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
gerriberri66 gary45745
Posted
HI Gary and Martin
OMG! Worked with a client that had a cold, made her wear a mask and take her own car to see properties and now I have a cold! 😩. It’s not bad and I’m going to just stay home (although) I work from home. If this delays surgery this will really screw everything up. I haven’t even had a cold in at least 5 years! I’m hoping a couple days of rest will knock it out. I just can’t believe it.
Gary...glad u felt better after the workout. Good luck going back to work. What do you do?
Martin...let’s us know how your appt goes with Mr Cronin.
I will I’ll have to find out what my implant will be.. When I asked Dr Chow how long the implant will last he said at least 40 years... and we all know that I won’t have to worry about that 40 year mark. Lol. Not to be morbid or anything.
Im sure I’ll have a lots of info to share with you post surgery... this HAS to happen next Monday!
You should all all be in Vegas to recouperate. 🌝We could start a Superpath hip replacement club.And compare how much activity we can all do. Lol
ok,back to practice resting. Hope tomorrow I wake up back to my normally healthy self. Nite all.
m05 gerriberri66
Posted
Hi again
Just another thought about colds don't forget to keep some hand sanitizer with you and use it all the time that is one of the main ways of transmission of bugs. Must admit I have been paranoid about picking something up before the op I should stop work but it's not practical to yet but have cut back as much as possible also have avoided a lot of social contact becoming very boring !
Cheers Martin
gary45745 gerriberri66
Posted
Dont panic about your cold. Best time to get it is now as it will be gone in 4 days. Anyway its a virus not bacteria so wont risk infection but u will be fine.
Im a lawyer so dreading going back if ive loads of court appearences pencilled in.
Well id love to recuperate in Las Vegas!! Im sure Martin would as well...like the sound of that.
Went to gym again today and am at stage where more i exercise better it feels. Im 10 weeks post op so that is sort of a guideline for you.
Dont worry about your cold. Less stress the better at this stage xxxx
gerriberri66 gary45745
Posted
it’s so great to hear that by exercising you r feeling better. It’s going to be hard for you getting back into your work routine. It’s probably going to more mentally exhausting than physically for you.
Thanks for the encouraging words about my cold. Drinking tea with lemon, trainer told me to get some zicam, which I did. Working minimally (just emails). Just resting...
Would be awesome to all meet somewhere down the road. Stranger things have happened. Lol. Enjoy your last afternoon of recouping!
gary45745 gerriberri66
Posted
Well i love Las Vegas so wouldnt take much to tempt me over!!! Hehe.
Sadly today at work was a nightmare. Couldnt have been worse really. Not hip wise but the fact nobody covered for me and now there is a negligence issue.
Tempted to get another sick note as i know dealing with irate clients who havent been looked after in my absence wont aid my recovery.
Out of interest what American football team is popular in Vegas. Im a huge football fan. Steelers are my team . How are u feeling xx
m05 gary45745
Posted
Hi Gary and Gerri
Thanks for info 're implants ceramic on ceramic seems the way to go nowadays hey Gerri you never know you could wear them out my aunt got to 102 you never know !! Can't believe you picked up a cold it's a big problem here in cold damp UK at the moment and I am being as careful as I can although my daughter has now got one and I am still seeing patients which involves close contact . I don't think a cold itself will delay surgery it's if it goes onto your chest and affects breathing or becomes a bacterial infection that it is a problem I have been taking a high dose vitamin C and zinc supplement plus a probiotic drink everyday to try and help immunity might be worth trying to stop your cold getting worse should clear in 5 days plus all that sunshine will help not like here !
I set up a bit of a gym in the garage over the weekend took me a while to shift stuff but have got a small treadmill handcycle and spin bike plus a few weights and punch ball hoping that I will be able to start some very mainly upper body light training post op asap but don't quite know how I will feel yet . Did try a light 10mins on spin bike and it wasn't too bad think I am just getting used to aching and hurting now sure you will soon get back into a decent routine at gym Gary I have kept my membership going at the Warwickshire which is just down the road from the Nuffield so will take my kit with me and pop in for a session after discharge... not ! Good luck getting back to work sure you will soon get back into the normal swing of things.
Best wishes to both of you
Cheers Martin
gary45745 m05
Posted
Its great you set up a home gym and even doing a little will help. See what i said to gerri about the 10 week mark post op and how now more exercise the better.
Im a member down the road at david lloyd which just down the a46 from the warwickshire. You will get physio once your wound heals at the nuffield gym in leamington.
Hope all goes well and its definitely time for youbto have it.
m05 gary45745
Posted
Ps G&G
Like Gerris idea of a Vegas based hip club haven't been out there since 96 keep meaning to go back was out on west coast last October did a road trip from San Francisco down highway 1 ending up at Indio to watch Bob Dylan and the Stones at the desert trip concert wanted to rent a Harley to do the trip but hips were starting to get bad and couldn't get my leg over (the bike!) very easily so ended up in an SUV wanted a Mustang but that was too low and uncomfortable to get in and out of easily even last year. A return trip is needed soon .
Cheers Martin
gary45745 m05
Posted
I was supposed to go to texas to do san antonia houston dallas and austin but it was in october and too soon after my op so had to cancel. My friends hired a ford Mustang and its my dream car. I definitely want a USA road trip in a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. The sound of that car is magical!!
gerriberri66 gary45745
Posted
Good Morning Guys,
Martin; I think its great that you are getting ready for your recovery when you are up to it. You really are in close contact with your patients...and need to be really careful.. Thanks for the info about colds/surgery...I don't want to take anything because instructions were to stop everything 10 days prior to surgery.. (the only thing I take on a regular basis is Vit D)...so I don't even want to take an advil for this cold.
And where is the gorgeous sun in LV today??? hiding behind wind and clouds... So you are meeting Mr Cronin this Thursday for 1st time? Its good that you already have surgery scheduled.. I'm ready for this to be over with. Greatful I have found this website and people like you and Gary to share information with.
?Gar... I don't envy you going back to your kind of workload after 10 weeks.. That's a lot to deal with.. Just remember, your health should take priority over everything... whether we are 42 or 62... I'm sure Martin and I have lived through enough to say that. By the way, if you ever give up being a lawyer, you could always write for a living..
Ok.. I need to get to work.. oh wait.. I'm at work. lol Talk to you all soon!! xo
m05 gary45745
Posted
Hi G&G
Hope your cold is not giving too much trouble Gerri sure you will be fine for op it is a constant worry as date gets close but as Gary said as well a virus shouldn't stop them going ahead.Have you got everything ready for your return home I bought a rise and recline chair which I think will be very useful early days probably for sleeping in as well also have a couple of grabbers for picking stuff up as for a while now I have been struggling with that and a sock thing to put socks on ! Have to say for past few months both of my hips have been really bad so may not notice much difference post op with what I can do . Gary hope you survived going back to work ok ! Not too much in your in box I hope, sure it will help to start getting back into a normal routine slowly again I know I will struggle being around the house a lot probably not as much as the other half will with me being there though !! Trying to fill my thoughts with stateside road trips in snarling V8s or rumbling Harleys think I might take some of my time off to do some planning always helps to have something to look forward to. All the best for now guys keep in touch
Cheers Martin
gerriberri66 m05
Posted
Hi Martin,
Oh no 🤦??? You need both hips done? 😬. Then I’m really glad you found superpath so you can recouperate quickly and then have the other hip done. I truly hope you do notice a difference. I haven’t done anything for my return home, as Dr Chow made me feel that I will be totally ok...even driving myself to PT. At least with the weather here I don’t need to worry about socks 🧦. Im feeling much better today. 👍🏻 I did run out for work a bit, came home, worked on computer and got back on the couch. I think I’m good to go. Supposed to meet my client,who got me sick, tommorrow at her home inspection, but I’m leery about breathing anywhere near her. I would just feel bad, as I’ve never missed a clients home inspection since becoming a Realtor. 1st time for everything. Inspection, surgery...lol. And .I refuse to wear a mask 😷 on the plane. Lol. Let us know how appt goes Thursday.
Gar...
thats terrible that nobody took care of your files while you were gone. How could that even happen? I’m sorry that you returned to such a mess. How was it hip wise to get back to work. R u exhausted today? Keep us posted.
Goodnight all. Xo
m05 gerriberri66
Posted
Hi G&G
First meeting with Mr Cronin later today feeling nervous but excited just hoping there will be no reason not to operate on 14th got a lot of questions for him but mainly which leg to do first both are bone on bone and equally painful sometimes one more than the other my original plan was to have simultaneous bilateral treatment but pulled back from that but think I will ask him the question suppose it would be good to get it all done in one op if not hope it won't be long before he can do second perhaps he can inject the other one to help whilst I am waiting will let you know how it goes all I know is it has got to be better than it is now however we do it !
Gerri hope everything going smoothly in run up to Saturday have you finished work now ? Will be thinking of you post on here to let us know how you are as soon as you can sure it will go great .
Gary can't believe you had to come back to so much hassle at work bet you feel shattered bad enough going back smoothly after such a long break hope you sort things soon another of lifes challenges to deal with !
All the best for now be in touch soon
Cheers Martin
gary45745 m05
Posted
Nof sure what he will say about doing both at same time i think that will be hard as u r turned on your side . I would think maybe a 3 month window between both.
Let me know how it goes and good luck
gary45745 gerriberri66
Posted
Had the worse two days ever back at work and im livid. Off today its midday and still in bed...i am shattered. Gladly hip is fine im just really tired.
Hoping to go christmas shopping later.
Glad u keeping up your exercise. X
gary45745 m05
Posted
As for work i am livid about a number of things, one being one of the Partners apparently slagging me off for not going up a steep fligjt of stairs to introduce myself to her in her room! Given ive had a hip replacement i would have thought common sense would dictate she came down to me to welcome me back. Thats just but one of the issues i walked back into!! Wiah i had been signed off till january now.
Good luck later
m05 gary45745
Posted
Hi Gary
?Its times like this I am pleased I work for myself l am phasing myself out of and plan to phase myself back into work at my own pace it will cost me financially but needs be . Your employers seem very understanding NOT you are bound to be tired even if the mechanics of the hip are ok, think I would be polishing up my CV !
?Will send your regards to Mr Cronin have appt. at 4.30 agree that he probably won't want to do the double I did mention it to Rachel and she said it probably wouldn't be possible and would need a 3 month gap will ask if he can do a steroid shot though to take pain off other one whilst recovering.Will start tuning into Spike (appropriate name !) always been a fan of American cars since my teens once owned a 68 corvette bit of a nail but sounded brilliant !
Have a restful day off
Cheers Martin
gary45745 m05
Posted
How did you get on?
As for polishing CV, definitely have decided to do just that.
Bet that was amazijg owning the Corvette. I love the chevrolet Impala 1967. Saw it in a program called Supernatural and it just sounds superb.
I had cortisone injections and they lasted around 3 weeks for me but that was because i was playing tennis and cycling. I would think as u will be less active after the op the cortisone shot will last you 3 months.
Hope it went well today
gerriberri66 m05
Posted
Hi Martin,
How did your appt go today? Are you satisfied with all the answers? Are you scheduling the surgery? What did he say about the other hip?
i can’t believe I leave tomorrow. Work has been so busy that I haven’t had a second to think about surgery. That’s a good thing. I’m getting ready to start packing. Blow by blow coming your way!
Gary... I CANNOT believe your boss’ insensitivity to your situation. Very pathetic. What is wrong with people?? I’m sure you’ll be the bigger person and let it go. No sense stressing over it.
Glad and you guys have the car thing in common. 😁. Talk to you both soon. Xo
gary45745 gerriberri66
Posted
Dont get nervous. You are at the start of hip redemption so look forward to getting your life back. Trust me 8 weeks from now you will be so happy and relaxed.
Im getting stronger by the day and am having to hold myself back. After 5 weeks the recovery really accelerates. And you may recover quicker than i have but ibdont want u to build your hopes up so kind of write off first 5 weeks as complete rest time with a bit of PT (dont do anything that hurts) and regular short walks and loads of reading!!!!
Thinking of you. Good luck xx