May 24, 2010 I had a RBH by Dr. Peter Brooks at the Cleveland Clinic on 04/12 and am on 75% weight bearing for 7 weeks. It is annoying – but – I’ll do anything to make this heal properly. As for the 90 Degree angle – I don’t have tht restriction or any other restrictions usually associated with hip replacement – thank goodness. I too feel like I probably could walk without the weight bearing restriction – but – figure that will come soon enough!  I had PT in the hospital – they showed me the excersises I need to do 3 x a day (for the next year – I believe) and that is it as far as PT. Also was told to ride a recumbent bike with zero resistance. This all helps improve range of motion. I am doing fine! No muscle was cut – so I guess that might be one reason why no PT was necessary!

It was recommended that I donate blood in the event I needed it. I do nopt do well with blood, however, I felt I would rather be safe than sorry and would rather get my own blood if I needed it. So – I donated – didn’t need it – no harm done. Dr. Brooks is one of the best in the business. He is meticulous and has excellent outcomes. I would follow any recommendation he makes!

I was so very nervous but am now so happy I did it! I woke up in recovery amazed that my deep excruciating pain was gone and I am still pain free! The post-surgical healing pain was nothing compared to the pain prior to surgery! I feel like a new person already – and I’m still on crutches!!

June 2, 2010 I am 7 weeks post-op. Early on – I experienced the same thing you did and was panicked that it was infected. Of course it wasn’t. I agree – recovery has been so awesome that every little twinge seems out of the ordinary!

Yesterday had my post-op visit with Dr. Brooks and he told me I can go off crutches. I am, however, relying on my cane for now as I am limping. I almost want my crutches back! From what others have posted, though, the limping at first seems to be normal. Dr. Brooks gave me another exercise to do – to strengthen the leg which will eventually help the limp disappear. As annoying as the crutches have been, I do appreciate the doctor being conservative as I don’t want to have a femoral neck fracture. It sure does feel strange, though, to walk on 2 legs again!

June 21, 2010 I am 11 weeks post-op; was on crutches for 7 weeks (75% weight-bearing); off crutches for a week – then went back to work after a total of 8 weeks off. My recovery has been great; no pain since surgery, though I have had soreness & throbbing when I have overdone things. My problem now is sheer exhaustion – every evening since I went back to work. My job is not physically demanding, though it is mentally demanding. I went back working 10 – 11 hour days, which has never been a problem in the past. By about 8 pm, I feel a wave of complete exhaustion creep over me – can barely move. It is frustrating because, other than the exhaustion, and my limp (which I know from other posts can take awhile to totally disappear) I feel great!

July 29, 2010 I am 15 weeks post-op and feel great!! Dr. Brooks did my RBHR and besides the fact that he is a great surgeon, I believe my recovery has gone so well because I followed his instructions to the letter – did all my home excersises and maintained 75% weight-bearing on crutches for 7 weeks (my 6 week check-up was actually at 7 weeks). I was bored – (read many books) and prior to surgery couldn’t imagine being off work for 8 weeks. Well – looking back – i couldn’t have gone back any earlier. Although I felt good – it was definitely not good enough to go to work. The week home after I got off crutches was more tiring than when I was on crutches and it took me a month back to work before I stopped feeling sheer exhaustion each evening. But it was all worth it because from the time I woke up in the recovery room – I was out of that deep, debilitating pain!

My surgeon switched to compression stockings for a total of 14 days post-op, aspirin 2x day for 30 days post-op and ultra sound before you leave the hospital and at the 2 week visit. I was delighted to hear that! He has found the outcomes to be as good with this method as they were with Lovenux injections. I was ready to rip the compression stockings off by the last couple of days, but I kept telling myself it was better than an injection! However, I guess if he hadn’t switched, I would have done it or had someone else stick me! My 14 year old niece had eagerly volunteered.