Monday 1/12/2009 +5 days
I thought it would be a good opportunity to track my progress and experience as I will be undergoing the second half of my bilateral BHR later this spring.
Brief history: Male 39. 185lbs. Over the past 5 years hip pain had progressed to the point where I couldn't run, bend, sit for any length of time...etc. Finally got xrays when I realized that the pain wasn't normal aging. Xray revealed severe osteoarthritis in both hips, a flat spot on each ball that likely contributed to the early deterioration and such. I played basketball in college, and was very active at one time, and as the pain progressed over the years, I slowly became less active. It was subtle enough early on that I never considered that it was anything except age catching up with me. The trigger that got me to finally go to the doctor was on a vacation to the Black Hills and a family trail ride. Ever get on a horse with hip pain? Well, not to disappoint the kids, I somehow hoisted myself up using my upper body to get me onto the saddle. I had tears in my eyes by the end of the bumpy ride.
I progressed through the initial treatments of cortisol injections into each hip. There was no noticeable relief after 1 week. Next step, meet with the local Orthopedic Surgeon. The Dr. I met is very highly regarded locally, and I believe he is very good at what he does. Unfortunately, he recommended a THR for me at 38 years old. Now I had done very little research, and already had heard positive things about resurfacing. When I asked him to clarify "why not" the resurfacing, he said that there were no real long term benefits to it. It really chapped me that a highly regarded surgeon would not have better understanding of options for someone my age. I wonder how many THR have been done on people who would have benefited from the resurfacing. the number must be staggering. So as an layperson with a computer, I researched more and more--a lot on this site. Obviously I went to get a second opinion and tracked down a surgeon in Stillwater MN, Dr. David Palmer. Now I found a surgeon who was regarded by many to be the best in the state of MN (including Mayo Clinic). Dr. Palmer performs both THR and resurfacing, and clearly understands the benefits of each. I got my answer from him. "You are a perfect candidate for resurfacing". This reaffirmed what I knew in my gut.
So we looked at my insurance and the timing, and found that January 2009 would be best for the first, and we'd follow up with the second as recommended based on recovery of the first (late spring).
Here we are 5 days after my left hip resurfacing.
Surgery was in the afternoon on Wed. 1/7. I remember being asked to lean forward for my spinal, and next thing I knew I was up in recovery. I was Dr. Palmer's 4th of 6 resurfacings for the day. I was nauseated the first night whenever I tried to sit up, but I was hungry and felt alright other than that. Lay down for a few minutes, and I was fine again. No need to get out of bed until Thursday. I never felt much "pain" after the surgery when lying still. Of course there is swelling, and I was pretty surprised at how weak my leg was. I could move my toes, but there was no way I could lift the leg on my own. I had an IV with anitbiotics and fluids, and I did get a coffee, broth, sherbert dinner-it was pretty good considering, and the nurses said as long as I felt ok they could bring me toast and juice which I had during the evening and in the middle of the night. Pain meds were given orally, and initially I was given 1 Ocxycodone which they increased to 2 as the throbbing leg was keeping me up. After that, no real pain issues.
Got some real food the next day and in the afternoon did a lap around the nurses station with a walker. Pretty wobbly, but not so bad. My unoperated leg is strong, and I felt pretty comfortable moving again. It was more of a mental struggle to walk properly again.
I did some PT on Thursday and Friday, and met with the occupational therapist on Friday prior to discharge. I learned the most helpful thing from her to use my cane to help support and lift my operated leg. With the cane upside down under the foot and the shaft supporting the inside of the leg, it helps to keep the knee out, move the leg safely and reduces the chance of tweaking it.
I was discharged on Friday and had to crawl right into bed after the 2.5 hour ride home. Felt pretty sick being upright for so long in the car. After lying down again I felt good. Over the next two days, I had what I believe was a spinal induced headache that was my only real complaint. That cleared up by Sunday.
Leg strength and movement with my PT exercises has improved by leaps each day. I felt so much better on Saturday, then on Sunday, then today. I am pretty vigilant with icing. I've wrap my leg with the ice packs I've got and the leg stays chilled and elevated as much as possible. I've been icing when I go to bed, and when I wake for my pain meds. In the morning I go through my exercises and move for a while, then ice like crazy again. The swelling moves from my operated thigh across my butt to the un -operated leg. It has subsided a lot since Saturday, but I expect it will come and go for weeks to come yet.
At night, I have woke in a total sweat and chilled on occasion. I think I will stop the vistirol at night to see if that may help. Maybe I'll stop the icing at night too. A few strange dreams at night don't help either, so we'll have to see if we can get that to change. More to come.
todd
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Topic: Todd's Bilateral Story...as it happens (Read 20598 times)
