Superpath Hip Replacement 3 weeks post op
Posted , 21 users are following.
hello everyone
im nervous about posting on here as I never in my life thought I'd be on a forum for patients so in some ways it is good I've learnt some humility as always thought I was indestructible as I've always been very sporty playing a lot of tennis, football, rugby and cycling as well as regular gym sessions.
Im 42 and last year after persistent groin pain that wasn't overly painful but nonetheless noticeable and wasn't going away after about a year I had an MRI scan, the results of which showed a FAI and laberal tear. My consultant told me the space between the ball and socket at one point was about 0.5mm and therefore I was too far gone to even attempt keyhole surgery and that I needed a THR of right hip. Being the cautious sole I am I had a couple of other opinions by consultants all of whom said same thing.
I kind of didnt take it too seriously as i wasnt in great pain and was still very active, playing a lot of tennis running and cycling. The most noticeable thing was during sexual intercourse in missionary when I could feel a grinding sensation in the groin and clicking. Obviously that became somewhat of a passion killer.
As time went on the pain was pain was getting more noticeable during tennis and my consultant suggested cortisone injections and sinvisc plus. The cortisone injections did great but only lasted around 3 weeks per injection. I didn't notice any great difference with the sinvisc plus.
Still up to around april/may this year I was still playing a lot of sport and walking fine. But then in June during a very brutal game of tennis while hitting a running forehand I experienced an almighty crunch in the hip and a bit of pain, not too much as I'd only just had last cortisone shot. This was a Saturday when the crunch happened.
No problems on saturday evening or sunday Sunday but the Monday when at work after being seated when I went to get up I was in agony and couldn't move. Hip/groin locked.
Since then this sensation continually happened if I bent my leg then tried to straighten it. I had an injection into a tendon that my consultant said was getting trapped and that did work but only for two weeks. I was at the stage where getting off toilet was a massive challenge. Once unlocked it wasn't too bad. I could walk ok and pretty quick. I noticed if I did no sport (or sexual relations) the locking subsided but as soon as I was more active the issue came back. My consultant told me it was a very personal choice when to have a THR but my quality of life was being affected and the aim of a THR was to improve that quality. He then told me about the Superpath technique which I loved sound of and he was one of very few surgeons who did this. I elected to have the super path and it was done on September 15.
Im 19 days post op and can walk with one crutch pretty quick but when I try without a crutch I'm struggling as hip is stiff. I can bend leg upwards well and outwards and can squat. Obviously no locking now.
my concern is I've seen you tube videos of people able to cross their legs and walking with no aids at all and in no pain. I have no pain when lying down or sitting down save for a bit of soreness where the wound is but my main worry is I do get a lot of groin pain when exercising or trying to lift my leg keeping it straight. Also when I walk the groin hurts and while other pain seems to be getting better the groin doesn't at all.
I go for my first physio appointment in two days time and I'm worried that this groin pain means something isn't right. I've gone into so much detail as wanted to explain how I was before the operation. Has anyone had the superpath and if so what were your experiences at this stage. I've read somewhere that the illopsis tendon can be damaged and of course when I was locking up before the THR I wonder if that tendon took some damage.
sorry if this is really long winded but it's all very stressful as I've never so much had a filling in my teeth let alone major surgery so I'm not sure where I should be and what I should be doing.
Thanks in advance for any replies.
7 likes, 395 replies
m05 gary45745
Posted
Hi everyone I hope you all had a happy Christmas and looking forward a great new year.
Having my ups and downs at the moment trying to stay as positive as possible but pain in both hips is quite unrelenting now and nothing is seeming to touch it. I am keeping up exercise as best I can and after tommorow I am cutting out alcohol (don't drink much anyway) and going to eat as healthy as possible to get a bit of weight off and get myself in best possible shape for the surgery I am sure it helps recovery speed and minimises the risks of complications. My original plan was to have a bilateral resurfacing procedure but for many reasons that was altered. When I saw Mr Cronin initially we discussed doing both together he was not very enthusiastic and said a 6 week gap would be ok I am wondering now if I should speak to him and ask him if he would consider doing the 2 together I am concerned that after the first op I am going to have to contend not only with the healing of one but the continuing deterioration pain and disability of the other one for at least 6 weeks assuming I don't go down with another cold or anything that could delay the second op even more. Sorry if I am sounding a bit down but this whole process seems to be dragging on so far into the future with no relief.
I find so much comfort in hearing about how well all the recoveries are going it really helps give me light at the end of this tunnel. Any thoughts anyone on going for a simultaneous bilateral. Take care all Martin.
gerriberri66 m05
Posted
I can’t even imagine what you are going through at this point with both hips being so debilitating. Perhaps you can reach out to Mr Cronin and see if he would reconsider. Perhaps he may have a cancellation? Maybe the relief you will get in one hip immediately after surgery, will give you the mental strength to wait the 6 weeks to have the other one done? I think taking the steps of not drinking, and eating healthier are the best things you could possibly do at this point. Living with so much pain everyday is horrendous and very depressing. But like you said..keep in mind all the great recoveries...because you will be sharing your great recovery with us soon enough. Please try to stay as positive as possible. Sending love and strength your way. Xo
m05 gerriberri66
Posted
Hi Gerri thanks for your thoughts sorry to get all whinney but things do seem to be getting a lot worse now it is so difficult trying to explain to someone who hasn't gone though these issues just how debilitating it is. I begin to feel the people around me are getting fed up of me even mentioning the pain etc now and can't seem to understand why I grimace or cringe whenever I try and move perhaps I have been around home too long over the holidays I am going back to work in a reduced capacity next week but hopefully it will be a distraction and make the time pass quicker just hope I don't pick up nasties from my patients. I am going to speak to surgeon next week to see if we can do the 2 together don't think there are any earlier appointments they did fit me in at earliest opportunity. Thanks for listening so pleased your recovery is going well it is an inspiration and gives me and others hope and confidence all the very best for the new year
Martin x
RichardKen m05
Posted
Dear Martin
I'm sorry that you are in so much pain. Have you tried ice and elevation? It may also be sensible to ease up on the exercises as this may well be aggravating the situation. I know that you want to stay fit for the surgery but needs must and all that!
In a way I'm in the same situation as you, waiting for this ankle revision and wanting to stay fit but aware that exercise could be causing a premature failure which would be a disaster so I'm restricting myself to short walks.
In your position I would want both hips done at the same time I think.
All the best, Richard
gerriberri66 m05
Posted
You are not being whiny. You have Major pain that is happening non stop. It’s exhausting and depressing. And you are right, people don’t understand what you are going through. So if you need to vent, then come here and share your feelings as often as you need. You KNOW you have a big support group here! Hopefully work will be a bit of distraction for you. WE are here for you. Xo
gary45745 m05
Posted
Not long for your op now so i knw its frustrating but hang in there.
Nit sure having both done at same time is a good idea as u will be on your side during the operation so one of hips will be new while other is being done if that makes semse.
Happy new year
RichardKen gary45745
Posted
Dear Martin
I imagine if the surgeon is OK with it then all one needs to consider is the recovery. I'm sure Martin is a strong enough lad to cope!
Cheers, Richard
judith12644 m05
Posted
jimbone gary45745
Posted
Hello Gary,
How are you getting on? I write to wish you well and out of great curiosity regarding the super pat approach used in your surgery. I had researched it and it sounded like a very sensible approach but there are few doctors in the US that are trained or use it. The one surgeon I found in WA State does not accept my insurance and I will likely opt for something else. Where did you have your surgery done and who was the surgeon if you don't mind my asking. Best to you.
Jimbone
gerriberri66 jimbone
Posted
what State do you live in? I had Superpath done in Arizona. I know there are surgeons doing this in CA, Minnesota, Missouri, NY, Florida. If you google superpath surgeons, there’s a surgeon locator where you can put in your zip code. Hope this helps.
Happy New Year.
gary45745 jimbone
Posted
Im based in UK and my surgeon was mr mr cronin.
I would steongly adbixe you to have
gary45745
Posted
My phone playing up so message sent by accident but i was saying i strongly recommend the superpath as recovery so much quicker
jimbone gary45745
Posted
Hi Gary-
Hope you are doing well. I assumed you were in the US as well because I was under the impression the Superpath was developed and mostly limited to the states. My understanding is that it was developed by a surgeon in Arizona who practices at the Headly Clinic. I saw however your surgeons name mentioned in another post and that it was done in the UK and Australia as well. Difficult to find many docs doing it. Only 2 I know of in my home state of WA and the one I would trust to see doesn't accept my insurance. Great system we have here, right? Best to you in recovery, thanks for getting back.
Jim
RichardKen gary45745
Posted
Dear Gary
Glad you are doing well. Not sure I would agree but perhaps I was just one of the very lucky ones all those years ago<BG>
Cheers, Richard
jimbone gerriberri66
Posted
Hi Gerry,
Thanks for that info, I'll give it a try.
Jim