Kleinink’s Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Pritchett 2013

March 11, 2013

I am scheduled for a metal on poly with Dr. Pritchett next month after reading success stories and having friends in other states (all males between 49-55) having great success with resurfacing.

June 5, 2013

One week out. About to toss my very cool and blinged out Mobilegs crutches as I don’t really need them. The only trouble is the killer migraine from trying to kick the Nucynta. I tried to stop it at day 3, but the nights can be challenging. I am so glad I made the 3000 mile trip out to SC for Dr. Gross. The scar is small, the bruising: minimal, and best result of all, I am almost walking normally in only 7 days. I didn’t expect a result this good. Wow. I am thankful.

June 9, 2013

I’m at day 10 and feeling fantastic.  However, I’m a freak of nature and know that my recovery has a lot to do with being fit, young, and a genetic anomaly.   What I can share is some "stuff" that helped me ready for a speedy recovery that might help some of you.
1. Ice/ Ice machine/elevation:  This is the single best thing I can recommend.  We had a Polar Care Kodiak at home because of multi-sport teens, so I packed it up and brought it with me and I have used it 4 times a day for these first 10 days with elevation.  Catching up on books and movies helps motivate me to ice and elevate.   I brought gallon zip locks and got ice after going through security for the 6 hour flight home and iced most of it, moving it around my hip, bum and quad.  That helped, too.  I am sure ice was what enabled to me start limiting the pain meds at day 4.  No need for you to be a martyr, but they give me migraines so I had to find an alternative.
2.  Cool Crutches.  Mine are Mobilegs:  Well designed, light, beautiful and the most comfortable crutches on earth.   Kevin Ware’s horrible fracture and the resulting press made me notice his crutches which were a new design.  Knowing I had upcoming surgery,  I went to several design sites to see what was new in the world of mobility support.   Mobis are BOMB!  I ordered the extra skins to bling mine up Hawaiian style.   Ladies, if you are a crow like me,  there is nothing like a little bling to make the whole crutch experience more bearable.   Gentleman,  there are some cool man designs, too.  And they are COMFORTABLE.   I practiced for 2 weeks before surgery, after watching the fitting video to make sure they were properly adjusted for me.   Practice helped me strengthen my hands, as did the carpel tunnel stretches that REALLY helped.
3.  A Great Cane.   Style mitigates discomfort.  I found an Edwardian black onyx with sterling silver tabs and tips and stabilized with with a rubber cover.  It is so beautiful and fun to use.  I transition to it on day 9 because I kept forgetting my one crutch so I figured I was ready.  A few people at church today asked if it was a sword cane.  NOW THAT’S AN IDEA!!  I wish I would have thought of that sooner!  Might have made TSA interesting, though.
4. Bathroom structural help: The raised seats, well placed support structures and a plan helped me navigate the necessities.
5. Pre-surgery exercise:  My prep regime was 5 fold:  1.  isometrics, pilates style exercises to strength the area.  2.  Hot yoga for flexibility and circulation. 3. walking for fitness.  I did three 5 mile hikes with elevation gains a few days before surgery.  The down hill wasn’t fun and I did use some Advil, but the uphill really helped me get strong.   I was bone on bone for 3 years so I guess I have a high tolerance for pain or a low one for inactivity, but I think staying fit helped me. 4.  Deep breathing for oxygenation, blood flow and calm.  There are several good sites on the web if you are new to this. 5.  Prayer:  mine, others, friends, etc… it helped in so many ways seen and unseen.   I prayed over Dr. G and the staff (tho they didn’t know I was doing it) and it helped ease my mind as I went for the surgery by myself so it was good to remember G. was with me.