This site is absolutely terrific, but seems like majority of posters have had more traditional approaches to THR. Is there anyone out there who had anterior (from the front) approach? (This is NOT any of the mini-invasive approaches. I did on 10/31, just over 7 weeks ago. I've noticed there truly are significant differences in recovery, from restrictions/lack thereof to return to normal activities. I'd be interested to hear from others who have had the type of surgery I did ...
Any other anterior "hippies" out there?
- Thread starter PRGal
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There have been some but as you say, their recovery was so fast and good, they seem to have picked up with their lives and haven't been back! That's the problem with this forum - people are often only temporary. (sniff sniff!)
Hippo28Nov08
new member
Hi There,
I had anterior approach just over 3wks ago (28Nov). I went back to my surgeon yesterday for follow-up and I was thinking my progress was slow as I am still on two crutches. I am 49 (female) and have cycled over 37,000kms in the last 12 yrs before my "freak accident", which damaged my hip in May 07. He commented that the muscle layer was about 4 - 5" thick and because of the length of my femur (I'm 5'11") and the amount of muscle, I may be slower than those of more slight frame and stature. My incision has healed well as I have taken 3g of Vitamin C per day and Zinc. I am putting Vitamin A ointment on the scar and am allowed in the swimming pool tomorrow. I started physiotherapy today (passive) and because of the anterior approach am not allowed to start gravity based physio until week 6.
Overall, the experience has been worse than I thought it would be and that is obviously because of my muscle and size. I take each day as it comes and still need my afternoon lie down as I tire very easily.
Cheers
Nicolette
Hi Nicolette!
Wow-you certainly are the athlete! Though you may think things are going slowly because of your height & muscle size, I would guess the muscle tone will be a big advantage in the not too distant future, since you'll have the strength many of us lost because of lack of use due to worsening osteoarthritis, increasing pain, etc.
I will tell you this: I read all the "super patient" stories for this approach and had really high expectations--as in "I was driving at 2 weeks" --and thought I should be there too. As a matter of fact, I disbelieved my surgeon during a pre-op visit when we discussed driving and he said probably not before 5-6 weeks after. It wasn't until 3 weeks after, when I unsuccessfully tried to lift my leg and do the movement from accelerator to brake (I could only do it if I "helped" by lifting my leg with my hands--obviously NOT an option when actually in a vehicle) that I finally conceded I wasn't going to break recovery records!
I guess my point is, while many of us have common feelings & experiences, we all have different bodies & circumstances, which affect what we can do. That said, it helps to have a community with whom to share--like this site!
Christmas Day will be 8 weeks post-op for me & 2 weeks of full-time work behind me. I had my post-op check up at 4-1/2 weeks & was given the green light to drive, work, exercise, wear high heels, etc. Reality is work & driving are fine; high heels & heavy housework means I really ache the next day, telling me I've over-done it; and going to the gym is on the post-holiday list, once they start offering pool exercises again!
That said, I'm definitely a cheerleader for this anterior approach--they call it "tissue-sparing" rather than "minimally invasive." I WAS walking unassisted after the 3rd week, & dropped the heavy-duty pain meds; LOVED the lack of precautions (I swear I probably crossed my legs in utero so there's no way I could refrain); needed no PT; generally feel pretty good. (Funny anecdote: Had surgery on a Thursday morning, went home Saturday afternoon & nursing staff remarked, "It's going to be another quiet weekend--all of Dr. Y's hip patients are going home!")
Though things seem to be going relatively well for me at this point, I hope to stick around here for a while, despite Jo's probably quite valid observation. So keep posting, Nicolette & keep in touch--once I manage to get to the gym to rebuild my "jello" muscles, I'll be curious to see how what I'm sure will be a whole new batch of aches & pains compare to someone like you who's in such amazing shape!
Best, Renee
Wow-you certainly are the athlete! Though you may think things are going slowly because of your height & muscle size, I would guess the muscle tone will be a big advantage in the not too distant future, since you'll have the strength many of us lost because of lack of use due to worsening osteoarthritis, increasing pain, etc.
I will tell you this: I read all the "super patient" stories for this approach and had really high expectations--as in "I was driving at 2 weeks" --and thought I should be there too. As a matter of fact, I disbelieved my surgeon during a pre-op visit when we discussed driving and he said probably not before 5-6 weeks after. It wasn't until 3 weeks after, when I unsuccessfully tried to lift my leg and do the movement from accelerator to brake (I could only do it if I "helped" by lifting my leg with my hands--obviously NOT an option when actually in a vehicle) that I finally conceded I wasn't going to break recovery records!
I guess my point is, while many of us have common feelings & experiences, we all have different bodies & circumstances, which affect what we can do. That said, it helps to have a community with whom to share--like this site!
Christmas Day will be 8 weeks post-op for me & 2 weeks of full-time work behind me. I had my post-op check up at 4-1/2 weeks & was given the green light to drive, work, exercise, wear high heels, etc. Reality is work & driving are fine; high heels & heavy housework means I really ache the next day, telling me I've over-done it; and going to the gym is on the post-holiday list, once they start offering pool exercises again!
That said, I'm definitely a cheerleader for this anterior approach--they call it "tissue-sparing" rather than "minimally invasive." I WAS walking unassisted after the 3rd week, & dropped the heavy-duty pain meds; LOVED the lack of precautions (I swear I probably crossed my legs in utero so there's no way I could refrain); needed no PT; generally feel pretty good. (Funny anecdote: Had surgery on a Thursday morning, went home Saturday afternoon & nursing staff remarked, "It's going to be another quiet weekend--all of Dr. Y's hip patients are going home!")
Though things seem to be going relatively well for me at this point, I hope to stick around here for a while, despite Jo's probably quite valid observation. So keep posting, Nicolette & keep in touch--once I manage to get to the gym to rebuild my "jello" muscles, I'll be curious to see how what I'm sure will be a whole new batch of aches & pains compare to someone like you who's in such amazing shape!
Best, Renee
UTdave
member
Hi Nicolette,
Welcome to the site. I am in the camp of wishing I had been able to get an anterior, but per surgeon would be exceedingly difficult due to my anatomy. I doubt I ride 3,000k a year but I do put in quite a few on a mountain bike (probably closer to 600 miles). I think I feel sort of like you do - I know I'm doing fine and meeting post-op milestones. However, getting back to what I consider fit and in good form still seems a ways off. That being said, it'll come! We'll both be back on the bike soon enough and hopefully in a few years this will all seem like a distant memory!
By the way - 3wks out? Take a nap like you're in a rest home - you deserve it while your body repairs!
Cheers,
Dave
Welcome to the site. I am in the camp of wishing I had been able to get an anterior, but per surgeon would be exceedingly difficult due to my anatomy. I doubt I ride 3,000k a year but I do put in quite a few on a mountain bike (probably closer to 600 miles). I think I feel sort of like you do - I know I'm doing fine and meeting post-op milestones. However, getting back to what I consider fit and in good form still seems a ways off. That being said, it'll come! We'll both be back on the bike soon enough and hopefully in a few years this will all seem like a distant memory!
By the way - 3wks out? Take a nap like you're in a rest home - you deserve it while your body repairs!
Cheers,
Dave
JudyS
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hEY Dave,
You should be riding all you want soon enoughl. I would say by 4 1/2 months I was hiking lots of miles and biking whatever I wanted. I do get occasional twinges, by so do all my other limbs and joints!!
Judy
You should be riding all you want soon enoughl. I would say by 4 1/2 months I was hiking lots of miles and biking whatever I wanted. I do get occasional twinges, by so do all my other limbs and joints!!
Judy
BigDog Mom
member
Hi Nicolette,
Had two anteriors done on Sept 16. I just got back from a wonderful Christmas with my extended family that included going sledding with my 15 yo daughter and her cousins and riding my Niece's horse. I can run my dogs around again. I went snowmobiling with my Dad. LIFE IS REALLY GOOD AFTER!
I do have the odd tinge here and there but then at my age, tinges are normal for people who move. I still have some numbness at the incision site, which might go away more quickly if I worked on them but to be quite frank I am so busy living my life again that I am too tired at night to care. ;)
And Jo we ALWAYS love and appreciate what you have done for us, even if we do get too busy to write. :0)
Donna
Had two anteriors done on Sept 16. I just got back from a wonderful Christmas with my extended family that included going sledding with my 15 yo daughter and her cousins and riding my Niece's horse. I can run my dogs around again. I went snowmobiling with my Dad. LIFE IS REALLY GOOD AFTER!
I do have the odd tinge here and there but then at my age, tinges are normal for people who move. I still have some numbness at the incision site, which might go away more quickly if I worked on them but to be quite frank I am so busy living my life again that I am too tired at night to care. ;)
And Jo we ALWAYS love and appreciate what you have done for us, even if we do get too busy to write. :0)
Donna
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