July 6, 2018

I’m single, live alone, and have much the same friend relationships as you.  I had resurfacing on 02-28-2018 and had planned for a normal recovery alone but awakened after surgery to the news that I’d be on the extra-slow recovery program due to some severe acetabular erosion and the need for bone grafts.  I was on a walker with 10% weight-bearing for six weeks, transitioning to crutches and ramping up to 100% weight-bearing over another six weeks, then going to one crutch, then a cane which I got off of about 17 weeks post-op. 

My brother, who lives out of state, accompanied me for surgery (I live 900 miles away from Dr. Gross) then stayed with me for a few days after I got home.  I couldn’t see myself being alone for weeks after that with the weight bearing limitations so I quickly arranged for a caregiver to come in three days a week which afforded a lot of peace-of-mind, kept up with the housework, etc.  A friend from work also checked on me daily, by phone or in person.  The first two weeks after surgery were the most scary as it was difficult just getting up and down from chairs and the toilet using one leg and any kind of fall could have been devastating.  My good leg quickly became stronger and things were better after that.

If you have a normal recovery with weight-bearing as tolerated right after surgery, convalescing alone would be easier than with a lengthy recovery like mine.  Nonetheless, you might consider some hired help for a few weeks after surgery as it’s definitely comforting and helpful.

June 23, 2018

I’m 16 weeks post-op and was on the extra-slow recovery program due to some severe acetabular erosion and the need for bone grafts (6 weeks 10% weight bearing, ramping up to full WB over another 6 weeks, then on to two crutches, one crutch, and finally just a cane which I’m still using.  I have some persistent swelling in my calf and ankle which is worse when I’m sitting at my desk at work most of the day.  Elevating it helps some and it’s near normal after a night in bed.  My PT said it just takes a while for the body to figure out what to do after major surgery.  Everyone is different.

April 12, 2018

I’m now six weeks post-op and had a remote follow-up with Dr. Gross two days ago.  He said my X-rays, etc. looked good and that I could begin progressively adding weight over the next SIX WEEKS and then we’d have another follow-up and decide my path forward after that, probably progressing to a cane for a month.

The first six weeks passed faster than I thought they would.  My good leg became noticeably stronger after a few weeks so hopping around on the walker and standing mostly on one leg wasn’t as exhausting as it was initially.

My major complaint with the limited weight-bearing and using a walker is not being able to drive to get out of the house.  I live alone and, although I could physically operate a vehicle, getting in/out and loading/unloading a walker alone is the problem without being allowed to put much weight on the leg.

I’m hoping to transition to crutches within a couple of weeks which would be much more conducive to driving but my initial trials with them so far have been kind of scary as they’re not nearly as stable as a walker.  Safety is my primary concern (a fall could be devastating) so if I need to sit on my loins indoors for another six weeks that’s what I’ll do.  I’m not going to risk injury trying to return to work on crutches if I don’t feel safe on them.

I have quite a bit of sick time at work plus short-term disability insurance so, financially, I’m fine with being off for three months or more.  I also have a hired caregiver who comes in three days a week for two hours a day to help keep up the house and other things including helping me bathe.  I don’t have any showers or tubs in my home that I can get in with such limited weight bearing so I’ve been taking sponge baths for the past six weeks.  That first shower six or eight weeks from now is going to feel mighty good!

This recovery has been very much longer than I thought it would be initially but I’m getting through it.  I’m following Doctor’s orders to the letter for the best outcome possible.