Tom’s Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Brooks 2014

February 17, 2014

I’m 4 weeks before my scheduled Surgery. I’ve read a lot of post of leg length discrepancy post- surgery but none prior to. My hip pain started 5 years ago, but it was a sudden change in length 3 years ago that triggered me to seek medical help. I noticed it one day after getting off the treadmill. I would also catch myself tripping on my left foot when just walking down a hall at work for no reason. My Right leg seems a good inch shorter then the left. A physical therapist gave a a lift to wear in my shoe which helped with some of my back pain. My Surgeon’s assistant said it is possibly from my pelvis shifting. Has anyone had this shortening and did it correct itself after the resurfacing.

March 17, 2014

It’s about 10 hours after the surgery. I had some kind of reaction in recovery while still in a fog. I began vomiting and my throat was closing up. Started feeling better about 3 hours ago. Too late to get any instructions. I’m a little disappointed I could not get on my feet today. I’m comfortable, just a slight discomfort. Hoping the 2nd round of IV antibiotics does not bring back the n&v.

March 18, 2014

Day 2: Performed well at PT, they are recommending that I leave a day early. Definitely sorer after excersises. If all goes well with the changing of the dressing and some instruction on getting in and out of the tub, I should head home tomorrow. Thanks for the replies, it’s nice to know that there is a vast community who’ve tested the waters and is willing to share.

March 25, 2014

I did leave the Hospital after 2 days. I’ve probably had more problems with pain meds and antibiotics then anything else. Decided to stop taking Pain Meds 2 days ago, and it has helped with my stomach.

As for my hip, its sore and stiff. I do my exercises as instructed. My hardest is laying on my back and trying to slide my leg laterally to the side and back. Just no strength for that one. It’s a little hard for me to tell how much weight to bare on the new hip when using crutches. I’m still trying to find a comfortable way to sleep. Lying on my back doesn’t cut it for me. I have been able to go on my side for short periods of time, but there is still an ache that creeps up on me. Hoping for the weather to break to go outside and get some better distance for walks.

March 30, 2014

 I was very active with running, backpacking, skiing, hiking, bike riding, etc. I noticed pain while running, and moved to a treadmill to soften the surface a bit. At 45, I notice my problem hip was shorter then the other. My initial diagnosis from my Ortho Dr said I had bone on bone in my right hip and I would have to have to get it replaced. I was floored at first. My hip was as you put it, "an inconvenience", but It didn’t slow me down any. I started with a PT and got back my range of motion. I told My PT I wanted at least 8 years. She told me to keep doing all my exercises. Before my next Ortho appt. I did lots of research which generated so many questions, many were about Hip Resurfacing. My current Ortho wasn’t to familiar with it, so she set me up with Dr. Brooks.

Dr. Brooks answered a great deal of my question, but I still wasn’t ready. He was surprised i wasn’t begging for it. We agreed that I would get an x-ray every year to evaluate my bones, and if I was doing damage that may hinder a resurfacing. 5 years went by since my first otho appt., last summer my hip really started to bother, if I had the surgery I wanted to do it at the end of Winter. There were days when I didn’t know if I was going to make it. I’m not big on medication, but I started using Advil once or twice a week. I also could fall back on a cortisone shot if needed. Last December I scheduled the surgery for March.

It is 2 weeks after getting my resurfacing and it has been a rough 2 weeks. Today was the first time I have been able to put my socks on by myself. I’m looking forward to getting back to a normal way of life and raising my activity level higher then my when my "inconvienience" started.

I knew I waited as long as I could, had time to mentally prepare, and began looking forward to losing the pain. It sounds like you have time to do though things too, you’ll have to decide when that scale tips.

April 14, 2014

Today marks 4 weeks since my R-hip resurfacing. I’m still on my 2 crutch restriction, but find it easier to carry things and maneuver with just one. I have a pedometer app on my phone and keep tabs on my distances. I’ve worked myself up to 2 miles, but I do feel a soreness in my whole leg especially at night when I increase my distance. My incision which is about 9" is basically just a red line with some blotchiness from a little tape allergy. I don’t feel any pain in the joint itself, still working on ROM and soreness of the muscles. I was told at my pre op that I would not be restricted to any motion, but I’ve read a lot of post from other hippys saying they were restricted from crossing their leg. I try to start the motion to cross my leg, like I would put on socks, but don’t get too far. Should I be waiting or slowly try to increase that motion? All the exercises are going well, except I still have to use my leg lifter one of them. It’s the one while lying supine and trying to laterally moving your leg out to the side without lifting.

I am looking forward to my 6wk appt. losing the crutches, and driving. My wife and I are planning a visit to Philly at the end of May. This may entail a good bit of walking.

April 20, 2014

I’m 5 weeks post op R BHR. I have not experienced to much stiffness in my knee. Mostly stiff in the muscles around my hip when not moving around much. I do get pain in my knee and muscles just above my knee when I am very active or pushing myself more then usual. It is worse at night while trying to sleep, just an uncomfortable ache.

June 2, 2014

I’m at 10 wks post op and my range of motion started letting me cross my legs to finally put on my socks about a week ago. At 10 weeks things are close to being normal. I still get stiffness when sitting awhile, and a limp when I have a highly active day. I did have to cross my leg and put pressure on my knee to get the ROM, this took a couple weeks and was gradual.