Birmingham Resurfacing Experiences?

[Rwilliams26]

I'm a 47 y/o male in North Georgia, and have been suffering from OA in my right hip for a few years. I think I could have probably "lived with the pain" for another few years before being forced to have the hip replaced, but chose instead to be a little more "preemptive" in the hopes that I'll be able to return to desired activity levels sooner (a 7 y/o son was an excellent motivation for me!).

After extensive research, I chose the relatively new Birmingham Resurfacing Procedure (BRP), which was done six days ago on February 22nd. The FDA approved BRP for use here in the United States early in 2006, so it's still quite new here...and still "relatively" new even in Europe, so there aren't a lot of longevity studies out there for this procedure. I do know it's growing VERY fast in popularity among men and women in their 30's, 40's and even 50's who are contemplating hip surgery....becuase...and this was the PRIMARY reason I chose it...BRP leaves far more original bone intact. Since (God willing) it was quitel likely that I would outlive whatever type of hip replacement hardware that would be installed, I opted to go for a procedure that would "allow" more adequately for a second operation on the same hip in several years.

Anyway, I underwent surgery on Thursday morning, February 22nd, and came home on Sunday afternoon. I had to negotiate a flight of stairs to our walk-out basement, but have been "shacking up" down here quite nicely for the past three days now. I had my first in-home physical therapy session yesterday...and it's all gone pretty well so far.

Birmingham Resurfacing is actually MORE invasive than a traditional THR procedure, results in a larger wound, an longer scar, and even a slightly longer recovery period, or so I'm told. My incision (did I spell that right?) is just over 10" long from top to bottom. I'm in SOME post-op discomfort, and still taking pain meds...but I'm planning to go back to work (1/2 days for awhile) after two more weeks of recovery time. I'll need to be driven, but I've got a desk job, so it shouldn't be too bad.

I've had some swelling in my right leg, and have had to keep it elevated as much as possible.

What I would LOVE is to hear from anyone else who has undergone a Birmingham Resurfacing...or chat with folks who are considering it. It will help my own recovery (and stem some of the BOREDOM) to talk about it here!

Ron in Georgia

 

[Stefan]

Hello Ron,

I had the BHR operation on 7th February 2007. The operations went well and I was out of hospital in 5 days. Once out of hospital, I was then left to complete my physiotherapy myself (and my wife). There are leg exercises which I complete daily and I was told to walk little and often. Hence over the first two weeks I gradually increased the distance up to about 1/2 mile, four times a day. After about 4 weeks I gradually weened myself onto one stick and for the past 3 days I have completed my "circuit" without the aid of sticks. However, I still need the stick when first getting up to contemplate my walk.

A great result so far.


Unfortunately, I do have an issue.

I have just come back from seeing my surgeon and have a concern that when laying on my back, I cannot lift my leg nomatter how much I try. Also sat in a seat I cannot raise my leg. Furthemore, I still cannot put on my socks and any kind of bending is restrictive.

While attempting to do any of the above, I get a pains in the groin. This I have been informed is not "normal" and will be getting a scan in the near future.

If you have any questions, please let me know and I will try and let you know my experiences.

I hope all is going well.

All the best

Stefan

 

[wertrojans]

Hello:

I too have recently had the birmingham hip replacement (4 weeks ago). I have a very large scar (at least 10-12 inches.) Did anyone have the same incision? My physical therapist says I had a posterior incision. I have pain regularly in the buttocks area where the incision was made. Has anyone experienced this as well? It is very uncomfortable when sitting for any length of time over 10 minutes and road trips across town are terrible. I am currently taking medication (oxycodone) and was also wondering how long it will be before the pain meds can go away. Or any other suggestions to help with pain management. I am still unable to raise my leg up very far while laying down. I would appreciate any input from those having the same experiences.

Thanks,

Sandra

 

[Josephine]

4 weeks is no time at all, wertrojans. You will get strange pains in the region so don't be too concerned about it. You will probably need analgesics for around 2-4 months longer and the leg raising will take a while to be more normal as well. That's a serious amount of surgery you had on your hip and whilst the incision is actually moderate in length, what was done inside is much much more so you cannot expect it to heal in as little as 4 weeks. It may even be 6-8 months before you wake up one morning and find that it isn't the first thought in your head! But that day will come, believe me, and when you're sitting with your coffee and morning paper one day and realise you haven't actually thought about it - well that's the day you really feel you're winning!

All the best for your future!

 

[carroll50]

I had the BHR 11/16/07 and have had no problems at all to this point.I am taking no pain meds and seem to see improvement every day.I am using one crutch and putting a little more weight on it each day.I still have some swelling at the area of the surgey but it seems to be going down day by day.I have a good PT and I really think that is a big key to getting though this.You have to be willing to work at it hard but have someone that tells you when to stop.I went so long with a really bad hip that I'm learning to walk again without a limp.I wish I had done this 2 or 3 years ago.

 

[LisaMarie]

I had Biomet resurfacing - pretty much the same thing, in August 2006. I am currently running 10 miles per week, strength training and loving life. Physical therapy post op is key. Massage and strength training are also important. Taking fish oil regularly has also helped alot. I have won a 5k and placed 2nd in a triathalon this year. Good luck and the sky is the limit!

 

[Rwilliams26]

Thanks for all the interesting responses to this post over the past few months. Is anyone else as annoyed at Lisa Marie as I am for being such an athlete? (just kidding Lisa Marie...great job...although you might want to just let people know you're competing, and talk about what order you finished in with your friends and family...it just won't sound quite so much like you're bragging then)

The past several months have been largely very successful, but I have one nagging problem that really has kept me from reporting "total" recovery.

I've had an issue with groin pain that will NOT go away. Whenever I have to lift my right knee up to horizontal or above, I get a very sharp pain in my groin. It's more intense when I LOWER my leg than it is when I raise it...so I've taken to laying my right hand under my thigh to relieve the muscle tension as I lower my leg. This normally relieves the discomfort. It's a strange thing, as I can tell it's not bone related, but rather something going on in the tendons or muscles. I have visions of scar tissue having formed across what would normally be smooth connective tissue or something. But I'm wondering, have any of the rest of you experienced anything similar?

Thanks all~

 

[LisaMarie]

Hi Ron,
I could not sleep thru the night due to groin pain for about 6 months after the surgery. I also could not run very well due to the lack of strength in the hip flexor. Continual strength training and massage very gradually have improved this condition. While it is still not 100%, it is only noticable during lunges and ocassional movements. Let me know if you want exercixe specifics.

Lisa

 

[Stefan]

Hello Ron,

Yes I am envoius about people who can run again....but good luck to LisaMarie and lets hope we can all be running again shortly.

I have replied in the past on the same subject of pain in the groin.

I had my operation on 7th February and still have a pain in the groin when raising my leg, the same as you. Recently I had a steroid injection into the psoras tendon (in the groin) as this was suggested to be the issue. This was 4 weeks ago and has not really made a difference.

I walk without pain, and can exercise using a cross trainer. Therefore a good result.

However, the greater the exercise, ther more pronounced the pain. No walking or exercise, less pain!

The leg is still fairly weak and bending forward on the operated leg is not possible. There seems to be some form of movement in the hip (as though the cup is moving) which I have had from day 1, not painful but disconcerting. There is some pain in the outside of the leg and I still have a lump on the scar.

But overall, far better than continuous pain and not able to sleep.

4 years ago I used to run 10K three times a week. Now, it does not seem it will ever be possible.

Keep in touch and please let me know if you find the cause.

Best regards

Stefan

 

[LisaMarie]

Maybe I am bragging a bit, but its kind of like being 80 and bragging about waking up....
You can run again. The number one benefit of going with resurfacing is the ability to be more active!
Lisa