Hip Talk Forum About Hip Resurfacing

Hi guys,
I'm starting a new thread in the THR section.


So for people who may have not seen the other thread ([/size]Jan. 24/'11 HR in Ontario (http://surfacehippy.info/hiptalk/index.php/topic,2143.msg55571.html#msg55571)), [/size]here's my story, pretty much like many others, but maybe it'll help because of my location (I didn't see many from Ottawa).
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[/size]A quick recap on back history: I've always walked "like a cowboy".  Was in fact teased a lot about it.  We assumed it was because I was in fact a tom boy & was involved with horses since the age of 8.  By age 14, I began having severe, debilitating lower back pain.  Pain was always felt in the SI area as well but doctors didn't see a link with my hips. I had bad sciatica as well. I was in & out of PT clinics throughout my life.  As a teen, I was offered back surgery with a 50/50 it may or may not "cure" me.  Some docs said to stop riding, one doc said to continue doing what I wanted if my time was limited.  Might as well enjoy it & be smart about it.
[/size]
In college, the ITB started acting up in the left leg, making walking painful & feeling like I'd done something to my knee.  The on & off limping started.  By my 30's, I would start getting pain in the left hip.  The episodes would stop as quickly as they would start.  By my mid 30's I couldn't take the pain anymore when I had the debilitating off the charts episodes.   & my mentor noticed I had a blockage on my left side while riding.  She said maybe I should investigate it.

I had asked my doctor about it a lot throughout the years & she would say "Let's monitor it".  When it affected my day to day life  (lying on the floor, writhing in pain & screaming because OTC extra strong meds weren't doing anything...)  So when I pushed the issue, she decided I had bursitis & should get injections & physio.  I declined the injections but did go to a PT of my choice.  He was a client of ours & specialized in sports PT. 

After assessing me & trying exercises that should have helped, he (PT) watched me walking to the table one day & he saw one of the random sharp pains that rendered me to my knees.  He figured there was something else that needed to be seen by a hip surgeon.  He'd heard good things about this doc, there was a buzz about him bringing resurfacing to the Ottawa area.  So at the age of 36, in June 2006, I was sent to see doctor Paul Beaulé.

The x-rays showed a mild case of hip dysplasia, mild OA in the hips & a cyst in the left acetabulum .  I then had an MRA done which showed the damage done to the cartilage on the left femoral head.  Dr. Beaulé offered to do a scope to try & repair the damage done.  It would not "cure" me, there was a chance I could be worse off, a chance I could be the same & a chance I could be better.  All three of equal percentage of outcome.  I decided to give it a go & focussed on the chance I could be better.

I was put on celebrex & was asked to stop all activities so they could have a baseline to work from (eliminating the stressors & triggers).  Though the celebrex was a god send, my pain stopped within 24 hrs!  I started deteriorating fitness wise & started gaining weight.  And I was already always struggling with keeping weight off to begins with.

[/size]I was on a waiting list which was a minimum of 1 year.  In Nov. 2007, I finally had a debridement & micro perf. done.  I was told to stop taking celebrex.  The surgery had gone very well & was sent home that same day.  I was there (hosp) a total of 12 hrs.  I couldn't take the medication that was prescribed (I think it was oxy), the blood vessels in my eyes started rupturing, so I was put on Tylenol 3. Recovery was very long,  after 3 months of physio, I was regressing.  A year post op, I was still on the cane.  Two years post op, I was still not improving as long as I kept being active.  I had to quit my job as a therapeutic riding instructor & continue to modify my activities in my day job (I'm a sign maker & printer) which made it difficult as I couldn't fulfill all my duties.In 2009, Dr. Beaulé put me on the waiting list to get a resurfacing.  After a two year wait, I was finally scheduled for a Jan 2011 HR, only to have it cancelled 4 weeks prior because the x-ray showed my hip in the best shape it had ever looked!  I was still in pain though & my activities had to stop if I wanted to be pain free.Fast forward to 2014, the cane started making it's appearance again.  I asked my doctor if I could see my surgeon.  I was told to continue taking OTC meds & limit activities.  (I was with a new doctor).  I kept asking to please see Dr. B as I was slowly worsening.  I was offered cortisone shots, which I declined every time.  By 2015, my doctor retired & a new one took her place.  I asked again if I could see Dr. B.  and she refused to send me.  So I when I got home after our "meet & greet", I phoned another doctor near me & when I met her, I asked again"can I please see my surgeon!"  She said yes but only after having x-rays done & to consider getting a cortisone shot.  DEAL!X-rays came back showing bone on bone!  The hip was too far gone.  I was upset, frustrated, discouraged, angry.  Right away upon seeing the x-ray, my new doc sent me for an MRI of both hips, since the "good" hip had been very painful for the past 4 years because of taking the burden off the bad hip.  So that was in Nov. 2015, she also ordered an orbital x-ray (I work with metal).  By the end of Jan. 2016, I had my MRI done at the Kingston MRI.  I had to drive to Kingston but it was worth it since the wait period for an MRI in Ottawa was long & they had already lost 2 prior requisitions!  (I was not happy at all with them).
Unfortunately lost of kerfluffle happened & nothing got to Dr. B., so I ended up hand delivering the CD to his assistant, she found the requisition from my doctor & I was booked an appointment for April right on the spot!  Usually you must go through the Total Joint Assessment Clinic first but because of the situation & I was already a patient, went went the opposite way.[/font]

I saw Dr. Beaulé on April 11 & right away he saw that I was no longer a candidate for HR.  Bone on bone, no range of motion & severe arthritis in the left hip.  Moderate arthritis in the right hip but he decided not to focus on that hip for now.  I'm assuming that the pain, seizing & clicking that is happening in the "good" hip will subside once I get my THR as the burden will be taken off of it.  So I signed the papers, filled out a health questionnaire & was put on the 6 to 8 month wait period for surgery.  Disappointed I had to wait yet again but realistically, it was better this way as my house renovations are not done & I had to prepare a way that my sons could look after my horses over the winter & get my hay (700lb round bales) sorted.  I was also still sorting out my blood pressure, we were almost done tweaking with the meds.  I needed to see a dentist & 2 other medical issues.  I also wanted to try to lose some weight.  Being 5'1" at 161lbs... any weight loss would be a bonus.[/font]

I saw a nurse at the TJAC on April 25th & saw the artificial joint they were going to use.  She went through the steps with me of what to expect & how to prepare.  I jokingly asked if I could go on the cancellation list but we agreed that that probably would not happen.  Cancellations were rare & she was pretty sure some people were worse off than me.  Regardless that I wrecked my stomach from taking extra strength & prescription medication every day because of the pain. [/font]

So, my husband, my sons (they are adults, working & going to college) started to make plans for the next 6 months.[/font]

Two days ago, May 4th, I received a phone call from Dr. B's assistant, there was a cancellation, did I want the June 20th surgery slot?  I said yes!  I would be stupid to decline.  Yes I had planned a summer to try & do training with my horses, go off property & meet new people with them for the first time.  And yes, there is a risk I will have to hang up my spurs (as they put it) & not be able to ride again because we may not have a choice on the type & size of joint that will be used based on the condition of my hip once he's in there to have a good look & the size needed.  I will be very disappointed, devastated actually, as I was asked to stop riding 10 years ago & I have been longing to start up again so I could finally enjoy MY horses.  But will it be the end of the world?  No![/font]

So yeah, here we are, 10 years to the month since I was first told about Dr. Beaulé & finally had my hip pain properly assessed to needing to have a THR.  Not how I had planned, not surprised that it's how it ended up.[/font]

In case anyone is wondering, Dr. Beaulé uses the anterior approach, and uses either a ceramic on ceramic, or a metal on polyethylene.  You are discharged the day after surgery.  They usually use a spinal anaesthetic in conjunction with a general anaesthetic.[/font]

I'll keep you UTD as things progress. [/font] :)

What an incredible story!  :o


Best of luck with the surgery and I hope you have an excellent recovery. You're on your way to seeing a HUGE improvement in your daily life. Yes, its going to be tough at the beginning and it'll be slow going for a while but considering what you've been through you're plenty tough enough to handle it all...


I hope you're very happy with the results and are pain free SOON.  8)

I am so glad you are getting a solution to your hip problems.

There is nothing wrong with either the ceramic on ceramic or metal on polyethylene. Many people with those devices are very active without any problems.

You needed a solution and finally one is on the horizon for you.

Keep us updated.  I wish you the very best and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Pat

Ten years of hip pain...you are tough.


I am so glad you will finally find some relief---and you will! Once you don't hurt anymore and can be active again all those other little health issues will fall by the way side, too.


Good luck and keep updating us.

Yikes, sorry to hear what you had to go through. That must have been extraordinarily tough!

Yeah, well over ten years of pain, only ten since something was finally done to find the actual cause.  And frustration when you're shouting & no one is listening until it's too late, or actually find the right person to help you.  :(


Anyhoo...


Just got off the phone with the Riverside Hospital physio department, I'm booked to go to a 2 hr class on Monday late afternoon.  I am to arrive 40 min & go to the lab for blood tests.  Checking the iron if I heard right?  (my phone was dying, so kept beeping)  And I am to bring someone with me so they attend the class as well.  So I nominated my husband to tag along!  :-*


And how is my attempt at weight loss going?  Uhmmm... not too well... it was Mother's Day yesterday, we cooked for my mother & she sent all the leftover food back with us (for our hungry boys  ;) ) and there is soooo much cake & pie!  :P   

Though it would be best to get my teeth fixed or extracted now, I don't think I have enough time to get these looked after before the surgery date (I do think they'll have to extract 2 teeth  :( ) as I wanted to contact a new dentist (mine is about to retire, if he hasn't already, & we weren't happy with the last 3 failed fixes they did).


I think it can wait until late summer... not sure now.


Has anyone had to get teeth done (fillings/extraction) before or near the recommended 3 month post surgery wait?

I had an infected tooth a few weeks before my surgery. My surgeon told me to get it extracted and treat the infection. He did not want to do the surgery while there was any sign of infection or possible infection. I had the tooth removed, implant placed and then had resurfacing surgery. No problem, just a minor distraction leading up to the surgery.

Good luck to you.

Thanks Boomer.   :)


I called the new dentist & they just happened to have a cancellation for tomorrow.

You have good cancellation karma!

I should go buy a lottery ticket!  ;) ;D

My life sure hasn't been boring these past 11 days health wise that's for sure!  I managed to get a sunburn on the face & lips on April 30th.  So bad I got 3 stupid & nasty cold sores (now finally healing & done hurting but still icky to look at), then a few days later I get a UTI.  Fill in doc puts me on an antibacterial medication that makes me have nasty side effects (yay me!  ::) )  & last night I noticed my BP had been creeping back up in the 150's while taking a different BP medication for the past 3 weeks.  So off to the walk in I went this morning to nip this in the bud.


Doc decided to put me back on the coversyl plus (the medication that worked too well) so we could get the BP back in the normal range for surgery day.


Now I have a really sharp pain in the left hip & more crunching happening... Mind you, this is probably due to trying to get the jobs out the door & the house all sorted out.  It currently looks like a hoarder's house that had an explosion in it.  I will be glad when the renos are done! ;)

Dentist appointment went fairly well.  The carnage wasn't too horrific.   ;)   I have brittle & sensitive teeth, always have since I was little.  I got the bad teeth/gums genes, my brother got the good genes...  So glad I got it done today though.  I bleed a lot, I have bad gingivitis (though at a glance my smile looks fine)


My broken tooth has to come out (The repair didn't even last a month & more of the tooth had broken off shortly after.  IMO not worth saving) & the one next to it, which I thought was cracked, is indeed cracked.  The dentist will try to fix it but if she can't, I told her to take it out.  I'm not going to spend thousands of dollars on a compromised tooth.  There are two other teeth that need attention (one that was saved 12 years ago is chipping away & the other has a surface decay spot) but I was told they can wait until after surgery.


So of course they wanted to squeeze me in somehow & wouldn't you know it, there happened to be another cancellation just called in for next Friday!  I really should go buy a lottery ticket!  ;) ;D [size=78%]  [/size]

Just want to make sure, I'll be ok right?  If I get teeth extractions 4 weeks before surgery?


I've also put on hold a procedure (colonoscopy) & surgery (ligation).  At this point, I think my husband is the one that will have to go to the "vet's". ;)

I don't think there's any issue with tooth extractions prior to surgery -- you might get an ask not to have them for several months after surgery though. Having said that, checking with your surgeon is always the best idea.

I just read through the info package they sent me & it says 2 weeks prior.  Looks like I'm ok then.  :)

Good to hear :)

Mowing the lawn... not a good idea even if it's a self propelled.  Well at least it answered the question: how much walking on uneven terrain can you do?  Apparently, not much.  :o


And today: how long can you stand for?  1hr!


And how much noise (crunching, grinding, clunking, clicking etc) does the bad hip make?:  Well, as long as I'm doing stuff, it makes noise tec.



Thank goodness for the good meds & 5 weeks to go! ;D


But heyyyyy, my house will be finally nearly finished all the big renos!  (It's been gutted for the past 6 yrs as we've been fixing it.  It was built 1894 & the last owner did not upkeep it during its last 20 years)

Admitting department at the General called this morning.  I'm meeting my surgery team on June 6th.


I'm about to get ready to go meet the physio therapist, at the Riverside, for the Pre-hab program info session & get blood work.  I haven't been able to get my head in the game work wise all day.  But the office is tidier looking.  ;)

Went to the the pre-hab info session on Monday, the staff at the Riverside were so pleasant as usual!

Got bloods taken beforehand (at their lab).


So the nurse went through the info booklet (that we bring on the surgery day), passed around the THR & HR devices, showed us the items we would find helpful post surgery around the house.  The Do's & Don'ts.  Throughout, we were encouraged to feel free to ask any questions.


After the first hour, we went in the physio room, we each took a bed & we practiced 4 exercises that we were encouraged to start right away to prep the muscles before surgery.  This is to help post surgery when we continue the same exercises.  Unfortunately for me, I wasn't able to do the exercises properly, the pain & lack of range of motion made it too difficult.  I was frustrated.  I was told not to worry too much about it & just keep active at home.  And of course, being overwhelmed by all this build up, I did my best not to start crying.  I wasn't very successful since, I haven't been able to do any type of activity for quite a while & this surgery can't come soon enough, I seem to be going downhill fast hip wise.


Yesterday, I received a phone call from the Transfusion Medicine department (well, apparently they are the whole 3rd floor  ;) ) of the General Hosp.  They booked me for Tuesday next week to go over my blood tests, health & meds & let me know what to do to prepare for the big day.  I assumed that was going to be done at the June 6 appointment. 


But yeah, so far so good, I'm pretty impressed by the whole process so far since we got this ball rolling with Dr. B & his assistant.


And...  it kept niggling at me to find out why exactly I'm getting the THR instead of the HR.  I'm not disputing it, I trust Dr. B's judgement but I would like to be able to answer the question with an educated answer instead of "well I think it's because of this..." & I had a client ask me this question as well as he's starting his hip journey & is hoping he'll be a candidate for a HR.


So I sent an email this morning & not even 20 min later, Dr. B's assistant called me & booked me an appointment on Wednesday (next week) to speak to him directly.  She did ask me if there was a chance I was going to cancel the surgery & I told her no, I'm 100% going ahead with it.  I want my life back!  So of course my OH started telling me I shouldn't have done that (the email) as it sounded like I was second guessing & may back out.  Regardless that I mentioned twice that I was confirming going ahead with the surgery on the 20th.


I just want to know what exactly is going on with my hips, for my own peace of mind.  I honestly didn't have any questions when we met & the appointments are usually so rushed anyhow.  And the information he will give me on Tuesday will have no impact on my decision to go ahead with the THR next month.

I felt like my hips tanked once I set the surgery date, too. Some of it was real physical falling apart, some of it was letting myself feel how bad off I was after putting on a brave face for so long.


Glad you are having a face to face conversation with Dr B. You can go into surgery knowing exactly what the situation is.

Thank you!  Your reply means a lot!  It's so nice to have the support from people who have & are going through the same thing.   :)

Currently chilling on the couch... had two teeth extracted on Friday & one of them did not want to come out.  Took 1.5hrs to pull it out.  The other tooth came out nicely thank goodness.  I came back home with jobs that clients were getting upset weren't ready to pick up.  So I did my best to get them done.  Halfway through one of them, mouth full of blood, pain staring in the bone (half of face still well frozen) & face starting to swell... I had to go rest like the dentist had recommended.

I had my appointment with the Transfusion Medicine department to go over my blood test taken last week.  Hemoglobin is very good but iron is very low.  So more tests were ordered & I was given a prescription for iron supplements (300 mg twice a day).


I'm running out of time slots to where to squeeze all this in, in the morning.  ;)   Won't be so bad once I'm done the antibiotics on Saturday.


Tomorrow I see Dr. B & I get to ask him all sorts of questions & other than to explain what going on with both hips, what to expect & how to proceed with the "good" hip & why I was no longer a HR candidate, I am drawing a blank for any other questions.  I'm going to bring up the ball size.


Any other questions I should ask?  I already know he uses the anterior approach.

I will be interested to hear what he says.


As far as what to ask, Pat has a good list on this site that can be modified for THRs. And she has a THR specific list on hipsforyou.com. Since you have an active job, I'd be sure and ask about any short or long term restrictions that would affect your ability to work.

Good meeting with Dr. B.  He sat down, gave me his full attention, no rush & he answered every question I had very succinctly.  I feel much better & looking forward to the THR.


The reason I'm no longer a HR candidate is because the bone quality is no longer there.  So that being said, when the time comes with the other hip, it'll be straight to a THR.


I asked about which type of joint he will use and about ball size, and how will the joint impact my previous active life (mainly riding).  He mentioned that as long as I don't fall (of course, with any sport where there's a good chance of impact), I should be able to resume to my previous activities & the hip should last 25 years.  So whatever I feel comfortable doing.


We talked about my other hip & that if at any time I feel I need to see him, just pick up the phone myself & call for an appointment.  Now THAT was such a relief to hear, I wanted to hug him! I'm no longer at the mercy of a GP or the "system" for either hips.


To anyone looking for a surgeon in the Ottawa area & Dr. Beaulé's name ever pop up, having been a patient of his for 10 years now, you are in good hands.  He and his staff are great!  Yes, he's a busy man, no he will not cajole you, but yes, he is there for you & he knows his stuff!  If you feel like you need more clarification, felt like you were rushed, go home, let it all sink in, & then make another appointment & let them know you have questions, he will gladly answer all your questions when it's a quieter day & he can give you his full attention.


And on the day of surgery, having been there once already, I found his bedside manner very lovely.  So this time around, knowing full well what is happening, I'm not worried & have full confidence in him.   :D

I forgot to add, he will be using a metal on polyethylene joint.
Had to call the dentist today, something doesn't feel right (which she said could happen) & a tooth (canine) right next to the extraction is painful throbbing.  So seeing her on Saturday[/size].

Still playing telephone tag with my hairdresser to get my "yearly" haircut done.[/font] ::)   As well as playing email tag with my farrier to get the girls done before surgery.  I have a draft horse & I think it would be best if I handled her as opposed to my non horsy sons. ;)   She's not the easiest to handle... unless it's my husband.  She looooooves my husband.


And all the clients that are calling for install jobs or signs, we're letting them know they need to have their spot booked by the latest, on the 17th!


Busy busy busy! :o

Alrighty... bone shard making it's way from the front of the gums above the canine tooth.  Not where we expected it to come out. ???   But everything healing nicely otherwise.    :D


Finally have an appointment to get my long hay mop cut off on Tuesday.  It's been ridiculously hot here these past few days, so maybe I'll get it cut shorter than usual so I don't have to worry about it.


I managed to lose 3 lbs.  So am currently at 161lbs.  I was hoping to have been lighter for surgery but, oh well, I'm sure once after surgery, it'll start coming off bit by bit as I become more active. ;)


Threeeeeee weeks to go!  Can't wait!   ;D 

The hip aches so much at night, making it so difficult to sleep.  I don't want to overdo it with the tylenol 3 because that's all I'll be able to have after surgery.  I don't do well with stronger meds like oxy.  (veins bursting in my eyes hurt like a SOB!)

Had a follow up with my family doc, requested by the Transfusion Med. folks to follow up on the low iron issue.  But they didn't mention which ones they already have done & which ones they want him to do.


I guess I'll call them & ask. (I was going to regardless for myself)

I took iron pre and post op fwiw. It was a prescription kind that was much less constipating than the iron I took when pregnant. Just throwing that out there.

Thanks.  You wouldn't remember what it was called would you?


The prescription I was given was Palafer & was told it was because they found it was better tolerated but man... it sure would be nice to go to the bathroom! ::)   Doesn't help that I'm taking a Tylenol 3 every day, sometimes 2.  I may pick up a little something to help when I go back to the pharmacy this afternoon. ;)

Feriva.


It was a pleasant surprise!

Thank you  :D


Had my admitting appointment, at the General, on Monday, it went very well.  You first go to admitting to sign in & sign papers (type of room/coverage etc), then off to the PAU right at the top of the escalator.


I first met with the pharmacy nurse who logged in all my current meds I'm taking & the recent meds I took within the last month (especially because I was on an anti-bacterial medication, then antibiotic, then another type). 


After this, I met with a nurse, we went through everything again, making sure all the T's are crossed & I's are dotted.  Very thorough.  I was told which meds to stop & when, & which I to take & when.


Afterward, I met the anaesthetist.  A lovely doctor who has had a THR himself.  We discussed everything thoroughly as I was very apprehensive with getting a spinal.  But after talking with him, I felt much more at ease with the idea.  So I'm now 50/50 on which way to go.  He'll talk to me again on the day of surgery & we'll decide then.


Off for more blood work I went, then more x-rays so they can get the right sized joint.


The whole appointment took 2 hours only.  Everyone was wonderful, taking their time, answering all my questions.  They want to you to feel comfortable about the whole process & give you ample time to let it sink in.

One week left to go!  Can't wait!  I'm now going between a cane & a walker.  One day's worth is now spread into one week.  I honestly can't think of how I would've been able to wait until the fall.


I can't stay sitting, standing or lying down for more than an hour before stinging pain sets in.


So yesterday, my husband took me & the boys out to "Dessertfest" here in Ottawa.  Last weekend, I took my dog out to Dickinson Days out here in Manotick for our last outing together for a while.  Can't wait to be able to go do things pain free & assistance free (cane/walker/chair).  I will miss the temp. handicap permit though. ;)

Started the celebrex this morning (10hrs ago) & my hip is feeling better now than it did when I took it.  Yay, it's working!  And I've been able to putter between the office & the laundry room.  Usually by now, I am totally done & in a lot of pain.


I reacted the same way when I was put on it 10 years ago.   :D


And on May 4, when I got the call, my weight had gone up to 164 lbs.  I decided to try my best to lose at least the 4 lbs off for next week.  I weighed myself this morning & I'm at 158.6 lbs!  Woohoo! ;D

Well, in 12 hrs, I shall be in the OR!


I arrive at the hospital for 9 am.


Wish me luck & I'll talk to you guys soon.   :)

I wish you the very best.  I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Let us know how things are going when you can.

Pat

Go get 'em LMS!

Thanks! Surgery starts in one hour.   ;D

surgery went very very well.  I'll post more when I'm more awake.


I'm going home in 30 min.

Congratulations! :D Best wishes for s speedy recovery! :D :D

My goodness, it's hard to stay awake.

Quote from: LMS on June 22, 2016, 08:11:31 PM
My goodness, it's hard to stay awake.

Enjoy the rest.  Its a big deal to go through and rest is important to the recovery.

Hi guys!


I tried posting twice but for some reason, it never posted correctly.  Today is the most I've been awake so I thought I'd do an update.  :)


On the day of, my husband came with me & kept me company until it was time.  I was soooo nervous, of course.  But I have to say, everyone involved in every step were absolutely fantastic.  I waited in the wait room for an hour, then was moved in the pre op, where I changed into the beeeeaautiful gown  ;) , had the line put in, was given various pills.  My surgeon came over to say hi & autograph my leg.  He then asked if I'd be willing to consent to having photos taken of me during the surgery.  It's to promote the new surgical wing & for a donor's gala they were going to have.  I was ok with that.   It's good to show where the dollars went, the donors will see the equipment & then photos to show how they were used.


They put a hot air blanket on me for an hour before wheeling me out in front of my surgical room.  There I talked with the fellow assisting Dr. B., the nurse, the anaesthetist, another medical personnel (I can't  remember if she was a doctor or nurse).  I decided to go ahead with a spinal anaesthesia.  I don't remember anything, I  had asked to be heavily sedated.  And waking up went quite nicely, it was really weird though having numb legs.  It did take me 1.5 hrs longer before they released me to go to my room.  I think it was 5:20pm.  My husband came over & said he spoke with Dr. B who said the surgery had gone really well. :)

Glad to hear it. Write more when you can stay awake.

I'm 1 week post op, the dressing will be coming off today.  Can't wait to see it.


Decided to start easing off the meds this morning.


My thoughts are still a bit scattered but at least I'm not nodding off as I type.   ;)


So... the first week... shame I wasn't successful at posting, would've interesting to read.  Lol.  it was tough, I was on so many medications around the clock, I had to have alarms set on my phone & a book to log it in.  For the  hip though, I was put on OTC extra strength Tylenol (1), Tramadol (1), Hydromorphone (1-2), every four hours.  On Lactalose twice a day & Xarelto once a day .  I had to call my GP's office to find out the iron results taken on the Friday before surfery & it was still very low, so I have to continue on the Palafer.


The first 5 days were difficult

The first 5 days I couldn't move by myself at all, I had to let someone position me.  In the hospital, the first 12 hrs, I wasn't allowed out of bed.  I had to learn how to use a bed pan.  It really humbles you I tell ya, since you have to rely on them to position it under you, then wipe & wash you.  But my nurses were so nice (Daytime was a young lady, night time a young man), it made it all less embarrassing.


Once home, my dog (husky) was so happy I was back, she tries to jump through my opened car window.  We told her no, she sniffed me & right away she saw something was different & she has yet to leave my side.  On the third day, the muscle spasms started.  Holy mother of .... that  was intense & painful.  I still have them but they're less often now.  Still painful though.


I've been sweating constantly since day one of being put on pain meds.


I've been in & out of sleep up until yesterday.  I've been struggling with the physio as well until yesterday.  I've been able to get myself in & out of bed/chair for three days now without any help.  And I started using my cane yesterday.  Today, I finally went up the stairs with the cane, with no issues, I really wanted to go wash my hair.  My son assisted but I washed my hair over the tub all by myself.


This afternoon, the bandage is to come off, so I'll also be able to go sit in the shower & wash up.


My appetite has been almost none existent but it's now starting to come back.


And on Saturday, I was finally able to do a #2!

Savor those small victories. ;)

Yesterday, not only did I go upstairs to wash my hair (with a spotter), my husband insisted that I go with him to the pharmacy to get dressings & meds.  So I changed clothes my myself (a bit tricky) & went.  We also went to my son's work to switch vehicles, so pick up truck to crown vic (cop car).  At the pharmacy, I had to tackle a sidewalk curb using my cane, then inside using the walker. 


The people that know me there were happy to see me (which made me feel good).  Showed the dressing the hospital had put on me to the pharmacist.  She'd never seen a waffle type before.  From behind the counter, she pulled out dressings for normal use & some waterproof ones that are made for this type of sutures.  She also gave me this spray bottle of sterilized water made for cleaning the incision site.


Once  home, my husband didn't bother bringing my walker in the house, so I've using the cane since.


I was finally able to take a shower sitting in the tub.  We have an old claw foot tub, so to get in it was impossible before now.  It felt soooo nice  :)


I took off the dressing once I was back downstairs.  We took some photos, I'll post later. 


The whole front hip area felt weird.  Like when scar tissue starts to break down.  I quickly fell asleep, it had been a big day.

Yes, the small victories, they are awesome!  So much different when compared to having had the debridement & micro perf scope 9 years ago.


This morning has been a positive one so far, I feel good.  Physio is improving, as in, I can do all the exercises now, some are easy to do now & the ones I couldn't even do prior to surgery & were still painful to do during the first week; I was able to do them!  Yay me!  ;D


I walked to the kitchen & back to my bed in the living room, 2 times almost perfectly.  Slow but fluidish, no limping & no pain!  I could just cry... I honestly can't remember the last time I was able to do this.


I'm now waiting for my husband to get back so I can go walk outside on the driveway.  My goal is to be able to walk it from one end to the other.  It's 330ft, it's two entrance type & on one entrance it slopes down.  My next goal is to go say hi to my girls (Horses).


Every time I'd progress, Ripley, my dog (sibe/mal) would get so excited.  She would bring me a toy & then nudge me.  Yesterday when she saw me outside with the cane, she was beside herself, running around me.  She has been by my side since I came back from the hospital & has been so quiet & patient.  And for people who know huskies, they love & need to play/exercise hard every day.  She is such an amazing dog!


Once I'm back on my feet, I want to resume her training so we can try agility.  We usually go swimming & kayaking in the summer.

Congrats on the great progress. It's the small victories that seem to mean the most and you're just starting to experience them. It gets better, and better, and BETTER!

Awesome!
Thanks Quig   :D

I was just wondering: how long before the swelling goes away?


My husband took a photo of my derière to show me how swollen I was.    TBH, I look better on the swollen side.  Lol! ;)

Oh lordy, it takes weeks! Don't get on the scale!


Seriously, I thought I had been permanently changed, my shape was so different. Not bad, just different. I was thinking I needed a new wardrobe of pants.


I think at the end of week three or into week four I was normal enough to wear pants again. The swelling was very localized, just in my hips.

Ha ha, heyyyy a great excuse to wear pajama or lounging bottoms 24/7! ;)  Awesome! ;D


I actually went on the scale after my mother told me I probably weighed more.  I was curious.... uhm I'm 1lbs lighter than the morning before going in for surgery.  Meh, I'm sure this will change once the appetite is back in full swing. ::)


Transfusion Medicine department called this afternoon, to see how things were going, that was nice.  Yesterday the hospital called for an update too but it sounded like a survey kind of, it was a bit confusing.


So today I'm trying to wean off more pain meds, taking 1 extra strength Tylenol & 1 Tramadol every 6 hours.

Woohoo!  I just walked the whole driveway (with mah pup by my side.  She is so awesome)


That was 650ft!   8)

I'm back in the house now & am sweating like crazy.

Hmmm I think I didn't take my meds properly...

I stopped taking the Dilaudid on the 27 but continued with the Tramadol, thinking it was better to do it this way.  But now it's the weekend & I only have 2 Tramadols left.  I have a whole bottle full of Dilaudid...

By what time frame were you off your prescribed pain medication?


I'm supposed to be getting my staples removed today.  I have an appointment but it was a follow up for my iron, to get tested.  I'd better call ahead to give them a head's up about the staples.

How do you feel? It is very individual how long to take them. If you aren't having side effects and are having pain, keep on, maybe taper if you don't think  you need them so much. I didn't like the constipation or the fuzzy headedness, so quit after about four days. I didn't notice a big jump in pain, so that was good for me. I also had good control of my environment and could be still as necessary----if you are having to move around and be in charge of things, you may need the pain killers longer.

Thanks blinky.  So it's ok to still be on them... good to know.  My husband keeps pushing for me to stop taking them but I feel I still need something for the moderate pain.  I only take one dilaudid twice a day now, 4 am & 4 pm.  I can't stand the aching over the greater trochander, glute & front of hip bone.  With it I take an extra strength Tylenol.


So 2 weeks today...


Yesterday was tough mentally, I just felt drained & wanted to curl up in a ball & just zone out.  Kinda funny from an outsider's perspective when all they see is you doing nothing all day. ???   I've found that the Dilaudid & Tramadol made me weepy.  My husband did lose his cool over it but my sons were awesome about it.  I can't wait to be fully off of both meds.


I can now do all my prescribed physio  8) .  I'm really happy about that, considering I couldn't even do one pre surgery.  One thing though, my right hip has been sore now for quite a few days & so has my lower back, making it difficult when I go for my 5 min walk.


I'm still using my cane.  Some times I think I don't need it so I try without & nope, pain niggles.


I still go up & down the stairs one step at a time but I don't need a chaperone.


My dog, Ripley is such an awesome companion, she still stays right by my side & when she thinks I've been sitting for too long, she makes cute attempts at getting me up & going.  Huskies are so funny.  She knows the routine.


I'm glad I called my doctor's office today, apparently they'd called last week to reschedule but my husband didn't check the messages.  So I'm rescheduled for next Monday but someone will take out my staples today.


I'm still waiting to hear from physio, I had to email the form on Thursday.  I had been given mixed info before surgery about it regarding who was going to book it.  In hindsight, I should have given them my form when I went for the class.

Ask your doc at your follow up. I bet he will have some ideas on when and how to come off.

I don't see him until the 22nd unfortunately.  I think I'll call his office.   :)


Well the staples are out... and that experience really caught my attention.  I thought my husband was exaggerating but nope... it felt like being stung by nasty little wasps with knives. :o

Today, I finally felt like getting out of my pajamas & actually get dressed. 


I'm back to using a walker for my outdoor 5 min walks.  My right hip was regressing while my left was progressing, which in turn started to affect the left.  I've also been using my cane to alleviate the stress some of the exercises were putting on the right hip.


I'm also pleased that I've been keeping slowly losing weight.  I've been averaging a pound per week since I received the phone call on May 4th.  So that's good for the hip. :)   I'm at 154.2 lbs.

Seems the weight loss was really because I hadn't been eating much.  My appetite came back a couple of days ago, no weight loss since surgery according the scale now.


Depression though... :-[   I thought my periods of crying were because of the narcotics.  I've been off them for 4 days now totally. I had slowly weaned myself off.  At night I am "wanting" them, so antsy.  I know it'll take time.  But the crying & emotions.  I'm already on an antidepressant as well (that was working very well before surgery).  It's a struggle I wasn't expecting.

I am sorry to hear you are feeling depressed. I understand that is pretty normal post op. Recognizing it is half the battle. 


The end of the weight loss, yeah, sorry about that, too! My experience was similar. No appetite and so an easy initial weight loss (once the swelling went down), then feeling physically good and eating my way back up again.

I keep telling myself that it will pass, just keep looking at how well my hip is now compared to pre surgery.  I cry at everything.  I also have a history of major depression but the current medication my doctor had put me on 3 years ago, was literally a life saver.  So I was taken aback when it returned regardless of still being on the anti depressant.


My husband has been amazing & so have my two sons.  They are so supportive.  My husband takes me along on all his errands to give me change of scenery.


So today is week 3.  Both hips are sore, I'd say from mild to moderate.  With the left, I know it's healing pain but the right, it's OA pain.  I last took a Dilaudid last Wednesday at 4 am & took extra strength tylenols when needed.  That's when the right hip pain became a constant.  But even then, I don't take it often, only when rest doesn't take the edge off.  I had a follow up appointment with my GP regarding my iron today & asked for some Tylenol 3 to take when the pain refused to go with the extra strength tylenol.


My GP's nurse was mentioning that I was walking quite well, so that was nice to hear.  I keep apologizing for walking at a snail's pace.


Tomorrow I take my last blood thinning meds, Xarelto.  Yay!


I've increased my walking time to 2 driveway circuits, still with the walker because I'm getting the sharp groin pains in the right hip.  I've landed sharply on the operated hip a few times, which is not good.
Physio keeps improving, which is comforting.  I can't wait to start the next phase which will be at the hospital
but am scared to plateau & regress like last time.  But... this time should be different since the hip has been replaced.  I'm supposed to start next week but haven't heard back yet as they are short staffed & 14 people were ahead of me.


And the weight has come back down... talk about yo-yoing!  But I'm sticking to drinking water & only eating when I really am hungry & no junk.

---

Today so far is really not a good day.  The pain in both hips will not go away, unless resting & worsens when I go for my walk.  I had to cut back by half.


My right hip keeps clicking, not a mild click but a very strong one several times a day & the left (new hip) feels so tight around the joint, it feels like I have a tightening band going around the thigh in that upper area.  It was always there post surgery but today it's uncomfortable even at rest.  So much for weaning off the pain meds.  So I gave in & took a Dilaudid & an extra strength Tylenol.


I don't want to depend too much on the meds since I get an acetaminophen headache if I'm on it too long & I've been having a constant mid grade headache for a few days now that will not go away.


I don't want to go back on the Dilaudid though.  The GP I saw on Monday gave me a prescription for Tylenol 3 but only 30 pills.  I'm not too sure which is best to take at this point.

Yesterday was 4 weeks post op & tomorrow is 1 month post op.


Again, one week passes by quickly & progress continues right after I think I'm going backwards. 


The pain shifts in the same area of the hip but you feel that it's a different.  Doesn't make sense until you go through it.  But the tightness around the upper thigh area/near groin, is lessening which is great.  The surgical area is healing nicely.  Still pulls & hurts (like it's tearing) at times.


I'm still using both the walker & the cane.  I've tried a few times to walk without but no can do yet.  Which is fine.  We've noticed I'm still using my right side to compensate, so I walk at an angle.  And also that my left leg is 1/2" longer.  Not sure if the surgeon can do anything about this but it's ok if I have to wear an insert in the right shoe, as long as it won't affect things.  Being pain free is far more important to me & resuming living life than a tiny issue like leg length discrepancy.


I can go up & down the stairs normally (with cane & bannister assistance for support).  Physio at home is almost on par with the unoperated hip.  Lower back pain is still there, my SI joints  need to be released.  Still no hamstring pain in the left leg which is heaven!


I finally have an appointment to go for physio at the Riverside hospital.  It's next Wednesday, a week late but that's ok, they are swamped.


My depression seems to be improving a little but my husband has asked me to rehome my draft horse which I do not want to do.  :-[   I finally was able to walk over to the barn to say "Hi" to them.  I hadn't seen my "girls" in 5 weeks.  But I didn't go in their paddock with them since I was by myself.  I was afraid of getting knocked over or losing my footing.


And today, I did a little bit of work in my shop.  I assembled small signs for a client.  So I'll continue doing a little simple job per day & slowly work my way up.

Keep looking for the silver lining if you can.  It sounds like your body is just slow to adapt away from protection mode. 

As for leg length, you still might just be crooked.  If you can, look at yourself in the mirror in your birthday suit and see if your pelvis is level, then compare legs....

Slow & steady wins the race.  ;D   


I'm at week 5 & things have improved even more.  The pain is much less than 7 days ago.  Today, I put in 30 min of work at my work table (prepping vinyl for vehicle lettering) & when I was done all the easy stuff, I thought to go get a drink in the other room... 10 steps on I realized I'd forgot to grab my cane.  What an awesome feeling!  But I went & grabbed it, I'm only going to do that again when the PT tells me it's ok.


I saw my surgeon on Friday & he reassured me that what I'm going through is normal, to take things slow & let the muscles & other soft tissues heal.  Compared to the day before surgery, I am so much further ahead ROM & pain wise.  I am ecstatic!  I did forget to ask him to check the leg length.  But yeah, it is 1/2" longer.  The PT will help me learn how to walk with the length difference, I'm not too concerned.


For the past couple of days though, I have been really hyped up & excited about starting physio on Wednesday & that if it all continues to go well, I can start playing with my horses again at the 3rd month mark (So Sept 20th is marked on my calendar to get ready to sit in the saddle) and have made a goal to go off property & ride.  Regardless if it's my horse or someone else's trusty steed.  10 years is long enough to wait.  ;)

I had my evaluation appointment at the Riverside hospital rehab department this morning & it was great!


My PT happens to be the same one that held the class I attended.  She is so lovely.   :)


So, according to her assessment, I'm am doing quite well, which was great to hear.  We went through all the exercises I am currently doing so she could make sure I was doing them properly, which I was.  Heck by now I should be with 33 years of doing physio under my belt.  Lol!  And all those ballet classes & my training & years of experience as a therapeutic riding instructor help too.  8) [size=78%] [/size] ;) ;D


[/size]She assessed my ROM, watched me walk with & without the cane.  I am to continue using the cane (which is a-ok with me)


We talked about my long term goals & expectations with recovery & what I would like to return to activity wise.  Some, of course are discouraged & usually, in a perfect world, should not be done ever again.  Which is fine with me.  I picked the ones that were most important to me, let her know what level I was at at my prime before the hip put a kabosh.  I told her it would be nice to get back to that level eventually if possible.


We talked about realistic timelines to achieve these goals.  Working together.   ;D


So, yeah, today was the evaluation only & next week, the 6 week mark, we start physio.  I am to continue my current home physio until she says otherwise.

 I have a 10mm leg length disparity, a similar disparity to yours. In my case at least some of it was pre-existing, as I had previously been advised to use a heel lift on one side to alleviate my symptoms. (Advice which I ignored because I didn't believe it.) Once I started really walking after surgery the disparity caused me a lot of pain on the right side of my lower back. I read that most people get used to small disparities over time, and Dr. P concurred. I initially used a Dr. Scholl's gel pad on my short side when on walks, but not anytime else. This helped alleviate the back pain from the walks, but was no panacea. At nearly six months I gave up and ordered real orthopedic heel lifts from Amazon. I use them in most of my shoes. These make a huge difference. The back pain from the leg length issue is gone. So, if you can't adjust after a few months, try the heel lifts on the short side. It's like night and day.

Thanks.  :D


We discussed the discrepancy & until the 6th month post op, I am to leave it alone.  If there is still a difference, then yes, I'll be getting a lift. ;D [size=78%] [/size]

I was so proud of myself, Monday was my 6th week post op, so driving & water restrictions lifted.

I`m allowed to go in the water but no swimming yet.  Driving was a bit tough, making the hip area seize up.

We took the weekly update video of my walking & was putting together a comparison one to a year ago.  What a huge difference!  I was also able to do 40 ft without the cane, walking just as well with or without.  But then I received a call that my mother was having a stroke.  She lives an hour away from me so my brother called 911 & stayed with her until I got there.  They sent her home 10 hrs later & I`ve been staying wither since then, driving her to appointments & making all the necessary calls because she was in the middle of moving.

I went to my physio appointment (1hr drive into the city) & 3 exercises were added:  lying on un-operated side, lower leg bent, pillow between legs, upper leg straight, you do abduct lifts.  Then, the clam exercise & the reverse (foot/lower leg goes up, knees together).  Well with helping my mom out & these new exercises, my lower back is killing me & the sciatica is back with a vengeance.  Which of course is affecting my walking.  I'm back to taking 2 extra strength advil + 1 Tylenol 3 twice a day.  :(

I was hoping to go in the pool but it hasn't been up kept.

I`m still at my mother`s, looking after all her affairs regarding her stroke, moving et al.  She`s showing a slow progress which is very encouraging.

My hip on the other hand, it aches so much.  I can`t walk at all without the aid of the cane, so I`m still taking twice daily 2 extra strength ibuprophen & trying to keep it at 1 Tylenol 3.  I ice it for 10 min (hip area, side of thigh & lower back) after every physio session.  So 3X a day.   :(

I had physio at the hospital on Wednesday & the lower leg `abduction` (sitting, from the knee, you bring your foot away from center line) ROM has improved slightly.  Others are still the same.

We added another exercise now that the anterior movement restriction has been partially lifted.  Standing up, bring the surgery leg back, straight, in order to start stretching the front of the hip joint.  That hurts.

While meeting the stroke clinic doctor & team at the TOH Civic campus (for my mother), we were given a sheet of workshops for people who live with chronic conditions, in the Ottawa area.  If it`s ok with Pat, I`d like to put their info on here, so that people on here that are living in the Ottawa, Ont. (Canada) area can have a place to call for support.  Online is free for all residents of Ontario, Canada.

Living Healthy Champlain Workshops
www.livinghealthychamplain.ca
Toll Free: 1-877-240-3941

They have workshops you can go in person or online.

Hi

It is always OK to share helpful information.  That's what this group is for.  Sharing stories, suggestions and helping each other.

Good Luck.   Pat

Thanks Pat.  :D

I forgot to mention, this is for self management for chronic physical & mental health conditions, whether it`s yourself who is afflicted or a loved one/patient & you need the support.

For Ontario residents interested in the online workshops: www.ontarioselfmanagement.ca

Having lived with chronic pain, other issues (physical & mental) since I was a teen, I'm going to check this out.  I think it's a great idea, especially for people who feel so overwhelmed.

At physio today we added weight to the leg curl machine (up to 2lbs), added an exercise like the reverse clam but while sitting & finally... the stationary bike.  The first minute was painful but then the next 2 minutes were great, so we added another 2 minutes.  :D

I was given the ok to do, in moderation, to start using the stationary bike (5 min at a time) & leg curl machine at home.  Or substitute the later with 2lb ankle weights.

This hip capsule is very sore & achy so I continue icing it & taking strong ibuprophen with Tylenol 3.  Seems like the pain/ache is more localized & the old muscle pain I had pre surgery is still slowly going away.

When at the doctor`s after physio, I asked to be weighed & I`m now down to 149 lbs!  I am so thrilled that I`m still on track with losing 1 lbs per week.  ;D

Forgot to do an update last week...


So last Monday, 10 weeks post op, I was absolutely ecstatic when finally, after I don't remember how long, I was able to shave my legs without straining and... I washed my whole foot!  Woohoo!  I haven't been able to reach my foot & without pain.  I have to do it standing up, lift the knee, grab the lower leg (like a hug) & hold it up just high enough so I can reach the foot & wash it... I was so giddy about it & was telling everyone about it.  ;)


Wednesday's physio was another good one.  My ROM has finally improved since my assessment 5 weeks ago.  Yay!  Abducting the leg no matter which position, is still painful around the joint.  And pain now seems to stay around the capsule of the joint.  Hamstring & glute pain is no longer a daily thing, it's now a normal thing whenever there is pain or ache.


I still have to watch out what I do because I will pay for it later on in the day & the next few days.


So... new exercises are: pelvic lifts, walking longer, standing on the operated leg without support & walking without the cane for short periods.  I have 2 weeks to work up the reps & length of time.


Funny how the basics, each step, has a purpose for the next step.  You think "Pah... push through it, how hard can it be" & the body sits you back on your butt when you don't take your time & follow through all the steps, even though they become mundane, they have a purpose as a building block for success.  :)


We're finally done moving all the stuff out of my mother's house.  I can now step back a bit & go at the pace I should be going for a successful rehab.  Unfortunately, I had no choice but to do things/push to get everything moved out.  So many things ended up not getting sorted but just boxed & stored in my hay shelter (thank goodness it was empty).  With my husband & boys' help, we'll sort through all the boxes at a slower pace I can manage.  And hopefully I can finally start staying home in the next weeks to come so I can start using my exercise equipment for rehab instead of only when I'm at physio.


Today I might put my dressage saddle on a bale or barrel & see if I can straddle it.  Eventually, I'll try the western saddle.


Anyhoo, in a couple of weeks, at the next physio session, if all goes well, I'll be discharged from physio & sent on my own to rehab.  I'll be writing up a list of questions & potential goals I want to achieve & the PT will go over it with me & advise me with a plan.  I'm excited. ;D

Woohoo, what a great day today!  ;D


Today I was able to rake grass & load up the big deep wheelbarrow heaped right up twice (someone else went & dumped it).  Did a lot of smaller piles that also had junk in it.  And I weeded a small flower bed.  I can feel it, the muscles are working & there's no pain.  I'm sure I'll be tight tomorrow.  ;)   But I took my time & lots of breaks.


I even raked up the loose hay on the barn floor & gave it to the horses, no pain.


And I sat astride a shavings bag to see how the hips would fare & no problem.  Tomorrow I'll try straddling a med sized barrel & see how that goes.


Man oh man it felt good to accomplish SOMETHING close to normal & not feel any pain except for a few twangs in the untouched hip.


Hey... I only used my cane half of the time today... Booya! 8)

Saw my mother's doctor yesterday & mom is good to not need me 24/7 & was told she can start driving (just around the village for now).  So my husband was knocking on the door at 8am this morning eager to bring me back home to... get back to work!  Lol!


I'm easing back into it & it's really nice to not have searing pain.  Now to get my brain back into work mode.  Lol!

Woohoo... I was finally able to cut my own toenails without pain.  It wasn't pretty & it was awkward but I did it!  ;D

 ;D ;D ;D ;D


Guess who managed to walk without her cane for a good 7 hrs today, and do a bit of work, and make a quick 30 min shopping & fed her horses?   8)


Oh yeah, life is good!


A bit wobbly & muscles a bit tender from having to work properly without assistance, but I did it!

Great news...  my pt was very pleased with my progress (strength & ROM) that she gave me the two thumbs up to start resuming my activities (slow & gradual) & discharged me this morning.   ;D


I am absolutely thrilled!  I have returned to work last Friday & so far so good.  I take my time, watch what I do & how I do it, as well as take many breaks.  So far, so good.  (And good drugs help  ;) )


So... I can start "playing" with (meaning training) my dog & horses again.  And start working out for weight loss.   Awesome!  8)

Three months post op yesterday & things just keep getting better every day... as long as I remember to do my physio!   ;)

Though the day started iffy (stiff & achy in the hips), after doing my physio & taking my usual 2 extra strength advils & 1 T3, the rest of the day went swimmingly.  So much so that I attempted to clean out my draft horse's stall & I felt great afterwards.   ;D

Little by little I add activities... I can now look after the horses myself chores wise.  And tonight I did a bit of training with them (lunging & long lining)& was able to keep up, as well as pick out all 4 hooves the normal way with no issues.


I did have to run 100ft rushing from one building to another (house to shop) & it wasn't pretty.  Mind you, it didn't hurt.

Four months post op on Thursday & I feel great!  No more pain!  Well, other than the other hip...  ::)   I wish I could just get it done now & not go through all the debilitating pain that's started.  But, I have been cane free for a whole week!  Yay!


On Thursday I also finally spent a normal hectic day & other than some shooting pain down the ITB, the hip & glutes were great.  A typical day for me is sitting at the desk prepping files, then walking back forth between the workshop & house as I fabricate signs.  A lot of squatting & shifting side to side standing & squatting.  Lifting heavy rolls of vinyl.  Going to locations to do sign & lettering installs on buildings.  The only thing I have not tried is to go up ladders yet work wise.


And of course looking after my two horses, a 14.2hh Appaloosa & a 17hh Shire which requires effort there (and it's been crappy here with rain) so hoisting heavy rain soaked turnout sheets, walking the horses from one side of the property to the other.  What is so funny is that I was so worried with being around my 1600lbs draft mare who has demons she's still working through (she was neglected, starved & we suspect abused) & so far *knock wood*, she's been such a dear with me, so gentle & stuck at a slow speed.  :)


I haven't started working with my husky yet.  So no walking off property yet or resuming classes. Though, I am cautiously playing with my dog more (which looks like practicing for football) ;)   My short burst of running are improving also.


And also the Tylenol 3 & extra strength advil... taking these less & less!  Actually... it's been a week since I've had my last T3 & a few days too since I took 1 extra strength tylenol & 1 extra strength advil.   ;D


I don't do my physio 3X a day like I should though, I'm lucky if I remember to do it once a day & actually if I miss it more than 3 days in a row, my hip area will get stiff & sore.  Once I resume physio, that pain & tightness goes away.


I still sit in my english & western saddles often (not every day) & have started to sit on the inflatable exercise ball. 


I am having a couple of other health issues though, they were present pre surgery & have nothing to do with the hip.  But one will require surgery to fix & that will mean no more heavy lifting or heavy activities.  It will impact my work & my activities that I was looking so much forward at resuming.  It's quite a kick in the teeth... I finally get my active life back, I turn around & it's about to be taken away if I choose the rectify the problem.  It's a big enough surgery also, so lots to think about.


My follow up appointment with Dr. Beaulé was moved up.  I can't wait to see him on Nov. 3rd.   ;D

So glad you are doing well and making progress.  I also appreciate you posting your story.  Whether THR or HR, it is major surgery and the recovery stories are always helpful to new people.

Good Luck.  Keep up the good work.  I hope the other possible surgery will be successful with a quick recovery.

Drop by now and then and let us know how you are doing.

I wish you the very best.

Pat

Thanks Pat   :D


I plan on posting an update every month during the first year.  And then anytime I achieve a goal that is the result of the hip surgery.


The pending surgery is for a prolapsed bladder that, to boost up the percentage to a 95% success, will need to be done with a hysterectomy.  But it will cost me a 25lbs weight restriction from then on.  I am a very physical person & lifting 50lbs + daily, I am not ready for this compromise that will affect me profoundly work wise & personal wise.  I've spoken with people that have had this surgery, the women who are not physical people are all for it & don't see why I'm hesitating, the women who are physical recommend I try everything else (or just put up with it) before making the decision.  So lots to ponder on.  :)


And it always comes down to this: quality of life.

I had my 2nd follow up appointment this morning.  Dr. B. had been called away to a surgical emergency, so I saw someone else instead. (which was fine)


Today's x-rays looked fantastic, the device has settled in well.  The doctor was very glad to hear that there is no more pain & pain meds are rarely needed now.  Though there is still a slight lift when I walk, I no longer look like a cowboy quasi modo & walk almost like a normal laydee. ;)  Lol.  I told him that even compared to when I was a teen, I walk 10 times better now.  Ha ha.


My strength, balance & ROM were checked & he was very very happy with the progress.  We discussed the activities I want to resume, what my day job entails & how to prevent complications.  Based on all that, he gave me the 2 thumbs up to get back into life & enjoy!  Woohoo!  Time to check out agility classes for my pup & crawl up on my ponies' backs!   8)

7 1/2 month post op & new hip still doing very well!  Other hip on the other hand, not that great.  But oh well, what can ya do?  Just wait. :P


Note to self... do NOT stop physio at the 4th month milestone.  ???   I got lazy, stopped doing my physio & went back to "normal" life.  Result of this: gained back 10 lbs & am stiff in the lower back/SI area.


Regardless though, it's nice to be able to wear nice boots with a heel & be able to keep up all day, do some short bursts of jogging, get in odd positions & lift heavy things again.  I'm still working on straddling as that range of motion is still somewhat limited.  (Which is why I didn't post a riding update yet on my other thread)


I did however, manage, ungracefully, to take part in a little 30 min Burlesque dance workshop last weekend.  I used to dance ballet before I married back in 1990 & haven't danced since.  I was so stiff & my glutes & lower back hated me for the next 3 days after but man, it was a blast!  ;D  And the new hip was awesome. [/size] Mr. Bean is more fluid & graceful than I was.  Lol![/size][size=78%] [/size] :o


So I decided I should start my physio again since it was really helping with my core & glutes.

Woohoo!  I did it... I sat on my pony yesterday!  It was only for 5 min & at a stand still but it was absolutely fantastic!


I climbed up on a chest & slowly got on her, bareback, testing out the hip.  Sat for a bit, got back off.  Went & got the camera to take an ear shot & got back on & sat for the 5 min.  She is so wide.


Every day I plan on sitting for just a couple minutes longer, letting her warmth relax my muscles as they stretch.  Last time I actually sat on her was back when I first got her in 1999.  She just stood there as if saying "About time chick!"


Both hips became a bit sore 10 hours later but they are fine this morning.  :)

Great news.  Just take it slowly.  You will be riding before summer.

Good Luck.

Pat

Yup... slow is my middle name  Lol!


Today I managed 10 min.  & all I did was concentrate on relaxing & doing warm up exercises as she stood still.  I am incredibly stiff on the left side.  And right now, the ground is absolutely unrideable, perfect time to just concentrate on me for the time being. ;D

That is great! You are on your way.

 ;D
Rode my pony!  Ok 5 minutes & with my husband at her head but still!  ;D


My hip is very weak & I can't hoist myself like you would normally.  So I use her rump for support as I crawl up on the trunk.  And she continues to stand rock solid as I drag my other leg across her rump.

Almost at my 10th month post surgery & I'm happy to report that I got myself a part time job in retail!!!


I'm a bit tender at the front of the hip & that's it! I figured I probably won't be able to go back to teaching riding but I probably could go work at a store in something equine related.  :)


And the extra cash will help when times are lean at my full time job to keep us afloat.

Even though I'm not at the 1 yr mark, I had my 1 year post op follow up appointment.  It was with a different doctor (not Dr. B).  He loved what he saw in the x-ray & said I had no restrictions (other than what I'd been previously told I could no longer do) & to do whatever I wished as long as I was conscious about it.


I asked about the tightness & pain from it, would it hurt the device if I forced it & should I push it to loosen up the area.  Answer: yes!  Because of the OA & the progression of it, it rendered the area so tight & atrophied that it was a good idea to push it (within reason of course, as with anything) to get the area limbered up & mobile again.  So that was a relief to hear.


I then asked if there was a length discrepancy, as it felt like my leg was 1/4" - 1/2" longer... he measured & it was only 1mm longer.  If it made me feel better until I got acclimatized to it, I could put a lift in the other shoe & reduce it over time.  And when they do my other hip, they'll have them both equal.  ;)


As for the other hip, whenever I need something, just give their office a call.  Right now we'll wait, I still have more good days than bad.  :)


I haven't sat on my horse since I started my new job.  I come home dead tired. 

Hasn't been another year yet but thought I'd post an update.


Some of you may have seen that I've started riding again (in the horse riding section).  Not a lot though, I depend on the weather since I don't have an indoor arena.  And it has been a pretty cold winter up until a week ago.  Plus the winter blahs are in full force.  I know what I need to do but I really don't feel like doing any of it.


My THR hip area is still very tight.  Which makes straddling uncomfortable.


Mind you, 3 weeks ago, I rode a mechanical moose for the first time & stayed on for a fair bit. ;D

What do you mean the hip is tight?  You mean the muscles?  Im curious as to what your routine is for stretching, mobility and exercise is, have you been consistent with it?

I stopped doing my physio quite a while ago as there was no improvement anymore & I had no oomph.  I know, I need to keep doing it well... pretty much forever as every doctor has told me (yeah, not only my surgeon but my GP & a neurosurgeon!).


Every chance I get, I sit astride & try to do stretching exercises but no improvements for almost a year.


My husband is helping me set up the equipment in the basement (we had a couple of floods, so the place is in shambles) so I can start exercising again.


When I first sit, it's painful as the hip area is so tight.  After 10 min, the muscles & everything starts to warm up & relax so by the 15-20 min mark, the pain goes away but the flexibility is still nil.  I'm pretty sure as my core improves, everything else should as well like it used to.  Harder to achieve as your body gets older & I also have very weak pelvic floor muscles as well ;)  I cannot sit in any western saddle (no matter the size & shape) & can in narrow english saddles but not dressage saddles because of the leg position.


My ROM is better than pre surgery (I had no ROM) but nowhere near the same as the other hip that has moderate OA.



I'll get there eventually.  :)  Hey at least this time around, I have equal strength in both legs & am no longer just a passenger on my horse.  ;)

After 2.5 hours of procrastinating (yes, I was still in bed refusing to get out of it), I finally did my physio.  My THR side was so sore throughout.  OA side was fine.

Maybe you could find someone for mounted physical therapy.  Someone on the ground to help control while you concentrate on following the horse's back motion as it gently stretches things out.  Have to have the right horse, saddle, instructor etc

Thanks for your suggestion.


I am a retired therapeutic riding instructor  ;)

Interesting how things develop.


At the beginning of April, my other hip (right) was really hurting.  My neck was still sore as well, giving me a searing right side headache.  I enrolled in 3 complimentary yoga/mobility classes geared specifically for hip/core area issues in athletes & athletic people with hip issues etc...  I'd hobble in with my cane & leave the class not needing my cane.  Only to start all over the next day.


I made a phone call to my surgeon, asking if we can discuss my hip & pain at my 2nd year post op appointment next month.   And because the headache was unbearable, I made an appointment to a local chiropractor to see if she could do something as I could not move my head at all to the right. 


It was the first time I was seeing her professionally as a patient but we had known each other for over 15 years as she was a client of mine & my husband's.


And I wish we would have been 15 years ago...  so 10 days ago, she was looking at me for the first time from a doctor's POV and from the second I walked in, she started picking up on things.  She started asking questions.  I was completely blindsided as I went in for my neck & a splitting headache... she wanted to know more about my hips & my SI joints (which I was asking every single doctor, PT, surgeon etc from day one about & who told me to disregard what I was concerned about).  What started the whole ball rolling when I was 14 & that every single specialist could not figure out.  She did.  She put all the pieces together, asked my permission to work on me after being aghast by what she was witnessing.


To me, it had become my normal for 40+ years.  So... in her opinion, it's not a mild hip dysplasia that was overlooked that caused where I am today.  Everyone, including herself asked "Did you have a significant trauma/fall as a child?"  And we couldn't remember anything specific.  Well nothing that brought me to the hospital.  But I did have several falls, I was constantly falling.  When walking, running, playing, down stairs, head first, butt first.  It was "normal" for me.  Plus a family member was abusive.  Add the horses, I've been dragged (foot caught in a stirrup & dragged down an old stone road), reared & flipped onto, bucked off...  So, no I've never broken anything but, I bet my body sustained enough trauma to shift things around that didn't get put back where they should have... like my SI joints. 


That, over the years, plus add the fact that I was active, did ballet & physio to stay flexible & have core strength, yet, my back would go out with a sneeze!  No wonder they never could pinpoint what was wrong.  So the wear & tear of the years, then came on the OA.. no wonder I ended up with a new hip at such a young age.


My right SI joint was off by almost 3".  After she made the first adjustment, she asked me to walk & for the first time, I walked like a normal person.  It was overwhelming.


I am on week 2 of seeing her 3X per week now & she is teaching me how to walk normally.  It's a lot harder than I thought it was going to be.  My body wants to waddle like a stiff, peg legged cowboy pirate.  Every day I slowly feel different things going on as the correct parts awaken, the "on" parts slowly release, nerve pathways, blood flows etc.  Today, I resumed my physio & for the first time, I did not have lower back & sacral pain.   Everything was easier, the muscles engaged better & evenly.


I joined a local gym that offered the complimentary classes for my situation & the instructor will work with me to help me improve the mobility & strength in my hips & core.


Over the weekend when at work, I sat in the western saddle I was hoping I could purchase at some point (but my new hip was so stiff & sore sitting in it).  And it was much more comfortable to sit in.  So there's hope. ;)

That sounds great! I am happy for you.

A few days ago was my 2nd year post THR anniversary.


A few weeks before this, I met with a fellow filling in for my surgeon.  The THR hip looks amazing on x-ray, the doctor was very happy.  I have a lot more ROM but still not 100%.  There is still a lot of pain around the capsule & abductors not firing well but I'm still thrilled about my new hip.  I'm improving slowly.  :)


My other hip's OA is slowly progressing.  50% of the time, I'm using my cane & eating extra-strength ibuprofen & Tylenol 3.  I'm also still seeing a chiropractor 1 - 2 X a week as well as going to yoga mobility classes 2X a week.  These really help I find & everyone involved (surgeon, chiro, GP & trainer) are so supportive & in agreement of what I'm doing to help with my hips.


The fellow asked me what I wanted to do with my natural hip: surgery, medication or cortisone injection?  I decided to try the cortisone shot.  So end of July is the date set.  I booked the day of off & the next day off from work also so I can go at my own pace.


I'm still not doing activities every day, that's my own fault really, I'm just so tired.  But having said that, on the day of the anniversary, I "played" with my old mare; pain free.  When I sat in the saddle, (last time was in Feb) I wasn't tight in the THR hip, nor was it painful.  It was amazing!  Mind you, she is still green broke (yep, even though she's 24 yrs old), this was ride #6 or so & she made me work my buns off!  10 minutes of using my glutes to get her going & keep her going.  My THR hip felt even better after the 10 minute ride.  I was so pumped by this.  :D

Lots of progress has been happening since the last post.


- I'm almost walking normally which is awesome & weird at the same time.  I have to keep thinking about walking properly as it's not natural yet still.  I had to stop going to the chiro as I ran out of funds for it.


- The yobilty class is going great, I'm slowly improving.  So I'll stick with it for as long as I can.  I've been paying for package that includes 2 classes called strong & mobile but wasn't ready to join in until 2 weeks ago.  We do circuits that strengthens your hips, core & shoulder area, as well as cardio.  A year ago, I could not have done half of it.


- I started cycling 4 weeks ago.  My husband finally convinced me to give it a try.  We purchased me a second hand Trek road bike & cleat shoes, as well as a new helmet & gloves.  I can now do 20 Km.


- And last week, my husband convinced me to join a gym that we can go to on the days I miss or don't go to the gym I go to for my hips.


- Oh... I can't forget to mention this, last weekend, I finally got back in the kayak & it was awesome!  We took the tandem & our Husky.  I loved every minute of it.  The new hip was amazing!


So, having been this active, since I started the one gym in April, I lost 5 lbs & from starting cycling earlier this month & upping the frequency at the gym, I lost 12 lbs more!


Both my hips are feeling a lot better than they did in March/April.


Today I had my first cortisone shot in my natural hip.  It was not pleasant that's for sure, it will not slow down or stop the degeneration of the OA but hopefully will lessen the pain on the unbearable days.  I didn't need my cane going into the appointment but I'm glad I had it after the procedure.  I couldn't lift my leg to get dressed or put my shoes on as it hurt at the injection site & slowly affected my walking.  There was an ache but it's bearable. 


I'm glad I took the time off of work as the doctor today mentioned it would be a good idea to "rest" for three days at least before getting back to my daily activities.  So nothing strenuous like barn chores, the gym, classes, cycling & my printing & sign job.  I may take my dog for some short walks, she's really good with her halti & loaded backpack when I have my cane.  Somehow, she knows when the hip acts up & we can't do activities at her level.  :)


So yeah, July has been pretty awesome hip wise.  Can't wait to see what August brings. ;)

Sounds like things are really improving for you.  Thanks for the update.


Pat

Thanks Pat.   :)


Today was not a good day.  Deep in the injection site hurt like a SOB!  Sitting was the trigger & the instinct of blocking the SI joint & rotating the leg in.  I had to spend the day stretching the hip open or relax the area by lying on my back & making an effort to walk normally.  It's now 38 hrs post injection & the pain is finally much less.  Phew!  I'm using my cane but seriously though of taking the crutches out.

My goodness I never realized that having a cortisone shot in the hip would take such a toll.


So, for the first 3 days I wondered wth I had done... whyyyyy?  Fourth day, I went to work.  Three hours after my shift started, my hip was achy & I felt exhausted.  But I resumed going back to my yobility class which did help a little.  I just went at my own pace.


Day 5 (today), I felt great!  So, went for a gentle 9 km bike ride (meaning no hard pushing & using the easier gear when needed) & did a little bit of gardening & mowing.  It's the end of the day & my glutes are tired.  A little achy.

The good & the bad...

The good:  I'm cycling up to 26 km now, I'm gaining strength.  And on the natural hip, the cortisone shot is working its magic!  I haven't used my cane for a week now & sitting for any length of time doesn't hurt.  Yay!

The bad:  I don't know what's going on but the THR hip hurts.  Has been gradually getting worse for 2 weeks now.  The hip capsule is painful.  Did I do too much & strain something?  I remember deciding to push a bit more in yoga class because I thought I was babying the hip.  Not sure what to do.  Call my surgeon, call my regular doctor, just ice & take it down a notch?

So I fell of the wagon exercise wise by the month of September.  My THR hip continued to hurt while the natural hip continued to feel great until the end of November.  It slowly began getting the familiar twinges & I am now back to the pain I felt pre cortisone.  So I am back on the wait list for injection #2.

Mind you having stopped cycling, training at the gym & yoga, the pain eventually went away.  I think I was pushing too hard.

In December I enrolled at a new riding school to start taking lessons again.  I had 2 lessons before Christmas & though my THR hip tired very quickly and my coordination was far from stellar, I was able to tough out the whole hour each time & somewhat keep up with the group.  As well, my hips did not hurt even though I was on a large horse that needed a lot of leg to get going straight & correctly.  It was a great feeling.

Winter has not been the kindest, so no riding for the past 4 weeks but hopefully February will be nicer as I've booked 4 lessons & will hopefully start going back to the gym this week.

Also, now that I'm 2.5 yrs post surgery, I don't need to take antibiotics when I go to the dentist for non surgical dental work according to both the dentist & my surgeon.

Thanks for the update.  Hopefully you will get a skinny horse next time.  LOL  Glad you are getting to do some of the things you like.

Lol, thanks Pat.   ;D

I had my yearly post THR  surgery appointment last Friday.  The THR hip looks great according to the x-rays.  Unfortunately it seems I'm damned if I do & damned if I don't in the exercise/activity department.  The more I do, the more the soft tissue hurts, so I am told that I'm pushing too hard or overdoing it  (which really I'm not IMO).

The less I do, the stiffness & weight gain comes back but hip pain goes away.

Gaaah! :o

After twice asking for a second cortisone shot, third time's the charm?  I asked the doc if my requests had got lost & yes, unfortunately they had.  So he went & did it.  But...

After looking at the (non THR) hip, he said there wasn't much change, still mild to moderate OA, he offered to put me on the surgery list.  When I asked why so soon?  The answer was that it so I wouldn't have to suffer with the pain & loss of quality of life like I did with the other hip.

Wow, nice!  That made me happy to know the offer was there.  But as much as I would love to have it done asap, I said that'll I'd try to wait a year & see if the 2nd shot works just as well as the first.

What I dd forget to ask was, if I went on the list now, how long was the wait?  I'm guessing it'll probably be a year or 2 because it's non urgent.  I'll have to call & ask.

Riding wise, I never did go past 3 lessons.  Because of storms or severe freezing temperatures as well as my work schedule, I wasn't able to find an available time slot.  I also haven't been able to ride my own horse, it's always raining on my days off it seems or if it isn't, I'm mowing the lawn & catching up on outdoor work.

I also gained back most of the weight I had lost.  I felt terrible at my appointment when the doc mentioned "... as long as you keep the weight off as to not overburden your hips".  Yeah... about that. :-\   

I finally had my second cortisone shot yesterday.  Not pleasant.  But... The pain is almost all  gone 24 hrs later & can almost walk normally.

I took a few days off like I did last time.  Spoke with my pharmacist on how to manage my pain, considering I've been taking 1 - 2 extra strength advil with tylenol 3 for quite some time now.  And my doctor has started me on Lyrica for my neck.

I've gained back all the weight I had lost last year. :-[

So I guess it didn't even last a month.   :(

Sharp pains have started again a week ago, along with thigh nerve pain & numbness at times.

On Friday I called my surgeon's office & left a voice message  asking to be put on the wait list for a THR.