9 months and a bit discouraged. Wondering if anyone else has similar experiences.
Sometime in late January, I was finally able to completely stop using the cane. After a few weeks without it, I did a major change in my bedroom. My nephew moved all the heavy stuff, but I emptied and refilled books from several different bookcases.
The next day, I was back on the cane for just a couple days, as my right hip said that was too much!
Succeeded in getting back off the cane after just a couple days, but sometime later, (couple weeks?), I went up and down some stairs without using a railing, and a couple hours later, the hip was again hurting enough to have to use the cane again. Again, just for a couple days.
But then, this past Sunday I took a longer walk outdoors, on a path in a field, not pavement (1/3 mile, at most). I did take and use the cane even though I had again been walking without it, (because I knew it would likely be stressful), but the next day, I again paid for it, back to the cane. Two days later, still on the cane, I carried a box of books a few yards, without the cane, and went further backwards. Still, took ibuprofen each episode, and that would help.
I am wondering if this back and forth will ever stop! Where the leg hurts is on top of thigh, above knee. Just saw my surgeon for an already scheduled follow-up, and he did say that more healing can be expected, but also said most of his patients are further along by now.
I know everyone heals differently, and I have been pretty good about not comparing. He explained that the pain is the bone hurting, because enough bone has not grown into the implant to support it enough.
However, one thing he said really took me by surprise. He said that if I was not satisfied with the results, that a new implant can be used, that is more aggressive. He explained "aggressive" to mean different materials (still not totally clear, I think the thought is that the bone would grow into a different implant better?). And said that if so, it would not be a decision to be made until two years past the surgery.
However, I had never considered the possibility that the gradual healing and back and forth could ultimately prove unsatisfactory, and require this procedure, another surgery!
He also said that if I was willing to accept the results, after more time goes by, that I would not need to do another surgery, it would be my call. Would appreciate any thoughts, as this idea was definitely disturbing. (Only my right hip gives me trouble, the left is fine. The right had been the worst, had ten times more swelling than the left, but he said that wasn't the reason that the right was not doing as well.)