I was not able to find anyone in Atlanta with a good track record doing
resurfacings -- so a very big "Thank You" to
SurfaceHippy.info and the fellow
surface hippies on this site.
I started having unbearable pain around November of 2008. I called Dr. Gross's
office in December after speaking with Mike from this site who had a bilateral
with Dr. Gross back in June. When I hung up with Mike I called Dr. Gross's
office and on the first call had tentatively scheduled the surgery dates pending
me getting the package together.
I got the package put together according to the protocol on Dr. Gross's website
and Dr. Gross called me to confirm I was a candidate. I drove to Columbia from
Atlanta on a Friday for my pre-op consultation and met with Lee Webb and Dr.
Gross (about 3-3.5hr drive). I drove back to Columbia the following Sunday
(Super Bowl Sunday '09) and got to the Courtyard Marriott in time to watch the
game and get a good nights rest before Monday's surgery.
Monday was very smooth at Providence NE. I went in a bit early and was in pre-op
in no time. The whole pre-op team was a lot of fun, the anesthesia team, the
nurses... it was a positive environment. The surgery was the blink-of-an-eye
kind of thing where I felt like I closed my eyes for a moment and then I am
coming to in post-op with the post-op nurses.... to whom I am sure I probably
owe an apology for some reason... and then after a while I am being wheeled up
to the room for recovery. I was late in the day so the following morning the
Physical Therapy team had me doing the exercises, and walking the hall for the
first time on crutches. Then the Occupational Therapist showed me how to use the
ADL (aid to daily living) kit. Those OT/PT folks were a lot of fun and very
helpful to get me started on the way to recovery. The floor nurses were very
helpful and good people, one of whom is a fellow Dr. Gross resurfacer!
Wednesday was basically a repeat of Monday. They wheeled me down to pre-op and
started with the prep and again it was a very positive experience with the
anesthesia team and the nurses and "vampirella" the vampire lady who loved my
veins. Then in what seemed like a few moments I was coming to in post-op -- and
probably saying things I shouldn't have been -- and then I was wheeled back up
to the room. The PT/OT team had me exercising and up and walking on Thursday and
then we did a little group PT session and practiced stairs on crutches and
walked the hall a couple of times. I was able to shower on Thursday evening,
standing up.
Friday after breakfast I did a little PT and then was discharged by 11am. I rode
home to Atlanta and got out a couple of times to walk around a rest stop and
stretch a bit.
The one thing I would do differently is wear the provided ice packs on the way
home. It was cold the week I was in the hospital and some nights that ice felt
pretty cold so I was not to fond of the ice. So I didn't use the ice on the way
home.
Well I got very swollen. This is probably the one thing I was not prepared for
from doing my research. Dr. Gross told me I would probably swell up and I didn't
really know I would swell up so bad. I believe it may be normal, maybe not, but
the entire length of my legs were enormously swollen starting on that Friday and
increased through Sunday. So Saturday, Sunday and part of Monday I spent with
legs elevated by a couple of sofa cushions with the ice packs running, laying on
my back (for the most of the time) working to get the swelling down. I called
Lee Webb on Sunday and she told me to elevate and ice and that the swelling was
probably at its worst on that particular day -- she was right. On Monday (5 days
post-op) the swelling had already started to decrease rapidly and I was feeling
so much better.
Crutches: I was doing my exercises as prescribed and walking on two crutches
until 9 days post-op when I felt like the crutches were holding me back at that
point. I had shifted to one crutch at 8 days post op and it was a bit awkward so
I decided to get a cane.
Cane: I shifted to a cane 9 days post-op and it felt more natural than the
crutches. I was glad to be rid of them.
Ten days post-op: Armed with a cane, I went to the Kiwanis Club's pancake
breakfast fundraiser and was amazed how well I could stand up in a very long
pancake breakfast line inching around an elementary school cafeteria. I am sure
most folks with hip pain can relate -- this would not have been possible
pre-surgery. I would have had to sit down every two or three minutes to ease the
pain. This is when it clicked with me how well the surgery/recovery was going.
Then I walked around Wal-Mart behind a shopping cart and picked up a couple of
items. Then we stopped by Lowe's for a few things and I was able to walk fine
with the cane. I just had to take it easy and slow getting in and out of the car
so as not to break the rules prescribed by the PT team.
Eleven days post-op: Went to church. Walked in with a cane and everyone was
wowed that I had bilateral hip surgery and was walking so well. I have to admit
I have been pretty wowed by how well everything has gone -- and I thank God for
all of it. And I thank Pat and all the helpful people on the surface hippy
website and everyone on Dr. Gross's staff that were so welcoming and hospitable,
and all of the folks at Providence NE hospital that were part of the process.
Thirteen days post-op: Getting in an out of the car is getting easier. I still
have this pain that last about 20 seconds when I stand up after having been
seated for a prolonged period of time. I believe this will pass with time and it
is so minor compared to the pre-op pain I was having.
I am 34 yrs. old and am in pretty good physical shape. It turns out I had worn a
large hole on my right femoral head approximately 3 cubic centimeters. Dr. Gross
told me that if I had waited much longer I would have had to go with the THR --
thank God I called in time! He was able to graft the hole and "achieve an
excellent press fit."
I hope writing this will help someone else benefit from my experience – since I
received so much valuable help from folks on this site. Let me know if I can
help with anything.
Thank you,
Tim
Bilateral - Dr. Gross
2-2-09 (R) 2-4-09 (L)
Biomet ReCap/Magnum
After years of thinking I had a bad back, in the Sept. of 08,
I found out I had a bad hip instead. With moderate degeneration I knew I had to
have surgery. So I researched Hip Replacements on the internet. The Birmingham
Hip Resurfacing popped up and I knew this was just what I needed.
I am a professional photographer and very active. I am also
only 51 years old. I don't run marathons or play tennis, but I work really hard
and I need to move unrestricted to do my job right. So I met with Dr Clarke. We
had to have a few extra things checked first, (I only have 1 kidney) there was
concern about the ions and my kidney's ability to excrete them.
My nephrologist did his research on the BHR and the ions and
gave me the green light to have the surgery. I had my right hip resurfaced by Dr
Clarke On Feb 4th 2009.
I am now almost 6 wks postop and I can walk around the house
without my cane. I am progressing very rapidly. I work really hard at PT and do
exactly what they say. Today I walked 3/4 of a mile. It felt great!
I know that eventually I will have to have the left done, but
now I know what to expect, it will be less intimidating. But it sure beats
having a THR especially at my age. Dr. Clarke is the greatest, and Community
General is the best hospital I have ever been in. Never have I been treated as
nice as they treated me. I am extremely satisfied.
Darlene N Chissom
Thursday, May 14. 2009
I am a semi-pro athlete(ski racing) who received a right hip resurfacing with
Dr Mont on April 9, 2009. I am a pilot and opted for the anterior lat
approach with Dr. Mont due to the incision and trauma not being on the
"sitting areas."
All of my pre op was done from Park City UT, so I didn't meet anyone until
the day before surgery. His assistant Jill was incredible. All of my pre op
concerns were answered quickly and easily via email and phone. I showed up
the day before surgery and stayed at the guesthouse at the hospital. Don't
remember the exact name, but Dr. Mont's office will give you the name. I met
with Dr. Mont and Jill and had the last of my questions answered. Dr. Mont
was very assuring that I would not end up with a THR. They also let me know
they use the Wright C+ and Cormet devices. I then went for my last blood
test at the hospital. Everything was smooth and easy like a well oiled
machine.
I showed up the next morning at 6am and was taken in immediately. The
hospital staff is very nice and accommodating. I met with the
Anesthesiologist, and he reassured me that the spinal would be adequate and
I would remember nothing, he was correct, don't worry about the spinal.
After recovery, I was sent to my room, and it was a very nice room, with an
extra bedroom on the side for my guest.
The next day I met with Dr. Mont, he stated that it went very well and that
my bone stock was extremely dense and a pleasure to work with (maybe due to
years of pounding them ski racing). He then informed me that I received the
Wright C+ device. The gist I got, and I could be wrong, was that the Wright
C+ it
works well with dense bones. I really wasn't worried about the device, I
just felt comfortable with the fact that Dr. Mont is comfortable with it. I
feel that is the most important part of the device choice, the surgeons
experience and comfort with the device and installation. He knows I'm an
athlete, and will return to ski racing in Sept in Chile. He assured me that
in a few months, I will not even know I have the device.
I rode to NYC to my parents home after being discharged. The 3.5 hr ride was
no big deal at all. Just needed a pillow, garbage bag (to reduce friction
getting in and out) and an ice bag. Stopped once on the way home. Flying
would have been a little difficult but doable due to the seat angle.
Swelling was at a minimum too.
Overall, it was a very pleasant experience. There are no staples or stitches
to be removed! The steri strips will fall off in about two weeks. My pain
was minimal, I have only used an occasional Hydrocodone just to sleep. I was
able to walk with crutches the day after surgery. I was able to climb stairs
too. Pain is minimal and has not really been worse than pre op pain. About 5
days post op, I moved to one crutch. It is now 12 days, and I can walk with
a limp and no crutches, but Jill insisted that I use one crutch for a bit
longer. I am flying home on Thursday (2 weeks post op) and feel totally ok
to do so.
Dr. Mont is a rock star and his staff too!
Lou
R Wright C +Dr. Mont 4/9/09
Thursday, May 14. 2009
In March 2009 hip
pain had significantly negatively impacted my life. Performing basic daily
functions became extremely difficult. On March 10, 2009, I had hip
resurfacing surgery performed by Dr. Kreuzer at Memorial Herman, Memorial
City Hospital in Houston Texas. The surgery was remarkable "un-remarkable."
My recovery has been quick and is near complete 6 weeks after the surgery. I
live in a four story townhome and was able to negotiate the three flights of
stairs to and from my bedroom beginning upon release from the hospital on
March 13. As an exercise regimen, I climb 30 flights of stairs in my office
building 4-5 times a week.
I am well pleased with the hip resurfacing surgery and the resultant
enhancement in my life. I am looking forward to having resurfacing performed
on the other hip in mid-May 2009.
Raeburn Marshall
Thursday, May 14. 2009
I am 58 years old. I’ve had hip pain
for the last 3+ years. I've used a cane for the past 6 months. I used to be
very physically active. I had given it all up and was sadly postponing a THR
until I could stand the pain no more. I used to snow ski the black diamond
slopes of Colorado. I wondered if shuffleboard could ever take the place of
screaming down a mountainside with your hair on fire. Thankfully for me, a
coworker of my wife heard of my plight and shared her hip resurfacing story
with me. I couldn't be more excited! I went straight to this website. What a
find!
Dr. Ryan Nunley was my hip resurfacing surgeon. Our first meeting was an
information exchange. I had lots of questions. He patiently and thoroughly
took a lot of time answering them. I was looking for someone who knew what
he was doing. I think he was looking for someone who would likely have a
good outcome. I felt immediately comfortable with him. We were a good fit. I
would highly recommend him. I would describe his surgical and post op
recovery approach as “conservative.”
T minus 4 days – Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis provides a "Hip Joint
Class" for all patients who will soon be receiving THR's or Hip
Resurfacings. The class was very informative. It lasted about an hour. Bring
your significant other to the class with you. There’s a lot to remember.
They told us what to expect during our stay in the hospital, and taught all
of the do's and don'ts for the recovery process. Of particular interest was
the pain management lesson. The key take-away – Stay on top of the pain!
(Catching up with the meds after it hits is much more difficult.)
D-day – Most significant thing to say here is that I remember nothing
between pre-op and post op. (Thankfully.) They used a spinal block for pain
control during surgery. Everything I’ve heard about nausea in association
with traditional anesthesiology process tells me that the spinal block is
the way to go. No nausea. Thoroughly "out of it" through the whole thing. No
tube down the throat.
Later in the day of surgery – Dr. Nunley believes it is important to get out
of bed before the day ends (in order to get the mind moving forward, I
guess). I sat in a chair beside the bed for a half hour that evening. If
felt good to be up. It also felt good to be back in bed afterward. Although
surgery was completed by 10:30 a.m., most of the rest of the day was a fog.
Day 1 post op - You need not worry about pain management for the first 24
hours after surgery. You’re on a pre-set schedule. After 24 hours though,
you call the dose. Stay on top of it! PT and OT was in the morning and
afternoon, first with the walker, then later in the day on 2 crutches. Make
sure you take your pain meds before the therapy. You’ll be a lot more
productive.
Day 2 post op - PT and OT in the morning. Dr. Nunley visited again. Says all
still looks really good. Gives his release to go home in the afternoon of
day 2.
Day 3 – Walking with 2 crutches.
Day 7 – Walking with 1 crutch one mile per day. Back to work full time.
(Desk job, minimal need to walk around unless my desire.)
Day 10 – Started driving myself to work.
Day 14 – Walking with only a cane one mile per day.
Day 21 – Walking unassisted for several miles at a time (and enjoying it!),
no limp, no pain most of the time. No narcotic pain medications. The only
difficulty I have now is sleeping well at night. I don’t sleep well on my
back, and there is a hip "abductor pillow/wedge/large firm sponge" that you
have to sleep with for 6 to 12 weeks (depending upon your surgeon). This is
part of the hip precautions, and it makes it virtually impossible to sleep
comfortably on your side.
4 weeks post op – There is only one daily task that reminds me that I’m not
yet fully healed, and that’s driving the car. Surgery was on my right hip. I
feel it every time I round a corner and lean from side to side in the car
seat. It can briefly hit a "6" on the 1-to-10 scale. Fortunately for me, the
drive to work is only about 10 minutes. I still have an occasional set-back
day, where the number of not-yet-healed reminders I accidentally trigger are
more frequent. It’s harder to get moving after I’ve been sitting for a
while. For the most part though, I'm pain free. I am eager to get the green
light for weight training and aerobic exercise.
See you on the slopes!
Thursday, May 14. 2009
Was standing on my good leg, operated leg was at about a 90 degree angle while I
put some cream on my knee. Probably bent forward and flexed my hip a bit, the
operated side knee rotated in and I started to fall. Tried to push with the
operated leg to right myself, NO STRENGTH. I collapsed and fell back, noticing a
strange friction in the hip joint after landing on my butt.
Called my surgeon's office and they got me in right away. They took x-rays. Dr.
Rogerson said I apparently partially dislocated the hip and it re-located when I
fell. Said he had seen this once before. Another tall woman who can hyperextend
her elbows like me (flexible joints) dislocated while squatting. He told me to
go back to post surgery safeguards (no crossing midline of body, sleeping with
pillowbetween legs, etc) and to follow up with him in a week.
Apparently my long bones (leverage) and flexible joints put me at greater risk
for dislocation. Still not sure how limiting this will be - know that my
instincts about not taking a yoga class have been well placed. My risk for
dislocation would have been even greater with traditional hip replacement, so am
still better off with the BHR.
Bring this up as a caution to other small boned tall women (men?) with flexible
joints. Pay attention to your body, especially if you notice extra clunking or
slippage-like feelings when doing PT or exercises.
I am temporarily very sore (hip capsule) and a little discouraged. VERY relieved
not to have had a more serious dislocation experience. Feel very fortunate to
have been seen within hours of the event with the good news nothing was broken,
the BHR and bone look good.
Peg
3/20/08 RBHR Dr. Rogerson
