Vince Slupski’s Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Pritchett 2021
I had hip resurfacing in Nov 2021. After I was cleared to run in February, I ran almost 4 miles from the doctor’s office (anything worth doing is worth overdoing, right?). I took a bus the rest of the way home and my hip hurt for days. A month later I was at 10 miles, and my hip hurt for days. Kept at it through the summer. Ran a half marathon in September – like old times through 10 miles, 8:15 pace, then my hip gave up and I limped in at 9+ pace for the last few miles. Did my first triathlon the weekend after. Hip started hurting after a mile, and I had to grit it through for the rest of the 10K.
Last weekend I ran 14 at 10+ pace with no pain. But if I go to 9 pace, it hurts after 4 or 5 miles. That’s how it goes – you will find your limit and hardly be able to lift your leg, recover a day or two, then your limit will be a little faster or farther. Like being a beginner again. You can test your strength easily. Do a set of lying leg raises with one leg and then the other. I bet your operated leg will exhaust much much faster. Now do a side plank with leg raises. Same thing.
But for all the frustration and weakness and pain, I’m not giving up, and neither should you. When you push, you will take those hip muscles to the limit and you will limp, for a few days at first, then just for a few hours. I don’t know if I’ll ever get back where I was pre-surgery. I’m 62 now – I could run a sub-1:40 half in 2019 – don’t know if I’ll see that again. But I’m going to try.
November 7, 2021
Hip resurfacing on Wednesday, 4 days ago. I was loopy, dizzy, and nauseous on Wednesday. Thursday I was uncomfortable but rational – worst problem was hiccups! They lasted all day until I drank out of the opposite side of a glass. That works. I hear that a spinal can cause hiccups, who knew?
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday have been better and better with walks of down the block and back, around the block, 4 blocks, then a half mile this morning. I used the walker yesterday but crutches today and from now on. Less pain every day, and fewer times to pee in the middle of the night! Yeah, that’s a pain.
Here’s a tip, sleep so that the operated leg is first out of your bed or couch. Dragging it further than necessary is not nice.
Summary: getting better every day, waiting for first post-op visit in a week and may not need crutches after that. Then PT and yes, I can see running again in my future, even in these early days.
February 15, 2021
I Am A Runner (Again).
My 3.5 month checkup was today. My bones have fully grown into my implants – they are part of me now. The PA was very satisfied with the X-rays and range of motion, and said ROM and strength will continue to recover.
He said I was ready to start running again, but told me to take it slow, listen to my body, and I’d probably be gassed in a mile. So I ran 4. I guess I messed up the Couch25k plan.
As you can imagine, I’ve thought for months about what my first album would be. I finally settled on the Jackson Browne classic, “Running On Empty.” From the moment that Russ Kunkel establishes that big drum beat, my feet started moving. Then my face was wet, even though it had stopped raining. Yeah, I sobbed like a f#cking toddler.
It’s been a long road here and a long road ahead. But I’m on it.