On April 1st my left hip received the BHR from Dr. Andy Engh in Alexandria,
Virginia. Dr. Engh had mentioned your website as a source of information for me
during my Pre-Op visit. I have enjoyed reading about the experiences of others
and it has helped me to understand the challenges associated with Hip
Resurfacing options. Now two weeks into Post-Op I am feeling better each day.
The swelling in my left leg is reduced, the bruise on my left leg has almost
disappreared and I am now on one crutch. I stopped the vicodin after one week
and I am pleased with Tylenol. My discomfort is minimal and I am able to sleep
through the night. Formal PT ends soon and I am looking forward to the four week
mark when I can use a recumbent bike and return to work full time.
Before the surgery I was once a 7 handicap in golf, I enjoyed cycling, running,
playing squash, and traveling. When I began to feel the affects of the
osteoarthritis, I began taking ibuprofin frequently. Eventually the pain would
not subside and I had to give up most of my activities. I went to see a surgeon
about a THR and he said my days of running were over and I would need to take
meds until I turned 60 and then he would do the THR operation. That was more
than 10 years away! By my 50th birthday last fall my lower back and right knee
were in great pain from carrying my weight and compensating for the
osteoarthritis in my left hip. And as a Regional Marketing Representative for an
insurance company my work on the road with heavy travel became difficult.
In January 2010 my primary physician recommended an Endoscopy when I was having
a preventative colonoscopy done. The results of the Endoscopy showed that the
pain meds where eating away my esophagus. He recommended I stop the meds and
referred me to Dr. Engh for a consult on my osteoarthritis. What a great relief
this journey has been. His staff has taken great care of me along the way and
Dr. Engh took the time to answer my many questions. On the day of the surgery I
went in with great confidence and had little fear. I had even done the Virtual
Hip Resurfacing surgery on www.edheads.org to be prepared! Today just 14 days
afterwards after the BHR I have no chronic pain in my hip. The pain from surgery
is not too bad and the scar on my hip is healing quickly. But most important now
is that I continue to take it easy and heal. But I truly can't wait for my
renewed life ahead this summer when I can ride a bike, swing a golf club and
feel good again!
Sandy
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June 17, 2010
It has now been almost 3 months since my left hip was resurfaced by Dr. Andy
Engh. I have no pain from the surgery. In fact I do not take any pain medicines
at all, which is not bad for a 50 year old! For the past month I have been able
to use my recumbent bike, eliptical machine and moderate weight lifting a couple
of times each week. When I feel any pain in the muscles of my left leg I stop
and rest.
When I take a flight of stairs I think about how much stronger my left hip and
leg feels than the days when I would dread this activity. And it is amazing to
me that I can once again cross my leg to put on a sock! During work I am able to
walk normally without a limp and I no longer feel the sharp pain when I get out
of the car after a long drive of an hour or more. My air travel has been
slightly delayed by the "frisking" procedure I must endure briefly after passing
thru the metal detector at the airport. But I cooperate and tell the TSA agent
that I am used to this with my hip replacement (it makes them go faster!). Next
month I plan to return to cycling on the paved paths near my home in Northern
Virginia. I will start low and try to build up my mileage. I am also beginning
to swing a golf club (chipping and low irons) to stretch my muscles. I can't
wait until I can play again. But I want to make sure that it is safe to do these
activities so I will again take it easy.
One of the major reasons I considered hip resurfacing was to avoid the reactions
my body had to the strong NSAID medicines I took for the chronic pain. I took
them until I had an endoscopy in January 2010 and the doctor said my esophagus
was one of the worst he had seen because it was full of ulcers. he recommended
that I stop taking the medicines immediately. On June 10th I had the procedure
performed again and the results were excellent. As the doctor told me, "You are
completely healed. Keep doing what you are doing!". I encourage any one taking
strong pain medicines to ask their physician if an endoscopy should be done. It
could have been much worse for me if I did not evaluate my hip surgery options
until later.
Overall I am very pleased with my recovery thus far and Dr. Engh's staff
continues to check-in with me to see how I am doing. No worries here!
Sandy
