Day 0 - surgery in the books!

[C.Busch]

Hello SurfaceHippies,

Admins. - apologies if I am posting this in the wrong area. Feel free to advise.

Just left the hospital… hip resurfacing with Dr. Robert Marchand in Wakefield Rhode Island. Went into surgery around 1015am today. Day 0 almost in the books.

About me - 35 y/o. Very active… sports, hiking, biking, skiing, strength & conditioning coach and Phys. Ed. teacher. Looking to get back to my “normal”.

Surprise surprise… I didn’t wake up and just spring out of bed and start walking. Oh well :) Definitely feeling sore and achey high in the quad and hip flexor, and over the incision area.  I am still very weak and it’s difficult to contract my muscles on the surgical side.

I’ll post regular updates on my status. Hopefully it all goes smoothly and I progress as expected.

Here we go. Wish me luck!

Best,
Cole

[MarvinB]

Welcome, Cole!  Congrats on your new bionic!  Better, stronger, faster!  But not too fast!

[C.Busch]

Welcome, Cole!  Congrats on your new bionic!  Better, stronger, faster!  But not too fast!

Thank you! Happy to be here and relieved I finally took this next big step.

Day 1 today - definitely not as sore, achey and uncomfortable as I was expecting upon waking. Getting in and out of bed to use the bathroom was difficult but doable. Sprinkling in my rehab… ankle pumps, walks around the house with the walker, quad sets.

Definitely need to avoid internal rotation. That sends a fair amount of soreness up my groin.

This is probably a silly question because this is a major orthopedic surgery, but I need to put my mind at ease… is the expectation to be very immobile and rely heavily on the walker post-op?

Thank you!

Best,
Cole

[MarvinB]

If your doc did not give you specific instructions or exercises, check out Dr. Gross’s page at grossortho.com.  He has a hip protocol that includes walking.  First week, take it easy.  The anesthesia or spinal they may have given you takes a few days to wear off.  After my right hip was done 3 1/2 years ago, I was over the moon for about 3 or 4 days.  No pain!  After 4 years!  Woohoo!!  But then the stuff wore off, and I went from Woohoo! to holy sh&#!!   :)  Don’t do too much to start, even though you may feel like it.  Slow and steady!

[C.Busch]

If your doc did not give you specific instructions or exercises, check out Dr. Gross’s page at grossortho.com.  He has a hip protocol that includes walking.  First week, take it easy.  The anesthesia or spinal they may have given you takes a few days to wear off.  After my right hip was done 3 1/2 years ago, I was over the moon for about 3 or 4 days.  No pain!  After 4 years!  Woohoo!!  But then the stuff wore off, and I went from Woohoo! to holy sh&#!!   :)  Don’t do too much to start, even though you may feel like it.  Slow and steady!

Thanks for the info. I am looking at Dr. Gross’s page now. Interesting to hear about the spinal tap. I’m definitely in some pain, so I think my anesthesia has worn off, but maybe not… time will tell.

I did get a list of exercises and restrictions from my doc.’s PT team.
Regardless of where I look the standard rehab protocol for weeks 1-6 seem to be:
Avoid 90+ degrees of flexion
Don’t cross the legs
Ankle pumps
Quad sets
Pelvic tilts/gluteal contractions
Walk for short distances frequently, listening to your body and slowly weaning away from the walker.

[MarvinB]

Very similar.  I never used a walker.  Found something similar to these on Amazon and am now using just one as my “cane” for long walks.

[MarvinB]

The internal rotation thing is the toughest.  I still find myself doing it accidentally and going “YAAAEEEEE!!!”  Best thing is the overstuffed king size pillow between my legs at night.  Keeps me from crossing without knowing it and waking up sore.  You can also try two pillows in one pillowcase.  That worked during recovery from my right hip.  The king size pillow keeps my ankles in line.

[C.Busch]

The internal rotation thing is the toughest.  I still find myself doing it accidentally and going “YAAAEEEEE!!!”  Best thing is the overstuffed king size pillow between my legs at night.  Keeps me from crossing without knowing it and waking up sore.  You can also try two pillows in one pillowcase.  That worked during recovery from my right hip.  The king size pillow keeps my ankles in line.

Thanks for the tip with the pillow. I’m not quite ready to try sleeping on my side, I just can’t get into the side sleeping position with confidence.

My tolerance to internal rotation is improving. Noticed a big difference today (Day 3). Still, if I put my leg into the wrong angle I get a zing and an “OUCH!” up through the groin.

I’d say my major complaint right now is actually my quad soreness. Feels like I did a thousand heavy squats yesterday. So sore it’s actually tender. Giving my quad some gentle massage today to try to facilitate this.

[MarvinB]

The “log roll method” works to get onto your non-op side.  Get the pillow situated and gently roll both legs inline with your shoulders and spine away from the op side.  I actually took a 3 hour nap today and woke up on my op side!  3 3/4 weeks post-op.  Will probably try it again tonight.  Nice to have options.  Sleep is precious!