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I am 48 weekend warrior guy who went from
constantly moving to slowly dwindling activity to the point of
pretty much forcing myself up to our home gym 4 - 5 days/week.
Ultimately I found it was OA in my L hip that was holding me back. I
tried steroid injections which only showed me how things could be
with a better joint; I met with a local joint replacement
surgeon/friend who thought with my anatomy, age, prior activity
level the BHR was my best option. Surgery (BHR + a
couple other ortho issues) scheduled for 10/4/10.
Got extremely nervous before the date poor sleep, etc. If you are in
the same boat talk to your MD about a sleeper as it will help
post-op. Because I was having a carpal tunnel
release during this OR time I ended up needing a platform walker
which freaked my wife out a bit. Surgery went great, woke up with an
epiphany... no joint pain! Granted with the dissection & positioning
required for the BHR the surrounding muscles hurt, spasmed & bruised
but what a relief! Got my immediately post-op with oral pain meds
(occasionally supplemented by IV morphine). Never needed a PCA pump.
Could have gone home as early as POD 2 but day 3 worked better.
Ditched the walker <1 week post-op, single crutch for a week, now on
a cane. Progress has been rapid & without a hitch so far. Using pain
meds only at night for >1 week. All-in-all
enthusiastic to the extreme - I can see the promise of getting my
old active life back. Many thanks to Dr Doug
McInnis (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) & his entire team, Kootenai Medical
Center, the outstanding nurses, & PT/OT personnel!
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