Well figured I would get my thread started, since right hip surgery is about a month away. I am a little nervous about having the metal in my body, but I dont have an alternative.
After going through two unsuccessful scopes I just want to be pain free. I am confident in Dr. Gross and his staff.
Should be interesting comparing the recoveries.
Larry
Good luck Larry! I'm there for bilateral surgery in about 5 weeks and am really nervous too but also ready to get past it and get a recovery started.
Your probably the same week as me. Dr.Gross wanted to do one at a time since I have alot of joint space still. I will try to schedule the left in June if possible.
Sounds good. I have one thats completely shot and the second one has become more of a problem recently so we decided to do both. I know it's going to be rough but am looking forward to it as much as I'm scared.
Best of luck, maybe we'll do some walker races down the hallway... lol...
Wishing you both the best. Dr Gross is great. You are in good hands.
Best of luck to both of you, and as blinky says, you're in good hands!
You are in great hands!!!
To a speeding recovery!
I am in South Carolina, got the pre op appointment tomorrow. Let's hope the dexa scan goes well.
Larry
Go Larry! Hoping you get good Dexa numbers. Have a nice dinner out.
Gooooo Larry!
I'm fresh outta surgery and doing well. Everyone is soooooo nice. You're in good hands.
Quig! Glad you are doing well. Looking forward to a full report.
Great news Quig!
Larry - you are in the on deck circle
Yeah can't wait sitting in the car for 9 hours is torture on my hips. Sitting for me probably causes the worst pain.
Good Luck Quig. Wishing you a quick, event free recovery.
Pat
Just saw Dr. Gross bone density is spot on, right came in at .9, surgery tomorrow 730am. Odd part on my dexa scan the left side was 1.4 borderline for fast track(1.5 is the cut off).
I am having the left side done in October as he wants me to wait 6 months. Start taking supplements next week.
Larry
Best of luck tomorrow Larry! I'm sure it'll all go well. Let us know how you're doing!
Also, good luck on the second hip bone density. I was really close to the cut-off too (and my non-op leg was actually lower than the cutoff). I'm hoping I can get the density up a little before I need that leg done (or at least just make that so far in the future that I don't care anymore!)
Had my surgery this AM. Well oiled machine is an understatement, between the hospital and Dr. Gross's team, you would think you are getting a tooth filled at the dentist, not a major surgery. Kudus to all of them.
My surgery was uneventful in his words, but he did find a part of the femur worn with no cartiledge and acetabulum worn to nothing in the same spot. This was causing the chronic pain 24/7. So although I had decent joint space in the rest of the joint, I feel the correct choice was made doing an HR. No other solution was present, another scope and microfracture would have been a waste.
I think I will be fine, so far I was able to walk a short period and be full weight bearing. My pain is minimal now from the surgery. I will get more details on the condition of the joint and his findings when ge visits me tomorrow.
Larry
Great! Sounds like your surgery was a big success. Now kick back, get some rest and let the healing begin!
Also, be ready... you'll have a busy day tomorrow. There will be very regular visits checking on you and the PT/OT folks will be by to help.
Sounds good. So your pain had a concrete, identifiable source.
Let the healing begin!
Blinky, yes I just saw Dr. Gross. He stated I was complete bone on bone on one spot. He seemed more at ease about the surgery as he was hesitant to even do it because of the joint space on the X-ray.
Until the hip is open you can never see the entire damage. Not too bad pain level, although my blood pressure got really low when I went to stand up, had to lay back down.
Larry
Great new Larry.
I wish you a speedy recovery.
It's nice to know that you have little post op pain.
I'm now 15 days out and no cane needed.
Dr. Gross and his team are precision tuned.
I had really low blood pressure in the afternoon after my surgery. The nurses and PT people started calling me "Casper" as apparently I went white as a sheet and started pouring sweat when I stood up that first day. No way I was going for a walk with my blood pressure like that! I think I managed to sit down about 3 seconds before I was going to faint. Totally fine the day after though.
When the pt and nurse stood me up for the first time the morning after my surgery (my surgery was late in the day) my bp dropped to 87/50. They had to sit me back down before I passed out. They tried again after a minute or two, and while it didn't drop quite so low, it was too low for me to anything but sit back down. So, my first attempt at getting up a walking was a failure, too. It was probably a couple of hours later before I could safely stand up, and even then my blood pressure was dropping. It was enough that I almost didn't get out of the hospital that day, but in the afternoon things picked up, all was well, and I went home. So, don't worry too much about this, it's not uncommon.
Low blood pressure for me, too ... my cousin who is a NP in Labor & Delivery said it's not uncommon with a spinal. I did walk some at the hospital but it almost got me again on the way home, so be careful... Glad yours went well!
Yep, super normal to almost pass out after a spinal.
My operated leg seems to be loosening up a bit. It was hurting this am, but I am seeing some improvement in the pm. Stayed another day in SC as the drive back to Miami is 10 hours. So far all good.
The pain meds are giving me awful headaches. Hopefully drop them soon.
Larry
I am sorry about the headaches. Can you take a different drug? Once you get safely home you can experiment with taking less pain medication. That was my strategy anyway: get home, get settled, get off the narcotics. When I was back in my own environment and could control better what happened when, I was able to stop taking them.
Make sure you drink lots of fluid and stay super hydrated.
Dehydration can cause headaches.
Also- spinal punctures can cause headaches too.
Pack a cooler full of ice so you are comfortable on your drive.
I found putting the seat in complete recline mode was the most comfortable.
Quote from: Ljpviper on April 15, 2016, 01:47:36 PM
My operated leg seems to be loosening up a bit. It was hurting this am, but I am seeing some improvement in the pm. Stayed another day in SC as the drive back to Miami is 10 hours. So far all good.
The pain meds are giving me awful headaches. Hopefully drop them soon.
Larry
Made it back to Miami. Good news operated hip no groin pain from sitting. That was one of my major problems. Left hip bothered all the way back. Surgical pain tolerable, and those lovely cracks and pops.
Two take always for my next surgery for the left. Go into the surgery as light as possible, I weigh 210, best weight for me 180, would have made a difference. Do not lay in bed cause of pain. I laid in bed all day yesterday, you can't, need to work the leg.
I am only 3 days out but your leg is useless thus were lighter bodyweight and upper body strength is key.
Glad to hear you made it back and the trip wasn't too bad Larry.
Yup, the leg is utterly useless initially. Don't worry, it'll get better every single day for a while yet!
Day 5, woke up feeling better, hip is getting some strength. Sleeping is still a PIA. Want to wean of the hard meds, improvements come quick.
Thanks for all the support.
Larry
Glad you feel better. Just being at home helped me a lot.
As far as moving around goes, even if I was just sitting, I tried to sit in different places during the day, moving from the recliner to the kitchen table and back again. Getting outside even if it is just for a stroll to the end of driveway helps, too.
Are you going for short walks with the crutches outside? I found that really helped.
Walks out in the fresh air will help.
Keep the faith.
day 6. Sleeping is still challenging. I was able to carefully rollover with a pillow between my legs and sleep on my stomach, with just my feet dangling off my bed. Getting stronger my pain is more focused on upper quad, kinda where your psoas passes threw, pain then flows down to the knee. Not too bad, but you feel it if you move too quickly.
I guess I need to be careful not to over do it, and just stick with his rehab and walking a few times a day outside. Still on two crutches have not attempted to go down to one.
Larry
Larry
Remember it's a marathon not a sprint.
I had the same trouble sleeping as you do. I ended up taking the narcotics to help me sleep at night. About the 10th day is when I think I was able to flip onto my right side the non-operated side And sleep in the fetal position.
I promise you you will see daily improvements.
Keep the faith. You are going to do well.
Wow a week allready, I can take a few steps without crutches. I am not rushing the recovery, I was 6 weeks no weight bearing when I had the scopes.
I dropped the morphine, let's see when I can drop the oxi.
Sounds like progress Larry! Nice!
So feeling good on day 10. Sitting on the couch I can feel than annoying pain in my left hip still. The right operated hip no pain sitting. I am thrilled just to sit without pain.
I will start progressing to one crutch today. I went into the surgery with good muscle strength in my hips, so I think that helped.
I think I will go see Dr. Gross for my follow up. I was debating to spend the money to fly up too see him for the follow up. The travel cost will be like 600 total, but I feel it's worth it.
I want to discuss my surgery and the plan for my left hip.
Thanks to all for the support.
Larry
Keep up the good work Larry. I'm glad to read that you're progressing well!
I am walking with no crutches, so making progress. Getting some burning pain in my psoas. Anyone have that when returning to walking?
Larry, I'm having a little bit of that too. In my case it's noticeable on my right side only. Not a huge problem but just a little annoying at times. It seems to be improving a little each day...
My psoas was *very* angry for a while (particularly with extended standing, even a couple of months post-op). Just take it easy, ice, etc.
Thanks all I have been avoiding any leg lifts, don't want psoas tendonitis. Figured it comes with the recovery, good to hear it's somewhat normal.
Yup. I'd still do the heel slides though (shouldn't be doing leg raises until after 6 weeks at the earliest anyway, and take it easy when you do start them).
I stopped doing leg raises years ago and any other type of hip flexor excersise. I bet it's grumpy trying to adjust to the new joint. My glutes and add/abductots feel great. I was really working on them and core strength up to the surgery.
All my issues started with a sports hernia style pain on the left side back in 2009, thus is why I avoided leg lifts so long.
Thanks,
Larry
Well it will be three weeks on Wednesday. Went to work yesterday no crutches. People are we're amazed how fast I am recovering. They have seen me go through the scopes missing six weeks of work on each. I have been with the same company for 16 years so many old timers know my 7 year hip saga.
Interesting my knee pain on the left side that I would get is completely gone. Now this is the non resurfaced side, which still has damage from the failed scope. It will be interesting after the 6 week restrictions are up how much pain I still have on the left side. It's been better now since I had the right corrected, but I have not been excersising just walking and phase one excersises. Once I can start more core I will know.
When I see Dr. Gross for the follow up we will discuss the left side. I scheduled the left for October. If the left side subsides enough where in the pain is minimal, I may hold off. My only fear is Dr. Gross retiring, but he is pretty young so I don't see that happening. I would not be comfortable with another surgeon doing the left side.
Thanks for all.
Larry
How's it going this week?
Hey Joe,
Good, I am walking a qtr mile in the am and pm, so half mile total,. I want to start using the pool on Sunday. I am still real stiff at times espeically evenings.
My fear is over doing at this point, so i am not pushing it.
Question for you, were you climbing stairs normal at 3 weeks, meaning surgical side up then followed by non surgical. I think i can do it just scared.
I have no limp, people are amazed at work!!!
Thanks,
Larry
Go Larry!
I could go up and down stairs normally at about week three, but wasn't officially allowed to until after week six. So I admit I tested my ability, saw I could do it, then didn't do it again until after six weeks.
That sounds fantastic. I definitely was not walking up stairs foot over foot at 3 weeks! I probably tried occasionally but it was far from stable. Mostly I waited until 6 weeks making a point of pushing that (all assuming my memory is good, which it definitely isn't!).
Thanks, I can wait till six weeks no rush.
Interesting though if your bilateral one hip has to come up, you have no choice.
Back in South Carolina, my follow up is at 930 today. I sat a lot and survived 3 airports and long lines. All is good.
Larry
Hope it goes well Larry!
Thanks Quig, I am back in Miami. Those connector flights are brutal. So I took a bunch of X-rays and he did a range of motion test. He was surprised how well I was able to walk and get up from a chair, my gait looked perfect to him.
My psoas scored a 3/5 and my abductor scored 5/5 in strengh. The pool has been helping so much. He was thrilled with my progress and basically being pain free. I was a grey area patient with a lot of joint space with prior failed scopes, so he was hesitant to operate.
If anything comes out of cases like mine [size=78%]is sometimes you need to push the surgeon. I wish I had done this back in early 2015 after I saw him on November 2014. I have not felt this good since late 2008, after that is was a that is was just years of battling failed scopes and constant hip pain.[/size]
Now it's on to phase 2, I have the rest of the week off looking forward to be off these restriction. Again thanks for all the comments and advice. This board has a great bunch of people on it, really helped me through this entire process. It also opened my eyes how important your health is and don't take life for granted, very humbling going from horrible chronic pain everyday to actually looking forward to gettin up in the mornings.
Larry
Yeah! Awesome news and a very thoughtful post.
I checked the board several times today and got a little worried when you didn't post an update. I didn't realize you were flying home so soon. That's a busy couple days!
It's great that Dr. Gross is happy with how things are progressing and that you're officially on to phase 2. I did my 6 week X-rays today and have my PT appt on Friday. I'm really not looking forward to the delay of getting to talk with Dr. Gross.
I hear ya on how life changing this all has been. My girlfriend and I were talking as I was making the decision to have the surgeries and she explained that living in chronic pain is bad for you in a multitude of ways. I had never thought of it that way but it certainly made sense and I believe she is right. Congrats on turning the corner and looking forward to a much happier pain free future! Keep up the good work!!
Glad you got such a good six week check up.
Think of the contrast between the trip home this time and six weeks ago!
Well figured I would give a quick update I am 8 weeks out.
I continue to progress my hip feels great. Started to work glutes and abductors more. Still a little hesitant with the forward leg lifts(psoas is touchy). I am climbing stairs normal just holding on to the rail.
I noticed my back acting up after I started stretching once the six weeks was up. It might be do to all the compensation for years of the bad hip. I am going to the gym daily and doing machines for upper body and just elliptical for lower.
My next step is to start Core-x resistance band training and really focus on planks, bridges, etc.
All in all I could not be happier with the surgery and Dr. Gross and his staff.
Larry
Time flies, doesn't it!?
Great to read that you're so pleased with the results. Keep up the good work and the progress!
Thought I would give a 20 week update, all is good. My hip keeps improving. Now doing single leg balancing, free standing squats, and tons of other hip exercises. Still getting an occasional psoas issue, but it seems to go away the next day. My bad hip complains a little, but I am postponing the surgery on that one till next year, I had an October date. I notice some days it barely bothers. I spoke to Dr.Gross last month, he says give it a year on your right and then see how the left feels day to day.
I got on my mountain bike and rode a few blocks yesterday, wow did that feel great. Dr. Gross likes his patients to wait the 6 months, for fear of falling. I was reading Dr.Su says it’s okay to bike outside at 3-4 months, but of course every surgeon has different protocols.
Anyone out there contemplating HR that have current FAI issues, just do it, best thing I could have ever done!!!!
Larry
20 weeks already? Can you believe how time flies!?
Really great to hear you're pleased with your surgery Larry. I'm in the same boat, I truly cannot believe how good I'm feeling and it just keeps getting better. 8)
Counting down to 6 months!!
Well I biked about 20 miles over the weekend and have been walking about an hour a day. My hip feels great. The more I push it the better it feels, I guess all the muscles are finally working properly.
I am going to focus on my core/posture, it has taken a beating since all these injuries from 2009. I notice I have anterior pelvic tilt, which I am working on correcting.
Larry
Great job Larry! New hips are awesome! 8)
Thanks a lot Quig, its nice that you are recovering so well, since we had them done the same week. Again, I think it all comes down to picking the surgeon, you cannot go wrong with Dr.Gross and his staff.
Larry
Well I tested out my new hip not the way I intended. My lab got attacked by two pit bulls, I had to sprint after one pitbull, I jumped on top of it and choked it till the owner could get the collar on. The other I had to pick up over my shoulder. One of the scariest things that ever happened to me.
My adrenalin took over once I saw my dog being attacked. Lucky she only got five puncture wounds around her neck. She seems to be ok I took her to the vet.
My hip feels good from all the jumping/cutting and sprinting.
Quote from: Ljpviper on November 01, 2016, 05:57:09 PM
I had to sprint after one pitbull, I jumped on top of it and choked it till the owner could get the collar on.
I've never heard of any resurfacing doctors suggesting that you not wrestle pit bulls, so you're probably good to go.
-Bernie
p.s. holy crap, that's a crazy test of your hip!
Yikes! Not the way you want to test your hip. I'm glad your pup is ok and that your hip passed the test. And great job protecting your dog, I would have done the same thing if something came after my girl.
I too had an interesting 'test' last week. I disturbed some yellow jackets while messing with some firewood. Before I knew it I was stung 4 times, once on the top of my head, once on my back and twice on my left leg. Without thinking I absolutely bounded for the nearest door to get inside and away from the swarm. I was pleasantly surprised at my capabilities! I was definitely a little sore the next day or two. I haven't moved like that in a very, very long time... 8)
Larry and Quig - great tests! Don't recommend to all folks, but glad you both came through OK. Good Luck. Pat
Well I am eight months out and did a jog/walk for 1.5 miles yesterday. That's the first time I have jogged in 8 years. My HS hip felt great. I had some joint pain in the non HR hip after running, but not bad today.
I am feeling it in the muscles today as expected. I miss running, so I am going to introduce it back every other day.
Amazing these HR components feel so natural. I never get why Dr.Gross told me I might not like the feel of it.
Regards,
Larry
Thanks for the update. Glad you are getting active again. Keep up the good work.
Pat