Officially, it is over bilateral resurfacing 11/26 and 11/28 been up and walking. Pain is pretty well controlled. I am 6'3 and 220lbs so 20mg OxyContin was not enough. Dr Gross increased the dose and pain was well tolerated. Little tired so I will post later. Thanks for all your support.
Cordially,
Ross
Congrats Ross! You guys that do bilaterals amaze me. Dr. Gross did his job, now your job is to rest and heal.
Best of luck!
Congratulations Ross. Take it easy. Looking forward to reading about your progress when you feel better.
Pat
You will be glad you did this. Congrats.
Brad (blt01)
Congrats and welcome to the bilat club! I'll leave the real hard core same day bilats to welcome to the more exclusive club... ;D
Congrats. When I had my first hip done there was a man there who had both done. I was amazed at how well he was getting along. One more week and I will be a bilat too. Only mine are 6 months apart.
Dee
No only to that, Dee.
Had my right leg done 4 days ago and that one is doing pretty good My left leg was done 2 days ago and is swollen and painful.. Gotta keep icing the crap out of it. I am wiped out and will post later
Pretty normal, Ross - each one can go differently. The swelling is normal as well; you're doing the right thing with ice, etc.
Ross your body has been through a ton of trauma, well planned and expertly performed, but trauma non-the-less. And you have 2X what most of us did! Lots of rest and icing like Hernan said and maybe try getting the leg elevated some too if you can for a little while....toes over nose is the guideline.
As for being wiped out....I am 16 days out and still need 9-10 hours sleep at night and a 20-30 minute light nap mid day. I think that is all pretty normal for the first few months.
Hang in there.
I had so much anesthesia in my body that I felt horrible. Took mag citrate without relief 4 milk of magnesia and finally a bottle of prune juice. It was a little nasty for a while but I feel so much better. The cocktail from anesthesia is was strong I do not remember the epidural at all during either case. I awoke with zero pain and stayed that way for the next 6 hours. My experience with the Dr Gross, Lee, and the rest of his team was amazing. .
Patrick,
How is your recovery going?
Ross
Yeah, that anesthesia can sometimes mess up your GI system pretty badly. And I cant imagine what doing that surgery twice in 3 days would do to your GI tract! Glad thing have gotten straightened out for you.
I sort of had the opposite problem, but that was because I couldn't handle the anti-inflammatory med Mobic. All these meds just do a number on the gut, it seems that is frequently the toughest part of the whole recovery!
The rest of my recovery story is here: http://surfacehippy.info/hiptalk/hip-stories/countdown-complete-on-to-recovery/
Keep resting and icing and update whenever you feel you can.
One week postoperative update aft bilateral resurfacing with Dr Gross. Pain is very minimal. I would call it more tightness and stiffness than anything. My right hip feels much better than the left. My right side was done first and was much worse than the left from a clinical perspective. As soon as I started walking after the last surgery, the left hip was noticeably different. The left side has more stiffness and popping. I have been doing the PTexercises and walking 1500 feet twice a day. My left hip would pop and then my lower back would start to ache. I spoke to Lee who is really great about calling you back and listening. Se told me to shorten my stride and to decrease the distance when the pain start up. It is hard to tell which part of your gait is the most important. Your stride,pace, or weight deliverance. I ordered a Lafuma recliner as my sofa has a recliner in it but does not have arms to push off to get up without breaking the 90 degree rule. My wife has been helping me out of the recliner at night when I become stiff and uncomfortable. This time frame is progressively getting longer. I use the pain meds at night mostly. The need for independence is intense so I think hat I solved my problem with the elevate Lafuma with good solid arm rest. The elevated commode is an absolute must and I would never enter into this surgery without it and in hind-sight a proven recliner. The more independence you have the better you will feel about yourself and your recovery. I can get in and out of my truck better and have tried to go back to doing the things that my wife and I normally do like Evening drinks with family and friends, playing with the Lionel trains with my son. Those things made me feel so good about moving towards normalcy. I feel optimistic and confidant about the surgery and recovery. My wife told me you look and sound so much better than when you had that hip scope the first time around. I can honestly say that the pain from the hip scope was easily 4x greater than anything hat I have experienced so far. I can feel how great it is going to be reel soon. Will post up later with updates. Very grateful to Dr Gross very grateful indeed.
It all sounds good, Ross - keep up both the good work and the positive attitude.
Ross;
Congrats on your double-dip hip, and in short order you'll be smiling alot more than before. Ice, follow the program, stay ahead of the pain when needed, and rest as much as possible to allow all the soft tissue time to heal. I found the second time the muscle relaxers helped me avoid the narcotics alot more, which helped on many fronts (mood, digestive mobility, sleep etc).
Your comments about independence really ring true: I felt that way and being able to do things without help was a big morale boost. Do be careful when you are out and in a vehicle particularly, any small woopsie in a car context could lead to a larger problem. I felt like and acted like the dogs going to the park whenever I got out after these surgeries-- the feeling of normalcy and independence driven by cabin fever-- was a life saver but did add some risk. After riding with my wife up to our retirement home a couple hours away a week after the 1st surgery I decided I better drive the next times, (which I really should not have as I was told not to) but the morale boost was worth the risk (easy to say since nothing bad happened).
Best regards,
dan
Update: Made it half mile today on two crutches. My back had been aching while walking so I focused on using my quad to swing the leg through. It made a huge difference. 1. 1/2 weeks postoperative I'm on the move!
Two weeks postoperative today. I think that the hardest part is still sleeping on my back. Also, my back has been aching right in the sacral area. I am really trying to focus on standing up straight and lightly using the crutch. I tried to take one away....no way. Starting to get a little cabin fever so have been venturing out. I get annoyed when people hold doors for me. Guess I have some insecurities but at least I say thank you and move on. Christmas is coming and everyone is excited. Can't wait to see how I advance this week. Thanks for everything.
Cordially,
Ross
Wow. You are doing great Ross. :D
I am a little grumpy from being house bound at one week post op. my walking is limited to the mailbox and back since the last effort sent me into an episode that ended in the ER. (See don't over do)
I hope to get a little more mobile, but I am swollen and sore and don't really feel like doing much.
I think your recovery sounds on target! Keep reporting.
Dee
Sounds like you are having a good, and likely typical, recover. Especially from a bilateral.
You're hitting that time frame where it seems to get noticeably better on an almost daily basis. Just be careful that you don't overdo it.
Continued good luck to you!
If I could get my low back to settle down that would make me extremely happy. Right on the sacrum is very tender.
Thanks for the advice Dee and IMG. Hope that you heal quickly Dee. Keep taking those pain meds, ice, and do those exercises even if it is uncomfortable. I will say those Nucynta make your mood better as they have serotonin and epinephrine in them. Thanks to all.
Cordially,
Ross
Actually, the Nucynta inhibits reuptake of norepinephrine. Should give you an elevated mood.
Three weeks postoperative
Walked a mile today on 2 crutches. Walking around the house with a cane. Still have the sacra.like pain and find it difficult to sleep at night. Lots of thoughts about returning to the gym, work, and grad school. Amazing what happens over a week. Easy to get in and out of car. Still need a nap during the day around 4pm. Taking Vicodin at night to sleep. I feel pretty freaking good like my old self is coming back to life. That nasty terrible pain inside my hips and back are gone. The pain in my sacral area is not the same as previous. I can feel it is going to clear up with better ROM. Get the occasional bilateral knee twinges that dissipate over a few minutes time. Appetite is back and ready to jump back in the saddle.
Sounds really good, Ross - the sleep issues, the pain subsides as you get past the initial part of recovery. Then you start getting ambitious, which is the time to remember to be patient.
There's nothing like the absence of that pain to kickstart you, and if you focus it towards the type of rehab that is approved, it makes you really strong for when you can kick it into gear. That happened for me at about 10 months, but for some folks at an earlier time (six months?).
Enjoy the progress and stay within yourself, the best is yet to come.
Four weeks postoperative after bilateral with Dr Gross and Ms Lee Webb. I can walk a mile with the cane but am having to stop ever so often to remind myself to stand up straight in the hope that my back will calm down. I have a little tender area inside my left groin that will get aggravated if my stride is to long. Will icing a lot to get over the hump. I still have the sacral pain when walking that annoys me more than anything. Have been rubbing my IT bands out twice a day. Have not went back to the gym as I am gonna wait for my 6 week follow up. I just feel better physically and mentally when I can exercise a little bit and hit up the steam room and pool. Sleeping is still a pain. Sleeping no more than 4 hours at a time and wake up with back pain. Can walk without crutches for short distances but start to feel the limp come back so move back to the cane. Every week I am getting better and the left leg is catching up to the right. More than anything I have cabin fever as I am not allowed to drive for 6 weeks. My left incision feels like it has more scar tissue/ adhesions than the right. Maybe this is why I have the back pain on the left hand side.
Cordially,
Ross
I am with you on the SI pain. I did not have issues with the first surgery but with this one my back is flared up. But I have a history if back issues.
Do you have an antigravity lounge chair or a recliner? That has helped me with taking pressure off the back and also with getting sleep. I plan to ask Dr. gross for PT after six weeks, mostly for my back but also for my scar tissue and rom. The muscles in my right hip are beginning to act up a little- I suppose since I am probably using them to compensate for the new left hip.
Keep us informed.
Dee
Yes on someone's advice I bought one of the Lafumas. The first 3 weeks I would have went crazy without it. Started taking a little Benadryl at night to sleep and help out. Sill can't sleep on either hip. Wife is frustrated with me as I wake her up in the night. Gonna ask for a PT script as well. Lee told me she thought my back was sore due to the scar tissue. I can feel the difference in the width of the tissue right compared to left. Walked on the beach yesterday and my son was chasing the birds. The sand was all compact but I was so tired afterwards. I still need a nap during the day.
Still really early on, Ross - it takes time for your body to recover. I also had trouble with sleeping, it gradually went back to normal, at about six to ten weeks.
While sleeping, do you use a pillow under your knees? I found that helped quite a bit in avoiding back pain.
Hern. I have been sleeping with the pillows between the legs which does help pre event the internal rotation. Like Dee had said I need to be conscious about not pushing it. I feel bad for my wife we have two under two. I am self sufficient but I can tell she is getting tired. She is not use to doing certain tasks. Went in walked in front of mirrors today at the gym. Definitely going to need some PT to straighten my gait out.
Cordially,
Ross
Ross,
Can you arrange a support system for your wife like a babysitter, house cleaning,and/ or day at the spa? Maybe you could arrange help with the kids and just let her get out of the house and have coffee with a friend. It is really taxing being a caregiver and a mommy to little ones.
My kids are all older and really helped my dear husband over the holidays, but he got burnt out and needed a day of nothing for him to do but watch old movies and rest.
You will still be recovering for several weeks (Lee said it can take a year or more to get back the ROM) even though you feel better and stronger. Healing can take a lot out of you and there will probably be minor set backs while you start pushing yourself to do more.
I can only imagine the stress of holidays, new hips and little ones. May I humbly suggest you treat your wife to some time alone and then to a date with you?
Blessings,
Dee
BTW I am 4 weeks and can only last 30 on my side at night. I have a tough time on my back for very long so about 1 pm each night I end up in the lounge chair which is in the bedroom. Last time it took awhile(10 weeks) to be able to sleep all night on my side even with pillows. I am impatiently looking forward to that and in the meantime I am rubbing/massaging the scar like crazy to loosen the tissue.
Dee is correct (again). One thing to remember, as I can see you do, is that everyone who cares about you is along for the ride.
Getting the HR is the best thing for you and for your loved ones, but as it was tortuous for them to see you descend into OA hell, it can be difficult to support us as we rise. No matter how good and kind, there is a limit to forebearance and we should be on the lookout for how even a little rest can liberate those who are helping us.
The time of recovery will pass soon, but, like Dee suggests, a little "normal" time together or even a small luxury for your wife can do wonders. It's a recovery for everyone, and it will get better soon.
Ross, I am 2 weeks out but only dealing with 1 hip right now. I have been sleeping in shifts, 3 hours on bed, and then 2 hours in recliner. Then either back to bed or an hour on couch propped up. Just started laying on no-op side with a pillow between knees which has helped. Then usually a nap during the day which is going to be harder because I am starting to work again 3/4 days.
My poor wife has had to take care of me, organize Christmas, and ran our annual family New Years Eve Party. My kids (teens) have been a big help but they went back to school today. I will try to get her out to dinner this weekend to her favorite restaurant. (good idea Dee)
I started driving yesterday and did not have a problem using my right op leg to work gas and brake.
Bill
Dee
I would be real careful rubbing the scar. I received a follow up call from Dr Gross office and they informed me to not rub anywhere near that incision. Been rubbing my IT bands.
Thanks Ross. I will take it easy on the scar area. I am rubbing the IT bands also. They have so many painful knots for a long time now. I can't seem to get them out. I am not ready to try the foam roller yet.
Dee
I was very tempted to start on that scar tissue too. Mine is probably .5 inch of thick tortuous skin. Sometimes those first stage stretches do help my sacrum a little. Hopefully at the 6 weeks the back will finally release.
Ross, I just read through your posts and it sounds like you are doing great. Hopefully the sacral pain will easy up soon.
That is great Bill. Sleeping is definitely tough. I am sore and so ready to start PT. My gait is bizarre to say the least more like a waddle.
Ross - congrats and I hope the little ones are helping mom. I am amazed at you having both done so close together - keep the recovery going. I also used a pillow between my legs - helped keep things aligned better.
Again - thansk for the posts
6 week update
Walking with the cane minimally but my gait is sometimes an interesting waddle. Look kind of injured Iamsure but my hips feel pretty good. My back hurts worse than anything. Can't walk a mile without pain 6 to 7 in my low back. Going to see Lee in a couple days. Hoping PT can help me out. There is no way I would last a whole day in an ER working as a nurse the way it is now. Sleeping a little better withe three pillows under the knees and 1 under the foot. I bought a wedge on line and it was a waste of money as it was extremely uncomfortable. My muscles of atrophied a lot since the OA took over in the last year as my exercise slowly degraded frombeing unable to strengthen core sue to torn labrums so Ithink that I really need to try and get stronger. 6'3" 220 and it is not all muscle anymore. Open to suggestions, I have bilateral neural foraminal narrowing mild s1, L5. My back had minimal problems until that stinking hip scope. Maybe my ligamentum flavum is stretched out. I know it is moderately enlarged as well as the facets.
Hi Ross,
I have spondilolisthesis l4-l5 and si issues. This all flared up in the middle of trying to figure out what is wrong with my hips. I did get the epidural and facet injections a couple years back and it really helped me. Now that I have both hips done I am hoping to really work on my core and keep my back stabilized.
My PT for the back is awesome. They are like physical therapy with chiropractic combined. They don't use fitness machines but are very hands on. They help me get into proper alignment, train me about proper balance in sitting and walking, work deep into the abdomen to get the back in line, dig into the front muscles inside the iliac crest to stretch them, massage, e-stim and ice. I go out feeling worked on but good.
Dr. Gross said if my back started to act up that I can get the injections- better than a spinal fusion!
I hope you get some relief on your back.
Dee
Walked little over .75 mile without the cane. Then the groins and back pain started up and had to use the cane. Icing a lot still and using Tramadol twice a day. Cooked dinner the other night and can finally help out a little more around the house. The long stride still gets my groin aching. Don't feel so obvious when I am out in public anymore either. The neighbors were cheering as I was walking down the street without the cane. Feels good to know others see me advancing. Sometimes it's not so obvious to me.
Ross
Dee is correct about the core exercise. As someone that has wrestled with lower back problems I found a core exercise routine by Corepreformance.com. that I do twice a week. It has kept my back in check and feeling good. I have been afraid to do it since surgery and I can feel it in my lower back. I will wait until the 6 week checkup by my Dr. before I start again.
I have also been ready to get back to exercising because I have added a little weight and I know it is not muscle. You must be tough to have both hips done 2 days a part. That will be double the work to get back in shape. It will be worth it.
Bill
Whow I slept through the night. 6 week follow up with The Gross crew in 2 days. Was at the beach yesterday setting in the Lafuma. Life is good.
Hey Ross! I am jealous of the beach time. Glad you slept through the night. I have had a couple of those myself now. I end up in my chair most nights. But those at getting less and less.
Give us the report when you get back from the doc.
Dee
Got my clearance. Devices look great. Going to start PT and see if it feels like it is worth it. New exercises make me stiff or a little sore. Thanks to all for sharing your stories, heart aches, and dark secrets. I am very happy to be out of the tunnel on the other side traveling on a slow steady incline to the top of mountain.
Ross
Excellent, Ross - nice to reach this goal - now next one is up.
Eight weeks postop
I can walk the mile without a lot of pain but I have some very sore hip muscles upon use. They do not like their climate after stage 2 PT. My hip is definitely causing my back pain as the groin gets sore so does the back. Using the pool for light swimming and helps out tremendously. I am gonna start PT as I want a gait analysis and target the muscles that have atrophied. I feel good and am grateful but I am coming into a new phase, what I really am after. Returning to work is extremely important to me and without good use of my legs I will never last 12 hours in a high paced ER. It is coming. I have not tried any of my hobbies like golf, fishing, or weight training but they are on my mind. Keep you posted of further progress.
Cordially,
Ross
Nine week postop
Stage 2 PT was to much for me. My abductor/adductor and piriformis muscles are atrophied. The psoas and IT band locked giving me bad back pain. Steering off Stage 2 and are strengthening the atrophied muscles before my limp gets worse. Can feel the scar tissue breaking up and it is a little uncomfortable. Bumps in the road. I was hoping to be further along but what can you do. Any helpful advice from the seasoned hippies. I am a bilateral simltaneous.
We all hit setbacks, Ross - nine weeks is still very early. If that's too much, simply step back and let it rest a bit.
There's no deadline on this, just a prize of full function and a well healed hip. If you reach that at two years, you've done a good job. The scar tissue breaking up is a good thing, but you need to be good to your recovering body. Atrophied muscles need to be babied and exercised in equal doses, you are the best judge, since you know how it feels.
No rush to this at all. I'll use some disco wisdom again "don't push it, don't force it, let it happen naturally". Disco wisdom has stood the test of time ;D
Here's one opinion on how to resuscitate atrophied muscles:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/88741-build-up-atrophied-muscles/ (http://www.livestrong.com/article/88741-build-up-atrophied-muscles/)
the overall take on this is to go gently and slow.
Hern is right, it is going to take time. I added a few exercises to my self-PT 2 days ago, overdid it, and yesterday I was ready to go back to crutches. My back was sore, my hip muscles hurt and my calf was cramping all day. I did nothing yesterday and today I feel better. You will get better.
Bill
Thanks for your replies Hern and Bill. Really, I appreciate it. It keeps me from having to complain to the wife. Are you still having issues with your back Bill?
Ross
It usually hurts (lower back) when I wake and until it warms up in the morning. It is something I have dealt with for 15 years. If I do core type exercises and stretching I have no problems and it feels good. But then I get lazy for a month or 2 and it starts giving me problems.
It has been sore, on & off, since surgery. Although I can now touch my toes, everything from my lower back to my calfs is very tight and this seem to pull on my back. Walking with a cane or one crutch seemed to tilt me and irritate the one side. I have just started to do some of my back exercises but some involve twisting and they feel uncomfortable on my hip.
Keep up with the PT and I know you will feel better.
Bill
12 weeks postop
Things are starting to feel much better since using the foam roller. Most of the back pain is gone. I am trying to get the left leg caught up to the right as it is significantly weaker.Walking is normal and have a little start up stiffness in the AM. Also, my incisions still don't enjoy being slept on. Sometimes it feels like the scar tissue is separating and at times it produces mild pain. I have heard that the sutures inside the hip are acidic and produce a burning like sensation when they dissolve. I don't know if that is true or not. Getting massage therapy weekly. Started PT but dropped it as therapist pushed me to hard and had my 1st set back for a week on the cane. Scared me in to taking it more slowly.
Ross
Hi Ross!
Glad to hear you are better. Sorry PT put you back. I am having a set back of sorts with lots of soreness but I think my anti inflammatory has stopped working so well. I have arthritis in other areas. My pt said I am not ready for the foam roller since I have lots of old knots in my it band, but I did get a thera cane to treat the trigger points in my neck, shoulder, back and groin. http://www.theracane.com/
I am with you about the night time ache. I can finally sleep on my side but not without some discomfort that wakes me up. I get frustrated that I am still sore and tight in the hip, but PT measurements showed significant improvement in flexibility and strength.
Keep reporting in. We love to share our triumphs!
Dee
Ross and Dee, sounds to me like you're right where you should be.
I'm glad the roller is helping, Ross - it did great stuff for me. Both of you are still early on, all of that gets sorted out as you go. When you get to the point you can use the roller, Dee you'll initially hate anyone who brought it up >:( and then as things loosen, grow to love us :) .
Good going and keep it up.
Glad to hear you both are improving. 8 weeks today for me and feeling great. I still have to think about my gate but when I do you can't see a limp. I am thinking your recovery (in some instances) depends on how bad you let you hip get. The worse it gets, the longer the recovery.
I think that it is probably a number of things that which you brought up included. Glad you are getting along well.
Dee
I did not think that I could use the roller because it felt awkward with the lack of mobility from the bilat. After I convinced myself, I rolled the piriformis and QL muscles out and my back issue dissolve. All the muscles pulling on my pelvis gave me an anterior pelvic tilt. I still have problems but I am addressing them. I only which that I could use the roller over the incision and pull my knee into my chest without risk and I think that I would be good to go. My It band at the tibia aches when I try to strengthen the glute medias and major. So, as a point of reference I still have a lot of healing going on inside. Good luck with everything.
Ross