benefits of being pain free are something that I completely underestimated.  I don’t think I was fully aware of the impact that the pain had caused over the years as I tried to push off the resurfacing as long as possible.

I know its cliche, but I can’t say enough about how good Dr Gross and his staff were. 

---

February 2, 2011

I’m 40 now.  I had Leggs Perthes as a kid and my hip is pretty much toast…. bone on bone, decent sized cyst, etc.  I’m an ‘engineer’ by trade and so I’ve completely over-analyzed the options.  I had actually scheduled for 8/16/2010 and backed out thinking I could put it off a bit longer.

I’m scared, nervous, and excited.  I have purchased slip on shoes and…. running shoes!  I ran a marathon in 2002, it was my last run over 2 miles.  I bike a good bit now, but even that is something that I pay for afterwards.  I doubt that I’ll do marathon length again since I never really enjoyed it anyway, but I look forward to being able to go for a quick run or hike with my kids.

The mental aspect of this has been tougher than the physical pain for me.  I’ve had to come to terms that there is no ‘perfect’ solution, no perfect time, etc.  I have researched it and am now able to put myself into the hands of those that I feel can best take care of the problem.  Its a good opportunity to spend some ‘mindful’ time.

February 16, 2011

On the other side.  Absolutely no post op pain.  The staff here has been wonderful.  I was told I should be up and around today.
4 hours post op
Pain at 0
right leg sorta normal, hip leg has numb toes

April 9, 2012

I’m in no pain, so much less cranky… in better shape now than I’ve been in years, etc.  I’m biking a good bit (150-200 miles a week) now and feeling great in general.  Long walks with the family are now pain free.  No more stopping every couple hundred yards doubled over in pain.  The recovery process had its ups and downs, but my decision to go with Dr Gross was one that I do not regret in the least. 

June 21, 2011

Played 18 holes of golf over the weekend.  I was curious as to how all the rotor/stabilizer muscles would handle the swing, but my hip was completely pain free at the end of the round. 

I make it a point to savor the lack of pain… its pretty freakin’ cool.

 

February 17, 2016

30 hours post surgery.  I’m feeling good. Just a little achy on the operated side.

I can really notice that my legs are now the same length.  I was short 1cm and Dr Gross was able to correct that.

I ended up with a slightly ‘special’ acetabular component that has 3 small spikes in it.  Apparently my socket was worn a bit bad because of the mis-shaped head and Dr Gross felt this was the right component to use.

3 pt sessions today.  Occupational, exercise and then the group event.  It was nice to meet some other folks in the same boat.  There were a few bilaterals that were doing well.  I was the only one on the restricted recovery program.

February 19, 2011

I’m home.  It felt good to hug my kids.  I certainly missed them. 

Thanks a lot for listening to my banter.  It helped to talk it out through the process, hear the experience of those that had gone through it, and hopefully provide some insight for those about to have it done.

I will either add to thi thread or start another as I make it through my slow recovery rehab.

Feel free to ask if you have questions while the experience is fresh.  I should also note that I tested the raised toilet seat!

February 20, 2011

I stopped the oxycotin today ( I may take one tonight, but I’m not sure) and just took a nucynta (similar to vicodin) and a tylenol preemptively to doing my exercises at noon.  I napped this afternoon and rolled to my operated side as well as my stomach.   I can already feel an increase in strength with the exercises.  I’ve been icing a lot.  I think that has helped me.

In hindsight, I’d lean towards more pain meds than less!   I felt nothing when I woke up and was surprisingly alert and happy.   Once I felt the pain, I should have loaded up on the meds.

I’m not sure if they do the same for everyone, but I think I got ocycotin prior to surgery along with celebrex.  They then gave me oxy and celebrex every 12 hours along with tylenol more frequently.  The nucynta is ‘optional’ and I initially declined it.  I should have taken it when I first started feeling the pain the first evening.  Once I got up to 2 nucynta every 4 hours… the pain was never really an issue. (again, this was my experience!)

I barely feel like I need any meds 4 days post op, but I learned my lesson the first day!

February 22, 2011

Day 6 post op. 

I have very little swelling and only took the Tylenol and Celebrex this morning.  I wont hesitate to take narcotics if  I feel something coming on… I learned that lesson the hard way.  

I suspect that my 10% weight bearing limit and extensive use of the ice machine may be limiting the swelling.  I feel strong for all my exercises done twice a day.

I had a few questions that I fired off to Lee Webb yesterday. I’d always been confused as to why if the leg is at its weakest at 3 months that they would be limiting me for the first 6 weeks to crutches and not longer.  Her answer makes a lot of sense.

A femoral neck fracture does not just suddenly happen at 3 months post op, it is a gradual occurance related to stress on the bone. This stress starts early post op and eventually results in a “stress” fracture of the femoral neck. We have you 10% weight bearing to take the load off the hip, in particular the femoral neck to avoid this stress impact. You are correct, there is a balance of impact to stimulate bone, after the 6 weeks, it actually helps the bone by weight bearing. We just don’t want you to be doing high level activity at 3 months when the bone is still weak (we know you won’t but trust me, there are some who push the limit). Hope this helps.

I was also concerned about the Fosamax prescribed since its a bit controversial. Her response that they have had 0 fractures for those with weak bone on the slow recover process and taking Fosamax was reassuring.  You cant beat 0 fractures.  I don’t plan on being #1 and screwing that up.

We have been using this for quite some time with excellent results. We have seen our fractures gone from 1% to 0 on the Fosamax.

I think that an additional weapon that they have is the extensive amount of data that they collect and mine to see what works best for each situation as they continue to improve.  I suspect that the overall protocol improvements that Dr Gross makes will continue to limit the failures.  A protocol resulting in 0 neck fractures on high risk patients is a huge deal.

February 24, 2011

8 days post op

The ‘slow recovery program’ (10% weight bearing for 4 weeks) has me bouncing off the walls, but I am trying to keep it in perspective that I need to invest this relatively short slowdown time for a long term solution.

I can easily crank through my PT exercises with very little pain after.  I throw in extra reps since I feel strong.  I still have serious weakness moving my leg in certain directions, but It looks like that strength is regained in the phase 2 exercises.

I drove yesterday (no narcotics during the day) to pick my kids up from school and we all went out to dinner.  I took an oxycotin last night when I went to sleep.  I don’t know how much I need it for pain, but it makes it very simple to fall asleep.  That stuff knocks me out.  I think I may try to skip it tonight.  I wonder if 8 evenings on that stuff will have me feeling odd when I stop.

March 5, 2011

17 days post op.  No more pain meds, no celebrex, no advil etc.  I’m pretty comfortable around the house and generally have no pain at all, but sleeping at night is restless and has its moments.  I tend to get up super early now and am pretty tired during the day.  I now enjoy grabbing a nap when I get the chance.

The ‘slow recovery mode’ has gotten to a frustrating point since I can fly through my exercises and there really isn’t much for me to focus on other than not putting more than 10% of my weight on my leg.  I’ve had moments where I know I’ve put more on accident since I’m feeling good, but I don’t suspect that’s a big issue and it doesn’t freak me out.  I’m trying hard to stick to the 10%.

March 14, 2011

I’m 2 days away from the 4 week mark that will allow me to transition to weight bearing with the crutches.  I’m excited to get to this point, but apprehensive.  I do have a general fear and lack of trust of my new hip and putting weight on it.  I suspect that I will just have to work through that.

Its been weird being on crutches.  I’ve had some odd flashbacks to my youth since I spent three years on crutches starting at 8 as a result of my leggs perthes.  I’m quite comfortable with them around the house, but its a pain to carry things.  My wife and daughters have been wonderful helpers.

I have very little pain at all even at night.  I’m able to sleep on the operated side but most comfortable on my back or other side.  I can feel a little strength in my abductors and I think that helps a ton.  I cant wait to get my leg strength back.

I’ve been pretty tired during the day and have tried to make it a point to cut down on my work load.  I was pretty much back to work Monday after surgery (self employed/software stuff).

I’ve had a few emotional ups and downs, but I am trying to be aware of them and not let it get me too far down.  The weather in Chicago is improving and I’m looking forward to spring!

April 7, 2011

7 weeks down… only 3 more with the cane!

I’ve given myself the ‘treat’ of walking a bit on occasion without the cane (10-20 feet) and its pretty exciting.  I have a pretty decent limp, but am hoping to strengthen things within the current limits so that when I drop the cane in 3 weeks the limp will be less.  I actually spent an hour today with a pt person doing some exercises and it was great to be challenged physically in new ways.  Dr Gross doesn’t suggest that you use formal PT, but my insurance pays for it and I find it to be a real learning experience as to what is going on with my body.

Again, no more hip pain… some muscle pain as I work it harder.  I still don’t sleep well and I’m pretty tired by the end of the day, but it has steadily gotten better.

One thing to note is that its odd to be 40 and walking with a cane. I get the occasional funny look, but people have been awfully nice in general.

 April 21, 2011

9 weeks down.  One more to go with a cane.

I’m sleeping a lot better.  I’d actually qualify it as ‘normal’.  If I’ve hit the PT particularly hard I’m a bit achy, but its a good pain.

Abductors are getting stronger, but still a ways off.  I can focus and walk in a straight line without a limp, but I don’t do that much since I’m supposed to be on a cane.  I’m looking forward to putting some walking miles on it starting next week.  There is a 9 mile wooded/gravel loop near me that is my goal for sometime this summer.

April 28, 2011

Yesterday was the first real ‘no cane’ day and it felt great.  I started doing formal PT at week 6 within the prescribed limits and I think it really paid off.  Good psoas stretching, abductor exercises, etc all added up to very little limp when I dropped the cane. 

Yesterday was my ‘load bearing’ PT exercises.  Its absolutely amazing how they can target exactly what is weak or tight.  The little stabilizers are in need of lots of work in addition to just gaining strength.  I was hurting this morning, but it was all muscle pain…. almost felt good.

In hindsight, I agree with all the cliches… I should have done it sooner, I’m glad I went to a top doc, etc.

June 23, 2011

Played 18 holes of golf over the weekend.  I was curious as to how all the rotor/stabilizer muscles would handle the swing, but my hip was completely pain free at the end of the round. 

I make it a point to savor the lack of pain… its pretty freakin’ cool

 

 

August 3, 2011

No limp or pain at all.  I’ve only done some light jogging on crushed stone for 50 yards or so in the past few weeks.  I had horrible bone quality, so I’m following doctors orders on running.  I can feel that certain stabilizers and muscles are weak.  Like that first late winter run I’d take after not running for a few months in the winter because I’m a bit lazy.

One thing I’m enjoying that I underestimated prior to surgery is the lack of pain.  I think about my hip a lot still… but mainly because its not hurting.  Laying down at night after a hard 50 mile bike ride and feeling no pain.  Its wonderful. Its like I’m on drugs, but without the hassle of being on drugs.

October 18, 2011

8 months and a day post resurfacing… just played 2 hours of hoops.   First time out in 7 years.  Lateral moves were slow, I have no hops or lungs, but the hip felt great and I had a good shooting night (no idea how that happened ).

2 of the guys new about the hip and not a word was said about it.  Feels good to be ‘normal’.

December 28, 2012

‘m almost at my 2 year post resurfacing with Dr gross.  did an easy/cold 60 miles today on the bike and will be doing a brutal 90 minute compu-trainer session tomorrow.  my resurfaced hip is the only thing that wont hurt… will come home and play with the kids.

October 1, 2013

I’m at 2.5 years.  I did a few crits a little over a year out last summer.  I did 20 road/crit races this season and am gearing up for cross now.  Riding bone pain free is spectacular, much better bike position, more even leg strength, etc.  I will say that one big thing for me was a solid weekly effort at core strength that I started about a year ago.  I do a single kettlebell class a week that really seems to pay dividends.

February 17, 2014

I just thought I’d chime in with a three year update as of yesterday. Absolutely no regrets at this point.  Last year I really started to feel ‘strong’ with lots of cycling (crits, road races and cyclocross), a bit more running and also throwing in a weekly Kettle-bell class. 

While cycling takes up a ton of my time w/regards to sports, I think the bells class has really helped balance things out with regards to my legs, core etc.