I had a LBHR with Dr Peter Brooks at the Cleveland Clinic Euclid in early October, 2011. I cannot say enough about the incredible service from all of my providers at Euclid, from the moment I arrived, through the time I was discharged 2 days after surgery. Simply remarkable care, service and dedication by a truly engaged medical and nursing staff.
I'm doing very well now almost 6 weeks out, and looking forward to getting off crutches if all is well this week during 6 week follow up. No more pain in the hip joint after about 2 weeks after the operation, and most of what was there was not joint pain. Almost no prescription pain meds, just tylenol, after week 2. I'm following the home exercise plan to a T and will do so for the first 12 months, and although the recovery is no walk in the park, it gets better virtually every day. The worst part was relatively minor; the 2 weeks on the pneumatic stockings were difficult from a movement and sleep perspective (that pump was way too loud!), but I got through it fine.
Once I finally got an MRI in the spring, I was confirmed to have substantial OA in both hips, torn/worn labrums, bruising of the sockets, all of which which progressively resulted in more and more pain and limits over the past couple years. Other treatment before engaging with Dr Brooks had mostly negative effects (PT, bursa injections in the hip, etc), and left me with some frustration. I had to back off all my volunteer work in our local National Park in the spring of this year, at which point I realized something had to be done. I had bilateral injections in the spring to try and help, the really bad side (since resurfaced) did not respond at all, and the other (right) side responded fairly well (about 3 months with far less symptoms). About 6 weeks before the surgery the "good" side started becoming unmanageable again, and because I could not sleep at all on either side, had the good side injected again about 4 weeks before surgery (thinking I'd need to sleep after the surgery). Dr Brooks advised early on to lose weight, which I did starting early on, and was able to get a substantial improvement there, and I am confident I can keep it off for the long term to preserve the BHR as long as possible.
Following Dr Brooks' post surgical protocol has been very important. Only 75% weight bearing, use of both crutches for first 6 weeks, and doing every exercise religiously 3x per day as scheduled has certainly helped me very much. I have great flexibility, have been able to put on socks for at least 3 weeks now, and the recovery from the swelling and bruising went along very, very well. Almost no pain, and the pain there is not in the hip. When I do try to walk as a test, I do limp quite a bit, but the muscles in the leg are clearly atrophied to some degree, but the fact that I will not suffer the kinds of complications the protocol was designed to prevent, have me completely OK with the next stage of building the leg back up. (For those interested in Dr Brooks' record, have a look at Pat's interview with him from this year in Arizona-- an incredible record of success and very, very low adverse complications.) I will confess some of the posts here with people observing different prototcols has me feeling a bit behind at times, but I'll take slow and gradual vs fast and more risky.
Looking forward to getting back in the office this week (been working from home after week 4), and starting on the next phase. Also thinking about the other hip, and when.
This site has been a true lifesaver in this process, Pat does an incredible job, and I have read this site almost every day when in need of support, reinforcement and when times have been a bit on the blue side. Kudos to Pat for all her efforts and for all the participants for all they give and share here. A sincere thank you.
Dan
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