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I'm 58 years old and had my hip resurfaced on August 30, 2011. Operation was in New Brunswick, New Jersey at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital and was done by Dr. David Harwood of University Orthopedics.
I am an avid skier, hunter and also like to Rollerblade. My hip started hurting several years ago but I thought it was just a groin injury. As time went by it got worse and worse. Then my back and knee started hurting as well. Thought it was just old age creeping in. This spring, after several trips to the doctors it was determined that I had almost no cartilage left in my right hip. The doctor suggested I consider a hip resurfacing as it would enable me to be more active after the operation. I thought about it for a while and then I just couldn't stand the pain anymore.
I did some research and came across your web site. I took the advice of most of your members and started going to the gym religiously for 2 months prior to the operation. (Even though the doctor said it wouldn't make a difference). I worked out every muscle group and did 20 minutes of cardio on either the elliptical or the bike as I could no longer run. It was the best move I ever made as I needed every muscle to help me through as I recover. Arms to push up from the chair, back and chest for the crutches and walker as well as my legs to pick up the slack of the muscles effected by the operation.
I had a minor setback as I developed an allergic reaction to Celebrex that was given to me the day before the operation and during my 3 day stay in the hospital. I broke out with a rash similar to the measles. I have never been allergic to anything before in my life. What a time to break the ice. After the first day in the hospital I was up and moving around with the walker. By the third day I occasionally used the crutches. I was able to go up and down the stairs with some help. I went home on the 4th day and did my exercises. Each day I became stronger and my right leg no longer felt like it weighed 700 pounds. The main problem for me was and is sleeping, or lack thereof. I am not a back sleeper and cannot sleep on my right side. As a result I can only sleep for several hours before I wake up and try to turn over. This is draining my energy during the day.
By the end of the first week I was able to switch from the walker to the crutches and by the 9th day, to the cane. I could not walk without the cane as I had very little strength in my right leg. Each day I walked farther and father as that seems to be the best exercise. After the second week I was able to walk a mile and several days later, 2 miles. Yesterday was the 3rd week and I am now walking more than half the time without the cane. The therapist has been great as I have to be reprogrammed to walk without a limp that I had developed over the last several years; heal, flat and then toes. It is starting to pay off as today I was able to walk for some distance without the cane and only a slight limp.
The doctor said no skiing this year. A small price to pay if I can ski for years after that. I'll update as I go and hope this will help others.
9/29/2011
One month gone by today. Driving short distances and walking pretty much without a cane. Still have to be careful not to do too much too soon. Especially lifting and twisting. Back to the gym and doing light weights with machines only. Still working out the whole body,except for legs, (only doing the therapist exercises), as every little bit helps. Using the treadmill to walk distances as it give me a constant pace. Can't stress enough PRE-OPERATION EXERCISES, WHATEVER YOU CAN DO.
10/25/2011 2 month update
Got clearance from my surgeon to return to work and resume normal
activities 2 weeks ago. Since then I have been doing almost
everything. Unable to run or ski, nothing with pounding on the leg
for a while. Other than that, I'm almost back to normal. Still a
little stiff in the morning or after sitting for a while. Got to
keep moving and exercising. My body has been responding very well,
even lost some weight while in the hospital. Doing at least 20
minutes of cardio, elliptical or treadmill at level 3 pace a day.
Walking at least a mile as well. One thing I hadn't expected is that
I think I'll have to get new shoes and sneakers as my old ones are
worn to the way I walked when I limped.
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