I'm an Official Hippy, Surgery by Dr. Snyder

[hernanu]

Sounds like you're really coming past the worst part, Pete. I also had the night sweats go away around then, it really was the most annoying part of the whole thing to me, kept waking me up, etc.

I have to say the best part of the recovery has been to be able to sleep. Before the surgeries, I was at most sleeping one or two hours, then waking in pain (or with a dislocation) and staying awake for a half hour or an hour, then drifting to sleep, then repeating. I got at the most 4 hours of sleep, and not any really deep sleep. After the procedures, I can sleep for long periods (for me) and am gradually lengthening the time.

I actually slept for eight hours last night! But pretty much from the start I was getting much deeper sleep and finding out what people meant when they talked about a good sleep. I'm glad you're coming into the next part of recuperation. Outpatient PT was exhausting some times, and you'll have some setbacks, but you'll see some significant improvements ahead.

[Woodstock Hippy]

19 days to get rid of the sweats.  I hope so.  I don't have it every night but last night was a 3 T-shirt night.  I'm at 13 days, got my staples out today and feeling better every day.

[PistolPete]

The night sweats were one of the worst parts.  Mine stopped a few days ago.  I had them every night for acute 2 weeks then would get it every other and now they are gone.  Hope you get over them quickly.  I didn't get staples and didn't need any stitches removed or anything.  Funny how each surgeon has his sown technique.

[hernanu]

Yeah, I liked how Dr. Snyder did mine, just glue and steri strips for the first, then only glue for the second, with the amazing psychadelic  ::) silver bandage on it.

[PistolPete]

I agree Hern.  I'm just over 3 weeks post op and the scar looks awesome.  Like you Dr. Snyder just used some type of glue and that magical silver bandage.  Right now it is just a line and doesn't look gross at all.  I'm guessing after a year or so it will just be a light line and won't look like much of anything. There isn't an indention and obviously no scarring from staples or anything as I didn't get any.

I'm walking more unassisted each day and now trying to walk with just the cane in my hand as much as possible.  My goal is to be walking without the cane at some point next week.

[hernanu]

My scar on that side is still noticeable, but pretty freakin' light. The other side is not bad, but it is darker and has more terrain  :o . Neither is especially bad, and it gives me great material for locker room jokes... "Chair lift accident..."  ;D

Sounds like you're right on the brink of walking without assistance soon, Pete.

[PistolPete]

I'm starting to test the hip out a little bit.  Today I was curious if I could kick with my left leg.  (my right leg is my operated leg)  That being said I'm a better kicker with my left leg.  I haven't been able to do side kicks at all for well over a year with my either leg but specifically with my left leg.  I decided to hold on to some support and very SLOWLY go thru the motion of a side kick.  I brought my left knee up high into chamber and slowly extended the leg out and back.  Pre-Surgery I could only go about knee high and it was total agony.  Now just a few weeks post op I'm already at waste level.  This is with having hardly any strength in my operated leg. 

THE FUTURE IS LOOKING AWESOME RIGHT NOW!!!! 

[hernanu]

It is cool, Pete. Take care, especially with that kick, but I am able to do the same move with no support now, and do a full strength kick at knee level.  I'm taking it slow, though and the roundhouse kicks are doing well at full strength at waist level.

It is also very good for the small muscles to chamber the leg and balance there for a bit. I've retaken up juggling on one leg to force those little suckers to work.

[PistolPete]

I noticed tonight that my operated leg has atrophied really bad.  I haven't measured it yet but I would say prob. 3 or more inches at least.  I have large muscular quads and looking at this leg it looks weird.  Oh well, that will return.  On a good note I was able to have sex tonight with my wife for the first time.  Not bragging or anything like that but it is nice getting back to a semi-normal life again.  No issues with that and absolutely no pain which is great.

Tomorrow I'm off to a snowmobile show with LOTS of walking so that should prove interesting.  I'm sure I will pay for it on Sunday.  Plus, mentally it's going to kick my butt since I won't be snowmobiling this winter.

[hernanu]

You'll get that back, Pete, its just a matter of working out when you get to that point. As you're finding out, getting back to life pain free is great.

Walking is good, just take a few breaks and ice on the way maybe. Drink lots of fluids, I think it helped me when walking a fair amount.

[PistolPete]

Today is my 4 week anneversary of my surgery and I'm feeling really good.  I walked without any assistence for over 90% of the day which is awesome.  I even primed 2 of my bathrooms in preparation for painting.  This was a bit of a challenge but I was able to complete it all by myself.  Sleeping is going great and I'm sleeping better than I have in years. 

[hernanu]

Sounds like you're hitting your stride, Pete. Be careful still of carrying heavy stuff, no matter how good you feel. Around three months is when you need to watch out for femoral neck issues, so forget carrying any cement bags or any huge paint cans.

[PistolPete]

Thanks for the reminder.  I still have a long recovery to go and need to keep reminding myself of this.  I also was able to cut my own toenails yesterday which was cool and def. a challenge.

[Kiwi]

Sounds like you're hitting your stride, Pete. Be careful still of carrying heavy stuff, no matter how good you feel. Around three months is when you need to watch out for femoral neck issues, so forget carrying any cement bags or any huge paint cans.

What's the theory behind the risk of femoral neck issues at 3 months? Any literature to read on this topic?

[John C]

From my understanding, there are two issues that relate to the three month concern. One of the issues is that studies have shown that the blood supply to the head and neck of the femur is compromised during surgery. These same studies show that it does return, but in the mean time, this could compromise the strength of the bone. The other issue is that the new loads on the bone cause some "remodeling" over period of months, meaning that some areas of bone are reduced and other areas strengthened in line with the new forces. During this process, the bone could be more vulnerable. What makes the three month time frame so dangerous, is that you are feeling pretty good, and ready to get back into action, not taking into account that the bone is still going through a process of healing and change. For Dr. Gross, the key timing is that he has had no femoral neck fractures after six months, so that is his period of caution, before lifting restrictions.

[obxpelican]

Yes, totally agree John, and Pete PLEASE be careful, nobody wants you to fail, we all want success. 

Glad to hear you are doing well.


Chuck

[PistolPete]

I thought it would be a good idea to paint the bathroom yesterday.  I thought it would be good because the room is fairly small and using the step ladder would be good to strengthen the leg a bit.  That being said I def. overdid it and am paying the price today.  Very sore and tight.  Today will be a lazy day and moving forward I'm not going to be so ambitious.

[PistolPete]

I hit the gym this morning and it felt GREAT!!!  I did 10 minutes on the bike at a slow pace and with very little resistence.  Then I did a few upper body machine exercises with lighter weight and another 10 minutes walking on the treadmill.  I like walking on the treadmill as it's easy to use the side supports similar to walking with the cane and get the hip moving.

[Kiwi]

Great work Pete, sounds like you're progressing really well mate.
Keep it up!
Cheers
Simon

[PistolPete]

5 WEEKS POST OP UPDATE-  I'm 5 weeks post op today and things keep improving.  My strength is coming back which is awesome.  I hit the gym this morning and did 11 minutes on the bike, some upper body exercises, did light weight on the abductor and adductor machines which was awesome, and even did some crunches on the ab benches.  I'm not walking with any crutches or anything and I have my follow up with my surgeon on Friday.  All is looking good and def. getting my life back more and more each day.  I can't wait to be back at training Martial Arts again but that is a ways off.