Rebelguy
junior member
United StatesHi All,
I just had anterior left total hip replacement on Monday, the 26th. Let me give a brief description of how we got to that point.
Last August, I started having pain in my left hip. I am 37 and have been active my whole life. Played all sports through high school and then became an avid runner. I also love golfing with my dad on the weekends. I thought this pain was just a hip flexor injury. After not going away for 2 months, I got an x-ray and was told I had severe arthritis in my left hip and moderate in my right hip. I saw an orthopedist who confirmed this and said it was just from wear and tear and that I would need a new hip within a year or two.
I was stunned as I thought arthritis was an older person's disease and that it was a slow process. Within a month or two I began limping severely and my right hip began acting up. In my head there had to be something else wrong. I decided to switch my insurance this past July to a PPO where I would be able to get a second opinion. The new orthopedic surgeon I saw took one glance at my x-rays and said "You have something called AVN and you need surgery as soon as possible". As shocking as it was, I knew it was right for the way my body had been feeling. It is almost as if my upper body was too heavy for my hips and it was starting to take a toll on my knees and legs. For some reason I trusted this surgeon's opinion instantly. He made me feel like he could really help me out. I scheduled my surgery that day.
Fast forward 10 weeks from that day and we are now at the present. My surgeon prefers the anterior method and uses a joint called Conformis. I had to get a CT scan so a computer could build a hip that is custom to my anatomy. I am extremely anxious any time I go to a hospital and this past Monday was no different. Everything went smooth other than this doctor gives a nerve block in the spine and the person doing it missed the spot about 5 times. :( After they finally hit the right spot, my whole lower body went numb, oxygen mask went on, and then I woke up in recovery. I stayed overnight in the hospital. The only hiccup being the first time they got me up and walking (4 hours after surgery) I felt like I was going to pass out and my blood pressure dropped significantly. It came back up and I was home the following night.
I am now on Day 3 after surgery. My leg is very swollen and I am icing it constantly. I use a walker to get around the house. I have moderate pain in my left thigh but I was told this is very common. I also have to wear these compression cuffs for a minimum of 6 hours a day.
I currently have thoughts that my hip will never be the same or that my thigh pain could be an infection. I have to continually remind myself that I am only 3 days out of a pretty big surgery. It will take time.
Anyway, I have a physical therapist that will be here in a few hours. I will let you all know how that goes. Until then I hope everyone with these issues continues to heal and stay positive. Talk to you soon.
I just had anterior left total hip replacement on Monday, the 26th. Let me give a brief description of how we got to that point.
Last August, I started having pain in my left hip. I am 37 and have been active my whole life. Played all sports through high school and then became an avid runner. I also love golfing with my dad on the weekends. I thought this pain was just a hip flexor injury. After not going away for 2 months, I got an x-ray and was told I had severe arthritis in my left hip and moderate in my right hip. I saw an orthopedist who confirmed this and said it was just from wear and tear and that I would need a new hip within a year or two.
I was stunned as I thought arthritis was an older person's disease and that it was a slow process. Within a month or two I began limping severely and my right hip began acting up. In my head there had to be something else wrong. I decided to switch my insurance this past July to a PPO where I would be able to get a second opinion. The new orthopedic surgeon I saw took one glance at my x-rays and said "You have something called AVN and you need surgery as soon as possible". As shocking as it was, I knew it was right for the way my body had been feeling. It is almost as if my upper body was too heavy for my hips and it was starting to take a toll on my knees and legs. For some reason I trusted this surgeon's opinion instantly. He made me feel like he could really help me out. I scheduled my surgery that day.
Fast forward 10 weeks from that day and we are now at the present. My surgeon prefers the anterior method and uses a joint called Conformis. I had to get a CT scan so a computer could build a hip that is custom to my anatomy. I am extremely anxious any time I go to a hospital and this past Monday was no different. Everything went smooth other than this doctor gives a nerve block in the spine and the person doing it missed the spot about 5 times. :( After they finally hit the right spot, my whole lower body went numb, oxygen mask went on, and then I woke up in recovery. I stayed overnight in the hospital. The only hiccup being the first time they got me up and walking (4 hours after surgery) I felt like I was going to pass out and my blood pressure dropped significantly. It came back up and I was home the following night.
I am now on Day 3 after surgery. My leg is very swollen and I am icing it constantly. I use a walker to get around the house. I have moderate pain in my left thigh but I was told this is very common. I also have to wear these compression cuffs for a minimum of 6 hours a day.
I currently have thoughts that my hip will never be the same or that my thigh pain could be an infection. I have to continually remind myself that I am only 3 days out of a pretty big surgery. It will take time.
Anyway, I have a physical therapist that will be here in a few hours. I will let you all know how that goes. Until then I hope everyone with these issues continues to heal and stay positive. Talk to you soon.
