Melisa with Dr. Ure

The more knowledge you have going in the more relaxed you will be. Their pre-surgical joint class is an all-day affair but you get to meet the nursing and therapy staff and they get to know you. It also included lunch, pre-admit, lab work, and discharge planning. The staff is totally committed to you and your care/recovery. They are fun and personal - I knew all about their families, etc. by the time I left, and they mine. The OR nurse John Palmer even took photos, at my request, of the surgery and made me a CD – way cool!

Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot of work to do after surgery. For me, the first 6 hours after surgery your spinal is still in effect so really no pain. Thereafter, until 24 hrs post-op, was a bummer for me. Nausea/vomiting, feeling comfortable in bed, etc. I only used the PCA (patient controlled analgesic) for pain 4 times then went to extra strength Tylenol. I don’t do well with heavy meds and I really didn’t need them. That has a lot to say about the surgeon and his technique. Yes it’s uncomfortable, tender and sore, but not super painful. At 24 hrs I had in-bed therapy and got out of bed and stood with a walker, but that was it for the afternoon. At this point you are asking “was I right to go through this?”, but just wait until the next day - wow!

By the next morning I WAS A DIFFERENT PERSON. I had bed therapy and started to walk with a walker, not very far grant you, but it really felt good to move your legs. You are hooked up to 5 external devices that slowly are removed; mine by the end of day 2. You have your incision blood drain, which is re-infused if 300cc or more is collected. I luckily only incurred 250cc’s - another feather in the surgeon’s cap I think. Of course there’s your IV with antibiotics and fluids, foley catheter, TED hose, and your calf-squeezers that apply continuous massage via air.

By 48 hours I was taking short walks in the hall, with the walker, and got outside for fresh mountain air and beautiful scenery. I enjoyed a tasty Chef’s Salad (ask for it) that evening and began eating more, which really helps! All the staff was surprised at my 24 hours of progress and I began preparing to leave the hospital the next morning as long as I was released from therapy.

Cleared medically to discharge, but still needed the blessing of therapy, I was able to SHOWER. Dr Ure uses sub-cutanious sutures with a telfa pad and waterproof cover, another plus. I was sent home with extra supplies to change the dressing if it did indeed get wet. I still cover it with a towel during showering though.

After showering I was up with therapy walking a much longer distance, with proper posture, and clear to make the 6 hour drive home to Merced CA - whoohoo!! It was comical getting in and out of the Yukon but the ride fairly comfortable. The key was frequent stops, moving your leg, and iPOD tunes of course.

Once home it was very nice to have all your assistive devices already there and set up. Here’s my list of have-to-haves:

Walker, reacher/grabber, sock aid (I took to hospital), shower chair, raised toilet seat with handles, straight-back chair with handles, wet wipes, hand-held shower head, bed tray, Standard Size reusable ice pack. Dr Ure’s office wrote a prescription ahead of time so the durable medical equipment items could be ordered and at home before I left for Mount Shasta.

Of course I have a LONG way to go but you truly see daily progress at this point. Today I am walking-through my steps, actually a stride, with the walker and can almost get myself in/out of bed - every thing is in slow motion and takes forever to accomplish! You will definitely need help at home, not sure for how long, so be sure that is in place.

That’s my story for now but will post weekly update on Surface Hippy and the Yahoo Discussion Group My husband was concerned initially by my location selection, small town and all, but quickly got on board with my decision. Without all the input from everyone on this and the Yahoo Board I could of not made the right decision for me; my thanks go out to everyone who provided information and supported me!!!

Melissa Martin
Merced CA
L BHR Ure 10/10/07

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4-Weeks Post-Op

The visit with Dr. Ure was fun and informative. As a couple of you know I was determined to walk into the appointment on ONE crutch and I did accomplish that. The day before I just did it, and I suppose I was just chicken. As long as my body alignment and posture is good it does not hurt AT ALL. As of today I'm doing about 1/2 my walking on one crutch and the other 1/2 on two. When Dr. Ure saw me he asked "when are you getting rid of the other one?" - he's too funny!

I first asked Dr. Ure to explain what my OA looked like and how it had progressed. The morning after surgery when he checked on me, I was feeling just awful and couldn't think of questions to ask. He said that the damage was not bad, but average, and it made the surgery easier than having to try and repair extensive damage if I had waited too much longer. The time was right!

The x-rays look perfect, beautiful I might add and made me smile. He pointed out that there was about a 1/8' gap between the cup and the bone, in just a small portion, that will no longer exist once the bone grows into the cup and at six week I do not need to observe the hip precautions - I'm going to work on tying my own shoes

Regarding PT - at 6 weeks post-op I'll be good to go. His office will fax the Rx to the therapy office of my choice. I asked about aqua therapy and he was not pro/con; again my choice. I feel I will only need help regaining ROM and strengthening - pretty boring.

I have a dental cleaning in a few weeks and he recommends following the ADA guidelines for antibiotic use, he thought a three-day dose, so I will be in touch with my DDS. FYI the ADA guidelines are 2 years following hip surgery.

I shared with him how quickly the leg length is decreasing and since I started using one crutch I notice very little; I'm thinking less than 1/4'. I wear orthotics in both shoes, to help with ankle pain after a calcaneous fx many years ago. If there is still a length difference in about two months the podiatrist could adjust my inserts accordingly.

BHR ID Card: I asked about obtaining my serial numbers for the devices and he said that is a VERY good idea in the event there would ever have to be a revision, etc., as the surgeon would need to know what size the devices are. His office can get me the information. Note: Denise in his office did fax me copies of my device information.

My next follow up will not be for one year post-op. I will not need to personally see him, but he would like an x-ray at a minimum.

On my way home to Merced I actually WALKED (with crutches) the Sacramento Zoo, for two hours, with my daughter and granddaughter as I felt using a wheel chair would be a step back. Thank goodness my 21 month old granddaughter walks slow, and I really surprised myself. The hard part of the zoo was getting into the little train that drove around the zoo, not to mention the tiny low seat - oh my!

I'm feeling so much better, more energetic, no Tylenol at all, back on my side of the bed, sleeping on my non-op side, incision tenderness just about gone, easier getting in/out of the Yukon, and I'll be taking a test drive tomorrow; I'm sure I'll be fine (I was)! It's hard to believe everything that has happened in only four weeks.

6-Weeks Post-Op

Every two weeks just gets better! I returned to work about five-six hours a day the week of Thanksgiving then will have four days off. Other than feeling exhausted my hip is great. I noticed many more muscles that need improvement after working in my desk chair and moving around - oh my!

I'm on one crutch exclusively and it's great to have that extra hand free. I ride the stationary bike daily for about six minutes and am increasing the time daily; I love the way the muscles feel when they are truly working correctly.

On Thanksgiving day, feeling SO thankful for my new hip, I took several unassisted steps - it didn't hurt! My muscles still need more strengthening to support me for any distance but it was good. I'm closer to tying my shoe and am quicker moving around these days. Life is really getting better!!