Nevin’s Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Mont 2013

August 14, 2013

I am two days post left hip resurfacing with Dr. Mont in Baltimore.

I was not in SERIOUS PAIN unless I actually did something. If I sat around like a couch potato, I would get occasional twinges and aches, but no real pain unless I walked a few blocks or spent too much time in the aisles at the supermarket.

A "traditional" hip guy who does not do resurfacing thought that was great. He said "you’re 44, limit your activities, wait until you are 55 or so, and then get a total replacement!" To my protest that I would be wasting ten good years of my life, he basically said "some of my patients can’t even go from the couch to the bathroom without pain. You are doing great compared to them."

What a terrible attitude for a doctor to have. Telling someone 44 years old to sit on a couch for the next ten years and turn into a diabetic lump with heart disease. I had to push him for information on resurfacing– and push him hard.

I am two days post surgery and of course I don’t know what the future holds yet. But I can’t believe that people won’t at least try to restore themselves to an active life and not die a couch potato.

August 22, 2013

I am now at 10 days post surgery. The first few days went by in a blur, mostly resting and watching television, sleeping, and deciding that I don’t like oxycodone very much. Two days ago it was like a light switch flipped and my operated leg became much stronger and I get around the house on one crutch quite easily. Today I went about a quarter mile down the road and back on one crutch and felt fine. I take the oxycodone at night to sleep but have switched to aspirin and ibuprofen during the day.

At this point, I think it will just be a matter of getting stronger and healing more every day, and waiting until the operated leg feels like it can bear more weight. I can sort of shuffle a bit on it if I have to but avoid doing so– I want to use the crutches so as not to cause any problems. My post op appointment is in about 12 days from now. I am thinking of heading back to work (office job) for a half day on this coming Monday and seeing how it goes.

August 23, 2013

I also heard, from my doctor’s office (not my doctor himself) that I should not work for six weeks after the surgery or until after the first post-op appointment when I am cleared. I just had to tell her, I am sorry but that is not the way the world works. Maybe my doctor is a generous employer and will give you six weeks medical leave if you need it, but others have to make a living. When she "insisted" that I not work until after the post-op appointment, she said she would move the appointment up, but I still had to tell her that I was not able to just not work for as long as she thought. She said "it’s not safe" and I told her that I talk on the phone and type on a computer for work, which was no different than talking to a doctor’s office on the phone, which I was doing at that very moment.

The short version is that after two weeks off, I am headed back to work for at least half days as of next week, which will be two weeks from my surgery date. I will see how it goes and move to full days if it goes well. I am still on one crutch but only take the oxycodone at night. I am lucky in that I have an office job, and there is no difference between sitting in the office talking on the phone and typing on the computer, or doing the same thing at home. (I am a lawyer).

I feel bad for those people who need to be mobile for work, I know it must be a lot harder.

August 24, 2013

As for pain relief, I think at this point I am past going out and getting new devices or prescriptions, I am making do just fine with ibuprofen and aspirin during the day, and a couple of oxycodone at night before bed. I hope to stop that entirely within a few days and just do aspirin and ibuprofen or alieve or something. (I have never liked acetominophen, in case you are wondering). The pain right now is about like it was on a bad day pre surgery, and seems to get better every day.

Today I walked on crutches to the end of the street around the corner from me and back– it is probably about a half mile. I will do it again this afternoon, I think.

August 30, 2013

I am 18 days post left hip resurfacing. Today I can walk for over a mile on one crutch, and can limp along for short distances without a crutch, although I avoid doing so because I want to take the recovery slow and steady.

September 23, 2013

I am now six weeks post left hip resurfacing with Dr. Mont in Baltimore.

I am walking without assistance and with just barely a limp. It is still hard to stand on the operated leg when putting pants on, but I can flex it enough to tie shoes and put on socks with ease.

At my five week follow up appointment, I was told that everything looks good and given a script for PT, but have not had my first appointment yet. However, my walking is now pretty much unlimited, I do not have any pain, and only a bit of a limp. Last night I did 20 minutes on the elliptical.

It really has changed my life. Just keeping fingers crossed that this implant lasts for a long time.