March 16, 2017

I am a 61 y.o. woman with “bone on bone” osteoarthritis of my left hip and a chronically low white blood cell count. My recent research indicates that metal-on-metal resurfacing (like with BHR and Biomet devices) poses additional risks for folks with autoimmune disorders like me. So, I am considering meeting with Dr. Pritchett to discuss the suitability of the Synovo ceramic coated device.

April 28, 2017

I am one very happy patient. Dr Pritchett instilled confidence every step of the way and I found him to be warm and caring. Swedish Institute, where he operates, is a very impressive facility with really good nurses and other staff. The same day and next day post-op PT and OT provided at Swedish was very helpful in regaining function in my left leg (following left hip resurfacing). At this point, I can walk shorter distances unassisted and the swelling has pretty much disappeared. My pain medication is just Trammedol and Tylenol. I never took any Oxycodrone. I do the home PT exercises 2-3 times a day about 5 days a week. My outside PT sessions begin next week and Dr Pritchett’s office provided me with a protocol for having the PT report to them regarding my range of motion. It’s been great having this site as a resource and I will update all of you further down the line.

May 5, 2017

I am very happy with my PT – Jeff@C.O.R.E. Physical Therapy. Here’s how I found him. First, I went to the website of the American Physical Therapists Association (apta.org). At “Find a PT” I narrowed my search to DPTs under the assumption that those with a doctorate would have more experience and better training. I then went through my results and selected 10 PTs for follow up. I sent the same email to each stating that I was looking for someone with experience working with hip resurfacing patients. Only 5 actually responded and of those, only 2 claimed to have resurfacing experience. The first was a DPT at a facility nearby who was in network with my insurer. I had a pre-op visit with him and he admitted that his only pertinent experience consisted of working with a golfer who had THR. Also he said that for half of every session I would be working with his assistant. This drove me to the second DPT, who was an adjunct professor at a local PT grad school and saw a handful of patients at their clinic. After probing scheduling and insurance issues we realized we could not make it work. But this person was kind enough to give me referrals to 2 other DPTs – one of which was Jeff. I was able to squeeze into Jeffs schedule one day before flying to Seattle for surgery with Dr Pritchett. He was so knowledgeable about the surgery and its effects! He did some range of motion measurements on me and pointed out an issue to discuss with Dr Pritchett, who said that Jeff’s analysis was correct! Every session with Jeff leaves me feeling better informed and more flexible. I’m so glad that I kept looking after meeting with the initial PT.

June 5, 2017

It’s been 7 weeks since my left hip resurfacing with Dr. Pritchett. I am walking 3 to 3.5 miles/day at 17 minutes/mile, climbing up and down stairs, and pain free! Just one thing: The 90 degree flexion restriction came off last week and my left hip didn’t get the memo! I cannot bend low enough to put a sock onto my left foot or tie my left shoe. My PT has been working on increasing my flexibility through a set of new stretching exercises (“child pose” “half lotus” etc.) and so, I expect/hope this is temporary. I’m curious as to whether anyone else has experienced this stiffness/lack of flexibility after their 90 degree flexion restriction was removed.

August 25, 2017

I am now 18 weeks post-op and have made substantial progress with flexion – thanks to my awesome physical therapist. I can lift the knee of my operated left leg high enough (toward my chest) to put on my socks and tie my shoes. While I do to have the same degree of flexion as in my right non-operated leg, I am making progress week-by-week and expect to be very close shortly! I appreciate all of the support from my fellow hippies!

October 7, 2017