34 M Bilateral Dr Su 2025/01/30

[ebreton16]

(Cliff noted 34 M, bilateral resurfacing with Dr Su, 7 weeks out could not be happier with decision. It is not easy but the improved quality of life is a so so worth it)

Journey to resurfacing. 34 year old male have always played sports basketball, football and baseball in high school and then football collegiately. Post college lots of basketball, tennis, soccer and golf with mountain biking and snowboarding in between. My pain began about 5 years ago, always post activity and never during which I attributed to getting old. It progressively got worse. Started noticing a loss of flexibility and ROM which I combated with PT and Yoga to no avail. Finally I got x rays about 2 1⁄2 years ago which revealed no cartilage and severe osteoarthritis which led me on a 2 year research project, first, second, third, and fourth opinions and ultimately to HSS for bilateral hip resurfacing.

0-Hip resurfacing (2025-01-29)
For the most part I have been able to remain somewhat calm about the whole surgery, mainly because of increased pain levels and reduced mobility. That coupled with having to explain to my coworkers why I am moving like an old man validated my need for something to be done. The only real angst came from fear I would wake up with a THR vs a BHR. This was my own issue mainly stemming from the Biomet device recall even though I was not planning on receiving it but the PA assured me the Doctor Su has had so few that she cannot remember, this helped.
I found the staff very helpful at HSS. Everyone I interacted with had the answers I needed and were friendly.

Once I got in the operating room I remember being awake for a very small amount of time. Then boom. Came to in the recovery room not feeling like I just had major surgery just numb from the waste down (#drugs). My mother was able to come see me later around 20:00 after my 12:45 surgery.

I got into my room around 22:10. I had thrown up a couple times, nothing bad but my stomach was on and off again queasy. Once the numbness wore off I started to feel like I had surgery. Pain was tolerable and well managed by painkillers. I always accepted whatever was offered and at the highest dose. I remember reading it was best to stay ahead of the pain. Much easier to stay in slight discomfort then to abstain from the meds and end up getting away from pain. I first peed at 3:15 somewhat awkwardly. I could not tell if it was from the numbness or peeing into the bottle from my bed but it was no biggie. Had a chat with my roommate about lumbar fusion. A nice guy but a snorer but after sleeping in the same hotel room with my father the previous night I was prepared for it.

1- Hip Resurfacing

Did not fall back asleep post waking up in the middle of the night. Oddly, I was not tired so I mainly read the paper and listened to podcasts. Got blood drawn around 7:00. No real pain, mainly discomfort, was taking the meds when offered. Dr Su came in this morning, he was very excited about the surgery. Made note of how bad my hips were and how well he thought the surgery went. The cap size I believe was 52MM. which was bigger than I thought I would be. He gave me a lot of confidence that based on my bone size, strength, and muscular tone that he was excited about where this surgery will take me.

Breakfast came at 8:00 ate the fruit and  yogurt my parents got me a bagel , living in Denver cannot miss an opportunity for a good bagel.

Failed PT at 9:30 got to the end of the bed and then went super light headed and couldn't keep going. Will try again after lunch.

Post lunch just awful failed PT again and then was in the worst pain of all. Thankfully that subsided around 5 pm but this is a healthy reminder that I just got a major surgery.

2- Hip Resurfacing

Woke up feeling much better. Not nearly as foggy and legs feeling better doing the bed PT work. PT at 9 hoping to get discharged today. Passed PT with flying colors today. What a difference a day makes. A lil light headed but felt pretty good moving all things considered. My parents drove me back upstate to Albany where I will be continuing my rehab. Honestly, I don't know how I could do the bilateral procedure without them..I have set up a bedroom downstairs and have been making lil walks around my downstairs every hour or so.
Morphin at 16:20, Tylenol at 18:15. Sleep was difficult, not terrible but just difficult to get comfy(I am a side sleeper) Took morphine and baby aspirin before bed.

3-Hip Resurfacing

Woke up with more range of motion doing the heel slides and getting much higher than any of the prior days. Pain is still there, feeling it more in the surgery area, where they cut into me but not awful. Took Tylenol, baby aspirin and morphine with my breakfast around 7:30.

PT came to the house around 9. Mainly an introduction but was able to do all the exercises, was told to limit to 3x per day and that how I feel tomorrow will be an indication of how to push..A large part of this recovery will be the balance of movement vs inflation. Will continue to monitor.

4- Resurfacing

Very difficult night's sleep, lots of pain but the pain seemed to shift from my joints to the muscles around it, just constantly lighting up in the evening. Woke up feeling much stronger than the previous day, getting up easier and doing PT with more ease. Got on my recumbent bike with help but only a few pedals, still a little too uncomfortable.

5/6- Resurfacing

Sleep is not getting much better, but getting in and out of bed is becoming much easier. Did PT in the AM with the visiting pt. Walked on crutches for .25 miles which felt good lil sore around my incisions but good for the most part. Getting a little better everyday.

7-Resurfacing

Not a bad day, more passive than active recovery. Small wins included, removing my bandages, passing a bowel movement unassisted, and showering. Seeing the incisions is a good reminder of what was done to my body and the skill of Dr Su. I did a lot the day before and after a rough night of sleep was pretty lethargic. Did my exercise but other than that napped for a good 3 hours and iced.

8-Resurfacing

PT came in the AM and blew through the exercises with ease and ever improving form. Able to lift my knee higher each day. Was even able to bike a bit on the recumbent bike which was nice. Walked .50 miles with crutches and a somewhat normal gait. Frequent snowstorms are the only amendment to my walking as I am still nervous about walking in those conditions. Each day continues to improve in some form and my spirits are high.

9-Resurfacing

Probably my best night of sleep since surgery, switched from bed to recliner and it seemed to have made a difference. Almost got myself completely dressed unassisted, everything but the socks, did leverage a shoe horn but def improved. Did my PT exercises in the morning along with 5 minutes on the bike which was a big improvement from yesterday ... Walked .66 miles outside which was relatively pain-free. Right side was a better side going in progressing a little less than my left but nothing out of the ordinary.

10-Resurfacing

Pretty terrible night's sleep. Think I may have overdone it a bit exercising the prior day as my hip flexors were barking all night.  Not completely discouraged by this as it lets me know I'm engaging them in my rehab and will be a growing pain of building my strength back up. Once I got some Tylenol in me I was able to do my pt exercises 3 times throughout the day, a recumbent bike for 15 minutes and 2 walks totaling .75 miles.. starting to get around the house on just one crutch so still seeing improvements. Left hip is stronger than the right , which was the opposite pre surgery.

11-Resurfacing

Similar story, muscles start to bark at night getting a little more independence each day.

12-Resurfacing

Still getting bad sleep but as a side.sleeper it is tough for me to get comfortable, additionally muscles seem to flare up at night. Did all my PT exercises 3 times and biked on the stationary bike for 60 minutes. Getting much more mobile and able to get around the house much better.

13-Resurfacing

Definitely over did it on the bike, hip flexors/quads just hounding in the middle of the night.


14-Resurfacing

Same story sleeping, sleep ok then wake up with my hip flexors on fire but may have been a little easier today. Immediately did the rehab exercises then spent 30 minutes on the recumbent, feeling noticeably stronger in both legs, able to move around without a crutch much easier. Walked 1 1/2 miles in the mall with one crutch and felt good. We will see how we feel tomorrow but definitely my most active day since the surgery. Biked another 15 then did the core exercises from pt

15-Resurfacing

Was preparing to be really sore after a very active day yesterday but that was not the case. Again getting a little stronger with more range of motion. Did all the PT exercises twice and biked for 45 minutes and even did a light shoulder workout. Getting closer to putting on socks normally and hopefully that will come soon.

Week 3
The ability to get around better on one or two crutches is a big step in the recovery process. Sleeping slowly gets better and the pain from the surgery gradually decreases and allows me to get more comfortable in bed and get everyday tasks done, not the traditional way but able to do it. The drop in inflammation has really helped with range of motion but that is still a battle.

Week 4

Getting back to the gym was a huge win for me. Walking on the treadmill using machines and barbells for the upper body was great physically and mentally. Toughest part for me is stiffness. My glutes, TFL, and hip flexors are just so tight and the flexibility definitely comes back slower than strength but that was expected. My PT has used a lot of active release followed by stretching then strength movements. This has definitely helped with my flexibility and range of motion.

Follow up with Dr Su at the end of week 4 went great. His PA and himself were extremely happy with my progress and excited for my future based on the imaging and my physical evaluation. The next months will be on me and I couldn't be more happy to feel in control of my body and wellness again.


Week 5

Really making strides in the gym balance, strength and stability are greatly improved with flexibility improving at a slower clip. The rehab is hard work but seeing progress after years of mitigating returns is such a powerful motivator.


Resurfacing week 6
Really feeling like I'm back to my old pre arthritic self. Still have trouble putting on socks but only on my right side while I can tie my left shoe with lil discomfort. Staying diligent with PT, daily stretching and lots of steps. Taking each day as a positive and not getting ahead of myself but so grateful for Dr Su, HSS and my PTs and excited for continued improvement