Hi Hahn/resurface, Thank you agian for your help. I just read your "hip story" and some of your other entries to get a better picture of your experience.
Yes, my Dr., Sparling WA, has been rated one of the top 10 in the country for HR (not sure, however, what critical group gets the credit for this... too long since I read it). I know for sure, in my area of Oregon and Washington, (I could not afford to travel) he is one of only two who have preformed 400+ or more. That is the reason I chose him. He is not, however, my first choice for "bedside manner". I have some "medical" training (just enough to be dangerous!) as I am a dental hygienist (RDH) and also went to massage therapy school. I do ask a lot of questions when I have an appt. (I keep notes) and even call them back if I forget anything. Last appt. I was personally offended when, after discussion about the lift I had put in my shoe and how I should learn to handle the length discrepency without it, he said in a rather mean way "Boy, you seem to have an answer for everything!" I must admit after that I backed off a bit with my questions and concerns. I refuse to let him intimidate me, though, and next appt. he'll get just as many questions (one being to please measure leg length by radiograph).Perhaps I'm just the "type A" typical refurace hippy you talked about before and want to fix and solve all my problems too soon. I actually feel that I am doing extremley well. I really feel very similar to your report of recovery.
Sounds like you, too, are pretty used to being fit and athletic. I was a race horse jockey for many years in my younger day. I still train horses and cut and work cattle, as well as reining- a sport on horseback in which you spin, run hard and slide to a stop, etc. I am just dying to get back into the saddle, care for my horses, and feel fit again. I have very expensive horseflesh just vegetating out in the pasture right now, too!
Your PT therapy sounds so much more intense and advanced than mine. Right now I still do not have permission (at 4 weeks) to lose my cruches for another 2 weeks (only 50% weight allowed). They said this is because they are waiting for the bone to strengthen around the implant (intergrate). I am doing (only on my own, no PT Rx'd ) what I consider to be quite "wimpy" therapy: leg lifts, stretching, bending, riding my recumbant sat. bike, and walking about a mile a day (very tiring on the arms with crutches!). I liked your comment on sitting on both "butt bones". As I read it I realized I, too, was favoring my operated side and immediately evened out the weight.
As I mentioned before, when Ifinaaly get released from the cruches, I will try to walk for awhile on my own. If I do not feel like the leg length issue is resolving, I am going to ask the Dr. to Rx some more professional PT. Hopefully he will not feel pressured by the insurance company and will recommend it for me.
Please keep all us Newbies posted on your progress, it has helped me immensely. Many thanks, Luann