yeah, seriously! I HATE getting the tape ripped off my skin more than the dull deep pain of the
surgery. The latter is much easier to handle. Think of the worst bone bruise you ever had falling
off your bike and that is pretty much what i feel most of the time. However......



Post Surgery Day 6 / At home day 2 (wrapup)


I REALLY pushed it a lot today. Probably much more than I should have. I was up and back into
bed at least 7 times, and by the seventh I could really feel it. Each trip was at least 40 feet, with most
at closer to 85-90 feet. It has taken it's toll and I feel it like you do after a half-century. Where I could
lift my leg in certain ways to get in bed that strength is now gone, and I definitely feel much more
overall soreness. I will pay the price tonite.:(

An improvement in how you feel is almost a curse at this point. Don't let it fool you into thinking you are ready for a marked increase in activity. Sitting/laying around is bad news, but don't over do it.

Glad things are going pretty well so far. How long until you get a Physical Terrorist, ummm Therapist?

Sometime this week. I look forward to it. I will push it to the limit. :D

Post Surgery Day 7 /At Home Day 3


Nothing eventful today. The @home nurse came by to check the blood thinner level and adjust,
and the physical therapist lady came by to cover what I was doing from my hospital cheat cheet.
Both spend more time talking and filling in a laptop than actually doing things, but I guess that is
the way it goes.

Small changes to how I do my PT.

'Pain" is decreasing every day, though I was more swollen by my knee from pushing it too hard
yesterday. Took it a little easier today. Also lost the bandages. Surgeon told me the scar would
be smaller than the one I had at 15 yrs old. FAT CHANCE -- this thing is HUUUUGE! I mean it is
like a zipper on a small child's coat with all the staples in there. Starts about 2 inches below the
groin level and heads up in a curve along the buttock about half way. Shorts will pretty much hide it
all if I cared, but barely.

Just curious as you go through this process, what kind of motion restrictions do they have you on for the first few weeks? Are you using any sort of braces to stabilize the leg?

Maybe since I've never been through it, I'm having a hard time imagining even getting out of bed if I can't bend/flex the hip.

current restrictions are:

• no bending at the waist more than 80 degrees
• no crossing of the legs
• no moving the hip replacement leg past the mid-line of the body
• no weight bearing beyond 20% at this time
• prefer i ice periodically

these will change with time.

i also have a bunch of exercises to do like butt scrunches, bent knee lifts, foot flexes, etc.

And this thread is my way to give others a way to follow one persons progress over a period of time.
So ask away -- though my experience may not be what others have had or will have..

Post Surgery Day 8/ At Home Day 4

Up and about a bunch of times, and LOTS of isometric tightening exercises. Much of the muscle soreness
is subsiding for me, though i feel it in the isometrics a lot. The best part is that a lot of the swelling
is dropping, so I can now almost sit in a chair without it feeling like I have a golf ball implant in the
left cheek of my a**!

Sleep is still an issue, with lots of small catnaps v. a whole night of sleep. If I take a vicodin I can get
maybe 4-5 hours, if not I get lots of 2-3 hours stretches throughout the day. Tried again to roll on my
good side, but it still feels like I am really stressing the muscles inside, and I want those stitches to
heal up fast internally, so I will put up with less sleep for that to happen. I figure by the weekend I
will be able to side sleep again by my choice.

I had a major discovery last light - duh! -- that the gripper handle i have handy has a little snap on
attachment, the use of which I could never figure out. All of a sudden it comes to me -- it will snap
on crutches! BIG duh! Now I take that along with me to the shower, kitchen, etc. Comes in handy!
It's that handy little yellow thing on top...

http://www.ncmedical.com/items/fullsize/NC23642A.jpg

BTW, I should add that I do NOT have to do any stairs in my house. I kinda wonder how people actually
do those well in their first week or two, or if they even do them at all. I do have to 'hop' about 3" into a
standing shower stall, but nothing beyond that. Whew! The idea of actually getting into a tub is not one
I would embrace this early on in the process with the limited weight bearing. I DO know that if you do
stairs it is "strong step up, weak step down" when it comes to which leg leads...

It rained today, but if the weather clears tomorrow or in the coming days I will venture outside a bit.
Feeling a little 'house-bound'...

Post Surgery Day 10/ At home day 6 (wrapup of two days)

Last two days have really been just more of the same, isometric exercises, 'walking' around in
crutches, etc. Finally got out of the house today - barefoot - as it was just beautifully warm.
Saw my neighbor who had the same surgeon do his him (though he is in his 70's). He was amazed
at how good I looked. In fact, it seems the various nurses and PT's are all surprised at how well I
am doing. Dunno, doesn't seem all that special to me.

PT who came to my house today was MUCH better than the last one. We actaully did more together
and I got some new exercises to do. Didn't spend all her time talking at me. Nurse stopped in as well
to check and adjust blood thinners. Learned that the more active you become, the more you have to
take to keep the same level -- interesting.

My biggest complaint now is how much my doc wrenched up my knee during surgery. It feels like one
of the scope and cleans I have had in the past. Makes the exercises a bit harder to do as well. But
hey, if that is the worst of my problems who cares, right?

Spoke with a friend who has to head down this road end of August. She was very heartened to
hear how well I was doing. She is a teacher and does not want to be down all that long.

Oh yeah, also got most of the staples pulled today. I say most as my skin started to split a little
so they left a few in there till doctors visit next week.

Well, just a few days and follow-up. Can't wait. REALLY want to get cleared to exercise in a pool
soon as I know I will make huge strides there.

Take your time...you do NOT want to risk a re-do, as they call it in orthopedics.

I had hip AND pelvic reconstruction in December. I was not allowed to put any weight on my hip/pelvis for 2 months. Today I hope to ride 20 miles on the flats. If I'm lucky my average speed will be about 15mph.

Thanks for the continued updates MM. Good to hear you are making good progress.

UGH! I have a friend who (so far) had a unilateral hip cut and re-pinned, and her femur cut and re-
pinned as well. It has been months to where she can get in a car and drive. I think I know what you
are going thru. Hers was for 'hip displaysia' and she may need to have her other done as well. Insurance
covered bills that have run over $125k to date! :eek:

As to the re-do comments, I thoughly understand that one. I only take it where they let me take it.

A question for any other hip replacement people who check in here...

I feel VERY fortunate our home has a 3'x3' walk in shower with just a small lip and a rough
natural stone floor. I can literally hop into the shower by holding the door frame from above
as I get in.

How did any of you get in and out of tubs early on? Looks very difficult to me.

So if I stop by in the next week or so, you'll be ready to do that century?

:D

I'm glad to hear you're doing so well. Here's hoping you'll be up to driving by mid May :thumb: .

East Hill

Two weeks post surgery!

The days are now very similar. Pain, for whatever that is, is negligible, though at times I get a
muscle spasm that will wake me clean out of sleep. Lasts all of about2 seconds and it is over.

I do the physical therapy exercises they gave me a few times a day now. There is only one I
cannot do, it is a straight leg lift lying on my back. Heck I cannot even get my leg a mm off the
bed. Weird. It will come back.

Tomorrow is Doctor day. I am just raring to go! I want to get off this 20% weight restriction and
really start walking. As Tom Petty said, "The waiting is the hardest part."

Otherwise all is well and besides sore muscles and shrinking swelling, things could not be better!

Yep. Just keep at it, you'll get it. Then it will become easier and easier until you can do multiple reps, etc. I remember thinking there is no way I can get my heel off the sheet. After that, it is moving the leg laterally. I'm sure the PT has you sliding it laterally on the bed now (where you will really appreciate not having the flannel sheets;)). Sooner or later you will be able to lie on your good side and do leg lifts sideways; just don't try that now until your PT thinks you are ready.

Glad things are going well, and keep at it!

Two Weeks + 1 Day -- First Doc follow-up!

So far so good. X-ray looks great (though we have definitely determined I will be doing the other
hip as well). I even got a copy of the x-ray in digital form to play around with -- pretty neat the
technology they have now.

My restrictions were only changed to where I can now do 50% weight bearing and 'walk' as much
and as far as I can or choose. NO pool yet (three more weeks). Doc was kinda pissed they pulled
my stitches the other day at home because i started to 'split open' a bit. Taking some Keflex for
that just in case, but I usualyy do not get infections so I should be fine. No more blood thinners
by Monday of next week (for some reason I just do not like taking those). And I forgot to ask about
driving. Nurse said probably not till I get on a cane (like 4 weeks) but I will probably work that in
sooner I believe. Next visit is first week of June. I have a feeling a lot more restrictions will change
at that point.

And thanks for all the good wishes everyone!

Hey, we need photos :lol: !

It sounds as if you are doing very well, and driving is important, but when can you get back on the bike?

East Hill

i dunno about the bike yet, but my guess is I can at least get on an upright stationary when I
can get back in the pool. So maybe three weeks for that...

EDIT: went for my first 'long walk' today -- two city blocks @ 50% pressure on the new hip.
Promptly came home and took a nap. All this stuff sapes your energy a lot. And that is on
top of the fact I FINALLY got almost 8 uninterrupted hours of sleep last night. I will do
another 2 blocks before the day is out. Leg feels good, but hands get tired from the crutches.

BIG LESSON --OUCH!

I told my wife I would feel it the next day as I probably overdid it a bit yesterday. It is 5AM, I have
been up off % on all night. I overdid it. I think my sciatica got irritated because my calf, of all
things, is experiencing sharp pains w/movement. OUCH! (and i am sure it is not DVT) Broke down
& took a vicodin to try and get some sleep. We'll see...

And TWO Days later

I gave myself all of yesterday to do noting as the nerve that was irritated was still bothering me. Today things are much better, and I will probably head out for a short walk soon. stretching is
not hurting like it did yesterday. Lesson learned -- don't push it too hard.

Three Weeks Post-surgery

Things keep getting better and better. When I last saw the doc he gave me the go to put 50%
pressure on the new hip. That is a hard thing to gauge but I think I am close. I am getting
around real well on the crutches, and look forward to one more week when I can get into a pool
and so some REAL rehab on my leg. There are still some things I just cannot do, namely while
lying on my back move my leg laterally (like a snow angel) back and forth, and I cannot my heel
up from a horizontal position. I also get the feeling my new hip has made me taller on that side,
but who knows. I do know I used to be 1/4" shorter so maybe the doc evened me out a bit.
Or maybe it is all in my head. :eek:

Recently I have begun to be able to spend many hours sleeping on my side -- Woo Hoo! -- as all
that sleeping on my back was just killing me. During the last week I did have that episode where I
overdid it and aggravated a nerve (that was painful and kept me sidelined the whole next day) but
I have had no issues in that vein since.

All in all, things are just grand.

Any updates?

Four week update

First off, it is hard to believe it has been four weeks -- amazing. I have been out a few times, and
on Mother's Day we did a meal out at, of all places, Outback. Took along a drummers throne to
sit on to keep my leg at the 'less than 80 degrees' angle. A bit awkward, but it works.

I am still on crutches and relegated to 50% pressure when 'walking'. I did my longest 'walk' ever today
at about 7 blocks -- WITH the dog on a leash no less. Stopped at a Starbucks halfway thru for a
drink and a brownie (shame on me!). Came home and promptly took a 2 hour nap. Lucky my big
90 pound boxer does not pull on the leash.

My incision is still not fully healed (about 95%) so no pool yet -- DARN. But soon...

I definitely feel strength returning, but I know it is gonna take some time.

I want to add that the biggest issue now is the callouses building on my hands from the crutches! :eek:

Five week update

Today is the end of five weeks and I have been allowed to move to a cane. I did not buy one yet
(tomorrow) but I am allowed 100% pressure on the new leg now. SO I went to the local health
club and walked ona treadmill for 20 minutes with as little pressure as I could on the arms of the unit.
No way I can walk without any assistance, but I felt good enough to move to a cane tomorrow.

Came home and promptly went to sleep for two hours. Just got up. I can feel it. Used muscles
I have not really used while on the crutches, at least to the extent that I normally would. Had
a lot of 'twinges' on the treadmill as well at the time. My knee is a bit swollen, but I think that is
irrespective of my hip.

All in all what I pretty much expected. I imagine within 2 weeks I will be off a cane as well. We
shall see. Oh, and my incision finally healed up completely a few days ago. Have not hit the
pool yet, but that is coming as well.

Will the stress from this procedure introduce humility and reason into your whackjob political beliefs?