New Guy here....awaiting new BHR in mid June!

[MarkNC]

Thanks for the encouragement folks!...

Day 7:

Not too much to report...recliner piloting is getting old...and fast!  I'm trusting my new hip more each day.  It's beginning to feel like "mine" as time progresses.  The PT exercises are actually getting easy now!  Even the "slide your leg right and left" one that kicked my butt a few days ago. 

At least I've caught up on all my DVD's and Blu-rays!

[Tarhoo2]

Sounds like you're making good progress.  Congrats!  Keep in mind there will be days when you feel like you're making good progress and days when you feel like things are progressing too slowly.  Enjoy the good days and try to be patient and give yourself time on the slow days.  Continued best wishes.

[MarkNC]

Days 8,9 and 10 (unless I'm losing count!)

Progress continues...a little more slowly until today!  For some reason, I awoke this morning with the new hip feeling darned steady and confident.  I don't know why, but I can walk pretty well, barely relying on the walker.  I hope to graduate to a cane on my follow-up on July 1st... Not being impatient, just ready to get rid of this walker.  Getting up and down from chairs much, much easier now.  The list of PT exercises are almost too easy to do.  The only discomfort is something deep within the joint area when hitting certain angles...feels there's still some connective tissue that's healing but not quite "there" yet.  I can't wait to ask the surgeon a few questions about hip capsule, healing, angles and why there's a mega sized bruise on the calf of my operated leg! 

[MarkNC]

Two week follow-up trip to the hospital:

They removed my staples... 30!!!  Didn't hurt a bit.  Kind of surprising.  NO MORE BANDAGE TAPE STUCK IN MY LEG/BUTT HAIR!!! Yay!  I swear, changing bandages has been one of the more painful pieces of this whole experience!  And I'm not even all that "hairy"...in the Burt Reynolds-hairy kinda way. 

I've graduated to a cane...and doing pretty good!  I walked so much yesterday I am really sore today.  The Doc said I'm progressing very well and may be "free wheeling" (walking unassisted) in two weeks!  He doesn't want me to drive until I can walk cane-less in the house.  I also have to wear the "TEDS" stockings until I'm walking without the cane.  Luckily, I have lots of sick leave saved up over the years.  I don't wanna do something dumb and mess up my new hip...it's a long-term investment!

[MarkNC]

I ventured around Wal-mart yesterday.  Hobbled my way back to electronics to search out some new DVD's or Blu-rays to watch...I've blown through my collection during my home-bound rehab!  I was a little over confident of my progress and began to experience muscle weakness in the new hip.  Had to have a seat on those benches they have up front.  I got back home and felt exhausted!  Unexpected...but I remember reading others experiences that reflect something similar.  After resting up overnight, I woke up a bit tight this morning, but felt great afterwards.  I found I could walk pretty good without the cane! (for short distances).  There's no doubt...things are improving daily! 

[obxpelican]

Great job rehabbing, you sound like you are almost there, once you start walking and get rid of the cane your hip surgery will be all but forgotten.  Most days I wake up and don't even think about my new hip.

Enjoy your time off and your DVDs

Chuck

[MarkNC]

One month after surgery... cane-free in the house (and could be outside, but the doc told me not to!)  Finally released to drive (stipulation was after I was cane-less at home).  Heading back to work Monday...thankful to have saved up TONS of sick time!

NO pain when walking with the cane.  Very little when moving around without the cane.  Almost limp-free while free wheeling it!  Man...I have a big 'ol scar!

[Luann]

Hey MarkNC,
Re: the scar. I have a "big ol' scar", too, about 7" long in a "C" shape over my outer thigh and buttock. Now, don't jump to conclusions, I have my priorities straight, I DO realize the scar is a small price to pay for a pain free hip. But I just thought I'd ask... this may be more of a concern for women, (considering the vain creatures that we can be :D) but my sister-in-law (after showing her my scar) said that it could be made almost unnoticable with laser tx. She has had 2 ceasarian(sp?) sections and had it done on her abdominal scar. Of course, I would first check with my Dr. before considering it. I wonder if lasering it would thin the skin (or ???) and possibly make it harder/more risky for a 2nd surgery or revision? Anyone ever have this done or know more about it? 
Congrats on your speedy recov. Gives me hope.  Luann

[MarkNC]

Luann,

I guess guys are different.  I'm kinda "proud" of my scar!  Heck, I sure ain't gonna be wearing speedos anyways!  My scar is pretty pronounced and like you, I feel like it's a small price to pay to FINALLY be pain-free!  I could see where ladies would be a little more sensitive about scars though.

Status update*  I'm now totally cane-free!  Walking is getting easier all the time.  Limp only returns when I've walked a lot.  Still a little sore in the scar vicinity, but less each day.  ....and...drum roll please!  NO MORE TEDS!!!!  Yay!


I found out my BHR is uncemented (supposedly both parts).  The surgeon says this will possibly be a long-term benefit although the short term takes longer initial healing time (waiting for the bone to grow into the prosthesis)  So, no doing anything "dumb" (hard for me) for at least 6 months...and to be totally safe, around a year.  Heck...it's more than worth it!

[MarkNC]

Coming up on 6 weeks since my left BHR.  Things continue to progress nicely.  I started back to work this past Monday and am working 1/2 to 3/4 days.  I start out feeling great and walking nearly "limp free" but will begin limping a bit after extended sitting (I have a desk job) and near the end of the day as the muscle fatigues.

Can't drive my pickup truck for another week and a half (It's a manual transmission and the Doc is hesitant about me working the clutch with my left leg).  I'm wheeling in a automatic Nissan Altima for now.  Interesting note...I'm heading off for vacation soon and my Doctor says "no swimming" until my next follow up.  I'm allowed to wade around a bit, but no "real" swimming.  I can live with that.

[MarkNC]

2 Months report--- Birmingham Hip Resurfacing ROCKS!  I'm walking as far as I want to...the rest of my body wears out before the hip does!  No pain...except a little initial "stand up" tightness after prolonged office-chair sitting.  The incision/scar still has sore spots on it, but heck, considering what they had to do to me to install two hunks of metal...amazing!  The hip feels so good, I'm going to have to be very, very careful to not do something stupid.   ;D

I started putting on my sock without sock-pullin' tools yesterday.  It was easier/less painful than at any time in the past 3 or 4 years.  I go back to the hospital next week for my X-ray follow-up to make sure my bionic part is still behaving itself...but based on "feeling", I'll be very surprised if there are any problems.  The real kicker here is that I'm feeling better as a "whole package" than I've felt in several years... a true "new lease on life". 

[TAJ]

Hi Mark.

Thanks for sharing your story.  I go in for right hip resurfacing with Dr. Schmalzried on Sept. 20 and your story gives me a good idea on what to expect.  Hope I come out just as well, and hope your recovery keeps getting better and better.

[sfinrecovery]

Thanks for you ongoing posting Mark, like Tad sad, it gives me hope.  Good luck, Tad!!! 

I am pre-op - I go to the surgeon tomorrow to decide on the procedure, dates (?), etc.   Several hours and counting.  I decided that no matter what I would take some time off at the beach, unless the doctor says the femur head necrosis has gone passed Phase 1.

I am so glad this ongoing blog is here for me...

Juan

[MarkNC]

Good luck with your procedure guys!  One intangible, but important, factor in my recovery...a optimistic, positive attitude.  I went into this thing after MUCH internet research and then set my mind to a positive outcome.  I'm not rushing things that the Doctor's said not to do yet.  I view this BHR as a LIFETIME investment!  I look forward to getting back to martial arts training again (although I'm going to be a little selective on the high impact stuff I did in the past)... However, I'm not rushing that stuff.  It will come with time...but most importantly, all that pain I had in the past is already gone!  I hope things go as well for y'all.

[MarkNC]

3 month report-  Feeling great!  Still a little soreness in spots on the incision/scar.  A wee bit of initial connective tissue "tightness" when I first stand up after prolonged sitting.  Much less than a month ago, however.  Walking any distance pain-free!!  Hiked a few walking trails last weekend...ZERO problems.  My next trip to the surgeon will be at the 6 month anniversary in December.  If all is well, I'll be released to do whatever I want (I'm still under some restrictions via the Doctor)  Riding stationary bike now...only limit is my muscles!  Doc wants me to steer clear of "real" bikes until the 6 month point.  I am allowed to do light stretching (no forcing the leg)...can't wait to REALLY stretch it though (30 year martial artist).  People are amazed at the rapid recovery I've had...I used to walk like Igor in Young Frankenstein! People think I'm taller now...actually able to stand up straight for the first time in years.  Cool stuff!

[MarkNC]

6 month follow-up.  I bet you folks thought I had forgotten!    I'm actually around a month over the "6 months", but what matters is that things are great!  I honestly forget that I've had any hip work done...that's how good it is.  No pain...at all.  Sleeping all night is amazing medicine.

Doc told me everything looks awesome at the check up.  No worries...I can finally start exercising with no real restrictions.  He told me to avoid hard core jumping until the 1 year point, but other than that, do as my body tells me to do.  Running, martial arts, etc.  It is taking a while to regain flexibility, not due to the operation but due to years of neglect because of arthritic pain.  I'm working to strengthen the connective tissue and make sure things are good and solid as I work on the stretching...don't want that sucker popping out of socket!!! (not much of a risk at this point).  Did some of my first kicks with the new hip the other night...optimistic things will return to pre-arthritis levels with some dedication and work.  However, it didn't hurt!  Slow and steady is my plan.

Don't have to go back to the surgeon until the one year point...around June. 

-MarkNC

[hernanu]

Congrats Mark! Excellent recovery and thanks for filling us in.

[MarkNC]

Howdy gang!  I thought I'd fill everyone in on how things are going at the 1 year threshold.  In a word...spectacular!  I went back to the wonderful folks at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem for my 1 year check up.  As always, they X-rayed and had me in a room to see the Doc even before my scheduled appointment time!  (those people keep impressing me with their promptness).  The Doctor reviewed my X-rays (of which I got my own souvenir print-out copy!) and tested my range of motion and flexibility.  The Doc said "wow" a couple of times and totally released me to do whatever the heck I want to do!  I don't go back for another year.  He did give me a couple of bits of wisdom... When asking him "You mean I can really do anything I want now?  Including Martial Arts?"  He replied "Yes...but remember you haven't been able to work that leg hard for many years and you're not 20 anymore!"  You know...he's right!   However, being FREE of pain and actually being able to forget I have a hunk of metal for a left hip joint means more than being years younger and hurting all the time.  I HIGHLY recommend the BHR procedure!

[hernanu]

Thanks for the report Mark! I'm trailing a bit behind you on my first hip (August 24th), and I'm also getting back to the basic kicks, hands bag work and just enjoying life. Went swimming today, sat down on a beach chair and got back up just 'cause I could without any issue at all.

Really glad you got a wow from the X-ray.

[ScubaDuck]

Mark-

Great news!  I am hoping for the same report once I get to one year.

Dan