I will have my hip resurfaced at Lille's Hospital (France) soon. Thanks to the valuable information on this forum and good communication with my surgeon, I stay cool and confident. I do not know how many members on this his forum had surgery in France, but I will stay tuned.
You will do great! Just take it slow. I'm 11 days post-op and each day is a little better. Keep us informed on how it goes.
Craig
Good Luck with your upcoming surgery. I don't know of any surgeons in France doing hip resurfacing. I hope you will write a little story and include the name of your surgeon for future people to learn from. As long as your surgeon is use to doing hip resurfacing, you will do great.
Keep in touch and I know you will have a great summer this year with your new hip.
Pat
Good luck! you'll feel much better afterwards, just remember to be patient and good things will come.
Thanks to all of you for these positive comments.
@pat: Of course, I will take some time to write a few lines about my coming hip resurfacing. There are really a few surgeons able to perform resurfacing in this country, since THP is the most common way to solve OA.
I asked my surgeon (Prof. Migaud) about what approach and HR device will be used and he answered quickly, with very clear explanations.
To be Continued....
Nekko
I found that when the doctor gave me clear reasons it made me feel much better. As an engineer I need the logic behind the why. Good look and let us know how it goes
Phill
Phillwad,
We are wired in the same way. I am an engineer too and I also need the "logic behind the why". One of the first thing I did before looking for a surgeon is to get familiar with approach, acetabulum, MoM, THR and so on.... Of course we are not experts, but it could help for a better communication and understanding.
It seems like there is a very high percentage of engineers opting for this procedure.
Mike
- also an engineer (ME)
Me, too. ME '66 Carnegie Tech. My wiring, however, is a bit old at this point ::)
Pat
Just had mine done April 5th. Was also a bit nerrrrrvous leading up to the procedure as well. All normal I think.
All went well with my RBHR. Its 6 days post op and on 1 crutch since day 4.
I like to think in terms of where I will be in a month...2 months..etc.
Just keep a positive attitude and don't be too hurried afterwards. PT is going well and at this point seems to aimed at re-engaging those muscles that have been traumatized.
Good Luck and think positively. Soon enough you will be saying to yourself " I wish I had done it sooner "
:O)
Good stuff, Swanny!
You're going to do alright with that attitude. Keep us posted on your progress. And welcome to the forum.
Nekko
As a Production Engineer, Loughborough University - UK, and a Welding Engineer (think joining stuff together more than metal to metal welding), The Ohio State University - USA, I am interested in how the bone joins to the metal part and how the metal parts are made. My Doctor (Dr Brooks Cleveland Clinic) was able to talk my "stuff" and we talked materials; materials choices; surface finish; advantages and disadvantages; wear (how much and why); - it was a good "techy talk" - which really put me at ease. It also helped it was called "Birmingham" - helps a Brit stay a Brit ;D
Phill
Quote from: phillwad on April 12, 2011, 08:37:03 PM
It also helped it was called "Birmingham" - helps a Brit stay a Brit ;D
Good for Alabamians too, I suppose...
;)
Best wishes :) just been where you are and am sure you will do extremely well!!
Take care and when you are up to it keep us posted!!
Thank you Lori and best wishes too. You did it twice !
Hi Nekko,
Wanted to wish you luck on your countdown. I have 28 days until my surgery. Who is your doctor?
Lori W
Rector LBHR 5-11-11
Hi Lori.36
My doctor is Professor Migaud, one of the very few surgeons in France that has a strong experience in hip resurfacing. He did (and does) a lot of research about hip and knee reconstruction and revision of infected prosthesis.
I immediately got a great confidence when I met him for the fist time, two years ago. This was not the case for others surgeons I met before, because they were more focused on THP as the common standard.
In addition to this, he gave me very clear answers to my need of "knowing the logic behind the why".
I have stopped Karate due to high pain/stiffness in my hip and I would like to come back in 12 months after surgery.
To be continued.....
Good luck! I think tomorrow is your day! You are in my thoughts. :)
Good luck, nekko.
Good luck with your surgery, nekko.
Back to home. Pre-op blood analysis shown an infection.javascript:void(0); I got a hard sinusitis two days before surgery and decision was taken to postpone surgery for 3 weeks. I also got trouble with my voice/throat. Thank you for you kind messages.
To be continued....
Oh no... I'm so sorry! I hope that you are feeling well and that the delay is ok. Hopefully the extra couple of weeks sees you enjoy a very happy Easter with friends and family and that you are fighting fit and more prepared than ever in a few weeks!
Oh what a bummer. Sorry to hear your news, but now we will be surgery buddies. I am going in on May 11th for my surgery, is that your day?
It will be fun to have someone to go through the agony with.
Again sorry.
Just a short delay, you'll be fine, and will forget about the delay later. Get better, then get really better.
Lori.36, I will go back to hospital on the 11 for having surgery on May 12. So yo will have preceded me for 24 hours. I Will think to you on the 11 !
Nekko
I think it is today or tomorrow - good luck and enjoy the bed rest
Cheers - Phill
good luck man. it will turn out well.
That bites. Getting all prepped mentally and then it gets postponed. Sorry to hear that, but stick with it.
BTW - Birmingham, UK is known for making quality metals products for more several hundred years, right? I think it was swords more than athroplasty, though.
Not trying to hijack, but I'm curious about the metallurgy. I'm not an engineer, but I am a geologist and a hobby blacksmither, and I have always wondered about the constituents in a HR implant. Any of you guys know if there is any iron in a standard MOM HR like BHR, C+, or biomet? I've heard somewhere of high carbon chromoly alloy. DeSmet's paper on the BHR vs the C+ talks about carbon in the BHR. Can you have a high carbon Cr, Co, Mb alloy with no Fe? That seems a little odd to me. The whole metallurgy on these things is a mystery, probably because it's all proprietery. The folks in the drilling industry are very tight about carbon levels, hardness from heat treating and so on, in their drill steel. All due to trade secrets. Anyway, beyond the cereal box label on the BHR that says it's Cr, Co, Mb, I'd like to know more about the constituents, percentages of, heat treating and so.
nekko
Well taking some extra days to make sure you are well - good move.
Cheers - Phill
Thanks Phill. I am going to get my voice back !
Now, time has come for packing and travelling to hospital. Surgery is planned for the 12.
So, next post will be from the other side of surgery....
Good luck nekko!
May your recovery be swift and complete.
May everything go smoothly. I always think that we should wish the surgeons well on this site since we don't really have much to do but lie there unconscious.
Dan
Bonne chance nekko!
Nekko - hope your surgery went well and they let you have some good French wine as part of your recovery ;D
Phill
Now 6 hours post surgery and very hippy !
Felicitations nekko! "Good things come to those who wait" :)
Awesome nekko!! You'll be doing laps by tomorrow.
Excellent Nekko! glad to see you're out.
Excellent news! I hope everything goes smoothly in the hospital.
Please keep us up to date on your recovery.
Dan
Welcome, Nekko, to the other side! Glad everything went well and so good to hear from you. Take it easy and recover well and fully.
kate
Nekko
Congrats and I am sure the extra wait will be worth while. I hope the recovery goes well.
Cheers - Phill
Quote from: nekko on May 12, 2011, 12:12:27 PM
Now 6 hours post surgery and very hippy !
AWESOME :)
Glad to hear that all is well.
Rest, recuperate and rehab and you will soon be better than ever ;D
Many thanks to you, dear brothers and sisters in arms. I am posting whith an old mobile ,so it is really tricky. Pain level is acceptale.
Glad to hear the good news, nekko!
Nekko, did you get the cemented or uncemented C+?
NeKKo,
Yeah we made it. I hope that you are doing well. Please update with your progress. I am starting to use one crutch in the house. I am getting very tired still, have to take a lot of naps. Hope the weather is nice in France for walking.
Congrats! You will feel sooooooooo great! You improve quickly. By six weeks I was felingblike really good. Now at 10 weeks I'm back on a stair stepper with ZERO pain.
You will be so glad you did it and can return to the Fun things in life!
Good luck!
Now back to home !
Kate, Phill, Lori, Newdog, Sean, Mike, Dan, HalfDone, Hernan thanks for your kind words.
@ Lopsided: I got the Wright Conserve+ Cemented version, 52 mm femoral cup diameter
@Phill: French wine is not 100 % compatible with the meds I have to take. So, I have to be patient on this side too....
@Lori36: I have taken some notes after day D:
D+1= drain pipes pulled out from the scar
Wake up, standing and a fem walking on 2 crutches (about 10 feet/ 3 meters distance)
D+2= Infusion needles removed; morphine stopped; walking on 2 crutches (50 feet / 15 meters distance)
PT started (one hour)
xarelto (anti-blood clot), paracetamol 1000 (anti- pain), celebrex 100 (anti-inflammatory)
D+3= walking on 2 crutches (100 feet / 30 meters distance)
PT (one hour)
xarelto (anti-blood clot), paracetamol 1000 (anti- pain), celebrex 100 (anti-inflammatory)
D+4= walking on 2 crutches (200 feet / 60 meters distance)
PT (one hour,center feeling, slow weight transfert left leg/right leg)
xarelto (anti-blood clot), paracetamol 1000 (anti- pain), celebrex 100 (anti-inflammatory)
D+5= PT (one hour,stairs climbing / descending using 2 crutches and One crutch + wall ramp)
xarelto (anti-blood clot), paracetamol 1000 (anti- pain), celebrex 100 (anti-inflammatory)
D+6= PT (one hour, tring to walk with use only one cructh. Painful. Got back using 2 crutches)
xarelto (anti-blood clot), paracetamol 1000 (anti- pain), celebrex 100 (anti-inflammatory)
D+7= Back to home (and this forum too !) after 4 hours ambulance transfer.No PT today.
xarelto (anti-blood clot), paracetamol 1000 (anti- pain), celebrex 100 (anti-inflammatory)
So, Today I can just just feel a "non centered" distribution of the weight when I am on a natural standing up position, without holding crutches and without pain.
I can clearly feel that most of the weight (lets say 70 %) is on the non-operated leg.
Of course, I can correct this by slightly transfering more weight on the operated leg, some pain occurs and I have to move back into the "no pain position".
Does anybody has experimented this ?
@pat: if you think this section could have been in a new topic called "weight distribution", move it !
To be continued...
Quote from: nekko on May 19, 2011, 11:33:52 AM
So, Today I can just just feel a "non centered" distribution of the weight when I am on a natural standing up position, without holding crutches and without pain.
I can clearly feel that most of the weight (lets say 70 %) is on the non-operated leg.
Of course, I can correct this by slightly transfering more weight on the operated leg, some pain occurs and I have to move back into the "no pain position".
Does anybody has experimented this ?
Increasingly, you will be able to bear more weight on your operated leg. In a few months, you might well feel that your operated side can more comfortably take weight than the other side.
Agree with lopsided, you're still very early in your recovery, seem to be doing really well. your distribution will change as your operated side grows stronger.
Glad to read your answers, Gentlemen.
Congrats, Nekko. I am always surprised at how very different our doctors' protocols are. While the celebrex seems like a natural for me, my surgeon didn't prescribe it. And an hour PT several days into your recovery? Wow. I just got my walker and crutches and worked on walking a little and climing stairs.
Glad you're home and doing so well.
kate
Great work nekko. Enjoy being home. :)
Nekko, so glad you're doing so well! In regards to weight distribution, I am almost exactly 4 weeks post op, and feel like today, for the first time, I can actually put more weight on the operated side than on the other one. I can honestly say that the operated side feels better than the non-operated one! 4 weeks ago, I was hobbling a few feet on two crutches. Today, I walked 1 1/2 miles on my own. It is amazing how quickly the body heals - it just sometimes seems slower than we would like!
@Kate
In fact, at Day+1 and Day+2 the PT was very light and I was given some base rules about how to get up from bed, to get back in it, going to the chair and sitting down, and the smart "reverence": how to pick a small object lying on the ground. Very useful when doing toilet. Then came crutch use, allowing me to "escape" out of my room through the corridors. I have tried many times to escape from the "village" ;) without success !!
@Annie
Good to see that after 4 weeks only, the operated side feels stronger than the non operated one !
Be seen you
Nekko, wonderful that you are doing good. I am also healing and amazed everyday with my progress. Today I crutched down the street with one crutch. I also did my Pt exercises and rode the stationary bike. I feel pretty active considering I had major surgery 10 days ago. Oh and yesterday I took off my bandage. My incision is glued and very crunchy. I would say my incision is 8 inches. So I am off pain pills, just taking Celebrex and the blood thinner. I am going to call the doc on Monday and ask to get off those two also?
So my next Pt appt is nit until 6-1.
Update with how you are doing. Oh I wanted to Adler are you male or female?
Lori36 - dear sister in arms - ,
Good to see that you have reached the one crutch barrier.
I am still on 2 crutches, tried yesterday with only one but still painful. However, I feel really good compared to the situation before surgery. No doubt on this. I did not see my incision yet but I guess it is about 12 inches. (got the postero-lateral approach). I should have my bandage/dressing (not sure for the right words !) changed on Monday. Then I will check it. I am still under blood thinner (Xarelto) for 35 days post op and take Paracetamol 1000 if needed.
Do you really intend to stop your blood thinner 12 days post op ? I am not medically trained but it seems to me a little bit early. BTW, I am 51, male gender, and happy owner of a cemented Conserve+.
Glad to hear that all is going well for you Nekko! Even though you are on two crutches still, you are on your way and it is awesome that you feel better than pre-op - that is a great feeling! I think that the first time you see the incisions it's pretty amazing (it was for me as they were quite well healed when I saw them and the whole thing was a little surreal).
Quote from: nekko on May 22, 2011, 03:57:47 AM
Do you really intend to stop your blood thinner 12 days post op ?
I know this was addressed to the other Lori but this interests me as I have read a number of different opinions on this subject and it really depends on the surgeons determination of risk of clotting. Some say it depends on your activity level, whereas others will go with other research in relation to the effectiveness of the medication at different durations.
My rehab doctor was in charge of these meds after the first week and prescribed me clexane (aka lovenox) injections for six weeks post-op. I have also been wearing TEDS (for bed) and Venosan compression stockings for day for the same period. My GP suggests continuing to wear these until my activity increases closer to normal and just assess it on a regular basis. The socks aren't fun, but I'm still wearing them (my six weeks was Friday just gone), though I do admit I am having 'time off' during the day for a few hours for good behaviour!
I have also read that some surgeons suggest taking asprin two days before and two days after flying for the first twelve months. (think this might have been Phill's surgeon that recommends this). I'll probably wear the socks for this period of time for travel - figure that it won't hurt.
I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has different things that have been recommended.
It is very interesting to hear about the differences between doctors! I was on blood thinner (Pradaxa) for only 10 days after the surgery, and one baby aspirin (81 mg) per day after that. I also had to take Celebrex twice each day for the first 2 weeks. No compression stockings or other devices after the first night after surgery, which I spent in the hospital. I have to do my PT exercises twice each day for the first six weeks, plus walk at least twice per day. I think some different exercises will be prescribed after my six week appointment on June 2.
I have not been advised to take aspirin before flying, and I think I will call my doctor this week to ask about this, because I am flying to Denver on Thursday for my grandson's graduation.
Also, I had to cancel my appointment to have my teeth cleaned 3 weeks after the surgery, because Dr. Gross does not want you to have any routine dental work done the first 6 weeks. Cleaning apparently qualifies as routine dental work. After that, you have to take an antibiotic before dental work. My dentist told me different surgeons have different opinions on this - some only require the antibiotics for a few years after surgery. Dr.Gross wants you to take them for the rest of your life. Oh well - having my operated hip already feeling much better than my other one is worth it!
Hey Annie, my surgeon also will have me take antibiotics from now on before dental work. Four pills one hour before a cleaning is not too bad.
Hernan,
That's exactly what I was told to do. The new hip is worth it!
Nekko
The weight distribution is an interesting topic. Today I noticed that I stand with my operated leg much straighter now than my soon to be operetated "bad" leg. I seem to lock the knee out better, I had been having trouble with ROM right at the hip that made it hard to straighten my hip out when standing - it was like my knee was always a little bent - now that has gone away. My operation was March 18th so I am just past a couple of months.
Flying - I fly everyweek and my Doctor wants me to take asprin 2 days before and 2 days after - that will be almost all the time as it is not often that I go 4 days without a flight. I am on the 325 and I asked about the baby 85 but he wanted me to stay on the 325 once a day
Cheers - Phill
@phill: Thanks for the feed back about operated leg being stronger. BTW, did you get a cemented or uncemented device ?
@annie: How long does it take per day for doing your PT exercises ?
I got very short series, even if I do it very slowly, I take me no more than 15 minutes per day.
As you said it is interesting to compare rehab protocols.
Necko,
I only have 4 exercises right now (supposed to get new ones at my 6 weeks appointment), and I don't think it takes me more than 5-10 minutes each time. I have to do them twice a day, plus walk twice a day. The walking takes longer because I'm still not very fast, about 20-25 minutes to walk a mile twice a day.
Today was my first day back at work. I thought they would put me on half days to start, but no such luck! It actually wasn't bad, except for sitting at the computer for long periods. I've gotten used to being able to get in my recliner or on the couch whenever I feel like it. Also, I noticed my dogs were not thrilled about me going off to work and leaving them all day. They got used to being able to go outside whenever they wanted to!
Anniee, time we are spending on our exercises is very similar. I have also to walk a little bit using 2 crutches and Wednesday, I am supposed to use only one. Sitting on a chair is not really comfortable (latero-posterior approach ) and I cannot sit more that 30 minutes. However, I can now see some progress on this side.
Wish you good luck for coming back at work.
Thanks! I was very sore last night and this morning, I think from sitting in an office chair and walking up and down stairs (I don't have any at my house), but once the soreness wore off, I felt stronger. Maybe (careful) stair walking is good for the hips? My surgeon does the posterior approach also, but it never really hurt me to sit. Isn't it interesting how we all experience some of the same type of things differently?
It wil get better each week. I am at week nine and can't believe how well I'm doing. Get ready for a new life. No cane; no pain.
Hipnhop
same here, but nearly 3 months out and I'm "forgetting" to do PT exercise. I need to keep stretching the capsule, but forget to. My PT says it could take a year ot notice and sizeable changes in ROM after the initial recovery form surgery. No pain though, even when the PT does the serious capsuel stretching.
Tin,
I find what your PT said about ROM interesting - the ROM in my operated hip, after slightly less than 6 weeks, is already better than in my other hip! I find it quite difficult to remember some of the restrictions. Does anyone know if the prohibition against bending the hip more than 90 degrees (for those of us who do have that restriction) goes away after 6 weeks?
My surgeon lifted the 90 degree restriction at my six week check up. It was such a relief to be able to start stretching again. He said that I was so tight there was zero chance that I could dislocate the hip!
I believe that Dr Gross still lifts the 90 degree restriction at six weeks. However, he does encourage taking it easy for six months, including no extreme stretching, due in part to concerns with femoral neck fractures during the first six months. It is rare, but I did read one case of a gal that had a femoral neck fracture when her PT pushed her flexibility too hard too early.
I never had the 90 degree restriction - my doctor told me 120 degrees but I couldn't come close to that anyway with my hammies as tight as they were (but getting better). He was very insistent, though, about not lifting my right knee toward my left shoulder and vice versa, turning my feet too far inward, and crossing the center line. Any of those motions tend to twist the ball out of the socket.
Interesting to compare how slightly different our protocols are. After surgery, I was given a practical instruction leaflet with the "do" and "don't" .Regarding the 90 degrees bending rule, it is said that this rule must be followed during the first month post op.
However, hip flexion, abduction and internal rotation (ie "sanchin dachi") are forbidden during the first 6 weeks.
I leave you here, my PT is ringing ;)
Thanks guys! You've given me hope that the most tiresome restrictions will be lifted after tomorrow. Yippee!!!
Dear All,
Now 3 weeks post op. Still need a cane but pain has gone off. Staples has been removed and shows a clean 10 inch scar.
Thanks to PT, I have been able to "reprogram" my brain in order to have a 50 % natural weigh distribution on each leg.
I have used a weigh scale and a big book with the same thickness :) as the weigh scale. Left foot on the weigh scale and right foot on the book is a good way to sense the correct position.
Next PT sessions will be dedicated to reduce the remaining stiffness I can feel in my operated tight.
To be continued...
Way to go Nekko!
Glad to hear that the pain is gone and you are doing well :)
Look forward to hearing about your continued progress and PT adventures!
Hi Nekko and LC. Nice updates. Good luck for continued good progress. (That's an amazing blog of yours LC! But I was relieved that there was no "A shark bit my butt" photo like on TS's blog ;) ;D)
HD
Halfdone: I did contemplate following TS's lead but I just couldn't do it. I have thought about it a couple of times and did actually have some pictures taken just in case I change my mind. I just don't know about putting my butt on the Internet... lol
Think I do need to add some pictures though. Make it a bit more real.
Glad it's going well, nekko!
I thought about taking a pic of my shark bites and sending them to a co worker who is really proud of his long surgical scar he has on his arm. I don't know if he would be jealous or nauseous. So I chickened out. :-\
Quote from: newdog on June 02, 2011, 10:48:32 PM
I thought about taking a pic of my shark bites and sending them to a co worker who is really proud of his long surgical scar he has on his arm. I don't know if he would be jealous or nauseous. So I chickened out. :-\
Yeah newdog. It may be quite impressive for those who look at the "outside" but we know that the most important is the beautiful piece of engineering that we have "inside" :)
Nekko
sorry about the delay - been on travel. I have a cemented joint. My recovery is going well and I have been on my bike for a regular ride. Today I was with a friend who had not seen me since the surgery and they could not tell which hip was done - I take that as good news
Cheers - Phill
Hi Nekko, sounds like we are progressing the sAme,walking with a cane. Today I went to the pool and exercised and it was amazing! I got so much range back from prior to surgery. I also got to walk in the water and feel that funny clunking. Do you feel the clunking? Strange feels foreig. And really scary.
I am hoping to be off the cane by Wednesday, what is your goal?
Lori, the clunking is normal for a while. I still get it every now and then, I think it's tied to the strength of the muscles around the joint. I first had a lot of clunking, but it's going away as I got stronger. Yours will go away soon.
Phill, I am also waiting to be "back on bike". Lucky man, you already did it :)
Lori.36, I haven't experimented the clunking effect yet but I am still having my muscles under tension. Got serious pain shrinking in the rear side of the knee. Perhaps should I ask my PT about more stretching exercises. My immediate goal is to get rid of these cramps and then throw the cane away :D
5 weeks post-op update: :D
Pain at rear side of the operated knee has totally gone, thanks to stretching exercises. No need for using a crutch but I am walking with a slight limp. Now focusing of getting more stability / less limp during walking.
Great news. I think stretching is as important as if not more so than strengthening.
The limp is the one thing I want to get rid of more than anything.
Keep healing!
Dan
At 8 weeks post-op I still have a bit of a limp when I first get up after sitting for a while, because the muscles get stiff. Also, if I don't think about it, I sometimes limp a little when I walk. I have to consciously remember not to limp, which works most of the time, except when my legs get very tired. It's all part of the healing process, I know, but it will be nice when I can just get up and walk with no stiffness or limp! :)
Hi Nekko, I have also ditched the crutch. It was so funny one day, I was looking all over the house for the stupid cane, so that I could go for a walk. Needless to say it was in the opposite hand with other things. I realized that I did not need it at that point. I walked a little wobbly, but it disappears with long walks. I am able to walk flawlessly when pushing the baby stroller, which is awesome, becuase now I can take the kiddos for a walk. :)
I think the pain in your knee was your IT Band, that is what I went to a massage theraist that does DEEP Tissue and it was gone. The PT that I am seeing just does Soft Tissue work on me, and it is intense. I have so much ROM we are both shocked. I am just trying to strengthen the muscles, which is a full time job!
Are you back to work? This is my first week back, very happy to be back, but need to take breaks and walk because otherwise I get still.
Keep in touch sugery buddy.
Lori.36, I will be back at work on the 27, if the 6-weeks check up is OK. It is the regular procedure in this country ;) even if I am very happy to be back at work.