How It Began
10 years ago, as I walked briskly with my best friend on our daily excursion through the neighborhoods of Seattle, I began to notice that after 15 minutes of walking I began to favor my right leg and I limped a bit. It felt odd and uncomfortable. Marg said that I had a “hitch in my get alongâ€. I was relatively young and didn't think much of it. The discomfort came and went but as time passed it became more constant. I stopped walking and working out my lower body at the gym thinking it would pass. It didn't.
7 Years Later
Fast forward 7 years later, and I'm barely able to get out of bed. The pain in my lower back is excruciating. My SI joint is locked up and I am miserable. I went to see Dr. Mary Cunningham and she did x-rays of my back and hip and put me into physical therapy. She showed me my hip x-ray and said “This is not goodâ€. There was arthritis, a cyst, and not much cartilage left. She immediately referred me to a colleague in her office, the colleague was Dr. Pritchett.
3 Years Ago
3 years ago was my first visit to Dr. Pritchett. He told me that he predicted that I'd need hip surgery within 2-5 years. My world collapsed. Later, I realized how lucky I was to have a condition that can be fixed. After two injections, a year of physical therapy, and working out at the gym I went back and he said “not yetâ€. I was back a year later and he said “It’s timeâ€. By that time, I was unable to even give a small dinner party for my friends or work in my garden without being in major pain.
Surgery
My surgery went well. I had trouble with the pain medications and ended up staying in the hospital an extra day. Every time they tried to get me up to do physical or occupational therapy I’d become very ill and they would rush me back to bed. I’m sure I was not one of their favorite patients. I remember going home in the car with a hospital bucket in my hands and a cold wash cloth that said “hospital property†on it. I feel like that’s all I have left of the hospital experience â€" a $60,000 wash rag. I’ll cherish it.
Recovery
I’m recovering nicely. I’m at 7 weeks post-op now and see my surgeon for my 8 week checkup next week.
I’m so excited to be free of that horrible hip pain. Now, as the discomfort of the surgery slowly leaves my body, I look forward to an active and pain free future.
Luanna
Thank You for taking time to organize and post your story here. Other people will be able to follow it. Taking time to tell your story helps new people learn how great hip resurfacing is.
Good Luck.
Pat
Good story, well documented.
Hope everything continues on the right path.
Chuck
Nice post, Luanna. It's heartening to see that, like most of us, the pain and decrease of life was reversed. I'm glad you're feeling so much better.
Thanks everyone. I appreciate your positive comments.
Today I had my 8 week checkup with Dr. Pritchett. My bone is sticking nicely to the implant. He explained that it is the acetabular cup part that needs to adhere. So, I'm pleased. I asked about taking calcium supplements and the potential for them causing excessive bone growth into the tissue. He said that he recommends not taking extra calcium supplements for the first few weeks, but since I'm not showing any signs of bone growing where it should not - I can begin taking my calcium again.
Restrictions on activity - None.
Next Appointment - 1 year.
We chatted about many things and I have to say that I was very pleased with my checkup and so glad that I was referred to Dr. Pritchett. I really didn't know much about HR or how to select a surgeon. I just took the referral I was given after seeing another orthopedic doc that I picked out of the phone book. Every once in a while you get Lucky!
Luanna
That is great news, Luanna! Thank you so much for sharing your story!
Hi Luanna... from Luann! Glad to hear you are doing well!! Keep up the good healing and keep posting and letting us know how you are coming along! Congrats, Lu
Good news, Luanna! You're doing very well. Keep posting.
Thanks Carla and everyone for your well-wishes! I'm feeling really good tonight. Went out and bought a bathing suit so I can start swimming tomorrow.
Luann, how funny to have 2 Luann's on the same site with hip resurfacings. Such an unusual name and we even spell it the same. I added an a on the end so folks could tell us apart. Small world.
Anniee, thanks so much. I'm still in awe of you! ;D
Thanks newdog. I'll keep posting. I have a long way to go in my recovery journey.
Cheers,
Luanna
Good job Luanna. Lucky? I'd say so. I went through 3 orthos to get to him. Although one was strictly arthroscopic, and another one was a fairly experienced C+ installer.
I'm on the one year plan now also. ALthough one year from LBHR is this Feb, so do I see him then or split the diff? I'll have to ask.
Good job, again.
Hi,
I'm doing well overall but I've had my share of challenges. I was feeling great at 11 weeks and totally overdid and wham - my back locked up and I was down and out for almost 2 weeks. Now, at 15 weeks I'm having weird nagging pain at the top of my operated hip - very tip top called the iliac crest. Any ideas of what is causing this would be most welcome and any other folks who have experienced this please share.
Hoping it is temporary. I'm sure my surgeon's assistant is getting tired of my questions. :) I'm supposed to build up my core but dang, I'm not sure how to even begin. My PT is handing me over to her partner as she says she has done all she can for me. I'm trying to be good and do all the right things..... but this recovery stuff is hard.
When I compare where I was just after surgery to now though - I've made tons of progress so I'm not whining....exactly!
Luanna
Luanna,
Are you sure it's not bursitis? Although the placement of the pain is a little off.
Chuck
Hey Luanna, check this site out :
http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=12001 (http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=12001)
It appears to be a common issue if you need some more core strengthening or IT band work. Do you have a foam roller? Might help with the IT band stuff.
Thanks guys. Chuck, I sure hope that it isn't bursitis. Seems more like muscles, tendons, and/or nerves.
Hern - YES - the link that you posted hit it spot on!! That's it. I don't have a foam roller...well I have half of a foam roller for upper body work. But I do have a rolling pin - you know - the kind used for baking. Would that work? Do I just roll it up and down my leg?
I'm thinking about hiring a bodybuilder and trainer acquaintence who works in a PT clinic to set me up with an exercise program to help strengthen areas that are weak. Right now I'm whopperjawed and my gait is off a bit. My right hip is hiked up some and that is most likely straining muscles etc. I had no idea that I was so out of shape. Do other folks here use personal trainers to get back into shape?
Luanna
I got a personal trainer for a month to help me transition to my own training.
I told her what I had done with the PT, and that I wanted core strengthening, she designed a workout regimen that I'm still using every other day. Basically she mixed calisthenics, atypical weight work, balancing, yoga and pilates. I also added punching bag work and treadmill / stairmaster later, but she was pretty good at addressing my core.
The rolling pin might be a bit hard, but I know you can get a foam roller on amazon for about 14 bucks. I think they're also available at sporting goods stores.
Luanna-
The rolling pin might help in the short run. But the foam roller is really nice. After the rolling pin you may "knead" one.
These little aches and pains are why I am still going to physical therapy. They give me really strange exercises that continue to stretch and strengthen the hip capsule. Even though I feel really normal doing regular things, when I do the exercises I can tell that I still have some weakness in those smaller stabilizer muscles.
I think I had similar pain that you described. I was icing and elevating a lot to deal with it. I also have attacked the exercising with a focused determination.
Best wishes.
Dan
Quote from: DGossack on December 14, 2011, 01:16:24 AM
The rolling pin might help in the short run. But the foam roller is really nice. After the rolling pin you may "knead" one.
Too funny Dan. I've ordered a foam roller from Amazon. On the way! My PT thought that trying to roll on it might be too painful for me. Thinks I'm a wimp. :)
I actually used the rolling pin a few weeks back and wasn't ready for pressure on that area but I think the foam roller will work better.
This pain is really odd. Niggly and annoying but not dramatic. Kind of feels like a bruise at the top of my hip. Good to hear that I'm not the only one who has experienced it. I'm sure it will pass.
Thanks for your input.
Luanna
I had a problem with a really tight IT band at one point in my hip saga. The foam roller works great to kind of iron things out. I got mine from Amazon too!
Week 16. I met with my surgeon yesterday and we took x-rays of both my hip and my back. Good news - the resurfaced hip looks great. The other hip isn't looking so good. It appears to have a cyst on it as well as some bone on bone, however, it doesn't hurt so I'm ignoring it until it causes problems.
The NOT so good news - I go in for an MRI next week for my lower back. The only thing he said was "You need an MRI for your back".... I guess I was not wanting to hear that so he had to say it several times. Very patient man. :) The discs between L-4 & L-5, and L5 & S1 seem to be very compressed. The back pain is keeping me from making good progress with my hip recovery - so we'll see.
I've convinced myself that once I strengthen my core and get the hip muscles stronger the back will settle itself out. The eternal optimist. Anyway, that's the latest on my recovery.
Overall very good.
Luanna
Quote from: Luanna on December 22, 2011, 09:51:22 AM
I've convinced myself that once I strengthen my core and get the hip muscles stronger the back will settle itself out. The eternal optimist. Anyway, that's the latest on my recovery.
Overall very good.
Lianna
It certainly can't hurt to work on your core and increasing your hip's muscular strength. Sounds to me like a very good plan. Helping our body's muscles work properly is an excellent way to support your spine and could very well help your back to become asymptomatic.
Week 17: GREAT News on two fronts. The MRI showed normal wear and tear on lower discs - all good. My surgeon suggested accupunture and chiro as well as continuing PT with a therapist who is specifically familar with and who works with hip resurfacing patients.
Started at new PT clinic yesterday: GREAT time. In just one session she said - "hip capsule is very, very tight, ROM sucks, scar tissue is deep and needs to be released". She said that if we loosen up the hip capsule, loosen the scar tissue, and adjust for a significant leg length difference I will start making excellent progress again. She stretched the hip capsule yesterday and did it only very lightly because she didn't want me in discomfort for the New Year parties! I like her already. :)
Lesson Learned: If you have a PT who specifically works with hip resurfacing patients and not just THR patients it will most likely make a huge difference. My first PT was very reluctant to stretch the capsule and treated me as though I was recovering from a THR.
Also, leg length differences can impact and create such an imbalance that it can put your back out. Sigh.... My leg length difference may be the result of my having the new implant with a signifcant acetabular cup - and very little to no cartilage on my "good/bad" unoperated leg. Or it might straighten itself out when the muscles are toned and things settle out. We'll see.
That's it. I'm back on track and walking well again. Not lopsided.
Luanna
Make tracks, Luanna! :D
I can see how a leg length difference would keep your back messed up. Was your leg lengthen or shorten during the surgery? Mine was lengthened 4 millimeters which seems like very little but seems to have made a difference.
When my PT (the new one) measured it the first time at the beginning of the session the operated leg appeared to be between 4 and 5 mm longer and when she did it again at the end of the session she said that it was even longer. She said that it was a "significant leg length difference".
She also said that we will continue to measure it each week and see how PT impacts it. It may level out as things settle.
I can see on the x-ray that there is a lot more on the acetabular cup where cartilage would normally be than on my "good/bad" unoperated hip that has very little cartilage left. That must make some difference.
The other Luann (Lu) on this site also posted about a leg length difference. So - now there are 2 Luann's here on the forum with leg length differences.
Luanna (The other Luann)
Hi Two4One -
Big tracks!!! Hey - I was wondering does Two4One mean Two$One? Did you get a discount for having two hips done at one time? Seems like it should reduce costs somewhat.
Luanna
Quote from: Luanna on December 31, 2011, 03:33:03 PM
When my PT (the new one) measured it the first time at the beginning of the session the operated leg appeared to be between 4 and 5 mm longer and when she did it again at the end of the session she said that it was even longer. She said that it was a "significant leg length difference".
She also said that we will continue to measure it each week and see how PT impacts it. It may level out as things settle.
I can see on the x-ray that there is a lot more on the acetabular cup where cartilage would normally be than on my "good/bad" unoperated hip that has very little cartilage left. That must make some difference.
The other Luann (Lu) on this site also posted about a leg length difference. So - now there are 2 Luann's here on the forum with leg length differences.
Luanna (The other Luann)
Mine was lengthened during the surgery, no idea how but the surgical report said 4 mm. I did have back pain prior to surgery that has vastly improved post surgery. So I think if PT can help the length lenth difference that will help your back.
QuoteHey - I was wondering does Two4One mean Two$One? Did you get a discount for having two hips done at one time? Seems like it should reduce costs somewhat.
Cute, Luanna :)
Dr. Sampson, out of Cali, clued me in that surgeons love to insist on doing bilateral THRs or resurfacings in two separate operations, even if they're only a few days apart. Yes, the doc's make LOTS more money that way. Sampson explained that my insurance, BCBS, paid half what the surgeon ordinarily charged per hip if both hips were done at once. We've met our deductible, so it doesn't really matter to our finances, Thank God; when we get the statement, I'll publish it.
I respected Dr. Schmitt that he was confident of his skills and income that he didn't need to be greedy and require patients to have one hip resurfaced at a time. To quote Schmitt, "Your call if you want both or one at a time." I chose Door Number One; why would you want to go through 2 recoveries and extend your time of healing? Why postpone all the ways you want to help your body back to fitness and robust good health?
I'm thrilled I did both & don't care that my pre op weak upper body is getting a crash course in fitness again.
FYI, I chose "Two4One" to both express killing 2 birds with one stone and also simultaneously comment on the duality of almost everything we experience.
Almost 5 months post op:
I'm doing pretty well these days. Making lots of progress with ROM. My hip feels great. My back was doing well for a while and then yesterday - bent over to make the bed and WOW! Tweaked out again.
But that's ok. I know that it isn't a disc and that my hip is fine. It's just those pesky weak muscles!! Nice to know that it's nothing to get totally discombobulated about.
Back to chiro and massage and PT next week. Moving forward slowly but surely! Think it was Hern who said that the "Turtle wins the race"..... ?
Luanna
Five months, wow that went by fast! It sounds like you are in control and know your body well. I am at 5 weeks and finally feeling some progress. But thanks to you, I have learned that this is when I could easily overdo it, so I am taking it slow. Thanks Luanna for your guidance!
Davina
Luanna-
There is a lesson in there. DON'T MAKE YOUR BED!
I hope you are doing well.
Best wishes.
Dan
Great to see you posting Davina! 5 weeks already for you. That's super. Glad you are feeling some progress. It's a weird thing - progress comes and then goes...and then comes back again. Fleeting sometimes but constant and always working behind the scenes.
Dan - Exactly!! MAKING BEDS IS DEFINITELY ON MY PERMANENT NOT-TO-DO LIST
Luanna
Luanna, nice to see your are doing well. Good luck for a continued upward trajectory!
Hi Aerial,
Thanks so much for posting and wishing me well. Onward and upward for all of us!!
You've made a really great recovery and I'm headed there - just on a bit slower track!!! ;)
Luanna
Luanna, it's great to see you doing well; maybe making beds should have been one of your restrictions ;D
Wow! Luanna, I'm getting a little paranoid about 'making the bed' now! However, in my case it means straightening the duvet, pulling up coverlets, and fluffing pillows.
This week my PT told me I have a ten pound weight restriction of what I may lift. I had been breaking that regularly, and now I feel a lot better, like you, when I take it a bit more easy. I won't be lifting mattresses or turning them anytime soon!
2fer
Thanks so much Hern. Your support means a lot to me. I'll ask my doc to add the no bed making to his restrictions list for all his patients. It's the least I can do to help promote wellness.
2fer....good to hear from you. No worries....duvet fluffing is a job for hubs!! I never fluff my duvet. Just let my dog puff it up when she buries her cookies under my pillow!!!
Luanna
QuoteI'll ask my doc to add the no bed making to his restrictions list for all his patients. It's the least I can do to help promote wellness. - Luanna
Lol, you're so droll! Thanks for the laugh!
2fer
Just for fun. My BHR femoral component with my Stryker titanium/poly lined cup - with a screw or two. You can see only one of the screws in this view. Not much bone but I've got a big heart!
(http://www.luannalbertson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LuannasNewHip.jpg)
Luanna
Very pretty!
That looks perfect! But why a screw or two? I don't even know if I have any screws. I guess I should ask Dr. P.
Davina
Personally, Luanna, I would be delighted if I were screwed. :o
Anything that fixes me and lets me pool walk with impunity, well, I'm ALL for it!
2fer
Greetings Davina and 2fer,
I didn't know that I'd been screwed until I went in for x-rays around week 16 (when my back tweaked out) and I asked to see them and also asked the x-ray tech for a copy. I told Dr. P that a girl usually knows when she's been screwed. He said that they were piddly small screws and really nothing to write home about. I figured that's why it eluded me! ;D
Davina, ask for a copy of your x-rays when you go in for your 8 week check in. The tech was happy to make a copy and put them on a disc. They come with a program (eFilm Workstation-Merge software) that opens the x-rays and allows you to sort through and magnify them.
Luanna
6 months post op -
I am so happy to be able to share finally that I am doing REALLY, really, REALLY well!! The hip is solid as a rock. My back is getting stronger and my hip and leg muscles are coming around. It's just been extremely slow for me compared to others who seem to jump right out of the hospital bed and walk on water!! ;D Yes, Aerial that would be you and it's great to have such incredible success and easy recoveries stories as well as slower recoveries such as mine. We all add value with our individual experiences.
I'm cutting out PT now for a while and tapering off of chiro and massage to twice per month. It feels so good to move and not worry about pulling a muscle or tweaking something or having a twinge every other day!
Be patient! Recovery does happen even for us turtles!!
Luanna
You are my favorite turtle, Luanna!
I have no idea what I am, yet, but back to YOU. You rock! 8) I am so, so happy to see that six months is a good time to be a resurfaced hippy!
You have made my night with your success, and now your are able to move so much more freely through the world! ;D How wonderful!
'One
Greetings!
Checking in at 1.5 years post-op to report that my hip is doing really, really, well. It's very strong and I'm really pleased with the outcome. I'm able to do more and more without any tinges of pain or having the muscles in my back tighten up. That has been a part of my recovery frustration.
The only issue I still face is that the tendon(s) rub on the edge of the cup a bit and can cause irritation if I overdo it. Dr. Pritchett. says that it will resolve by the end of the second year. It definitely is getting less and less.
Hope you are all doing well and looking forward to a great spring and summer!! Best wishes to you all.
Luanna
That is just great Luanna! I still had some twinges a bit at 1.5 years. I was starting to really push my body and there were still muscles that needed to be brought up to snuff, I guess.
I'm at 2+ now and can tell you that I am much stronger and even more pain free than at 1.5. The healing does continue, and the more your muscles recover, the better you'll feel (I hope).
Great news and nice check in.
Hi Luanna,
I hope your hip is doing great!
I was wondering if you can share how is the hip holding over time?
I'm considering surgery with Dr P, using similar (poly) device and looking for someone who had longer-term success with the device.
Thanks!