Hip Talk Forum About Hip Resurfacing

Hi, I am a 43 year old ex hockey goalie. Played most of my life, at least once a week year round, sometimes 3 times a week in season. Pretty competitive leagues,some ex juniors and a few who made it in Europe. Moved on to golf about 7 years ago( still miss the smell of the rink even my nasty hockey bag), but found out all the fun came at a price. Started getting pain in my hip about 3 years ago, ignored it but  it grew worse. Finally had my primary doc take an x-ray in July 2007. Showed significant damage, so she sent me to a joint doctor specializing in sports related injuries. He told me I was in bad shape but too young for a total hip replacement so I should consider my other options. He did not do hip resurfacings but referred me to a doctor at the University of Washington Medical Center(Dr Jason Weisstein). After several consultations and feeling good about my decision and my doctor , my surgery is in 2 days on May 7th. I had gotten to the point were I couldn't finish a round of golf even driving in a cart, let alone finish a day at work without being in tremendous pain. I work at a very busy grocery store in the produce dept. By the way, UWTV the television arm of the campus, has been filming this entire process and will air when everything is over. Sorry this is so long and I will post when I return home from surgery. Hope this helps somewhat. John

Hi John

I gave your your own topic since you are about to have surgery.

I want to wish you good luck. 

We will look forward to hearing about your surgery and recovery when you get home.  I will be happy to post your story for you and any videos you have.

Pat

Hi John,
From one goalie to another, good luck on your surgery. I think there is a med study in the making on goalies and hip arthritis. Seems like every goalie I know who has to quit due to injury (in 40s) has hip problems to blame. In addition to myself, I personally know 3 others whom I used to play with.
I'm 5 weeks after my 2nd resurf (had bilateral 5 weeks apart). Even at this short duration after surgery, many things are better. I recall the recent aha moment when I got into a car feet first, rather than butt first, which had been modus operandi for the past few years because the hips couldn't bend/support sufficiently.
Quick advice: The first surgery was great, and I was feeling better than arthritic days after a couple, three weeks. The second one was a bit more of a problem, but it's coming along well after 5 weeks. I was a bit discouraged that the 2nd one wasn't a miracle story, but while healing progressed a bit more slowly for the first few weeks, after 5 weeks, it seems like I'm only a week behind where the other one was. Take your healing as it comes.
Please keep us posted on your results. Don't worry too much about the surgery. After facing down those guys who played major juniors, you don't have much to worry about. During pre-op, I told the anesthesiologist that I hadn't felt that much adrenalin since hockey playing days. He smiled and looked at his syringe, and said, "I've got something for that."
-Dirk

To my fellow keepers :

It is great to hear from other goalies.  Do either of you plan on going back to the sport after you recover ?

I am 35, my hip problems started about 5-6yrs ago.  Thought it was muscle related until both hips started hurting which is when I got the x-rays.  I imagine your stories are similar.  Anyway, I am scheduled for resurfacing in June and am pretty committed to getting back to the net (I hope).

Best of luck on your surgery John.

Hope your recovery on the 2nd hip continues to progress Dirk

-Brian

Good to hear from two fraternity brothers. Now we can join another one too.

Dirk, glad to hear everything is going well with your surgery, nice to have support that this is the right move. I think I saw that Rick Dipeitro(sp) from the Islanders is suffering some major hip problems that shut down his season, so you are most likely right about it being an occupational hazard.. My right hip is shot,with some arthritis setting in to my left but no call for surgery, yet. Enjoyed that comment from your anesthesiologist, good stuff. I figure if we can handle a slap-shot to the melon we can handle this. i will post in about 4 days when I get home.

Brian, not much likelihood of my returning to the net, though I miss it dearly. Thought I would join a 40 and over league at some point, skills not what they once were and not in the mood to deal with some 20 year olds nonsense, but my doctor thinks that might involve too much risk. Thanks for the good thoughts and I will give you my input on my progress as your surgery date approaches. Hope it goes as well as Dirks.

Gotta get some stuff ready, this has really helped my peace of mind, thanks again guys.  John

Hi guys,
John, hopefully we'll hear good news about your surgery soon. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.
Brian, ahhhh, the question about returning to the game. I probably should have gone to counseling a couple years ago when I quit hockey (I'm 47 now, quit at 45 or 44). In the meantime, I've taken up cycling much more seriously -- find a competitive outlet in that. But I'm still thinking about trying hockey again.
Both my surgeon and the and the other surgeon I consulted but didn't go with said I could return to hockey/goaltending. That said, the surgery is still new enough that we're kind of guinea pigs. Both also made this clear and couldn't point to precedent of others going back to goaltending. My surgeon said he is less concerned about torque stress from hockey than the pounding/impact from basketball, for example.
On the other hand, my wife makes the valid point that hockey is probably the cause of my hip problems, and reminded me of sore knees and shoulders after tournamements. Perhaps those other parts are 85% worn out.
She's probably right, but here's my hockey plan. I'm going to focus my rehab on cycling, but, if everything is going well, I'm sure I'll want to go open skating in a few months, just to feel the joy of skating again (pre-surgery it got to the point where I couldn't go skating with my kids last summer). Then if that feels good, somewhere between 6 and 12 months, I'll play up in a totally for fun old timers league (but there are still the skill guys who played college/ Juniors / Europe). Then, knowing the demand for goalies, I'm sure there will be a time when one of the goalies pulls a muscle or has to miss a week, and they'll recruit me to strap on the pads again.
At 35, you should have a lot of hockey left after your surgery. Did you see some of the pics in the "hip story" section? One of the martial arts guys has some pics that show range of motion should not be a problem for goaltending, although I wonder how long it takes to get that degree of stretch/motion. I mean, we can't spend 30 sec or whatever gradually getting to the point of extension; it has to be instantaneous: a shot and a save.
Pat posted my "hip story" and I'll have to try to add updates on how the hockey plan goes.
-Dirk

Hey guys,

Thanks for the feedback.

John, you won't read this until post-surgery so, how did it go ?

Dirk, I absolutely saw all the photographs posted on the site and was encouraged probably by the same martial arts pictures.  Good point about how long it may have taken to gain those positions.  The other thing that has encouraged me is that my surgeon is an ex-hockey player as well, in fact I think he played for Harvard back in the mid 70's.  He seems pretty confident that I will be able to return, but I am not 100 % convinced.

Also, I have gotten pretty involved with Triathlons in the past 4 years and have completed the Ironman in Lake Placid.  Have you been back on the bike since your surgeries ?

Brian

Hi Brian,
Wow, completed an Ironman! That really is a different breed of cat. Those guys are crazier than goalies. I participated on a tri team once for an Olympic distance tri. I thought I was in good shape until I saw the legs on those guys.
I've had good fortune, bad fortune about getting back on the bike. Just yesterday I met with a Phy Therapist who specializes in cycling (she has an MD in a Phys Therapy related field, is a world class cyclist, and her husband is a cycling coach). The good fortune was getting in touch with her. Five weeks post surgery, and I 've graduated from the basic exercises. But she is of the mind that you need to have all your balance, all your muscle control, etc. before going out on the road. She gave me a new regime of exercises (mostly focusing on glutes right now), but talked about graduating from the training stand to rollers before thinking about going out for real rides. I may take a few easy spins outside, just for fun, but she has a point. I tried to get out of saddle on the training stand and just about jerked the bike out of the holder. It got a bit better, but that part is going to take a while to get back. And I'm sure other aspects of riding we take for granted are out of whack as well.
That said, I've been on the training stand since day 10 or so post surgery, at first with no resistance and adding resistance and duration since week 3 or so. I'll have to hook up the computer one of these days to check watts, but I want to wait ahwile, so I'm not too embarrassed. :)
John's surgery is not doubt complete. Look forward to hearing about his recovery.
-Dirk

Dirk,

The Ironman community is full of some pretty whacky folks so I fit right in.  Actually, Mike Richter was in the race I had done as well, although I did not see him.  If I had I would've asked him for an autograph :)

Comforting to hear that you were back on the bike that quick after surgery and hope you can get out on the road soon, although it sounds like you have some cool gadgetry to at least keep you somewhat occupied on the trainer.

Hope John is doing well and am also looking forward to his 1st post-op post.

-Brian

Dear Pat - have you heard of this happening?  Doctor says things are just fine, but here's what happened....Got back home May 11th after a 4-1/2 day stay at the hospital.  Had some complications - the surgeon sheered off a pin and had to leave it in (my bones were so hard, they burned out a router in surgery).  Had a 101 to 101.5 fever right after surgery (Wednesday) and through Friday.  Then temperature spiked and receded back to normal a couple of times.  Saturday had to have 2 pints of blood infused, as my red cell count was too low.  Sunday was discharged, but with prescription for potassium as that level was too low.  Ride home was uncomfortable and my leg was swollen.  Swelling has gone down alot now.  Any reply would be appreciated.Thanks.  John

Hi John

I had heard of one other patient that had very, very hard bones. Dr. De Smet said it was one of the most difficult surgeries he had done.  It took much longer to shape the femur bone for the cap.

At least you must have really good bone stock!

I know of one patient that had a drill broken off during an osteotomy for AVN. 

So you are not alone with a souvenir of surgery.

Some people have had fevers and blood loss. You are not alone there either.

I hope you can continue to ice your leg and you will be feeing better soon.

Keep in touch.

Pat

John,

I am sorry to hear that things are going a little rough.  It sounds from Pat's response that it is not totally unusual so that is a positive thing.

I wish you the best of luck on your recovery and I hope things begin to improve sooner rather than later

-Brian 

Hi John, I hope things are getting better for you.
What's the prognosis? Do you have weight-bearing restrictions?
My leg was swollen from knees up to butt after both surgeries, with the butt especially swollen. I didn't do too much with ice, so that probably explains a lot of it. After a couple weeks the swelling receeded.
On my second surgery (had them 5 weeks apart), I was placed on weight bearing restrictions (25%), which was an incredible hassle compared to getting around on 1 crutch or cane. I don't know if it's coincidence or not, but my doc also mentioned extreme bone density and really having to put his shoulder into the reaming. I'm guessing that it is easier to ream precisely against a softer surface.
On the positive side, and if you are on restrictions, healing occurs while on restrictions: the bone does grow and fuse and meld, I could work on some of the basic physical therapy. It was kind of depressing in that after a month, I felt  like I was approximately where I was after 10-14 days after the 1st surgery. But when the restrictions were removed, in 1 week I was close to being caught up to the previous, non-restricted surgery.
Good healing,
-Dirk

Sorry it has taken me so long to reply, but have found that I get tired extremely fast and don't have a lap-top to type in bed and sitting at the computer has been very uncomfortable. it is day 11 since surgery and things are going much more smoothly. Am off the pain meds, tyllenol manges just fine. I take my 10-15 minute walks 3 /4 times a day, increasing a little everytime. The ice therapies is slowly bringing down the swelling in my thigh but still about twice the normal size as normal. Range of motion is getting better, too. Was just a little concerned and depressed that everything didn't go perfectly, but I feel better everyday and can't really detect any of the original hip pain, which is nice. See the doctor on friday for my first checkup. I am on weight bearing restriction but feel pretty stable on two crutches. Thanks Dirk and Brian for your  encouragement, I need it a times, and especially to you Pat for your prompt and knowledgeable answers, pretty awesome. Will be in touch regularly. Daytime tv is a wasteland.  Thanks John

Hi John

Glad things are going a little better for you.  They will get better in time.  Sometimes you will take 2 steps forward and one backwards.  You will plateau and seem like you are not making progress, then all of a sudden you will do better.

It is all part of the healing process that can't be hurried.  I wish you the best of luck.  It takes quite awhile to get all your strength back too.  Surgery really takes a toll on your body.

You are on the road to recovery.  Good Luck and keep in touch when you can.

Pat

John,

Little over 2 weeks, how's it going ?  I was encouraged to hear that things were improving from your last post.  Hope the recovery continues to progress and look forward to your next report.

John and Dirk,
As far as the daytime TV wasteland (not looking forward to that) take heart, the Stanley Cup Finals start soon  :)  My team of rooting interest (Flyers) just got knocked out by those stinkin Pens (pretty good team eh).  Despite popular belief I think it will be a good series with the Red Wings.  Any thoughts ?

-Brian

Brian,Dirk, Pat, et al
Well I had my first post-op visit on Friday 5/23 at U of Washington Medical Center. Saw the physicians assistant and everything seems to be going well. She showed me the x-ray of my hip so I got a good look at the extra sliver of metal I have piggy-backing on the main prosthesis. Looks kind of weird but was again told, it will not affect my health or impede anything I should be able to do once I have fully healed. Got good news in that the 22 staples in my leg came out. No pain involved, just a slight pulling on the skin. Was told the wound is healing nicely and was given a better weight restriction (50%) on the repaired leg. Also am going to set up some p/t but not sure I really need it. Dirk, did you do any P/t, just curious. No more anti embolism stockings, man what an itchy no good feeling after 2 weeks. Good riddance to those. Have been having real trouble sleeping(usually not a problem for me). Awake until 3 or 4 am everyday, up at 7 or 8. After 20 years of starting work at 6 am and being up at 5 am this is really messing with my body clock. Just can't get comfortable and my brain won't shut off when it is supposed to. Was given a prescription for ambient, took it last night and got a solid 8 hours without waking up once, something to consider when you do yours. Have been off narcotics since 5/18, the P/A was pleased at that since most prior patients would be staring to get weaned off the stuff after first post-op visit. I am moving around pretty good and looking forward to ditching the crutches. I see Dr Weisstein in another month, more x-rays then and hopefully another good prognosis. After the first week problems (when I was wondering what i had gotten myself in to) I am moving along at a very acceptable rate and feeling more like myself everyday.

I am rooting for the Red-wings, God bless Chris Chelios he is older than me and still going. Also Chris Osgood played his juniors for the Seattle Thunderbirds(awhile ago on that too) and I used to watch him play quite a bit. The Penguins are the team of the future but hope the veterans can teach the pups one more lesson. Detroit in six games. Just glad the teams aren't from Atlanta or some such  place.

Hope everything is going well with you Pat and Dirk, and Brian hope you aren't hobbling around too badly. Talk back at ya soon, 
John

Hi John

Glad to hear things are going well for you.  It is always good to get rid of the TEDS. 

Sleeping at night is difficult for most people.  Taking a few Ambient won't hurt anything and maybe you will feel better with a little more sleep.

You will start to feel much better and sleeping will be easier.  I was able to sleep on my unoperated side about 9 days post op with a big pillow between my legs.  Have you tried that?

Good luck and keep in touch. 

HE SCORES!!!!!!!!    :D ;D

Pat

Hi John,
Glad to hear the progress. It's kind of ironic with the healing, where the rate of progress probably diminishes over time -- in the first couple weeks I went from not being able to move my leg at all sideways with adductors (or abductors - always get those mixed up) or up in the air with those leg lifts. And then you go from nothing to getting movement back. As time goes by - between months 1 and 2 - it's more a matter of degree, but at some point that degree lets you do something that's very important to getting back to normal life. Almost everyday I find something way better: getting into the car, getting over the tub and into the shower, putting on pants without having to sit down, tying my own shoe, going from 1 or 2 sleeping positions to 3, 4, until it's not really an issue anymore, etc.
You'll love life when you get off the crutches. No more backpack, no more multiple trips to carry a cup of coffee and newspaper. They hold you back while things heal, but when you lose them, your walking ability should come quickly to nearly catch up to where you would be if you hadn't had the restrictions.
In retrospect, sleep was probably my biggest problem the first month: discomfort from only having 1 or 2 positions available, worry about keeping a pillow between knees when I usually don't do that. Although I wasn't in pain, it was still enough discomfort to interfere with sleep. But I've found that sleep gets much better, although gradually, after 3 or 4 weeks. Hope you have the same progression.
After my second surgery, I asked for and received sleeping pills. But when I asked my Dr. for his advice/opinion, he said that if I usually don't have problems sleeping, then the sleeping pills aren't really targeting the problem, which was pain/discomfort from surgery. He advised taking the long-duration pain pills. I tried each alternating for a few nights, and found that even though I didn't consider myself in pain, the codeine-based pills addressed the discomfort, and I slept as well or better with those than with the sleeping pills. I used them for 2 or 3 weeks before bed (it's all kind of a narcotic haze :-) )after my 2nd surgery and wish I had after my first.
You asked about PT. I had 'garden variety' PT for the first 3 or 4 weeks - standard exercises for both hip replacement and resurfacing. Because I was resurfacing, I had 120 ROM limit nstead of 90 deg, but it's kind of moot in that I couldn't get 90 even in these early days. With my weight restrictions, I couldn't do weight-bearing exercises after the 2nd, but again, it was a pleasant surprise to see how quickly I caught up with where I was on the other leg, after the restrictions were removed.
My athletic endeavors have shifted to riding bike in the past couple years, I got a referral to a woman who specializes in cycling-aware PT. I'm seeing her every other week, starting at 5 weeks post-op. Her main focus is glutes, glutes, glutes. That focus is based on a return to cycling, but from what I've read about rehab from hip resurfacing, it's good protocol regardless.
As for the Stanley cup, I'm not a Wings fan, and I'm not happy. We lived in Seattle in the late 80s- mid 90s and probably were in the coliseum watching Osgood and the Thunderbirds with you. That was a great place for watching hockey -- played a few games there too with mens league teams.
Good luck and good healing,
-Dirk

John, Dirk

How's the healing coming ?

John, I imagine your next follow up is coming up soon, hope all goes well and am anxious to hear how you're doing.

Dirk, How's the cycling going?

I am scheduled in a little over 2-weeks, June 25th and am getting a little anxious :-\

P.S. John, you sure called the Detriot series, nice job by you  :)

I'm scheduled for bilat. I occurs to me that come "potty time" I'm going to have some pretty sore buns. What do you do about this other than "grin an bear it".

John I'm eager to hear how your recovery is going. Hope it's progressing well. While I'm not happy that Detroit hoisted the Cup, it was a good series, good hockey, and you have to hand it to Detroit.
Brian, wow time flies. Your surgery is coming up. I wish you the best.
My recovery is coming along well. I'm still cycling on the training stand, but getting better endurance and even though it's the stand, I can tell that out of saddle is MUCH smoother than it was even a few weeks ago. PT consists of emphasis on working glutes but my ROM / flexibility was really bad, so now we've added that to the regime. Lots to work on, but it's encouraging to see progress.
About the Potty question, I can't answer for the simultaneous bilateral part because my surgeries were 5 weeks apart. I can say that my incisions didn't really hurt, more of a numb feeling - somebody described it as a feeling of sitting on brick. So maybe it won't be a problem :-) Hope not.
-Dirk

Thanks for the reply about the "potty issue". "Numb" sounds good about now. I'll give all of you complete details of my "bilat" expereince in a couple of weeks.

Dirk,

Sounds like your recovery is going well.  Keep up the cadence !

xocy,

Sorry I can't help with the potty issue as I have no experience in the resurfacing surgery yet let alone a bilat.  You should try your own post, maybe other members who have experience will respond.

-Brian

After surgery, is there a diet that will promote healing?

Also, I know this web site is devoted to "resurfacing", but it seems that THR gets a REALLY bad rap here. Everyone is enthusiastic after they have had a procedured that was sucessful, but I belive there is more than "one way to skin a cat". That having been said, I'm going the resurfacing route on 6/23 and on 6/25.

The message board at the bonesmart.org website is guilty of down playing "resurfacing". I have been a frequent poster there because it has is a lot of good information there. The moderator threaten to ban me from posting because, on several occasions, I suggested that a person consider resurfacing. 

I like the idea of having one board to openly discuss all options. How about y'all !

Hi

I don't think anyone means to give a THR a bad rap, we just feel it is not the best solution for many of us.  As you know there are plenty of old fashioned doctors and other people that don't agree.  So I always try to increase people's knowledge about hip resurfacing.

I know that some people can't have a hip resurfacing, don't want one or are ready for a revision from a hip resurfacing to a thr due to a few unusual problems.  So I do support THRs and have a whole website  http://www.hipsforyou.com (http://www.hipsforyou.com) dedicated to it and a growing discussion group  http://http://www.hipsforyou.com/totalhiptalk/ (http://http://www.hipsforyou.com/totalhiptalk/)

I just don't mix them both on one website.  I have a handful of people that use to be here, but chose a thr or had a revision over there helping people with their thrs.  The THR information is changing and people need to keep up on that too.  The new materials, ceramics, and short stem THRs are of interest.

So I invite anyone wanting to talk THRs over to that group.  I try to be very pro active THRs also since people need to learn and be up to date.

Any of the younger people with hip resurfacings might just face a thr in 10 or 20 years.  Who knows at this point.

I won't ban anyone for having discussions here, I just don't want big battles.  If people want to get into the real technical stuff - I will give them their own Technical Stuff section!!!!  I want to keep this an open and friendly place for people to learn and find support.

Pat

Hi All,
Yesterday was my five week anniversary and things are going well. No miracle one month recovery but nice steady progress toward normality. I have started p/t in the pool and am enjoying the results such far. Feel like I am on vacation with the family (only time I ever swim). Did have a hard time finding my suit though.  I also had started on some of the machines, bicycle, leg lifts,etc. but nothing crazy, just staying within myself. Lots of strengthening excercising. Still taking my walks down the neighborhood farther afield every day.Hardest part is stopping to talk to my neighbors while still accomplishing what I am out there for. They all mean well with their concern though. I see my doctor on the 23rd of June, hopefully some more restrictions lifted and a clean bill of health. That's how I am doing, enjoyed the hockey, especially the 3 or was it four overtime game. Fleury put on a clinic in goal. Do you guys remember the size of our goal equipment compared to the later generations ? Our stuff looks like little kid stuff and what happened to the Cooper equipment, that was pretty much all I wore for years. Getting older.

As for the "potty question, you will buy some equipment which will make your life easier including a raised toilet seat, a God-send, don't leave home without it.

Dirk, you sound like the recovery is going smoothly, and I have a suspicion we may have played against each other. Does the Cascade Hockey league ring a bell ? Maybe not, but The late eighties through about 2001 was when I was playing alot in the Seattle area. Just wondering. Bears vs Storm? Hope everything is staying on track.

Brian if you want a more detailed view of my day of surgery and stay on the hospital just let me know, don't want to bore you otherwise. Keep a good attitude time has a way of flying.

Thanks Pat, you rock.

John

Hi John,
Wow, I'm blown away to find out that we played against each other back when. I can't believe I was sending good wishes to a member of The Storm. I take it all back.
This is a public forum, so I should explain that Cascade Hockey League Bears vs. Storm rivalry was like Yankees-Red Sox plus Bears-Packers to some exponontial degree. My therapist gets tired of hearing about the league championship where the format was a 2 game playoff (what genius thought of that?), and then after we each took a game, the shootout was tied, so they went to head-to-head results during the season (also tied), and then they gave you guys the trophy based on goal differential during the season. It was something crazy like that. Jesky scored a big goal during the championship 2nd game, and I also recall the last regular season game when Holstein scored a garbage goal in the final minute (to make a 6-2 game 6-3 or something) and he celebrated out of proportion. Came to find out that he must have known that goal differential was part of the tie-break criteria. And speaking of the differences in equipment, to add injury to insult, literally, that goal hit an unpadded part on the inner thigh and gave me the biggest black-and-blue mark I'd ever received--until a partial hamstring tear years later. What Holstein lacked in finesse, he made up for with a heavy shot and a strong will to score. I liked his game.
But seriously, that was a good rivalry, and I also recall that we all went to a banquet room and smuggled in cases of beer after that game at the Coliseum. If you see any of those guys, give them my regards!
I had to laugh about your description of trying to get in walks for therapy and then getting pulled into conversations. I felt un-neighborly when  I would sometimes look out the window to check if the coast was clear before heading out.
Your surgery (with restrictions) sounds a bit similar to my 2nd surgery (crutches for a month - 25% weight bearing). But it's good that you can still do the PT. You're gaining the benefits of recovery based on your work, but with your restrictions, you don't really see the results. When the restrictions are lifted, you should zoom ahead to nearly catch up to where you would be if you hadn't been under restriction. At least that's how it seemed to me.
And a note to Brian, to add to our cycling discussion, I went on the road yesterday! I was joking about the difference between that and my indoor compu-trainer-like rig: the scenery really envelopes you as you ride, there are bumps in the road, and stop signs, and puddles, and such. But it was great to really ride again. I took it pretty easy: 45 min, 10 miles, under 15 mph avg on a flat course.
The ride provided another aha moment to the recovery. Unlike Cory Faulk (for e.g., who writes in this site about completing an ironman 3 mo post-surgery), this isn't my profession, and I'm trying to strike a balance between doing all I can to promote recovery while avoiding risk of overworking and also while staying employed in my real job. A couple weeks ago, I would have thought Cory's surgery must have been entirely different from mine or the reports of his ironman were a hoax - not seriously, but it was that unimaginable. After yesterday, it's within the realm of conceptual possibility. Not for me of course, not where I'm at, but I could imagine it being done.
Keep up the recovery,
-Dirk

Dirk,
Too late, I have already reaped the benefits of your good wishes. Cool that my putting the pieces together from our posts was correct and we did have those games in common, along with cranky hips. It seemed either you guys or us won the league most every year. I believe league president Bob Peterson was responsible for that anti-climatic ending you referred to, how lame. Speaking of Holstein, playing pickup with him cost me a cracked helmet plus numerous bent cages, bruises, and ringing ears over the years. Nice guys in that league but have not run across any of them in a long long time.
I am  just getting back from another p/t  pool session and can't recommend it highly enough. I really feel much stronger after finishing my drills and my leg is happy with me afterwards because of the non weight-bearing of the water.I see my Doctor Monday, ready to test out the leg a little more. Hope your cycling keeps progressing well and you get back to 100% soon.
Brian,
June 25th is coming up and my surgery also was on a Wednesday, must be a good day for surgeries. If we don't hear from you beforehand, good luck to you, it has been a long journey to recovery but you do eventually get there.
talk at ya soon John

John and Dirk,

Thanks for sharing your experience.  My surgery was moved up to Monday, I will post how it went.

It's awesome that you guys played against each other, hearing the hockey stories has added to my motivation to return to playing.  We will see !

Thanks Boys

 I went for my checkup Monday( six weeks out from surgery) and everything is progressing nicely. The implant is melding into place, no movement and I am now on one crutch and was told to progress as my body dictates.( I have a cautious physician) My doctor, who is about my age (43), told me that if it was him who was laid up for 6 weeks on crutches, he might be tempted to just go for it now, but he said, don't go for it yet. No sense in screwing it up this late in the game. We talked and looked at the x-ray of the implant were  the sliver of metal sheared off. He talked to reps from Birmingham and told them he was upset that it happened, but was told it shouldn't effect me in any way, so I hope that part is true ! I see Dr. Weisstein on August 4th and he said I should be good to go and back to living my normal life with no weight restrictions. It is fantastic to not have the constant pain that I had before the operation. Still have a little discomfort from the surgery but other than that I only have pain when I put my leg in a position it isn't ready for. My repaired leg is weak from inactivity but I am working hard on my P/t and getting stronger every week. I will be back on the golf course before I know it. The UW tv crew has been along filming this entire process and will be interested to see how it all turns out.I will figure out how to post it when they are all done, not sure how that stuff works. Well thats it for now, will be glad to reach the finish line. Hope all is well with all who are reading this and if anyone has any questions please feel free to contact me. Dirk, Storm forever!!!

Hi JB

Sounds like you are doing great.  You doctor has given good advice, take it easy.  You have the rest of your life to "go for it"

When the video is done you can upload it to the Surface Hippy Video site   http://www.surfacehippyvideos.com/ (http://www.surfacehippyvideos.com/)   Then I can get it and put it on the video pages on the regular website.  You can always email me if you are having problems.  You can also send me a DVD that I can convert and put on the website.

I hope your recovery continues to go well.

Pat

Hi John, glad to hear that your recovery is going well. It just gets better! Today's little aha moment for me was going to the grocery store and realizing that I wasn't using the cart as a walking-aid, as I had done pre- and post-surgery.
I went to a mens league hockey game yesterday to watch a few former teammates. Haven't played in probably 3 yrs, but after watching that game, I can conceptualize it. I wouldn't attempt getting back between the pipes until a year post surgery, and discretion may still keep the pads hung up in the garage, but I did catch the bug.
I hope your recovery continues apace.
-Dirk

Recovery sneaks up on you just like a bad hip chips away slowly at your active life.

You start doing little things you don't even think about.  It just gets better and better.  You will find you also might have plateaus where all of a sudden things get a whole lot better.  I found that at 4 weeks and at about 6 months.

Good Luck. Keep up the good recovery.  Enjoy the new hip.

Pat

John,

Happy to hear that things are going so well now in your recovery.  Let us know when you are able to post the video. 

Also, thanks for your well wishes prior to my surgery, I appreciated it.

-Brian

Hi to all especially my fellow net-minders. Just checking in after my one year checkup this last week. Dr. Weisstein took x-rays and the like and I was given a clean bill of health. Everything was were it was supposed to be, good bone growth with no sign of slippage or wear. I will continue to see him once a year or until he tells me there is no need to come in, if that ever happens. No more bone on bone or arthritis pain. I still know that I have had major surgery in the recent past, but i don't have to think about planning every activity making sure my hip would hold up to it.  I guess what I am trying to say is, I think about how lucky I am to have a second chance to be active again. I feel really good about the way things have turned out, the few prior years I had been pretty stagnant and in a lot of increasing  pain. So any of you who are struggling with your recovery or deciding on this surgery, there is light at the end of the tunnel. You will feel better. The film crew who documented my journey has posted this story at the following site. Go to uwtv.com and punch in hip resurfacing in there search engine. My doctor is pretty cautious in who he thinks is a candidate for the procedure but you can form your own judgments with the great information on this site. I found it quite interesting how pudgy I was at the beginning of my journey compared to the end, having lost about 20 pounds. I don't think hockey is in my future but is sure is nice to be able to go to work and enjoy my family and hobbies again. I'll just tune in to nhl and enjoy our local minor league team. Sorry this is so long but just wanted to give encouragement to those who need it, and to express my sincerest gratitude to Pat and everyone who makes this site so great. John

P.S. Dirk, sorry about the team photo they use in the video, that was the championship game you referred to in an earlier post, 1993 was a long time ago buddy.