My story actually begins where it ends. The bottom line is that I was born with an abnormality in both of my femoral heads which caused rapid and early wear and tear to the cartilage in my hip sockets. I am a 44 year old male who has over done things a bit, to say the least, regarding my physical activity through the years. So I would have to add that my obsession with squatting heavy weights, running off road, and pushing myself to the limits in other activities through these years gave my predisposed condition a good opportunity for early success. I first became aware of my hip problems in 2001 while still in the Army and and pushing myself had become a lifestyle when I managed to tear cartilage in my right hip while stretching out for a routine 8 mile run which caused a great deal of pain along with a "clunk" with each step. I ended up at Dr. Thomas Byrds clinic in Nashville, TN. This top notch and best in the business physician scoped the hip and removed the torn cartilage. Since Dr. Byrd performed this particular procedure on me he has incorporated another step in the process which also removes the malformation on the femoral head that causes these labrel tears in hip joints. From that point around 2002 until my meeting Dr. Gross earlier this month I have been in much pain. I suffered a serious decrease in my physical activities as well as other normal functions regarding my lifestyle, gained 20 pounds, and have been in "angry mode" ever since. I had lost the capability to vent stress and "clean my mind" so to speak through running and other fast pace physical activities. I couldn't even run to the front door if the house was on fire at that point and I eventually started to walk with a severe limp about two years ago. I could not even get out of a car seat without hesitation and pain. I begin to spend hours researching the prospect of having my hip resurfaced instead of undergoing a total hip replacement about two months ago, after my mother of all people, read in an article that there was an alternitive to THR. It didn't take me long to seek out Dr. Gross because of his successful track record and his deep commitment in researching, developing, and fine-tuning this procedure. He even has gone so far as to develop his own design in a bearing device made by Biomet. Very impressive. Dr. Gross and his assistant Lee are also very impressive. Both as well as the rest of the staff are unable to hide their enthusiasm and passion for what they are doing there in Columbia, SC. Today, I am exactly 10 days post op and am able to walk easily with the assistance of a cane. I am doing my PT exercises every day, walking further every morning, and am having a hard time staying off of my eliptical trainer and not doing other exercises that I probably shouldn't do becasue I DON'T HAVE ANY PAIN IN MY HIP ANY LONGER! The only pain I have is in and around my incision and the swelling and bruising started subsiding on day 5 and 6. The short of it all is that I cannot wait to get through the first 6 weeks and gradually get back to activities on a moderate level and start building towards a better frame of mind and a healthier body again. I look forward to adding to this blog in a month or so in order provide better news of progress. I am thanking God every day I didn't choose to have the thing totally replaced! Thank you Dr. Gross for what I expect to be a life changing experience... (and thanks Mom!)
