recovery

[encinas]

I was wondering if there was any difference in post-op muscle pain/recovery after a THR as compared to a resurfacing.  I've read quite a few stories where patients have had a lot of pain and needed physio etc..after resurfacing, but not so much, if at all, after THR.  Is this really the case, or just my biassed reading so far?

Mike

[Pat Walter]

Hi

I think you have read incorrectly.  People with hip resurfacing normally heal much faster the people with thrs.

I was 61 when I had my hip resurfaced with Dr. De Smet in Belgium.  I was on 1 crutch at 4 days, no crutch at 4 weeks.  Was walking 1 mile a day with one crutch by 12 days post op.  I took no heavy pain meds after leaving the hospital after 2 1/2 days - only Advil.  I stayed at the Holiday Inn and ate every meal in the dinning room. Partied every night with the other 8 hippies I was with.  None of us had bruising or swelling.

I thought I would take PT when I got home, even though my doctor said I did not need it.  I only went twice - because they said I was so far ahead of a normal THR patient they did not even now what to do with me.

A lot depends on the surgeon you use.  Most people have quicker and easier recoveries with the more experienced surgeons.  A lot depends on their surgery technics and skills.

Many of the less experienced US surgeons keep people on walkers for weeks.  Overseas and the exerpeinced surgeons have you on a crutch within a few days.  You do stairs and start living your life again.  You will be very, very tired and won't sleep well, but you will be mobile.

I know a bilat right now that is 3 weeks post op and walking 3 miles a day. 

Check out the athletes stories  http://www.surfacehippy.info/athletes.php

Read the more than 100 stories I have posted  http://www.surfacehippy.info/athletes.php  and see if that doesn't change your bias.

I was 61 and would not accept a thr.  I did not want my femur bone cut off.  http://www.surfacehippyvideos.com/play.php?vid=91

Pat