United StatesI just wanted to drop in and give an update since my core decompression (CD) that was performed April 16th. I had my hardware pins removed and a CD done to arrest Stage 1 AVN. It's now August 2 and I've been swimming since week 2 after surgery. I've not been swimming like what you all see at your local YMCA with the .5 mph slog of slop, no, I've been swimming at a former collegiate level. 3000-5000 meters three to four times a week; very high anaerobic threshold stuff. For the first two months, flip turns were painful and so I babied my hip like the doc asked me to do. I was scared that the pain I once felt when I bent over was permanent. It is gone now, completely. I can even do a full on Olympic style freestyle sprint start with ZERO pain to a flat out sprint at 6.2 mph. 6 weeks ago the doctor did a final x-ray and said, "see you in a year."
Now, here's what is puzzling to me. There is all this negativity about CDs and that they are not ever successful. I was halfway believing it up until my surgery. I'm glad I chose this route. I am not nor will I ever again run and I find it's no problem since I can swim all I want with no pain. The only drawback to having had two hip operations in 5 years is the loss of muscle suffered from sitting for long periods of time while atrophy set in. I'm slowly building it back and taking supplements everyday that promote much better circulation. At 40 my bp is now 114/52 and my flexibility is now 30% better than when I had the pins in my hip. I was really miserable before this procedure and now I am the best I've ever been in years. I'm so happy and glad to be walking with no limp and absolutely no pain.
I was worried that the phantom pains I had for a few months were going to be there for life. They are all gone. One day, the pain just stopped and I've gone on a diving trip, can drive for hours without pain, etc... My doctor, Shelby Carter must be commended because he's the one who said to be positive, not to worry and think forward through this procedure. So if anyone is worried about CD get several opinions. I got three before settling on Carter and I'm so much better as a result. Thanks for the support here on this board as I was in a dark place when I was here in March and April.
Now, here's what is puzzling to me. There is all this negativity about CDs and that they are not ever successful. I was halfway believing it up until my surgery. I'm glad I chose this route. I am not nor will I ever again run and I find it's no problem since I can swim all I want with no pain. The only drawback to having had two hip operations in 5 years is the loss of muscle suffered from sitting for long periods of time while atrophy set in. I'm slowly building it back and taking supplements everyday that promote much better circulation. At 40 my bp is now 114/52 and my flexibility is now 30% better than when I had the pins in my hip. I was really miserable before this procedure and now I am the best I've ever been in years. I'm so happy and glad to be walking with no limp and absolutely no pain.
I was worried that the phantom pains I had for a few months were going to be there for life. They are all gone. One day, the pain just stopped and I've gone on a diving trip, can drive for hours without pain, etc... My doctor, Shelby Carter must be commended because he's the one who said to be positive, not to worry and think forward through this procedure. So if anyone is worried about CD get several opinions. I got three before settling on Carter and I'm so much better as a result. Thanks for the support here on this board as I was in a dark place when I was here in March and April.
