Joe’s Hip Bilateral Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Schmitt 2018
57 year old male here. December marked my one year bilateral BHR operations with Dr. Schmitt in Commerce, MI. In short, this is was a wonderful method to reduce hip pain and improve mobility! My hip pain is down a great deal, so much that I’v never taken an ibuprofen or other OTC pain pill since my early operations recovery! Yes, my pain is reduced that much:) Further, I’m back to running between 3-6 miles per week. My pace is slowed, my range is shorter, my stamina is reduced, but all of these are slowly but steadily improving as time marches on. My ROM is steadily improving and I’m very pleased with it overall.
I have a noticeable grinding/rubbing sensation on the outside of my right hip (only noticed when going up stairs or other steep incline) which they attributed to bursitis. My instructions are to roll my IT Band. I have been rolling and yes, the rubbing sensation is reduced.
The one year x ray images show the parts are well aligned in both hips.
My right hip was operated on in November 2017 and my left hip six weeks later in December 2017. So basically Thanksgiving and especially Christmas I was laid up. But in reality, this ended up to be a good plan because as the weather here in Michigan grew better, so did my hips. When Summer arrived I was running my first steps post op. The only regret was we had a lot of snow here last winter and my lovely wife got stuck shoveling multiple times.
Here are suggestions based on my hip arthritis experience:
- Get multiple doctor evaluations. Do not necessarily accept the first diagnosis. Why? Doctors, like all of us have bias. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, rather it’s human nature.
- Do your homework on BHR. Read all you can. Search forums like this one. Ask questions.
- Find a good doctor (like I did). Evaluate the doctors comfort level with operating on you.
- Have good support at home. You’re going to need it for post op recovery.
- Walk, walk and walk as much as. you can. It’s important!
BBHR turned out to be a winner for me. I hope it can be for you also.
Thanks,
Joe