I had suffered with pain in my right hip for a couple of years. It came and went and was a nuisance more than anything else. The pain would come on for a week or two and was EXTREMELY SEVERE. The pain was not related to movement and would hurt when just sitting or standing. Then it would go away completely for months. Looking back on it, I believe these severe episodes were a result of cyst growth and not real joint damage. I didn't bother to go to the doctor about the pain, since it would go away in short order. However, about 1 year ago, the pain came and never went away. I saw a doctor and the joint was severely damaged by then. I went on an anti-inflammatory (Arthrotec) which dulled the pain and started using a cane. After a year of this, the pain was keeping me from sleeping and I could no longer walk for any distance. Any type of physical activity was out of the question. So, I went to see an Orthopedic Surgeon.
The first surgeon I saw recommended a total hip replacement and I don't think he was familiar with resurfacing. In the mean time, I had researched my options and I was excited about the resurfacing option. I then researched other surgeons and decided to see Dr. Joel Wallskog in Milwaukee. Dr. Wallskog diagnosed me at Level 4 and indicated that I was a perfect candidate for resurfacing. BTW: I am a 53 year old male, 6 foot 1 inch and just a bit over weight. So, I decided to have the surgery. This is the best decision I ever made!
2/3/11 - Checked into St. Lukes in Milwaukee and was prepped for BHR surgery. They were very careful to monitor my vitals before surgery and paid a lot of attention to me. About 10am I was taken to the OR. A few hours later I woke up and was taken to my room with my new hip and a nine inch scar. I felt great, was in very little pain and spent some time watching a movie and eating a bit. Toward the end of that day, the PT guy came around and got me up on a walker. I was immediately zipping down the hall at full speed with him trailing behind. I slept very well that night after eating a full dinner.
2/4/11 - The PT guy showed up early in the morning and got me up on crutches. Once again I was zipping down the hall. We then climbed a dozen steps with one crutch, which went very well. He said I was doing great and left. Later that morning, Dr. Wallskog discharged me and I went home.
2/5/11 - Walked around the house with a walker and/or crutches. Very little pain.
2/6/11 - Went to my first PT session, which went well. When I got home, I called the Dr. to ask how much weight I could put on the operative leg and they indicated "as much as you can bear", but no lifting over 50 lbs or twisting on the leg. So, I discarded the crutches and walker and began walking unassisted, working through the muscle stiffness and some pain. My condition and mobility seemed to improve by the hour. The next day I was walking and very little pain and almost no limp.
Current Date - I returned to my office job full time after 14 days. I have one more PT session next week, which will probably be my last. While my recovery has leveled off somewhat compared to the first few days, I am still getting better every day and doing my PT exercises. I could have returned to work after 4 days, but I work in a different city than where I live and commute on the weekends. Living alone during the week, I couldn't change my own dressing and had to stay home with my wife until the staples were removed.
My entire experience has been superlative and everyone at work is amazed. I have always been a robust person and I always recover quickly. I also never seem to get sick for any reason. Given that, I doubt that most people will recover as quickly as I did. I feel GREAT and I'm glad that I hooked up with the right doctor and had the procedure.
Jim