Jerome’s Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Gross 2010

I am 50 and postponed my surgery for about 8 years. I dealt with the pain with inactivity. I stopped running and playing soccer. I reduced my aerobic activity to only an elliptical machine. My tipping point came when I realized I condition would never stabilize and I had trouble sleeping at night due to pain. Deferring surgery only would result in further loss of enjoying my life.

July 3, 2010

I received an uncemented Biomet resurfacing device on June 23, 2010. My surgeon is Dr. Gross. At 10 days post surgery, I think I am quite well and almost painfree. I just feel wonderful.

I must qualify my 1 week return to work. I worked from home. Although I effectively worked about 10 hours a day, I was able to work from the comfort of home.  I would advise anyone with a desk job to take at least two weeks off of work.

July 4, 2010

I am presently taking Lovenox and have completed 7 of 10 injections. After three injections, I really don’t think twice about giving myself these injections. I found the best way to inject yourself is at a 90 degree angle. My first injection was about at a 45 degree angle which I think caused slight discomfort and bruising.

I hope these tips are useful to you as you prepare for your post-surgery homecoming:

1. Understand your wound care. Purchase bandages, topicals, and tape (3M gentle paper tape) to dress the antcipated incision
2. Purchase or rent a toilet chair (this is a must have for your safety and comfort)
3. Consider the purchase or rental of a shower chair. I personally did not use a chair, but if you have any doubts, a chair will ensure your safety.
4. I think the Polar Care therapy unit is indispensible for your recovery and comfort. If your insurance will not purchase the device, I strongly advise you to rent or purchase the unit.
5. Stock up on ice for your ice therapy.
6. Determine where and when you take your medications. At this station, stock water and your medications. Consistently take your medications at the same time every day.
7. Conduct dry-runs at your home to determine if you will difficulties completing day to day tasks with crutches.
8. Ensure you will not have to complete any physical home tasks upon your return from surgery

July 8, 2010

I just had my surgery on 23 June 2010. Dr. Gross was also my surgeon and I opted for the BioMet uncemented recap. So far I am feeling wonderful. With each day I am feeling stronger. Now to answer your question. I live in California, I flew from Raliegh, NC to Tennessee, to California.

I would recommend the following:
– Purchase Immodium just in case…why you will be given a stool softeners post surgery and you may ingest foods or drink that may affect your bowl movements. I may case, I had a productive response to the above to day before my return to home. The immodium was immediately affective and I had no issues on my way home.
– I waited to fly 4 days after surgery. I think this made my travel much more tolerable
– Ice the night before and the day of your flight
– Columbia, SC is about an 90 minutes from Charlotte International and over four hours from Raleigh’s airport. Where ever you are departing, stay at a hotel in the city in which you are departing from. This was a huge benefit as I was minutes away from the airport.
– Communicate in advance to your air carrier that you are recovering from surgery. They will arrange for wheel chair transport and will also facilitate your processing through TSA. I used Southwest and they were incredibly kind and efficient.
– Even through you will have priority seating (meaning you should be able to board early), get to be the first to board and select your seat. I sat in the first row, aisle seat, right side as my operative hip was my left. This enabled me to extend my left leg. I also stood, kneeled on the seat and bowed resting my hands on the arms of the seat. It sounds unpleasant, but it really was not that bad..

May 21, 2012

I have experienced pain while jogging. At about 3 miles at an 8 minute pace, the pain at the top/outside of my hip socket was quite uncomfortable.My solution was to adopt a Pose running style. On flats, a consistent Pose running style will take much of the impact off of your hip joint. On flats I try to pace myself at 9 minutes per mile.

I also trail run hills. Running uphill will force you into a Pose running style and slow your pace. I have never experience hip pain while running hills. I now run pain free at a distance of 5 miles. I plan on slowly building up to 10 miles.