Hi - An initial post, will send more of my story along the way. In short, I've been active in sports all my life. Since age 55 (I'm 62) I've been participating in masters racquetball and softball. I've won gold in both at a state and national level--up until 2008 that is... My right hip reached the point where I was, the month of June, walking with a cane and struggling with stairs. I looked at the beach where only a couple of years ago I was jogging and knew it was impossible to even walk out to the ocean without a lot of pain.
No more! There are not words to describe the amazing and wonderful experience I've had with Dr. Gross, Lee Webb, Nancy, and Providence NE Hospital in Columbia SC. These health care professionals are simply the best medical team I have ever encountered. The afternoon of my surgery, I was up and walking. Dr. Gross came by the next morning and said "you're doing great, you're only 4 hours away, you can go home...(!)"
Currently (12 days out), I'm walking with one crutch and no pain (just stiffness, as if I'd played in an weekend racquetball tournament. The Polar Ice machine is my new best friend...) I plan to follow this 6 week rehab to the letter and the same with the 6 months afterwards. My goal is to participate in the Senior Olympics (Nationals) in June 2011 -- so there's some definite rehab and work ahead of me.
But for now, what a gift! I can stand up and walk again without pain. And again, what a great experience with Dr. Gross and his team--they are simply top notch. There's some video in progress on this adventure as well :-) I'll post more info as things progress. Again, quite a road ahead but I'm so, so glad I did this!!
dee
(ps.1 Thanks to this great site I found Dr. Gross)
(ps.2 You can't tell from my name, but I'm a 62 year old woman :-)