John Woolslayer Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Pritchett 2022
John Woolslayer age 54.
About a year and 1/2 ago my right hip started hurting and I was losing mobility. Pretty quickly this hip pain kept me from being able to go running. For work outs I had to swim and ride a bike. I also was still able to use a stair master, elliptical trainer and treadmill. While I could do these exercises, I could not run or jump at all and my posture was getting bad and I walked with a limp. I’ve always been physically active playing different sports and this condition was becoming depressing.
I went to an Orthopedic Dr. Who took an X-ray and said I need total hip replacement on both sides due to bone-on-bone. I immediately thought, we’ll I’m not doing that so what options do you have? Nothing was the reply. Okay , one option was a shot in the hip that might work temporarily.
I started to research options to hip replacements… fast forward.. and liked what I gathered about Dr. James Pritchett and his expertise and experience with Hip resurfacing. In reading about Dr. Pritchett on Surface hippy I discovered some very good news about hip resurfacing. 1. Several Doctors who specialize in THR actually sought out Dr. Pritchett for hip resurfacing when they needed a hip replacement. In another study of several patients who had one hip resurfaced and one hip Total hip replacement, most of the patients liked the resurfaced hip better than the side with total hip replacement. I also liked other detailed explanations from Dr. Pritchett.
My surgery 10-18-22 , Dr. Pritchett – Swedish Orthopedic Institute, Seattle Washington.
Check in 8:15 am, surgery probably started at about 11am . Report was good and surgery went well as planned. Surgery was probably 2 hours approximately. Took a pain med . Set of pills prior to surgery. In recovery I responded well, but had to get a catheter ( glad I didn’t have to get that later) as spinal block and pain meds still had not worn off yet.
Physical therapist taught me some exercises that I was allowed to start immediately. I could do everything she wanted me to. I was up on crutches walking around. Then sent on my way after about 3 hours in recovery. Took UBER to hotel with my wonderful wife and amazing caregiver😂. felt okay the night of surgery. The next day was rough though.
10-19-22. This is Wednesday the day after surgery . Took a lap around the Hotel . At night the pain meds from surgery and the spinal block all worn off. Lots of weakness with pain . Oxycodone just made me woozy and with pain. Took it so I could sleep, but not much sleeping. Maybe a mistake here , I drank one beer and took one oxycodone and a hydrocodone ( don’t do that)My wife helped me with everything! 10/20/22, Thursday was second full day out of surgery and a lil better than Wednesday is all I can say . My wife still helped me with everything . Taking a shower was a lil bit easier.
Now it’s Friday 10/21/22. Much better today ! Walked on crutches around hotel and again a couple of blocks away to subway for lunch. Feeling much better, can do exercises , but the hardest thing is to lift my leg . Icing helps limit swelling and especially after being up on crutches a lot. My leg will probably take the weight of walking, but I’m just a lil apprehensive so far. More updates to come..
11-7-22
Tomorrow will be 3 weeks out from surgery date of October 18, 2022.
Walking with one crutch. Can walk unassisted with a limp.
Have been to PT 3 times now. Improving on weekly basis now rather than daily. Gaining strength. Still taking zink and vitamin C. Will continue until 6 week mark. Got in warm pool today and walked in 4’ deep. Water walking and gentle swimming is great ! Be patient but also persistent with rehab efforts.
Today was 4 th day of physical therapy and had a good session, flexor stretch was helpful. Still using a crutch like a cane. Very close to walking unassisted now. Main weakness and some pain is still in quad hip flexor. At PT also had 10 minutes on anti gravity treadmill.
11-14-22
Tomorrow is 4 weeks since surgery. I can walk w a limp, ride stationary bike ( w seat high) walk on treadmill, swim and do all PT. Coming right along. Can do more with Tylenol/ advil.
11-17-22
4 weeks out from surgery just this Tuesday. Can walk w limp w out crutches, leg gaining strength! Working on normal gait. Body is strong enough, just have to trust my muscles and keep improving confidence! Will only carry a crutch for emergency reasons or fatigue now. Sleeping better!
Still taking vitamin C and zinc and aspirin. making steady progress!
5 weeks out from surgery – Can walk
Better, but still with limp. Doing therapy and improving weekly. About to start more stretching to get better range of motion. Until 6 week mark I’m supposed to avoid hip flexing past 90deg. And also supposed to avoid inward hip rotation. ! I’m ready to see if I can achieve better flexibility since surgery!
Dec 1,2022 /Week 6 post surgery
Walking some without limp.
Stretching more now because I’m 6 weeks out and can start 90deg. Bend and working toward some internal rotation. External rotation way better than pre surgery. Can barely get sock on now!