Left SuperPath Hip Replacement

[kayak59]

Never thought I'd be on THIS side but after going through left and right knee replacements with the help of the Bonesmart community, now I am getting ready for a total left hip replacement. After a year of increasing pain and frustration, I saw a hip specialist who uses the Superpath technique. After a short holiday in England, I'm getting a new hip -- hopefully in April or early May. Glad I am going through this journey with all of you.

 

[Josephine]

Oh lucky you! Though it's relatively new, having watched the surgeon's edition of the video, I was very taken with the surgeon's emphasis about being gentle with the soft tissues. I've always said that the degree of post-op pain is directly related to how rough or gentle the surgeon was during the surgery.

 

[kayak59]

Yes, I guess if I have to get this done, thank goodness I can take advantage of this method. As soon as I return from England, I'll get a date.

 

[leejaa]

I know how you feel about having another joint replacement. I had my knees done in 2013 and thought I was done but the left hip had other ideas and had that replaced on 1.25.17. I had thought my hips were in good shape as I had x-rays in 2014 but it was not to last. Now, I just figure, now that I know all the symptoms if my other hip gets painful than I will run to the OS really fast and get it done. It took over a year for my doctors to figure out it was not my back but my hip. You will do great and just think you have two lovely strong knees to depend on for recovery. Many people here have knee pains after the surgery but you should not. My knees were a great help with their strength.

 

[Jaycey]

@kayak59 Welcome to the hippie side of BoneSmart! We are with you on this!

Where are you visiting in England (just curious)?

 

[kayak59]

Jaycey, I'll be on my way this time next week! Leaving the States 3/31, arriving at Heathrow on 4/1 for one week. Will be in London and Essex for a short visit with relatives.

The cortisone shots seem to be taking effect already, thank goodness.

 

[kayak59]

@Tweetybrd Did you have the Superpath method? I was reading through your thread and wasn't sure. How are you feeling at this point?

Thanks!

Eileen

 

[gertie]

@kayak59 I think Tweetybrd did have Superpath--and I had direct superior which is similar, with an emphasis on gentle handling during surgery. I had minimal pain, no bruising, minimal swelling, no pain meds stronger than acetaminophen once I left the hospital. Recovery still took time--no miracles--but was a relatively easy experience.

 

[kayak59]

Thank you @gertie . Can't wait to get this done! This was a very frustrating, painful year but the doctor says once the left hip is done, I really should get back to full activity and it will take the stress off my right hip and back. I am so ready!

 

[Tweetybrd]

Hey! @kayak59 Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. My sister and niece and nephew were here on spring break.

Yes! I did have the SuperPath method. It was a great experience, as far as surgery goes. I bruised more on my arms from them not being able to get the IV in than I did at my the surgery site.

I did have to use Oxy for a while but mostly just at night. I think I only used it for the first two weeks during the day and really not a lot then.

I am doing really well. It is no picnic but a lot easier then I was expecting. I was doing really pretty good walking around by 3 weeks out. But my muscles in my leg were very tight and weak. I am getting stronger everyday.

I am a little over 9 weeks out now and in the last week I have walked more probably than I have in the last 3 years that my hip was bad with my sister and her kids here. We did the art museum, the botanical garden, Ikea and a BBQ festival. LOL. I have to say it is super nice to just be able to go everywhere everyone else wants to go.

Good luck with your surgery! Have a great vacation too!

 

[kayak59]

@Tweetybrd Thanks for the encouragement! I'll be looking for a job in the weeks following my surgery. (Of course, I am now, but doubt I'll get hired with this coming up.) I was working from home for the better part of the past eight years but had to take an "in the office" job. Wasn't sure I could do it, but didn't have much choice. Started off walking normally, then by 3 months I was in agony and using a walker. I could work without any problem from home but the day after submitting my doctor's note saying I had to work from home, my job was eliminated due to funding. :-( Very bad timing.

 

[Tweetybrd]

Oh wow! Yes that is bad timing. Hopefully you can find another job soonish after your surgery, but don't push yourself. While this method is really great and you have less pain and soft tissues are handled more gently, it is still major surgery. I am paying for all that walking last week with my company. It was a blast! However, I am sore and my muscles are tight this week. LOL Gentle walking and stretching and ice and heat for me this week.

 

[kayak59]

@Tweetybrd How is sleeping and sitting now? I have the most pain when lying flat and need to sit on a soft chair. I take the strongest pain med to get to sleep but still wake up after it wears off -- even with the cortisone shots. When that happens, I usually slap a Lidocaine patch on the worst spot(s). its also effective for severe quad cramping. (I have so many different kinds of patches in different strength, size, and active agent now. Prefer using them vs oral meds if I can.)

 

[Tweetybrd]

Sitting is fine now. I find it better if I keep my feet up for the most part but that is mostly knee related not hip.
I am still sleeping most of the night on my back(at a angle on pillows). I can sleep on the "new" hip side but I wake up with it a bit achy. That is , of course, with a pillow in between my knees. I have good nights and bad nights. Ones where I wake up and cant get comfortable. But none of it compares to every bad night of hurting and tossing and turning before with my "old" hip. I was so miserable and sleep deprived before that the nights now are better. Even the not so fun ones.

 

[VThereandnow]

Hey there, well you look like a more adventurous kayaker than I. I am the lazy river kind lol. I am not sure I know what a super path is. I am having a regular anterior and am hoping for something non eventful. My left hip was a nightmare and I eventually had to have a revision. Basically changed my life. Without all the details, some nerve damage so I use a cane for that side. So this one has GOT to go better. Thanks for stopping by and tell me about your procedure when you get a chance. Cathy

 

[kayak59]

Back from England and saw my doctor this morning. No surgery date yet, darn! He had me keep a hip journal and based on the results of the cortisone shots, wanted me to get shots in both bursas and then come back next week. He says he wants to make sure he doesn't replace the hip -- which he agrees still needs to be done -- but then I still have pain on the outside. So hoping these shots do help the bursitis but I also get a date next week. (Not sure what he would do to the bursa if the cortisone shots did not help.)

Had gorgeous weather in England (London & Essex) but was getting frustrated by my inability to get out and do anything. Could shuffle around the house but as soon as I started walking, the burning crushed glass feeling in the groin came back and the whole hip started to ache. Back here in Missouri, also have lovely photographic weather that I can't go out and photograph, darn, darn and double darn.

By the way, Londoners or those visiting London, if you'd like to enjoy Hampstead Heath, did you know you can reserve and rent free mobility scooters? You can do that through the Lido. They are like light golf carts so you can go off the paved trails. Very nice!

 

[VThereandnow]

Welcome back. Hope you get that date soon as it seems you are really ready and the pain is holding you back in life. I had never heard of Super Path so i looked it up, holy guacamole lol, that's wild. One guy was like "I took 2 days off of work" crazy! Good for you going that route.

I had anterior, about 10 days out, and feeling like I am doing pretty good. I look forward to you having yours so I can see your super duper recovery! -Cathy

 

[kayak59]

Thanks Cathy! I am really anxious to get this procedure done because, besides doing all the fun things I want to do, I have to interview for and get a job! Then GO to the job. I am not sure anyone would hire me if they knew I needed a hip replacement. :-( And I guess I can't blame them.

 

[Nivea]

Welcome back! My sons girlfriend spent a semester in London going to college. So, my son went for a week to visit her (last year) and loved London. They had a jam packed week and he saw as much as he could. They had set their itinerary before he went so they knew exactly what they were doing, not wasting time figuring it out.

It sounds as though you are mentally ready for your hip replacement. I am sure a bit frustrated not having a date yet. You will get there, hang in there.

 

[kayak59]

Woo hoo! Got my date -- May 9th. I am SO READY! Going to start planning my Florida Mainland to Key West Kayaking trip after the surgery!