After my one year mark for the second hip, I thought it would be easy to get back to playing basketball, running, and maybe getting back to lacrosse. I was wrong. The hips were willing, but I forgot to tell my Achilles tendons, and then my calves and hamstrings which were cramping with regularity during jogs.
Took lots of research for me to come to a treatment to stop the cramping. Many internet opinions, but the common denominator of the majority of ideas out there is that salt is the problem. Or lack thereof. I am taking an electrolyte supplement and a pickle juice shot before runs now, and there is no more cramping. At least not the last month or so since I started doing this.
As for hip status 21 months after the left hip, and 17 months on the right, I would say that I am very happy I had the surgery, but I will also note that after a light 3 mile run, or after a heavier work out at the track, there are "things going on" in both hips that reminds me I had surgery. On a scale of 1-10, there is sometimes a dull pressure at about 1 in both hips, and sometimes, just a weird pressure with maybe a 1.5 level of discomfort in the right hip, and there are a few, rare moments getting in and out of a chair perhaps, or doing something involving a bend or a movement that is not routine, that I get a little reminder in the right hip, but it is a very small reminder..say a quick 1.5 or even a 2 level pain shot of "hey, don't forget you saw Dr. Pritchett almost two years ago" and then it is gone. Momentary. And these events are becoming rarer and rarer.
Overall, very happy I had the surgery.
Thank you to everyone who has posted their recovery stories.
Best cramp advice while i'm on the mend from bilateral HR , magnesium,vitamin C and Potassium supplements. I used to do a ton of cycling down here in Sunny HOT South Florida,so trust me I know all about leg cramping. 100 mile rides in 95 degree weather drinking plenty of fluids(but still never enough!),I will be at it again hopefully sooner then later!