I'd Like to Hear About More Success Stories

[Boomer]

Lori,

I have continued to ride my bikes whenever time allows. The weather certainly has been cooperative. I also try to walk some every day, though that is becoming more and more challenging. I do the pre-op PT routine on the days I don't ride. I plan to show up for surgery in very good condition. It is really helpful psychologically to be able to do something every day to help prepare. I have had some guidance from physical therapists recently, which should also help.

Like so many other stories, it seems like my hips are deteriorating at a very rapid pace now. No more good days and bad days. They all seem to be bad now. Glad I didn't wait to schedule the first  hip.

Thanks for the positive post. You have always had good things to say about Dr. rector and his team. I have faith.

Anniee, I guess I'm human. But you know what, the worse my pain gets, the less I worry about the surgery. Today my hips are killing me, so fear of surgery has been replaced by anticipation of how good it's going to feel to be free of these hurting hips. Thanks for your great recovery story. You are an inspiration.

[MattBrunner]

Boomer,

I remember being really scared when I logged on the first time at just 5 weeks before my surgery hearing about all the issues that can come up after surgery.  Even at 97% success its important to hear about the 3% and understand we are all dealing with a real surgery with risks.

On the upside I am 10+ weeks now from my first BHR a ran 3 miles this  for the first time since my surgery when I was waiting for the operation walking 1 mile would have me up at night with pain.  It was a bit sore the next morning but was told that was part of getting back to impact activities.  It was good enough for me to dance last night big 80s party.  This is something I would have never thought I could do at 10 weeks with my new hip or with my old bone on bone hip.

I hope your time to surgery comes quick and we can hear your success story.

Matt

[ScubaDuck]

Matt-

Did Dr. Pritchett clear you for running already?  He told me 6 - 7 months before I can start any impact.  And that was even after reviewing my nine week x-rays that showed the bone accepting the implant perfectly.

Dan

[Woodstock Hippy]

Boomer, like yours my hips are getting worse every day.  I'm three weeks out from Bilaterals with Dr Marwin and I can't wait to get this over with and get back to doing what I do.  I'll be going ahead of you by a few weeks and I promise to let you know how it's going.  Today I'm going out on the road bike for an easy ride to see how it goes.  It's killing me that last winter I built up two new bicycles; a Colnago Dream HP and a Niner Jet9 and they are hardly gettng ridden at all.  But, just wait til next year; I'll be rockin again!

[Boomer]

Woodstock,

I'm riding a Canondale Lefty 29er on the trails and a Specialized S-Works Roubaix on the road. It's the only thing keeping me halfway, and I mean only halfway sane!

Good luck to you. I will watch for your posts.2012 is going to be a great year for us.

Matt, you are way ahead on the recovery curve. Nice to hear about Hippys running again.

Thanks for the  posts guys.

Boomer

[Woodstock Hippy]

Nice bicycles, if I ever get back to Colorado, I'll bring the Colnago and we can take our new hips out for a ride!

It's funny, I was running a month ago after not running at all for two years and even though it hurt, it felt good.  Now the pain is worse and my strength is gone.  Even walking is painfull but when it's over it's over.  The bicycle is the other way; doesn't hurt riding although I have no strength but when it's over I'm crippled for a few days.  So I have to pick my poison, but you just wait til next year; I figure that I'll be allowed outside on the road bike in January or February and you better believe that I'll be out there!

[RJKELLY]

It could just be my perception, but it seems to me that there has been an overabundance of negative posts recently related to problems, concerns, complications and disputes about what should actually be posted here. Quite a difference from the very positive tone I appreciated when I first found the site a few months ago. Again, just my opinion.

I'm about 6 weeks from my first resurfacing, and miss all the wonderful recovery stories that had me feeling good about getting my life back through HR. I'm moving from highly motivated to somewhat concerned.

The success rate for BHR is 96-97%! Why is it all of a sudden the posts have gotten so negative?

Pat, why not set up a separate Heading just for pure motivation for those of us waiting for repairs? I think all of us are aware of the potential probelms associated with hip resurfacing. Some days I just want to come to this website and read glowing testimonials to keep me motivated. I was overwhelmed with positive posts in response to my very first post here. It was wonderful!These days I'm seeing too many posts dealing with the 3-4% complications. It's scary

Boomer

[RJKELLY]

I am brand new to this site and just underwent left hip resurfacing at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in NY.  Dr. David Mayman was my surgeon and I can honestly report that after 2 weeks post op I am walking 1-2 miles per day with a cane.  I am a 51 year old man in relatively good shape who has been suffering from hip OA for the past 3 years. The degeneration of the left hip grew so bad that it was bone-on-bone with significant bone spur formations.  In the couple of months prior to my surgery I was in so much pain that I tried to move up my surgery date.  Mayman is an outstanding doctor and the staff at HSS was exceptional.  As mentioned, it's only been 2 weeks post surgery and I am in a whole different place with regard to the lack of hip pain and continued increase of mobility.  My advice.... don't put it off !  I'm sorry I didn't do this earlier due to the fact that my hip degeneration caused changes in my gait resulting in muscle loss and tendon changes.  Now that everything is "fixed" I have to work extra hard at repairing the soft tissue issues created before my surgery. 

[Boomer]

Woodstock,

Isn't it funny how good it feels these days to just sit and relax instead of tearing around on the bikes or running? I just spent about an hour sitting in the sun chatting with my 20 year old daughter. I didn't used to do a lot of that kind of relaxing.

I'm looking forward to running and riding again, but I'm seeing some enjoyment from this slow period in my life. You ever make it to Colorado we'll be sure to do some riding.

[Luanna]

Success.... YES! Today was a GREAT success. At 7 weeks I am FINALLY able to tie the laces on my tennis shoes and...and.... and... I walked an entire mile without using any sort of aid. AND I had absolutely no discomfort!!!

I know I'm kind of a slug....in terms of comparative progress...but it sure felt good to be able to do those two things this morning!!

Success comes at different times in varying ways.

Luanna

[Woodstock Hippy]

Now that's what I call a possitive post  Way to go Luanna!

[Pat Walter]

RJKELLY

Welcome to Hip Talk. Glad to hear your recovery is going well.  Thanks for sharing your story.  Looking forward to more updates.

Good Luck.

Pat

[Pat Walter]

Luanna

Glad to hear you are making progress.  We often take one step forward and two backwards.  Not unusual and also not unusual to take many baby steps.  Not all of us progress quickly or at a fast rate.  The nice thing is that EVENTUALLY we all end up in the same spot - active and free of pain.

Pat

[moe]

Hey guys, here's my success story, 2 years + post bi lat, totally able to do anything I did before, road and off road riding, hiking, lift weights, climb ladders at work. No pain, no rom issues, pre surgery I had to lay the bike down to get on and off. I'm in my late 50's and ride a rigid 29er on the rockiest trails I can find. Sometimes I have to remember to back off a bit. But I totally don't even feel that I had the surgery. Life is good.

moe     

[Boomer]

RJ, Moe and Luanna,

Thank you for the outstanding recovery updates.

[Luann]

Hi Boomer,

I am now 16+ months out. I hardly ever think of my hip anymore! Just last night, I brought home the prize of my lifetime... a beautiful trophy belt buckle for taking the championship this year in my cutting class (a rowdy riding that involves working cattle ). I was in such pain before my sx that I could not take the jarring and long hours in the saddle that cutting involved. Because of my HR, I was able to realize one of my many equine dreams. I am going to send a picture of it to my Dr.
  THAT is my success story!!  Go for it. The sx is less scary than the consequences of not having it done.   Lu

[Boomer]

Luann,

I live in Colorado, and am familiar with the effort you had to put in to win your "cutting" belt buckle. Its hard to manage a horse even under normal circumstances, unless your hips are into the action. Well done! The first of many buckles to come no doubt.

Thanks for posting.

Boomer

[hernanu]

Luann, that's awesome. Gets me inspired to learn to ride. Post the picture here as well, would love to see it.

[Tin Soldier]

You guys should see some of the posts on the DieselStop.  This ain't nothing compared to some of the posts over there.  I didn't know guys could get so attached to their trucks.  "my exhaust is better than yours!"  >:(.  Well actually I guess I can sort of understand, a little.

Boomer - I have not been updating my blog, like Dan has.  I should because I'd have lots of great stuff to say about recovery.  With regards to "slowing down a little", I agree and in a weird way, I am thankful that I had OA.  Daily pain, discomfort, hobbling around, being grumpy,... all put things in perspective.  Not the life you want to life forever, but you do slow down and find other ways to enjoy life, like hanging out with your kids, or just slowin' it down a notch.   

A recent success - at the PT last week I did a skating maneuver with a theraband around my waist so that I was pushing off from the recently operated hip, against tension.  No pain, but a really good muscle workout.  Reminded me of dryland training for ski team in college then I started thinking about John C, or Moe, or Wayn-o and others here that ski and snowboard.  Now the only thing stopping me from doing that is money.   Also, I haven't driven to work for 3 weeks, ever since I started riding my bike again.  I sleep through the night, none of that weird ghosty nerve pain that seemed to linger for days after overdoing it.    How's that for success?   I got more,...

[Boomer]

Great update. Your recovery has been exceptional! I think you have been pushing the recovery envelope ever since you awakened after the surgery. I really don't see any way you would slow down.

Thanks for posting. Stay with the next few weeks. Then I can starting posting the good news!

Boomer