October 25, 2011  I am a 44 y.o. mom of three. I was fine until a couple years ago and then started feeling pain in my left hip that radiated down my leg. I assumed it was sciatica and my GP didn’t disagree so off to PT I went. That helped and for a while the pain was gone. Then fast forward to this past February when it came back with a vengeance. Back to PT for me, but this time it didn’t work, so I decided to try a chiropractor. The first chiropractor took an xray of my neck (??) told me my Atlas (??) was out of alignment and for a mere 3K could fix all that ailed me. Needless to say I decided a second opinion was in order. The second chiropractor was much more reasonable. He did some adjustments and I even got a massage (who knew insurance would pay for massages? I sure didn’t). When a couple adjustments didn’t seem to help, he sent me for an xray (of my hips this time, thank you very much).

That xray showed that I had advanced arthritis in both hips, but it was worse in the left. Also, I appeared to have a partial tear of my labrum in that hip as well (which I decided must be causing the pain and not the arthritis….not just a river in Egypt). I have had two injections so far that have given some relief, but they have only lasted about a month each. I was sent to see an orthopedic surgeon who looked at my xrays and announced that I needed a THR. A friend had mentioned another procedure, but since I was in denial about needing any surgery at all (44? Who needs a new hip at 44?!), I blew her off. I thought he would simply fix the tear and be done with it. When I asked him about another procedure he just said there was an anterior approach that was an option. Now, looking back, I know he knew exactly what I was talking about, but since he didn’t do resurfacing himself he neglected to mention it. IMHO this is despicable behavior for someone who has taken the Hippocratic Oath.

I googled around looking for this other procedure and discovered this site. I started reading the information on this site and others and joined the yahoo groups, although I find the yahoo boards layout hard to follow. I contacted Vicky and she was kind enough to forward my xrays to several surgeons and they all confirmed I was an excellent candidate for hip resurfacing. After reading may testimonials and weighing my circumstances I decided Dr. Gross was the doctor for me. Now I just wait. March 22, 2012 I am an official Gross hippy! My surgery was on Wednesday and it was a breeze. I actually wasn’t worried about the surgery as much as I am of the recovery. I have to gush over Dr. Gross, Lee, Nancy, Erin and the entire staff at Midland. I also have been very impressed with Providence and it’s staff. I showed up at 8 a.m. and was greeted right away by staff who showed me to registration. Very soon thereafter I was taken to pre-op where I was prepped and then taken to get my dexa scan. Yay! My bones are apparently good. Next back to pre-op to finish with surgery prep. A half a dozen people must have come and gone. One thing for sure, they are not going to operate on the wrong limb here. I was given all sorts of happy meds before being wheeled into the OR, within seconds I was out of it. That’s when I entered dream scape. I wanted to ask if I had been given some psychedelic drug because it was truly a strange trip. I was like living in a Salvador Dali painting. Gradually, I started coming out of it and I was in recovery. My BP spiked during surgery, so they kept me in recovery longer then most.

I was finally taken to my room and settled in. Since the spinal had worn off, they went ahead and got me up on the walker. I was pretty sore, but managed to go up and down the hall. Still very stiff and I can’t really bend the leg at all. Dr Gross said that was normal. Now I’m waiting for PT and OT. I can’t wait for OT so I can be given the go ahead to shower and dress. I hate these gowns.

I am so glad I chose to come here and highly recommend it to everyone. The night before surgery we went to the Solstice Kitchen since it was recommended here and OMG, I may move here just for their dirty martinis. Best one I have had in forever. I got a scallop dish that was fabulous – and I usually tend to shy away from scallops because I have had some bad ones in the past. Thank all of you who recommended this restaurant.

Even the hotel was very nice for a Residence Inn. I drove up with my sister, so we reserved a two room suite and it has worked out very well. Each room has a private bathroom and the room has a nice sized kitchen with dishwasher, stove, and fridge. The courtyard is closer, but either way we were going to have to drive to the hospital, so it made sense for us to opt for the double suite at the Residence Inn.

I’m just so glad to be on the other side. PT is here, so I have to go! March 22, 2012  I am one day post op and I have to tell you, like many other folks have already said, the procedure is a breeze. My main concern has been post op and after only a couple PT sessions I am getting stronger and stronger. The after pain the first night was mostly a dull ache, which beats the heck out of the sharp stabbing pains I was having prior to surgery. I haven’t had really any pain today except when I am pushing myself in PT, but I know it’s worth it and it still isn’t as bad as preop. I don’t know who your surgeon is, but I highly recommend the polar ice machine that Dr Gross recommends. I believe it helps immensely with the swelling, I haven’t had much at all. March 23, 2012 Day two post op. Last night my leg stiffened up on me again, probably because of the activity from earlier in the day. This morning I was able to get up and walk again and that seemed to loosen the leg up. I was able to shower and dress myself w/o assistance. I would recommend bringing a towel from home to the hospital. All they have are these little towels that you can barely wrap your hair with, let alone dry your entire body. The other thing I would do in hindsight is buy the hip kit before discharge. The grabber would have come in handy on more than one occasion while I was there.

Also, I would recommend getting pads for your crutches if you don’t have them already. When I first started using crutches, my hands and under my arms would get sore very quickly, so I ended up ordering some from amazon.

We’re back at the hotel now and I am managing to get around pretty well. Dr. Gross said not to walk too much at first, so I don’t over do it. I’m trying to just relax and take it easy, but it is hard now that I know I can walk without daggers stabbing my hip.

March 26, 2012 I’m pretty sure now that I must have been running on adrenaline the first couple/few days post op. I was up and walking 200 ft not long after surgery and then I walked quite a bit the next day as well as my exercises and group PT. By that night I was starting to feel it. I felt more energetic and limber on Friday a.m. (day 3), the morning I was discharged, but later in the afternoon my leg felt like dead weight again.

We drove home on Saturday, and my leg was still not nearly as cooperative as it had been the first couple of days post op. I was able to maneuver better on Sunday and today (although still not with the gusto I had immediately post op). I have had some throbbing in my hip today, I don’t know if it because of too much activity, not enough activity or if I just didn’t take my pain pill early enough.

Some insights/suggestions: We had a 6 hour drive home, but fortunately we had an ac adapter in the van for the ice machine, so I was able to keep my leg iced much of the way home. I highly recommend getting and adapter if you are driving and don’t have one already. I also bought a cheap walmart memory foam pillow on the way down and it was worth every penny of the $15 I spent. Not only did it help with the bumpy roads on the trip down, but it also served as a nice cushion at the hotel and the way back home. The Residence Inn beds are not the most comfortable on a sore hip pre or post surgery.

If I could go back in time, I would have bought the claw thing and sock putter on way before surgery. I can’t tell you how many times I had to contort my body to put my socks on by myself. And actually, I wouldn’t mind having two of the claw picker upper things now. One for picking up things and the other for picking up the first one when I drop it.

March 28, 2012 Yesterday, day 7, was strange. I felt a lot better in the morning than I have since surgery. Almost no pain/pressure when walking or doing my exercises, so I upped the walking a bit. Then later in the evening I was feeling it again. Even sitting I had a lot of pressure/throbbing in my hip. I was worried I had broken a rule, but couldn’t remember doing anything I shouldn’t have. I iced throughout the day, but I still had a hard time getting comfortable last night. I woke up feeling okay this morning. I’m almost afraid to push it today. I’d like to have one night sleep where I’m not achy.

Today is the day I’m supposed to take the bandages off and apply the topical. Anyone delay that a day or so? I’m not looking forward to it as the bandage still seems to be quite adhered to my leg.

April 2, 2012 Day 13 (? I think, it’s all starting to blur together): Doing much better. I’m managing on one crutch and probably could start using the cane, but I don’t want to push it. I’m sleeping much better as well. I’m still sleeping on my back, but I’m having no aches/pains at night. It was uncomfortable when I tried sitting on the couch yesterday, so I ended up using a pillow.

This has actually been a nice vacation for me. I can’t tell you how many books I’ve read. The best part is lying in bed listening to my husband getting the kids ready for school in the morning while I drink my tea. I may have to have more joints replaced.