July 26, 2918

I would have to say that at least subjectively I’m doing well. The surgery began with anesthesia at 10AM and I was discharged at 6PM that evening after having been put through my paces with PT and OT who had me do a short lap around the floor which was all they wanted to see because at the time I felt able to do several city blocks. Relied on the Oxycodone the first day while icing in the recliner between several home PT solo sessions but I found the effects too heavy and euphoric so dropped them and reverted to Tramadol thereafter as needed. My routine so far has been PT 3 times a day and progressing from laps inside many times a day to my first solo outside venture on day 6 for about 200 yards. By the next day 3 separate 400 yard walks with solo home PT sessions have become the routine, adjusted slightly up or down if it feels like too much. Surprising how many very small, nuanced changes are noticed when self monitoring the body this closely- this morning I am feeling a very slight and gradual loosening/stretching out of the front hip flexors and their positive response to bed stretches- a very welcome development. There are a couple of the PT exercises I was given at the hospital that are more of a struggle and relate directly to my pre-surgical soft tissue restrictions/weakness- so I give them extra attention to see them come back to good function correctly. All of my walking since day 6 has been on one crutch which I still need for balance and some minimal weight bearing- I will find a cane in the next day or so and begin getting used to that as the crutch just held by hand is awkward for use as a cane support. Two nights ago I was cleaning some coffee grounds at the sink and realized I had turned and walked across the 10′ kitchen without my crutch. Pondered that for a minute and went back to get it. I’ll do a little shuffling around now without any aids, but the gait and pace are an ugly, hobbled and pathetic thing to look at so I’ll continue to rely on a walking aid until my strength and natural balance is re-established. The never extensive swelling is responding to ice, elevation and treatment and is beginning to subside. Overcoming morning inertia and a nights immobility is a challenge but getting easier with each passing day. I have my 2 week check up 7/30, so looking forward to Dr. Pritchett’s evaluation of imaging, movement, wound healing ect. and planning on making the next month until the 6 week check as healing as I can manage. A goal of 1 unaided mile of walking at that point in recovery is a standard used by another widely respected resurfacing surgeon who has graphed/reference those metrics, and after Dr. Pritchett’s approval will become my objective.

When OT asked me at the hospital what my goal was I spontaneously uttered “Climb Mt. Rainier next year”. Although never a serious consideration for me before, I am now giving it some thought as an appropriate height to aspire to if it can be done.

October 22, 2018

I am recovering from the second of two hip resurfacing procedures, 1st done 7/16/18 and 2nd on 9/16/18. Having kept track of a variety of issues during the first recovery interval: pain meds dosages and intervals, home PT reps/progress, pain levels, walking distances, timeline on walking aids, ability to lay on my side [either and both] I find a close timeline relation with the the two surgeries. Some differences in which muscles/soft tissues react but generally it seems recovery is proceeding as before- incrementally at first, then more significantly and suddenly exponentially [couldn’t do a leg raise the day before and then can do 7 without difficulty]. I am currently just shy of 5 weeks post procedure.

I realize many here have been more seriously athletic prior to surgery than myself or at least their chosen events- running, skiing, cycling all of which would have had more highly developed leg/lower body strength. Work and athletic pursuits led me to concentrate more on upper body strength with a tendency to neglect leg strength.

My question: At 6 weeks how far were you walking unaided and at what pace? I understand everyone’s recovery is different and comparisons are questionable. Just trying to see if there is a general consensus of how far along most patients find themselves. I saw somewhere on Dr. Gross’s website he liked to see his patents walking 1 mile unaided at 6 weeks. Haven’t been able to relocate that but fairly certain that was the anticipated metric. My objective is to determine if I am setting the bar too low for myself and should I be further along or pushing myself harder. Currently walking 1 1/4 – 1 1/2 mostly in 1/4 mile laps with brief stretching in between and able to do 1/2 mile laps alternatively all of which is done with either a cane or treking poles. This does result in considerable morning leg soreness most days. A Tylenol, an Ibeprofun, hot shower and cold rinse usually gets me through and back at it. Any thoughts on the matter of improving recovery would be welcome.

December 14, 2018

I had both done as well but they were 8 weeks apart so the recovery was likely a bit different. 1 mile at 6 weeks seems to be a good standard, although it took me 7 to get there unaided and without a bit of stretching in between. I hear you about the groin discomfort- getting my adductors stretched and loosened has been and continues to be a challenge, same with the glutes but I have found hill climbing to be one of my favorite activities these days and getting a good burn going on there is something I now look forward to. Squats: my nemesis. Working with a good PT has been a help but we never pushed for too deep- beyond 90 degrees- for the first 6 weeks. After that we worked to go deeper and I still struggle with that. Your plan for the upper body work in the gym was mine almost to the T. Just learned quickly how much strength I’d lost so it took a few weeks to regain most of it. I held off getting on the floor/doing push ups until the 6 week mark. Pretty much just let my sense of vulnerability be my guide- if it felt too scary I held off a week or two until I felt stronger. It was a Red Letter Day getting my sock on without the sock aide somewhere around week 8-9. Has to be done sitting on the stairs or propped up on the box spring and it isn’t pretty but I’m working on it. Same with tying my shoes- can bend over and do the left but the right needs a chair and contortions. I hope to get there in time.

At 6 weeks I still had considerable start up difficulty and after 40 minutes in a chair or driving I still do- not as bad- but I don’t pop up like my leg/hips are 19 anymore either. I found 1 legged stands beneficial for that- working up to a 1 minute hold and come off it gingerly. When I get up after sitting more than a few I plan on a good stretch and centering and the first few steps are cautious still at 12 weeks.

July 18, 2021

Just past my 3rd year anniversary of the left hip, Sept. will be the 3rd anniversary of my right. Getting my life back was worth every doubt and recovery challenge. Anyone facing this surgery needs to recognize how far it’s come, how adept the top surgeons are at this point and how much they will benefit from deciding to get it done.

October 4, 2022

When Dr. Pritchett did my bilateral surgeries in 2018- will be 4 years in a couple of weeks- I left the device decision to him with my expressed preference for the Synovo, which is what he decided to use. I would have accepted a MOM if it had been his choice but the metal ion issue was a concern and I was and continue to be overwhelmingly grateful and pleased with the surgeries and the prosthetics. Dr. Pritchett has expressed his confidence in the advancements the cross poly brought to HR surgery and I have the greatest confidence in his opinion.

Every once in a while I’ll think how weird it is to have prosthetic hips but never based on any physical symptom, just from a psychological perspective. It has been 4 great pain free years of almost complete function and return to normal and strenuous activity and the only limitations I really experience are more age related [67] or a deficit in specific muscular training- for example, there is not as much quick muscle impetus in a sprint start or kick but then I’m not 19 any more either. My ROM is excellent although lateral extensions have some limitation and my results have been fortunately life saving.

Dr. Pritchett was recently listed as one of Seattle’s Top Docs in a local well read periodical. My personal opinion is that geographic recognition is far too limited. He also did a friend’s THR this past Spring- she’s 77 and doing well. I hope to sail these Synovo Hips into the sunset.

Sept 20, 2023 5 Year Anniversary

A day I’ve been looking forward to:

Thank you to Pat and all the members that helped me to make the decision for HR and get through it and the recovery. Has been the best medical decision I ever made and gave me my life back. Can’t begin to count or enumerate the freedoms it provided. There’s virtually nothing in my realm of interests I can’t pursue or be held back from that which the OA prevented. I walk, hike, workout, swim, yard chores, re-roofed the house, built decks, continue to contract and 2 years ago decided to take up an old interest in sailing. A few courses later and a membership in a local club, I’m out sailing keelboats in the wind and waves and crewing in local races over heaving decks, heeling race boats and enjoying a life I’d almost had to give up on, with many more adventures planned.

To those beginning their journey with all the trepidation and concerns it entails- find a good surgeon you trust and have vetted and plunge forward. There’s a good life waiting you on the other side. I just past my 5 year anniversary for bilateral surgery and have no reservations, worries or concerns that things are just going to get better. Except old age that is. Still at 68 I’m not slowing down much nor intend to.

Wanted to express my gratitude to Pat for this site, my surgeon Dr. Pritchett and his team, the members on this site that shared their support and insight, the ACA and the life I’m now allowed to lead. Best wishes.