April 22, 2008
I am a 37 yr old who got diagnosed with Osteoarthritis.
No one has answers as to why just that it must be hereditary. But anyway
here is my story. About 2 yrs ago I started having pain in my left hip, went
to Dr. who referred me to ortho. MRI and x-rays confirmed it was OA. I had a
cortisone shot that helped for about 6 months and I held off for another 6
months before getting second shot. Second shot did not help at all and x-ray
showed my hip had gotten worse and it was only a matter of time before
needing a hip replacement. On hearing that I was totally devastated. I am
the type of person that barely gets a cold every 5 yrs never mind needing
major surgery. I was told there were no other alternatives. Well I cried and
you would have thought it was the end of the world for me. That night when I
got home I said screw this, there has to be something else, gel injections?
super drugs? exercises? something? anything? So I opened my laptop and went
searching. I came across this site and was amazed at all the information.
Thank you Pat for creating such a vase amount of information on your site. I
now have an appt. with Dr. Gross in Columbia SC in 2 weeks to discuss hip
resurfacing which doesn't appeal to me but sounds a whole lot better then
Total hip replacement. I hope I am a good candidate since I already am
pretty much bone on bone. I moved to Myrtle Beach SC 10 yrs ago and worried
that if I ever needed major medical needs I would have to go back to NYC. I
was amazed to find out on this site that one of the best hip resurfacing
doctors was only 2 1/2 hrs away. Sorry for the lengthy post but haven't had
anyone to vent to since all this happened. Any information will be greatly
appreciated...Lisa
June 13, 2008
In 10 days (6/23/08) I will be going under the knife in
Columbia,SC with the skilled Hip resurfacing Dr. Gross to have hip
resurfacing on my left hip. Like many others my local ortho. said live with
the pain as long as possible, that I would out live my hip replacement,
require another at some point and of course never offered an alternative.
Thank you Pat for shining the light on my life and introducing me to Hip
Resurfacing. I will certainly keep a detailed journal of my recovery
including short videos and pictures. This site is addicting and I never tire
of reading new stories.
So far my only pre surgery conflict is I am anemic. Taking an Iron
supplement (Repliva) has not helped and has really upset my bowel regularity
if you know what I mean. Tomorrow I start injections of procrit. Being
somewhat of a pro with needles (INVITRO X2) has helped keep me calm. I am
sure others whom have never given themselves an injection would be quite
nervous.
Wish me luck and Prayers work great too...
Lisa D soon to be a Surface Hippy!!!!!!
June 25, 2008
DAY 2 POST-OP
Thanks for all the well wishes and great advice everyone.
I am now a Surface Hippy!!!! My surgery was sometime between 12-PM on
Monday. Last thing I can remember is being rolled into Op. room and seeing
Astronauts. T hey asked me to move from the bed I was on to the operating
table and I commented on the table being crooked. Lights out from then on
till I woke up in recovery room half paralyzed. Once I started having
sensation in my legs (NO HIP PAIN AT ALL) I was rolled up to my private
room. Didn't do much just tried to stay comfortable - I was very very very
very ITCHY!!!! (MORPHINE SIDE EFFECT) Took 1,2,3 benadryl then nubain to
stop itching (nothing helped) I itched all night long. Nurse gave me ambien
around midnight, that didn't do much either. I was in and out of sleep all
night. Between vital signs every 4 hrs and the feeling like bugs were
crawling all over me but no pain. Ate french toast for breakfast got a
lesson from OT on how to put socks on and take them off, how to grab things,
swing leg out of bed and wash with this sponge attached to a long stick.
Around 9:00 am PT came in. I learned how to get out and in bed, on and off
chair and toilet. We then took a stroll down hallway. I visited with a
friend I met on this site that had his surgery a few hours after mine. Had
afternoon staircase/crutch training and was discharged. The 3 hr ride home
was not bad at all, no pain. This is funny - I did not have a raised toilet
seat so I improvised. I had my husband put my son's potty training potty on
top of the toilet seat and it worked. I tried it again later on with my
sister's assistance in another bathroom but it slowly slipped out from under
me, well we were laughing so hard I didn't feel any pain...I just stood up
and clenched my teeth as I was laughing. Needless to say we moved it back to
the other bathroom were it doesn't slip. My first night home was ok still
slightly itchy but slept approx. 4 hrs. Woke up at 7 am..love love.love
Cable On Demand. I let my husband sleep in and I watched a movie. Around
9:30 am the family got up and we had breakfast, I slept on leather couch
recliner and have spent the day here. Showered and did a few laps around the
house with crutches. Going to take a few more pain pills and venture outside
for a walk. So long for now
Lisa
June 29, 2008
DAY 6 POST-OP
I can't get over how fast I am recovering. I still have
tightness in the hip but no OA pain. My incision is super itchy and feels
tight. I'm getting around the house with one crutch and at times none. My
limp is bad when I don't use crutch. I ordered a funky pink cane from Target
of all places and look forward to getting that in the mail tomorrow. I
barely use the ADL kit that the nurse talked me into purchasing. I use the
grabber thingy when I can find it but my son has taken a liking to it as
well. I can see why Dr. Gross doesn't require formal PT. It would be a waste
of money. You can do all the exercises on your own and I think PT would push
you harder then Dr. Gross would want. I do wish he allowed water therapy.
(no submerging for 4 weeks) I've read plenty of posts including Pat's that
say how wonderful it can be. We have a Jacuzzi in yard and also access to
indoor/outdoor pool. Not sure about a healing diet but I've been enjoying
home baked cookies that friends bring over. Heading out to walk
Lisa
July 1, 2008
1 WEEK POST
I'm 1 week in from surgery and I need help..
I have INSOMNIA / RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME. Since I stopped taking pain med's 3
days ago my problem has increased. Maybe it's withdrawals...... Not only can
I not fall asleep, I can't stay asleep. I've tried OTC med's but nothing
helps. I've always had difficulty sleeping but having to sleep on my back is
driving me crazy. I've tried to sleep in my bed with pillow between legs but
that doesn't last but 2-3 hrs then I revert back to my comfy living room
recliner. Well the past 3 nights I've been up till 4 am. I have no pain in
hip. The rest of my recovery is wonderful. I used 2 crutches for 3 days then
went to 1 crutch and as soon as my cane arrives tomorrow I'll retire the
crutch. If anyone has ANY advice please let me know. I'm going bonkers
Lisa
July 9, 2008
2 WEEKS POST
Walked a mile!!!!! My husband and son kept checking on me every few blocks
on our golf cart but I MADE IT!
My husband also had my polar care packed with ice and ready to go. I was
swollen and the Ice felt great.
(My incision is 4 inches and healing nicely. Still itchy but better. I can't
wait to go swimming. (2 more weeks)
I try to walk without cane but have a limp so back to the cane till I heal
some more.
15 days in today and it was my first day home alone with my 3 yr old son.
Did my exercises in the AM.
We rode over to the pool and he went swimming as I sat in lounge chair
soaking up the sun.
Back to the house for lunch and Jr. had a nap. I got on my work computer and
checked some email.
Did my exercises.
Spent the afternoon watering plants and watching my son play in the yard
Skipped my walk tonight and had a few beers with the neighbors in the yard.
I got a script for Lunesta and I am sleeping much better. Lunesta will zonk
you out so make sure you are ready for bed when you take them. The more I do
during the day the easier sleep comes.
LIFE IS GOOD!
Lisa
July 10,2008
2 1/2 WEEKS POST
I found myself today holding a few items in each hands
including my cane. Mind you I was not using the cane just holding it with
everything else. I need a clapper alarm for that darn cane.
I am limping less and less and if I walk real slow there
is no limp at all. Still have muscle and incision soreness but like all the
joint pain is gone. 1 more week and I can go in the pool I can hardly wait.
Usually after my long walks (1 mile) I am swollen and
sore and ICE becomes my best friend.
Well I am off to do my last set of exercises then off to
bed. Sleep well all and Speedy Recoveries too!
July 16, 2008
3 WEEKS POST
I'm at the 3 week mark and feel great..I'm even able to
get down on the floor and play with my son. It is somewhat difficult to get
up but I manage. My incision looks awesome well as awesome as an incision
can look I suppose. I went against Dr. orders and got it wet. I did purchase
tagaderm to cover it and did not submerge my hip too much. It was wading
thigh deep in the kiddy pool at the water park. I got home and about soaked
it in betadine to clean it.
I'm walking regularly 1 mile a day and as long as I use
the cane I have no limp. Last night my son drove his electric lighting
McQueen car as I walked and tried to keep up with the lil speed demon.
Today I took my son to Toys R Us for a scooter, well I left with the scooter
and the cane was back at the store. Didn't think about it till I was sitting
down in Margaritaville for lunch. My hubby went back for it luckily.
Haven't had any swelling or the need for Ice therapy and I can finally sleep
on my stomach or side in the bed. I said farewell to my recliner this
weekend.
Hope everyone else is recovery nicely. My Lunseta is kicking in so off to
bed I go.
Lisa
July 19, 2008
Almost at the 4 week marker and look forward to some
water therapy in 2 days. I think I saw somewhere on this site some printable
exercises and will go looking for them.
I have a question for ya'll out there. I have been massaging my incision
daily and the other day I felt kinds like a pop (like when you pop packaging
bubbles) under my incision. It happened like 3 times. Am I busting
subcutaneous stitches? Is that possible? I am waiting from email reply from
my Dr. as well.
I am limping less and less each day and think it will only be a 2-3 more
weeks till I have no limp at all. We will see. My goal is to walk into 6
week check up normal. So I am off to practice.
Be Well Everyone!
Lisa
July 23, 2008
4 WEEK POST
Just thought I'd fill you fellow hippies in on my
recovery. I'm at the 4 week marker this week. I could not wait to get here
so I could go swimming. Went to the beach but the water was so rough I was
afraid the waves would topple me over and dislocate my new part. Never made
it in past my HIPS....
Heading to the pool tomorrow for some aquatic Therapy and to finally swim
with my 3 yr old who thinks he has gills.
I got on my elliptical very carefully to see if I could handle the movement
and it felt weird but no discomfort. It was just a 30 second trial run so
Mike don't go telling Dr. Gross that I'm a bad patient and not following the
RULES...
I wrote in another topic today that I was able to finally bend over and tie
my sneaker (Mike I see your eyes rolling).
Limping less and less each day. I head back to work in 2 weeks after 6 week
check-up. I probably could have went back already but Dr. wrote me out for 6
weeks. So I do listen sometimes. lol
Take care everyone
6 WEEKS POST
Just thought I'd update date everyone. I am at week 6
post-op. My appt. went well and Dr.Gross & Lee said everything looked great.
Restrictions aren't to bad. No bending hip into extreme flexion (squatting)
or crossing legs at knee. No lifting more than 50 lbs and no impact loading
such as jumping and jogging for 6 months. After 6 months the skies the
limit. I can do whatever I want.
X-ray showed my new parts fitting nicely and my incision looks great. I have
progressed to the Rapid Recovery Program which consists of 1-2 miles per
day, stair climbing, exercycle, elliptical, swimming and of course
stretching and leg lifts exercises daily.
Lifting my leg while laying down on my side was impossible 3 weeks ago but
now I have built up to 15-20 reps holding for 10 seconds.
Going back to work has kept me quite busy so I try to fit in extra exercises
when I can. Swimming has become a daily activity and I even got on my
elliptical this week for 20 minutes. I will admit I was sore afterwards.
Lisa
uncemented/biomet/Gross/6-23-08
P. S. It's nice to finally be able to tie my own sneakers, at one point I
was knocking on my neighbors door with my foot out asking to have my laces
ties..ugh.
Lisa
