Nine Month Update

[Gretsch6]

Hi All - Its ben a while since Ive been on the site!  I htought I would give an update on my right hip after a little over 9 months.  In late Feb 16, at age 49, I had my right hip resurfaced by Dr. Scott Anseth (he's the best by the way!) in Minneapolis.  I battled issues in both hips for about 5 years  - the last 3 of which I knew what my ailment was ----- OA!!  I was on this site constantly ... i knew BHR was the right option for me.  Thus far I am extremely pleased!!!!!


I originally just thought i had very tight groins and hips flexors.  Being a former college hockey player, I always had tight "skating muscles "(groins and hip flexors).  I now believe i probably always had hip joint issues.... but back then...just thought it was muscular.  In my 20s 30s and 40s i was extremly active - lifting heavy weights (lower body), running, golfing, biking etc.   With perhaps genetics and athletic abuse, I guess i wore my hips out.  Prior to surgery, my right hip was a 8 (10 being the worst), left was prob a 4.  I worked out and trained very hard Prior to my procedure.. I didn't let the AO slow me down too much..Like most others, I just couldn't take it any more.  Pain was manageable....lack of range of motion was awful! 


My Surgery was first thing in the am.  I was only in the hospital over night... left the next day at 3:00pm.  Recovery was pretty easy... Challenging part was first week.... Pain meds and the lingering effect of the anesthesia were the worst part.  Pretty fatigued too. Hip itself wasn't bad.   I was on two crutches for two weeks, and one crutch for one week.  That was it.  followed my exercise regiment religiously.  I did experience the clunking (still do a bit from time to time). Never really had a gait.

I started the road bike at around 2.5 months and golfed my first round at just under 3 months!!! Started doing things much earlier than I thought.... biking, walking, body weight squats.  I ran a few times on treadmill for a couple miles post 6 months  - felt okay , the other side killed however ! ( More on that later).  I have been doing heavy deadlifts since about the five month mark.  I did have a scary moment on the bike at month three however...  biker decide to make a U Turn in front of me with out signaling... Ill just say I was going quite fast.  Wound up Tee-Boning her!!!  I did a complete flip and land on my operate side!  No problem.... just a big gash in my quad.  I am also very surprised how natural the joint feels... I thought i would have a clunky or mechanical ...or even a heavy feeling in the joint.... not the case all.  Again natural.  Cant believe how "free" the joint feels after i stride forward.  Before it simply locked and I therefore had to swivel the hip. 


Now some minor negatives: 


As I said, I am extremely active nine months later.  The area around the incision still gets a little sore after working out.  The hip capsle ( which was cut obviously) gets a sore too.  The whole area can be a bit "achy".  much different feeling than the OA however.... I guess the trauma of a full dislocation and the cutting of all that soft  tissue.   I can feel it a lot when I twist (golf backswing).  IT band and glutes can tighten up as well. 
Been workmen on stretching.  Still not that limber ....muscle/ligaments are tight.  Again, its a different tightness than I had before.  What makes the stretching so difficult is OA in the non operated hip!  Its amazing now both hips compliment each other when trying to stretch.  When one is limited due to OA, its hard to get things done.  Has anyone else experienced that?  I imagine ill be doing my other one within a year or two... Unfortunately the non operate hip pain and impingements are masking how well my operated is doing!  Maybe you all have experienced this too.


Thats my update!!! Again, overall I am extremely pleased.  Its better than I thought... its just that dang other one!!! 


I thought I would share as this site and all your posts sure helped me.  I hope this helps others!!!! 


Peace! 

[Quig]

Great update! For the 9 month mark it sounds like you're doing really great.


A lot of what you wrote sounds really familiar. The soft tissue gripes will continue for many months to come but will keep improving. In my opinion, with an activity level like yours (and mine!) you'll keep moving back that threshold that activates the "OUCH!" in those muscles that were affected by the surgery.


I'm about 18 months out from bilateral and am to the point where I have to push pretty damn hard to fire up those "OUCH" responses and even if I do they're very short lived. I'm also to a point where I too am shocked at how 'natural' these metal hips feel.


Keep up the good work and keep the recovery going. If you think you're happy now, just wait... it just keeps getting better. And you're right, it's stunning how good and how natural these metal hips feel.


Congratulations on some amazing progress. Metal hips have lots of life left in them. Great job!

[Pat Walter]

Thanks for stopping by and letting us know how well you are doing.  I am sure many people will read it and be inspired. 

Keep up the good progress.  Let us know how you are doing in the future.

Pat