Hello Everyone,
I've been a major lurkette for a long time, reading most of posts eagerly, as I knew I would eventually have to have my right hip resurfaced. Like many of you, I am a very active person, and I play competitive tennis several times a week.
My journey started three years ago with a mysterious pain in my right pubic/groin area . After seeing multiple docs (gyn, gastro, general surgeon), I finally got an xray that showed OA. The comment was made that my hips were twenty years older than I was (I was 48 at the time). I was told to modify my tennis frequency. Well, I cried on the ride home...I love to play tennis, and I didn't want to cut back.
Fast forward to last year, when I stumbled across hip resurfacing on the internet. Vicky Marlow was invaluable in getting my xrays reviewed by several of the top docs and at the time I wasn't quite ready, but moving in the direction of needing hip resurfacing. In the spring of 2010 I decided to contact Dr. Gross. He reviewed my xrays, and it was determined I wasn't quite ready. As other folks who have talked with Dr. Gross, he is extremely generous with his time over the phone. In December 2010, I traveled to Columbia to see Dr. Gross, and after having another round of xrays, Dr. Gross told me my right hip was ready.
So I've had alot of time to digest this information, and am going forward with the surgery in a few weeks. The reason I am writing now, is I am having the pre-op jitters. I am still able to play tennis at a high level...my ROM is awful, but it's never been great, but I do have that continuos deep ache, and the lower back pain that seems to be getting worse. I think like alot of us that are pre-op, we question our decision. My tennis friends don't understand why I am doing this, as I can run around like crazy.
I guess I am writing you all for support...I don't know a soul in my area that has had this type of surgery. I am confident in my choice of surgeon, but I am nervous.
Thanks for letting me vent....
Mindi
Hi Mindi
I am glad you have made up your mind and chose Dr. Gross. He is one of the best in the US. Many people waiting for surgery often feel they have made the wrong decision. They will feel like their hips are even getting better, then bang - he old pain is back. None of the top surgeons will suggest a hip resurfacing unless it is needed. They are so busy, they don't have to find patients to operate on.
If you can't live your life without pain and can't be as active as in the past, then you need to get your hip resurfacing. You can also wait too long and miss the window of opportunity to get a resurfacing and end up with a THR. I think many here will tell you they had the same thoughts and fears.
I moved your post so you could have your own topic.
Good Luck.
Pat
Hi Mindi! I wish I had known what was going on with me a long time before it progressed to where I am now. I have advanced OA in both hips, but only pain in the left. Now I can't walk very far without crutches and even then it hurts. You are making the right choice having it done now before you can't play tennis at all. My hip deteriorated very quickly over the past 6 months. Good luck and keep us posted!
Catherine (soon to be Dr. Gross patient)
Mindi-
I went through the same second-guessing. The problem with arthritis is that it slowly takes our fun away. The range of motion makes us give up activities and the pain makes avoid situations. But we are still functional to one degree or another. And arthritis might even give us a good day every once in awhile.
But arthritis never stops or reverses itself. Eventually you will either give up all the fun activities and limp around with a cane. Or you will do something about it.
I made the decision that I was at a point where I had given up enough and was ready to enjoy the rest of my life at a higher level of activity. I saw this as a short term pain for long term gain.
The other day I went scuba diving for the first time since surgery. I even fought a pretty good current. And climbed a trail after the dive with all my dive gear. And I had no hip pain. I have never dove with no hip pain. It was freaking awesome!
You have handled what is in your control. You have chosen the best surgeon you can find who will use the best device for your situation.
Best wishes.
Dan
Mindi,
I consulted with Dr. Gross 1-1/2 years ago. He told me then that I had a one to two year window to get the hip resurface done before it would deteriorate too much and then I would have to settle for a hip replacement. He told me that if I postponed it more than a year, then I would have to start getting regular X-rays to monitor potential deterioration. I gave it a lot of thought, got fourth and fifth opinions and even cancelled my first scheduled surgery with him. I finally decided that I was ready and I got it done last March. I have no regrets. I did my homework before I made my final decision, and then took the leap. I would suggest that if you are not sure right now, then check with Lee and see how much of an open window you have, then decide if you want to put it off. I can't promise you a pain free surgery or a perfect result, because doctors and nurses are human. But I can tell you that I had a really good experience with Dr. Gross, the hospital and his whole team. I had very little pain after the surgery. I enjoyed my private room. I enjoyed talking to my fellow hippies who were having their surgeries done at the same time. Columbia, SC is a beautiful place and if you like, I can even recommend a couple of restaurants and an ice cream place in Columbia.
Mac
Mindi,
Wow! Have you come to the right place for information and support. As everyone will tell you, the pre-op jitters are normal, VERY normal. You are so not alone. The thing to know about your bad hip is, it will not get better, it will most definitely get worse. I know that is hard to hear, but all of us Hippys have heard the bad news. If Dr. Gross says you are ready, then I would trust his judgment. Like Dan said, many of us had second thoughts at times, I did even as bad as both of my hips were. I had thoughts like "What the h#!! did I get myself into this time!" If you are having good days and bad days with your hip, it won't be long until all the days are bad. Believe me, we've been there. You won't regret having your hip "fixed" and will soon be telling your story. The Hippys on here are so helpful and supportive. Mac is right, Columbia is a really beautiful town with lots of great restaurants. Keep positive, you did your homework well and picked an awesome team for your surgery. Plus there are quite a few "Gross Hippys" (I love saying that ;D ) here to talk with. Keep us posted.
Mindi,
DGossack and New Dog offer good advice. I'm four weeks away from my first resurfacing, and still have a good day every once in awhile where I question my upcoming surgery. Then I try to do something fun, and the pain and limitations come screaming back at me. I did 30 minutes on the elliptical trainer at the YMCA last night, but it ruined me for the rest of the evening. No way I will ever try that again until after surgery. I'm stuck with riding my stationary bike and doing the pre-op PT.
When you have doubts, go back and read the posting of DGossack, New Dog, Tin Soldier and others who stay posted. They've been guiding me for months now. Their postings motivate and educate. All will tell you that "only you know when the time is right". Many will also tell you that they waited too long, and suffered needlessly.
Stay posted. Stay positive. Good luck to you.
Boomer
Hi Mindi, you've heard some good advice - first and foremost it's up to you when you decide to have this procedure.
You've already reached that decision, but like the rest of us, as the date approaches you're nervous about it; that's normal, and like Mac mentions, some have cancelled to have it later, when it became clear that it was necessary.
I think I can say that none of us would have had this if there were any other way to improve our OA, but there isn't; that's one thing I can tell you with certainty. I tried everything I could think of to avoid it, from ignoring it (I can tough this out), to physical therapy, massage, change in diet, even a fitness boot camp (fun with OA).
I was also very active, when the OA began, I was doing martial arts classes three times per week, playing basketball twice per week, soccer twice a week and weights three times a week. I was also in leagues for soccer and basketball and doing full contact fighting. All of that incrementally went away, the soccer last when my left hip (the worst one, I did both) started dislocating first as I played, then randomly throughout the day.
Like several here, I felt I waited too long. I could have done it earlier and been back to my old activities (to some degree at least) by now. I feel like I'm in the middle of my recuperation now, can do a lot of my activities, but I really believe I've got another year before my body is back to where I'd like it to be. My advice is that if you know you're going to do it, to go ahead; there is no guarantee, but you have done the best to position yourself for success - the doctor you've chosen is one of the best and the procedure you've chosen (HR) has a very high success rate.
You do need to consider the window of opportunity for having a good HR, but in the end it is your choice, one which everyone respects.
I can't say much more, others pretty well nailed it. I felt the exact same way, spent about 5 months researching and coming here and then finally pulled the trigger. Once I set the date (about a month of waiting) I was nervous, wondered if I should go through with it, even considered postponing. I came here for support and I got it. Like Hern said it's your decision and the nice thing about that is that you shouldn't feel any pressure from anyone, especially here. We're simply here to offer our experience and tell you that you are far from being alone.
Also, to make matters a little worse for me, I could still outwalk my coworkers, I was still hauling chainsaws up into trees, trying to bike to the river with the kids, played a little soccer here and there,... lots of pain later on, but I was like a dumb lab playing until I keeled over. There's a lot of folks here that were similar. Its a bit like your comment about tennis. We think we should be in worse shape before committing to surgery. However, it's not going to get better, so why wait? Get on with your life. That's what I kept going back to while I waited for surgery.
Good to have you here!
Thank you, thank you, everyone for your kind and supportive comments. I just got home after a long day at the tennis courts...played for about two hours and then spent time with a teenage girl's tennis team that I coach. The weather was glorious and I was feeling very good.
I think the reason I am second guessing myself is my pain isn't awful (only a few days here and there), but it's always there. What I am most scared is that I won't be back to the same skill level post surgery. I know I am being irrational and I am doing the right thing. I planned this surgery so I would sit out the cold weather season (I live in metro Atlanta where we play tennis year 'round) and rehab. Don't worry, I won't go back to the courts before Dr. Gross says I can.
Yes, I don't want to be in debilitating pain and waiting until my window of opportunity is gone. I feel somewhat fortunate that I can still do what I love up to surgery.
Also, did any of the "Gross Hippies" see a PT post surgery...I am in PT now to get stronger, but don't know if I really need to continue going, or just do things on my own...I'm a fairly motivated person (can you guess?)
I'm just under two weeks til the big day...
Mindi
Hi Mindi,
I second guessed myself for 2 1/2 years before surgery and luckily my surgeon guided my window of opportunity so that I didn't miss it. Even after the surgery, I wondered "OMG, what have I done".... "will I ever".. etc. But NOW...... at 8 weeks I'm able to walk quite a distance unaided, get on a stationary bike and wheel away, and swim at bit...AND there is absolutely NO HIP PAIN.
My hip pain like yours wasn't unbearable but it was mostly always there and impacted too many of my activities.
I have found PT to be essential to getting back to where I am now and I still have quite a ways to go. I could not imagine trying to build strength, range of motion, and flexibility on my own. You are probably going to want to continue PT after surgery.
Best wishes,
Luanna
No organized PT post op, unless you count the two walks a day I started taking a week after my surgery (using crutches), as well the Phase 1 and Phase 2 stretching workouts that Dr. Gross gave me. He will tell you walking is your best therapy. Since you are an athlete, I suspect you will be pretty motivated to get back into shape. If you do decide that you need a physical therapist, then I would suggest you make sure you find one who is familiar with hip resurfacing.
Mac
I believe most surgeons recommend PT post-op. I really think the PT I've been doing twice a week has really helped me return to a good level of activity. I suspect the cutting back and forth in tennis is one of the more hip strenuous activities and so I think most surgeons are going to recommend staying away from tennis for 6 months or more? I'm not a tennis player, but a soccer player and my surgeon recommended a year before soccer. See what Gross says, but you really want to be conservative when it comes to bone growth.
Dr. Gross did NOT 'scrip professional PT after the surgery. The patients met with the PT department for a little while after surgery, but that was to go over the stretches and to review the major things NOT to do. If I wanted PT, I guess Dr. Gross or Lee would be happy to refer you or write a prescription to one that your insurance covers. At this point (four weeks today) I feel like the stretches, climbing and descending stairs and walking are filling up my days. Curt
Good luck to you. I am having surgery with Dr. Gross in December. I haven't played tennis in over two years. I was thrilled when Dr. Gross suggested that I might be able to return to tennis!
Dr. Gross does not routinely prescribe PT after resurfacing, because most of his patients do not need it. You will have one or more PT sessions in the hospital (depending on what time of day your surgery was and how long you're staying in the hospital), and be given PT exercises to do on your own. One set to do twice per day for the first six weeks, and then new ones starting at 6 weeks. Plus the twice daily walking, of course.
I had no problem performing the PT exercises on my own (although there were some days I had to force myself) and the first hip healed just fine. My range of motion on that side is now better than it has been for many years :). My second hip at this stage seems even better than the first one was so I feel like I'll have the same result this time.
I think Tin is correct in thinking no tennis for the first 6 months. Dr. Gross does not want you to run for the first 6 months, and since tennis does require running, I'm sure that would be out too. I think that may be the most difficult part of your recovery, because you will probably feel like you could do it, so you will have to be patient!
Best of luck with your surgery!
Yes, Annie, I think you are right about probably wanting to play before I'm released to play. Dr. Gross is a tennis player, so I know he'll understand where I'm coming from, but I wouldn't do anything to compromise my hip...not worth it. I may continue with PT post-surgery as I've hit every deductible I had this year, and it doesn't cost me anything to go...lucky me.
I would love some recommendations on good restaurants in Columbia. We plan to arrive the day before surgery for the pre-op appointment, and I'd love a good meal before the slice and dice. Hopefully I'll be discharged in two days.
Later,
Mindi
Hi Mindi,
My favorite is the Blue Marlin. Also, there is a very nice California Dreaming in the old railroad station, and Harpers at Five Points is good too. All of these are pretty much downtown, but that's not too far from the hospital area.
The Blue Marlin was very good (http://www.bluemarlincolumbia.com/dinnermenu.html) and the Solstice Kitchen (http://www.solsticekitchen.com/) is also supposed to be good. There is an ice cream pallor a few blocks away from the Blue Marlin.
A GPS comes in very handy around Columbia.
Mac
I echo that the Solistice Kichen is wonderful. They have this Gouda bacon Mac and cheese (that is a side item). It is fabulous! There is also a place not far from Solistice Kitchen called Pie-tanza that has superb thin crust gourmet brick oven pizza. I'm from Columbia and these are two of my favorite places.
Aerial,
Soon I'll be needing my left hip done, I am going to call on you to find some other neat places around Columbia. We enjoyed Columbia (at least I got to enjoy pre-op) --- my wife and daughter were like shopping fiends.
Chuck
Thanks for the restaurant recommendations...will probably try one of them.
I'm guessing this is normal, but in the last three days I've had a couple of very sad moments that come out of the blue and I cry...happened on the tennis court yesterday in front of my friends. I think I was sad because I won't be able to play for some time, or am I mourning the loss of my natural hip????
Most of the time I am upbeat and happy and am looking forward to getting rid of the pain...next week will be my time.
Mindi
Hi Mindi,
It's probably just nerves, which is completely normal before major surgery. I can honestly say that I have never for one second mourned to loss of my "natural" hip joints! First of all, because my resurfaced hips feel just as natural as my unresurfaced hips did, and second of all, because they do not hurt anymore! I really cannot tell that I have metal implants in my hips. Also, I think resurfaced hips are still a lot more natural than hips that have undergone THR.
The first 6 weeks of recovery have been the most difficult part of the process for me, because I am used to being very active. It can be depressing to be more or less stuck in the house, doing nothing much except the twice daily PT exercises and the daily walking sessions. However, THAT IS TEMPORARY and when I get down, I remind myself of that fact. After the first 6 weeks, things get much better.
Also, remember that there are many, many people on this site that have been through this surgery, who are ready to support you all the way!
Thank you Anniee, for the reply. Just pre-op jitters, like you say. Getting my house in order for the big op next week. Just finished taking down Halloween decorations and will probably clean like mad for the next few days...and try to get in a few more tennis matches too.
Hey Mindi, it's normal to be nervous, get down, etc. You're going through a lot, even though it's going to get rid of the pain in your hips. All of us have gone though emotional ups and downs before and after.
Like Annie said, remember that all of this is constructive and will get you back on your feet pain free. Feel what you feel,but also get psyched up about what is coming. Good things are coming.
Mindi,
I'm scheduled with Dr. Gross in January, and I still find myself second guessing what I should do since I have periods of little or no pain. In those instances, I just push myself fairly hard and I am reminded by my hip why I'm doing it. For me, it is not a question of "if", but "when". I'd rather get it done and get back to tennis (which I haven't played in a year because of the hip) than keep on doing almost nothing.
Good luck!
Andy
Thanks Andy, you are right! I finished my tennis season with a bang today, as my team won the City Championships today for our local league. I am glad I waited until next week to schedule my surgery, as I've played the best tennis of my life this past summer and fall...kinda ironic, isn't it?
Will try to keep everyone posted on how I do if I'm not too messed up on drugs...I know I don't do well with painkillers and it worries me some. They make me sick and loopy.
Counting down the days....
Mindi
Don't worry about the pain killers...should be able to dump the exotic ones in just and handful of days. The loss of the "big pain" makes the surgical pain seem less significant (I hope!). Best of luck and stay positive! Curt
Congrats, Mindi, on the city championships. You must be in or around Atlanta....ALTA I assume. Last fall we made it to the city semifinals and lost in a tiebreaker.
Keep us posted!
Andy
Hi Andy,
Yup, I play in ALTA and USTA...teams that I played on this summer and fall won two ALTA City Championships and two USTA championships. I qualified to play in two state tourney's next May, but really don't know if I'll be able to get clearance to play...I may be a little obsessed with tennis, but it sure gives me a goal to rehab.
Staying positive!
Mindi
Hi Mindy,
Don't worry about the pain killers. As Curt says, you should be able to stop the strong ones after the first few days. If they make you sick, there are many different kinds they can give you, and I'm sure they can find something that works without making you sick. Anything with codeine has that effect on me, but the ones that Dr. Gross uses did not. They do make me a little loopy, but I didn't mind that too much just for a few days. :)
I wish I could blame the drugs on being loopy! :o Curt
I was really scared about my resurfacing with Dr Gross... But now that I'm 8 months post op... I wish I had done it sooner. It was the best thing I ever did... To fix my hip. I got my life back. All that pain is gone and I feel great.
Get it fixed and seriously... Do NOT stress out... The whole process is not bad. The most painful thing I remember was the IV and a blood draw! That was it. I do not remember getting a spinal and I have zero memory of te surgery . I woke up thinking.. "am i done? That's it??".
I remember sitting up totally straight in my hospital bed and not feeling the old sting of my hip... Before surgery sitting totally straight in a bed or chair hurt as I couldn't really flex my hip fully... My range of motion was really bad...
Now I can run!! Fast too!! Without pain!!
Get it fixed. Dr gross is great!!
Yes, not too scared, just want to be a better me without the pain. Not worried about needle sticks...after having several cortisone shots into my hips I can take anything! I'm lucky in that I've been able to remain active until my surgery date. Sitting in a chair is what gives me the most pain (hip and back). We're having very nice weather here this weekend, so I'm going to try and squeeze in some tennis before my surgery next week.
If any of you Gross hippies have any advice for me, let me know...
Mindi
I'm wishing you the best for your surgery. You're in GREAT hands. My advice is to make sure you get as much from your visit with Dr. Gross and Lee after the surgery as you can. If others are with you, give them some questions to ask for you since you will be an Oxycontin dope fiend! I wish I had asked more about what he saw as far as the condition of my hip - both bone and soft tissue; whether it was easier or harder to do than others; his analysis of the positioning of the implants and anything else you can think of Pre-Op. I was so happy that I was done with surgery, and I really spent most of my time blabbering and thanking him for taking care of me. The blabbering is normal as you can guess. Curt
I second what Curt says! I just had my right hip resurfaced by Dr. Gross on Monday October 24th, and it is amazing how well things have gone so far. The good advice Curt mentions- to pump Dr. Gross for info when he comes to see you the next morning after the surgery- is very good advice. He handed me a copy of my intra-operative x-ray with the angle drawn on it for my acetabular component, and like Curt says, you're doped up a little so you just thank him for getting a good angle, piecing you back together, etc. I did manage to ask him how it went, and basically it was "no problems / everything went smoothly". I can think of half a dozen questions to ask now-
1) Did you see any evidence of damage from the 4 cortisone shots I had over the past 18 months?
2) Was there a lot of bone damage?
3) Any cartilage left at all?
4) Was my surgery easier / tougher than normal? If so, why?
5) Was the femoral head diameter you used close to going up one size / down one size? What may the implications be?
6) My angle of cup inclination was 32 degrees; did you try for 40 but err on the safe side? Any implications?
You get the idea; certainly you can always ask him later, but if he's doing 10 or more surgeries per week, yours (and mine!) will be a lot less fresh in his mind later.
Good luck- I was pretty nervous but now at 12 days post-op I am going for my 1st 1-mile walk of the day (of 2; I am at 2 miles per day now), still using a cane, but enjoying the absence of OA pain and better ROM already!
Steve
Steve and others,
Thanks for the good questions to ask Dr. Gross post-surgery...I copied them to my husband and hopfully he will ask them! (and write down the answers).
Does anyone know if there are some good bike paths/trails in Columbia? My husband wants to exercise if he has the time during our short stay.
Three days to go....
Mindi
Good luck Mindi, the best thing is the lack of OA pain afterwards. The recuperation pain is different, you can feel that it's temporary.