I've posted in several areas on the forum but I thought I would start a topic in this area, and regularly update it. Reading other stories here has been the single best thing to prepare for the surgery, and to prepare for the recovery.
I'm 58, super active, and live in the Lake Tahoe area. Among other activities I've run for 35 years and that, combined with other activities and some suspect genes (thanks Mom) led to the deterioration of my hip. I got the OA diagnosis in September, had to stop running in November, and scheduled surgery for March 27, 2012, at the end of the ski season. That way I would have a new hip in time for our glorious (but short) Tahoe summer.
Pre-op I worked on upper body strength, and concentrated on bar dips - you spend a lot of time lifting yourself out of chairs after surgery. I also worked on balance with a bosu ball and an Indo board. I tried to keep as active as possible leading up to the surgery and walked 5 miles in San Francisco the day before surgery.
Post-op I wasn't prepared for just how sore and weak my leg would be. Mentally I was thinking I would start off in less pain than pre-op. That isn't at all the case. The good news is that the progress, while never as rapid as you want, is steady. Hydration is important and I would drink as much water as possible. When the catheter is removed the nurse will make you pee three times before you are released - I made sure to produce quarts of the stuff!
People will talk about icing and elevation and both are important. I made up some ice bags with 1 part rubbing alcohol to 3 parts water and they work well. Your recliner will be your best friend and, at least in my case, I am still sleeping in it at night at 8 days post-op.
There are two separate factors in recovery. The first is healing from the surgery - everything that was cut away and reattached, plus the trauma of the surgery itself. The second is the healing of the bone around the implant. The distinction between the two is important, because I expect to feel pretty much normal before I am completely healed.
Most doctors focus on walking as a primary exercise in rehab. I've done the same. It's a little difficult to strike the balance between pushing hard and pushing too much. My first walk at 3 days was about .5 miles. My second walk at 4 days was 1.2 miles. That caused considerable swelling that came down with ice and elevation. I went to 2.4 miles in 2 walks, 3 miles in 3 walks, 3.6 miles in 3 walks, and 4 miles in 3 walks. My longest single walk has been 1.6 miles. I ice and elevate after every walk. My goal at this point is 5 miles over 3-4 walks, at which point I think I will be ready to start some light upper body weights and the exercise bike. All my walks are with crutches - I've done a couple with just a cane but that has caused a little too much pain.
My immediate goal is to walk without a limp and with a proper gait. I don't know when I will get there, but the progress is steady so I know its coming.
To end this initial post, I want to emphasize the difference between the healing of the trauma from the surgery, and the healing of the bone around the implant. The former I will push; the latter I will not. I want to compete in triathlons again, but I do not anticipate running for a full year. I want to work on rebuilding my leg strength - I have a complete weight lifting gym at the house - but I will take that very slowly. I think hiking this summer will produce the most stress on the new implant and I am planning my hikes around that. My first "impact" sport will be skiing next winter and I should be 8 months post op by then. Till next week.....
Stephen
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