RoosterRick
junior member
United States
18 days post anterior LTHR, hi everyone. I’m Rick, a 62-YO male, fit, active outdoor lifestyle since childhood. Bad genetics and bad luck, here I am. It began with a labral tear in the fall of 2010, the result of an acute injury... while running. Surgical options available at that time for my specific situation were just not great. So I managed it conservatively, for quite awhile and with reasonable success, until that was just no longer possible. As a life-long runner and cyclist, I was ultimately reduced to walking, with increasing pain. But walk I did, 3-5 miles daily, right up until my surgery. I live alone w/ 2 large active dogs, somewhat rural in SE Wyoming, 60 miles from the surgery center in Loveland Colorado.
Surgery was scheduled for 8am on 3/20/23, out of surgery 10:30am, discharged at 2:30pm. My adult daughter was my chauffeur, dog walker, cook and care giver for the first three days; I’ve been on my own since. The first week was difficult, emotionally and physically. Like many, Iwas completely unprepared for the trauma of the surgery. Holy ****, I felt like I got hit by a bus! The swelling, bruising, weakness (dead leg) pain and stiffness probably peaked about day 4 or 5 post-op. Additionally, getting good sleep was near impossible. I wish I had found BoneSmart sooner, as I’ve come to appreciate my situation is certainly not unique. I made some mistakes in the first week for sure. I got behind on pain management, not enough ice/elevate, too much activity and not enough resting.
Week 2 was better, and I found BoneSmart to be a wonderful resource. I was able to progress from the walker to the cane at about day 7, and off narcotic pain meds, except one 325mg hydrocodone before bed, as needed, which improved sleep. I was able to drive at day 10, and back to my office job 2 weeks post surgery. In retrospect, another week off work would have been very desirable, but just wasn’t possible for me. Getting dressed for work requires some creativity, to be sure, but I am managing.
I’m now in week three, and my body continues to slowly heal. I walk daily 1.5-2 miles now, but still use the cane, though less than 50% of the time, weening off as I am able. My pace is purposeful and deliberate, focusing on proper form and mechanics, over speed. No other PT, just walking. I continue to ice regularly, including while I am at work. My first post-op checkup yesterday; I seem to be doing well and OS has no specific concerns, nor do I. Swelling remains persistent on the operated side, as does soreness and tightness from hip to ankle. The upper left quad is particularly tender still, as expected. I hope to begin some easy spinning on the bike trainer in a couple weeks, which I am very excited about. Most importantly, I’ll continue to listen to my body and the collective wisdom and experience of this board, as my recovery progresses.
Surgery was scheduled for 8am on 3/20/23, out of surgery 10:30am, discharged at 2:30pm. My adult daughter was my chauffeur, dog walker, cook and care giver for the first three days; I’ve been on my own since. The first week was difficult, emotionally and physically. Like many, Iwas completely unprepared for the trauma of the surgery. Holy ****, I felt like I got hit by a bus! The swelling, bruising, weakness (dead leg) pain and stiffness probably peaked about day 4 or 5 post-op. Additionally, getting good sleep was near impossible. I wish I had found BoneSmart sooner, as I’ve come to appreciate my situation is certainly not unique. I made some mistakes in the first week for sure. I got behind on pain management, not enough ice/elevate, too much activity and not enough resting.
Week 2 was better, and I found BoneSmart to be a wonderful resource. I was able to progress from the walker to the cane at about day 7, and off narcotic pain meds, except one 325mg hydrocodone before bed, as needed, which improved sleep. I was able to drive at day 10, and back to my office job 2 weeks post surgery. In retrospect, another week off work would have been very desirable, but just wasn’t possible for me. Getting dressed for work requires some creativity, to be sure, but I am managing.
I’m now in week three, and my body continues to slowly heal. I walk daily 1.5-2 miles now, but still use the cane, though less than 50% of the time, weening off as I am able. My pace is purposeful and deliberate, focusing on proper form and mechanics, over speed. No other PT, just walking. I continue to ice regularly, including while I am at work. My first post-op checkup yesterday; I seem to be doing well and OS has no specific concerns, nor do I. Swelling remains persistent on the operated side, as does soreness and tightness from hip to ankle. The upper left quad is particularly tender still, as expected. I hope to begin some easy spinning on the bike trainer in a couple weeks, which I am very excited about. Most importantly, I’ll continue to listen to my body and the collective wisdom and experience of this board, as my recovery progresses.
Deb, the HIP Recovery: The Guidelines section was the first “revelation” when I found this resource, on day 6 post-op. After a very difficult week of navigating the recovery on my own. BTW, I was failing miserably. The information has been truly a game-changer for my recovery, so far. 
