Where do I go from here?

[sfinrecovery]

Hi...

Thank you all (and Patricia) for this informative forum.  I have followed up your different topics for two years, wondering what my fate would be after the hip injury 52 months ago.  Since then, the doctors have been able to do hip arthroscopic "repairs to the labrum and many other names you know". I have had two arthroscopies since then, and now I am three months into my second one.  In the last two weeks, the surgery recovery pain has been overwhelmed by this "similar pinch on the groin and the butt" that I had before!!!  I spoke to one of the surgeons and it may be that the repairs have led to "bone on bone" problems... So here is the catch... based on the doctor's evaluation (and some of your comments in terms of symptoms that led you to surgery) I will need a "hip replacement/ resurfacing".  I have literally been sobbing all afternoon, not very becoming of a 55 y.o. male.  Up to 2 years ago, I was doing tri-athlons, dancing up a storm, hiking, and living a pain-free recreational, professional  and social life.  Now that I had hoped this second surgery would work, I am being faced with a possible BHR or even a replacement.  I am tired of walkers, canes, and crutches for the last two years.  I have been on disability more than I have been able to work, which I used to love... I always looked forward to getting up, going for a bike ride or swim and going to work - I miss my contact with my colleagues.   Right now, I cannot see the the light at the end of the tunnel.... I am sure some of you may understand my conundrum... another surgery? more physical pain? And I certainly abhore the burden I have caused to a couple of my dearest friends who have helped me along the way with rides to the doctor, grocery shopping, sometimes just holding my hand and helping me bathe.

I would welcome comments from anyone who has gone though a similar onerous path... I am such a positive person with a great sense of humor which is has kept me going...

[obxpelican]

Where do you go from here?  Well first off, go to the best and most experienced hip surgeon that you can find, then you recover, then you move on with your life.

As far as pain goes, I was never in more pain post-op than I was on my worst day pre-op, Dr. Gross uses spinal blocks and adds his own concoction of meds that keep you pain free for the first day post-op or so, by that time the bone pain is not a problem. 

Don't wait, stop losing out on life.  I just played a daddy-daughter fast pitch softball game, I played outfield, 3rd and first base and I was great, well as good as I could ever play. Tomorrow I am taking out jet skis out and doing some water skiing.

I am 51 years old and feel like I am in my 30s now, I am going on 2 years post op.

Don't get down, get healed.


Chuck

[Pat Walter]

Welcome to Hip Talk. 

You have tried several options which have not worked well.  YOu made those decisions and now it is time to make a final one.  Get your self a hip resurfacing and get back to living again.  Get out of pain and become active.

If you can have a resurfacing, that would be best at your young age.  That's what we all prefer since it saves your femur bone and allows you to have a natural gait just as before your hip problems.  A THR does not do that, but a large ball THR can also give you your life back.  We all feel resurfacing is the best first solution since you will keep your femur bone in case you might need a revision when you get much older.

You need to choose a really expiernced surgeon. Especially since you have had so many problems up to now.  Look at my list and see the surgeons that have done thousands.  http://www.surfacehippy.info/listofdoctors.php

YOu have had a diffiuclt time, but you need to move on.  THat means one more surgery.  Many of us have fairly easy recoveries and you might have one too.  There is no way to know, but most people can get along pretty well after leaving the hospital. Some people travel to other countries by themselves to get their resurfacings.  So you might not need much help after you get out of the hospital.  At least not for very long if you do want some help.

The people on this group are very supportive and will help to answer questions you have.  Please take that next step and get out of pain.  Get on with your life. I know you will feel better and be laughing again.

Pat

[Sherri]

Get your hip resurfaced now! Trust me! I am 2 weeks post op, with a cane only, needed NO pain meds! Driving, shopping, walking pain free for The first time in years! I'm only 40! I have twins under the age of 3! If I can do it so can you! What are you wasting your time on un n e c c e s a r y surgeries! Find a doctor on this site you trust and GO For IT! Any questions?   You will be amazed! And ps I'm the biggest chicken in the world!

[John C]

I can relate to your story. After 15 years of gradually increasing hip pain, I had an arthroscopy that helped a little for about three years , then I tried a stem cell injection that left me in much more pain and on crutches , and finally on to a resurfacing. The resurfacing surgery was a breeze, the next month was an uncomfortable and slow recovery, but after six weeks, things started getting better fast. Two years later, am I as good as new; not quite. But my average summer day involves surfing for a couple of hours at sunrise, an hour or two of tennis, and then windsurfing in high wind and surf for the rest of the day. In the winter, I am snow skiing for eight hours, every day, for five months . At 59, resurfacing has gotten me back to a very active, happy, and limp free life; so I am a believer, and bet that it can for you as well.
I can even relate to the sobbing , which hit me when I once thought that my hip was so bad that I would never be able to do my beloved heli-skiing again. That is all in the past, and I have been heli-skiing three times since my resurfacing with no problems at all .
As others have said, if you really want to get back to your active life, do not compromise your choice of surgeon based on what is convenient. Find the one who is the best in the world for you, and get your life back on track.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

[Timo]

Hi there!
My both hips were resurfaced 8 months ago. I am 65 old. During the op and after that I had no pains. Stifness and weakness, yes, but that is easy to overcome by intensive training. It is wonderfull to be able to walk like in the youth. Running goes also. I even started to play soccer. It is magnificent to wake in the night feeling no pain at all. This was the best investment in my life. Br Timo

[DirkV]

Hi,
Let me add another post of encouragement for what's possible.
I think I was fortunate with my hip arthritis in that it didn't hurt too bad or debilitate too much, until it got really bad. When I finally got the arthritis diagnosis, I checked with a sports surgeon who did arthroscopy, but he said I was too far gone for that. So he referred me to a guy who did (small ball) THR. This was a yr or so before resurfacing was approved in USA, but I had already found Pat's site and others and learned about resurfacing. In so many ways, resurfacing has been a blessing for me, but also in the timing. I had that initial consult for THR, but then declined when the surgeon wanted to schedule the surgery. By then, I had researched resurfacing.
Anyhow, I had bilateral resurfacing about 2 1/2 yrs ago. It has turned out great. A few highlights:
* at 3 months postsurgery, we went on vacation where we rented a place on a bay about 2 miles out of a little village. I noted how well my recovery was on one day when I walked, biked, and canoed to town, all in the same day. At 3-mo post op, the walking was without cane or anything, and I vividly recall the effort of trying to keep a steady, non-limping gait - certainly not 100%, but still able to do all those things.
* at 9 months riding a timed 80 mile bicycle event. Again, not 100%, but getting my life back.
* Now at 2 1/2 years post-op, I couldn't or wouldn't have let myself dream how well it's going. I was focusing my recreation on bicycling, but I recently started playing ice hockey again (the sport I've played all my life), and now the 2 activities are starting to conflict. Here is summary of my activities this week:
* Sat: 60+ mile group ride - the hammerfest variety, with king of the mountain and sprint competitions.
* Mon: Cycling, climbing reps.
* Tue: Cycling, intervals.
* Wed: Hockey (the opposing team had a former NHL'er, younger than me; I am goaltender)
* Thur: Cycling, recovery ride
* Fri: Hockey
* Sat: Same group ride as previous week.
3 years ago, I would have been ecstatic to know that I could again go on hikes with my family and work around the yard. Sometimes I (we) take the benefits of successful surgery outcomes for granted, and it takes something new to re-appreciate what we have. I just started with a new hockey team this week, and everybody was amazed to learn that I have prosthetic hips.
This is all to say, don't despair. Do your research into surgical options. Hip arthritis does not necessarily mean an end to an active lifestyle.
Keep lookin' up,
-Dirk

[sfinrecovery]

Thank you all for your words of encouragement.   I have been educating myself on BHR and have made an appointment with my orthopedist on Thursday to look at the options.  He does not do BHR, but only arthroscopic repairs, so I need to find the best BHR specialist in San Francisco.  The reality of the impending surgery is very frightening, once again under the scalpel... Living on a second floor I am concerned about getting around, as well as getting company to help on day to day things since I live mostly on my own.  I am hoping that my insurance is able to provide for a good outpatient recovery protocol... I have been looking at the "bare necessities" and have made a list of requests to the doctor(s) for my home recovery.  I am realizing I have been taking "gimpy" steps for two years, now it is time to take small but assertive steps towards getting my hip fixed up after all!  Soon enough?

[donnalead2001]

Do the resurfacing surgery and get your life back. I am 6 weeks post op from a LBHR. I feel amazing. I walk normally without a cane. I am walking 2.5 miles per day and rode my bike around the neighborhood. It was wonderful. I am an almost 50 yr. old female who is so happy to have my outside match how I feel on the inside. Take the time to interview surgeons who have done alot of resurfacings, but most importantly who you feel comfortable with. You will be active again. Good luck!

[sfinrecovery]

Thank you so much, Donna, Pat, et.al,

I met with the doctor who did the second hip arthroscopy yesterday and he has put me on prednizone for a week to reduce the inflammation in the hip and hopefully the pain.  He believes I have inflammation that would deter my recovery in the event of the resurfacing, so he has suggested the Rx, plus sports PT for 4 weeks and see if I improve.  He has suggested a couple of resurfacing surgeons and I will be doing my due diligence, per your suggestions.  Does this "waiting" make sense?  He says that having a surgery without releiving the congestion would only impair the recovery...

I am sure some of you may have experience this process, any comments would be welcome.  I will probably be reporting on my dealing with the inflamation in a week.  Any suggestions on Sports PT in the Bay Area?

Best regards!

[gary2010]

Greetings, I had arthroscopy for impingement (mixed type) a year ago, my symptoms returned very quickly, I've just had a follow up x ray and I'm now ready for resurfacing.
It turns out I've had the impingement problem all my life, just never had it diagnosed, but it explains why certain movements have always been harder than they should be.

I'm a 47 year old martial art instructor used to holding my own with people half my age and twice my size, so the effect of the injury on my lifestyle has been catastrophic. I went from athlete to cripple virtually overnight.

The arthroscopy cost me a fortune, with hindsight, I would have gone straight for resurfacing as it was probably about 20 years too late, I think it works well when impingement is diagnosed early, but the treatment has only been available for a couple of years.

I'm now looking forward to having the procedure and getting on with my life. I wish you the best of luck. G.

[Pat Walter]

Hi Gary

What surgeon are you considering for your resurfacing?  Since I assume you want to continue to be a martial arts instructor, you should choose only the very top, expeirnced surgeons.  You need their expereince to place your hip resurfacing components properly so you can remain active.  When you get your resurfacing and get back in action again, send me some photos and a story.  I will be happy to post it for you.  Good Luck and stay in touch.   Pat

[gary2010]

Hello Pat, I've already posted this message on two other threads in the hope of getting some feedback from your members. I will certainly share my experience when I have it.

I've been referred by my G.P. to Mr Middleton in Bournemouth, who's highly regarded for THR, he also trained with McMinn 10 years ago but I've been unable to find any published data on his series or even how many resurfacings he's done. If I go with my referral it will cost me nothing, but I may have to wait. I'm thinking if under 100 in 10 years, that's less than one a month.

Since I've only got one chance at this I'm really looking for an enthusiastic advocate for the procedure, someone who wouldn't saw my leg off unless it was mandatory. Mr Latham in Southampton has done over 700, he also publishes his results.

I'd like to hear from anyone who's been resurfaced by either of these British surgeons, both have been recommended to me anecdotally. I'm eager for any information on device types, revision rates, complications, surgical approach, post operative restrictions etc.

I have sent my X ray to Mr Latham, also Drs Bose and De Smet, for their opinions.

Best Wishes, G.

[Tekka]

Gary,

Your story sounds very similar to mine, I'm sorry I cant advise on the surgeons you mention but I can tell you that getting back into the game is more than possible. I have been involved in mma and boxing for most of my life and I still mix at a reasonable level.

I was 41 when I received my lbhr by Mr McMinn and I was very cautious with my recovery and I feel happy I took this path, I'm sure you we get back into Martial Arts.

Best wishes Terry

[gary2010]

Thanks Terry, that's good to hear.

I saw Marc McFann last year and he said he'd had one of his replaced, I understood it was a big head THR but maybe it was BHR, I must message him and get more details. He's very agile, and 10 years older than me.

I can't wait to see the surgeon's face when I tell him I intend to run a circuit of the Brecon beacons and I'd like to fight on the Dog Brothers gathering next year!

All the best, G.