I think this is the best thing about this web site being able to share stories of how we where, are and want to be.
I sit here now 2 weeks plus 1 day and I am walking without a crutch or cane in and only use the cane when it looks like it’s going to be slippery. I am looking out the window at 18+ inches of snow on the ground with a projected 6” more tonight.
I went to a birthday party at a local pub last night and I had people tell me I was walking with less of a limp than before surgery. I don’t feel that strong on the leg, but the fix must show.
Before surgery my pain was controlled by taking 3 extra strength Tylenol 3 to 4 times per day plus Celebrex, plus Glucosamine. I’m 38 and have been dealing with the pain going on 3 years and had undiagnosed symptoms for probably the previous 5 years. I was slowly steeping up pain meds throughout. The last two month the pain was getting exponential worse, I originally was going to wait for the surgery until March or April, but because I could no longer sleep well and if I drove an hour or more I could hardly get out of the vehicle. I typically spend 10 to 20 hours per week driving for work , that really stunk.
I am obviously still recovering, but I am very happy I chose to have the surgery. I was very active leading up to the surgery, though I stopped playing basketball 2 years ago and stopped “attempting” to run the last year and a half or so. I could still walk though long distances would make me sore, for exercise I biked and swam and luckily that kept me loose enough to keep functioning. After the surgery my doc told me it was a good thing I was doing that, because I was lucky to still be able to even walk because of the amount of bone spurs. He could not even dislocate my hip without first removing a large amount of them. Also keeping active has greatly contributed to how I feel right now. I can hit the bike and pool again starting Monday and I plan to keep up the exercise routine as best I can. I also start Physical Therapy on Monday.
My suggestion is if you have pain there is no reason to continue with it.
Mike
P.S. Took the kids skiing today with my wife, man was it tough to just sit and watch, but I was glad to be out and about.