Old Soccer Player’s Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Gross 2013

August 18, 2013

I’m just a few days shy of 4 weeks post-op (left hip resurfacing, Dr Gross) and got a great deal of encouragement from seeing such an active and supportive community here.
I’m walking independently but get frustrated because I can’t bend over enough to put my left sock & shoe on without help and start wondering if this is my new reality. It seems like impatience is enemy #1 in the healing process, so I assume my physical and mental conditions are normal and I just need to give it some more time.

August 20, 2013

I’m hitting my 4 week post-op milestone tomorrow. I’ve been waking up in the wee hours with leg pain in the side that had the surgery. I guess it’s because I moved into an uncomfortable position or was kicking my legs while asleep. Depending on the time and pain level I either take some Tylenol or prescription pain killer. I’m hoping that this too will pass.

August 27, 2013

From what I’m experiencing (5 weeks post-op) and reading here, the recovery is a roller-coaster, physically and emotionally. The best advice, I think, is hang in there and be patient. Take pain meds when you need to, or even as a preventive measure for at least the first week or two.

August 31, 2012

I’m coming up on 6 weeks post-op. For the first couple of weeks I saw a marked improvement every day (though I didn’t drive for a couple of weeks) and thought “this is a piece of cake, I’ll be back to full activity in no time.” After a while the pace slowed down and now I measure my progress week by week.
I’m frustrated by not having full mobility on my operated side, I can’t cross my legs and put my left (operated side) ankle on my right knee like you do to put socks on. Funny how you start noticing things you used to take for granted. I’m hoping this too will pass.

September 10, 2013

Just got back from my week 6 post-op follow up with Dr. Gross (did it at week 7 due to scheduling constraints). I got a handout with the Phase 2 exercises; included in the handouts were the notes below. I don’t think any of this is new to the surfacehippie community but it’s good to get it reiterated from the care givers themselves. This helps ease the stress of  “will I ever be the same again” and “why does it still hurt” that are common threads.

•You may now bend your hip past 90degrees. Avoid extreme stretching or bending until 6 months post- op.
•We encourage a gradually increasing program of light weight exercises gradually increasing to no more than 50 lbs by 6 months post-op. (My note, this is for the leg, there are no limitations on upper body workouts).
•Moderation: In general, over the first year post-op all exercises and sports attempted should be approached gradually. There should be no sudden increase in activity level. You will be allowed full activity without restrictions after 6 months. Moderation will allow your implant to last longer.
•Full Healing: It takes up to one year for your hip to fully heal. Expect some soreness, swelling and minor aches and pains during this time. (My italics). At 6 months you have passed the risk period for femoral neck fracture.

 August 12, 2014

Just got back from my 1yr. checkup with Lee Webb (Dr. Gross’ PA). They took some xrays which Lee said looked fine. She did some manipulations on my leg, and said the ROM was excellent, which was a nice surprise because I’d never really thought about it, just assumed it would be limited.

As for leg strength, no surprises there since I’ve been back to a consistent workout routine and Sunday morning soccer for the last 6 months or so.

The only symptom I still have is a bit of a pinching in my lower back on the op side, but it takes specific movements like deep squats with a 20lb kettlebell to bring that on, and then it subsides after a few moments. Lee supports the “if it hurts don’t do it” approach for that.

Just over a year ago I could only walk or swim for about 20 minutes before the pain got the better of me.

One interesting observation from my soccer (“real football”) playing. My right leg is my strong side but that’s the non-op side. Even that has improved because to get a good swing you need to plant your other, weaker leg firmly. Now that it no longer hurts when I plant the left leg, the right is better than it used to be!