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 everyone
omg...feeling so much better this afternoon. Only took narcotics at 8:30 this morning and rest of the day just Tylenol.
Gary...I’m experiencing exactly what you said..a lot of stiffness. U r too funny about being 😡 grumpy. I warned my friend this morning that it may not be a good day,,but it really did improve. I haven’t been too tired except for the fact that I didn’t sleep well last night. You not being able to pee in front of the nurse also cracked me up.
Martin how r u feeling. R u going for your preop tests tomorrow. Hope everything works out and there are no delays for your surgery.
thank you Richard and Judith.
Btw. My legs only felt off the 1st walk after surgery. Other than that they feel equal now. I’m going to relax and know everything I’m going through is normal. Martin.. take note.
Will check in tommorrow with an update. Goodnight all. Xo 😘
m05 gerriberri66
Posted
So good to hear everything seems to be going to plan I am sure there will be a bit of time needed for everything to settle have been keeping in touch with a lady who had her 2nd hip done by superpath in Missouri on Saturday morning she was home Saturday evening doing some desk work yesterday and planning to celebrate her birthday tomorrow!! She is only taking Tylenol now. My pre op has been moved to Friday afternoon which is good as the cold seems to be lifting just a bit congested now but another 24 hours should help so want to get this done now. Interesting what you say about pain you will notice it more if you were not having much pre op. Been thinking about mine and trying to quantify it I suppose I have a background 3-4 most times however certain movements and it can be very unpredictable can spike to a 9ish + problem is not the pain itself it is the anticipation of the pain so you dread doing any movement not knowing what and where the pain will be like certainly not going to miss that ,on both sides too. Hope you have a good day today will keep in touch m x
gerriberri66 m05
Posted
i can’t even imagine you and everyone on this website living with 3-4/pain on a daily basis. I was fortunate that I found out I would need THR about 6 years ago and started talkin glucosamine condroiton,which really helped my pain a lot. So I was able to manage all these years but recently my leg would give way and I didn’t want to wait until it was an emergency situation to have surgery. I’m also hoping that by working out with the trainer prior to surgery,it will give me a jump start on the healing process. I had a great nights sleep and actually felt very strong last night. Just doing Tylenol still. I was up to showering and of course that makes u feel better right away. My friend and I drove up to Carefree and had lunch..looked at a couple of model homes (we’re both Realtors) and just came back to hotel...nap time for me.
I truly hope it doesn’t snow tomorrow and that you are feeling much better. Good luck with your preop tests. Hope things move forward for you next week! XO
judith12644 gerriberri66
Posted
m05 gerriberri66
Posted
Hi Gerri
Sounds like things are going along just fine for you must be good to get out and about when do you go back to LV ? Hope you arnt planning to go back to work this side of the Christmas holidays! Funny how everybodies hip journey is so different think you made a good decision getting yours done when you did, if I had realised earlier it was my hips causing my leg problems knowing what I know now I would have got them done sooner and avoided all this I am going through now Oh ! The benefit of hindsight !
Seems like we will get snow here tomorrow but not going to let it stop me getting to my appointment I have a Jeep and should be able to get through most things, we just can't cope with the slightest bot of snow over here not a problem you are likely to get in Vegas though ! Hope everything continues well be in touch soon x
gerriberri66 m05
Posted
Hey Martin
ill be thinking of you tomorrow. Is it usual to get snow in your area? Believe it or not where I live in Vegas it does get cold and can snow on occasion once it snowed 3” and people were abandoning theirs cars 🚘. It was hysterical. I will be in Scottsdale until Tuesday. Then I see the PA who will take off the bandage and fly straight home after that. I am planning on taking off the balance of the month,but I work from home,so unless I have a client it’s kibd of hard not to work. I have 2 closings coming up,one next week and both have been problematic. Never fails. I have my tablet with me so I can stay on top of everything for my clients. I’m still feeling good. Just stiff. Interesting that today is 1st day there is no heat radiating from the incision area. Been doing my exercises. It’s been beneficial to hear Gary’s experience so I know my leg being stiff is totally normal. The stiffness doesn’t even qualify as a pain level because it’s not painful.
Hi judith. Thanks for your earlier comment. Always love hearing from you
M...keep us posted about tommorrow.
Gar,,,you must be crazy with work that we haven’t heard from you. Hope I are feeling great and work is not killing you !
Talk tommorrow. Night.
gerriberri66 m05
Posted
Hi Martin
How did things go with your preop visit. R u good to go next week? All continues to go well here. Yesterday my friend and I had a spa day; went for mani/pedis, then lunch. Think I was just sitting waaay to long, as I went back to hotel at 4:30 and napped. Didn't leave my room for the evening. I'm trying yo cut down on Tylenol and I just don't think that's a wise move yet. I have a childhood friend who lives here, so we went to her house for brunch, but now I'm back in hotel room to rest. Agsin, no pain at all, just area stiffness. I'm ready to go home already and recoup there. Only 3 more days. Once I stand up and get the oeg moving, it's really good. A bit annoying to get in passenger seat of a car though. Anyway. .no complaints from me. Was thinking of you and how it went. Xo
m05 gerriberri66
Posted
Hi Gerri
You seem to be making incredible progress not even a week and out for brunch and spa days ! Don't think there is any harm keeping the painkillers going at this stage it's nice you can make this into a bit of a mini vacation almost ! Sure the car thing will come in time have you tried a plastic bag on the seat to help you pivot more easily little tip I heard about.
Pre op seemed to go ok the nurse was not too concerned about the cold blood pressure was a little high but think that was due to stress so provided this cold keeps going away it should be all go for Thursday. It's been really helpful hearing how you have got on it certainly helps reduce the anxiety levels .
We are forecast a heavy snowfall here tommorow it should feel very christmasy as we have a Christmas lunch with all our neighbours in our village pub across the road from us must try not to slip on the snow and break a leg ? ! Keep up the good recovery x
gary45745 gerriberri66
Posted
How u getting on? Dont worry about stiffness. U will note big improvement by next weekend. Fact u went to a spa day shows u way ahead of where i was at same stage.
I think your recobery will be alot faster than mine. If you can do spa day ive a feeling u will be back to everyday routine in 4 weeks.
Once i peeed though i couldnt stop and she had to go and get another bottle!! It was awkward to say the least. Kind of put a downer on me trying to flirt!!
How long till u go home xx
m05 gary45745
Posted
As you can see in my post to Gerri pre op tommorow fingers crossed should be ok just waiting for the weather to go stupid and get an inch of snow that will bring everything to a standstill!!
Hope things settling down at work and you are being given a bit of consideration I have finished at work now well at least seeing patients still paperwork to keep an eye on etc. Keep well be in touch
Cheers Martin
gary45745 m05
Posted
How did the pre op go? Im having trouble on this site scrolling so u may have anseered that already. Hope all wmrt well. Let me knoe
gary45745 m05
Posted
Work has got worse....if you know any tolerant nice laeyers who are Partners who need a litigator let me know!!
It is freezing!!! -1.5c my car said and i went to gym and couldnt get going at all. I keep thinking of gerri in phoenix!!!!
I dont think we will get too much snow buf traffic has been murder all over here.
You will be able to enjoy christmas as i suspect like gerri you will recover quicker than me. One thing at nuffield keep your door closed keep room warm as can get a bit draughty.
m05 gary45745
Posted
Pre op seemed to go ok they are very friendly and helpful at Nuffield. My BPwas up a bit think it is just white coat syndrome fad that before checking it myself and it seems ok as long as bloods etc come back ok and this cold continues to fade should be good to go on Thursday. Have posted in reply to Gerri but it is being moderated for some reason nothing weird on post unless my spell check has got a gremlin !!
All the best will keep you updated
Cheers Martin
gerriberri66 m05
Posted
What am I going to do with you guys being moderated. Lol.
Martin..sounds like everything went well for your preop tests. Hope blood work comes back fine. So where in the UK are you all. North?
Gary..was getting worried about you..happy to see u back here. So sorry u are having such a bad time at work. Were they always like this? So helpful to hear\ learn from your experiences. You feel like the stiffness is never going away. I’ve been able to get around great. Just came back to hotel from eating dinner out. Once I straighten up from getting out of car I can walk pretty well. Going home Tuesday after having bandage removed. Yippee.
Weather here has been great High 70,s but Vegas has been colder in mid 50,s it doesn’t matter..when u r home you have all the appropriate clothing. Here I didn’t want to pack too much knowing I wanted to make it easier for my friend with my suitcase on way home.
Gar..props to you for still trying to flirt right after surgery. 💋
You all stay well More tomorrow. Xo
RichardKen gerriberri66
Posted
Sou ds as if you are making good progress. Are you walking without sticks and crutches?
All the best, Richard
gerriberri66 RichardKen
Posted
Hi Richard,
I think the progress has been amazing. Was about to walk unassisted since thursday, but since I'm not home use walker as protection. My friend and I went out for lunch and there was about 6-7 steps. Gave her the walker and holding on to railing went foot over foot which I think was great.
I'm out now and will write more but wanted to thank you for checking in
Xo
gary45745 m05
Posted
So much for me saying no snow!! Was your BP raiswd because of cold? I tjink thats normal.
I did build a snow man today so thats something to aim for after 12 weeks!!!
I trust yoi now keen to get things going
Sorry for the spelling but thia phome a samsung is impossible to typw well on
gary45745 gerriberri66
Posted
Mid 50s? Mis 30s here me and martin are in the middle of england. Will be low 20s tonight.
You are doing brilliantly. I knew u would as u had it early and my mistake was delaying a year. You sound like you are about 3 weeks ahead of me. So given i built a snowman today thay gibes u an idea of how much u will be able to do very soon. Xx
gerriberri66 gary45745
Posted
IM HOME! It wasn’t to bad getting home since I had a wheelchair in both airports. Saw PA (physicians assistant; do they have them there?). All bandages are off ...incision about 3”..gave me report of everything done during surgery and tommorrow I’ll write what the exact implant is made of. They gave me precise instructions for PT, and I’ll call and get that set up. Just need a few days to catch up...and still have a Real estate deal pending that I need to take care off. I thought I would just unpack my toiletries but unpacked everything. Needless to say now I’m tired but it’s all good.
Martin...are they doing your surgery Thursday? Only word of advice is take the drugs first couple of days..doesn’t help to suffer. I thought I was tough, but not so much.
Gary...I love that you made a snowman. I have to work to be flexible to put on socks (Martin, smart that u bought that gadget). Thank goodness I can get away without socks at all. Thanks for the encouraging words. Sounds like you are really doing great and you have paved the way for all of us to come.
Stay warm..enjoy the snow. Will check in tommorrow. Xo
m05 gerriberri66
Posted
Hi
Pleased to hear you have got back home now Gerri will be good to get back to normal and let the healing process start.How are you finding walking on your new hip does it feel unusual? Look forward to hearing how you progress sure it will settle well.
Well no new hip for me this Christmas. My head is still full of cold slight sore throat ears feel like full of cotton wool and chest a bit creaky. I phoned admissions and explained how I was very helpful nurse said she would speak to anethasist she got back to me within the hour and had spoken to both anethasist and surgeon they both agreed that it wasn't appropriate to go ahead tommorow. I totally understand but so so disappointed I haven't been given a new date yet as the holidays have complicated things but hopefully early Jan . I am going to work on getting fit and healthy now the past couple of weeks I haven't felt like exercising due to cold and starting to feel a bit sloth like. This will mess my work plans up but can't be helped better safe than sorry don't want to end up with pneumonia after surgery.
Keep in touch hope healing goes well
M x
judith12644 m05
Posted
Hi Gerry, really pleased that you are back home now. Very jealous of your weather. Still cold here and this morning I was cycling through the park on my way to work and managed to skid on some ice. Ended up on the ground but all ok, just a few cuts. Careless of me!
You take care, wishing you a good recovery, Judith
RichardKen judith12644
Posted
Glad that you were OK! Keep safe.
Cheers Richard
gary45745 m05
Posted
Sorry to hear your op was cancelled. From soumds of it u are too bunged up for surgery.
Try and stay positive . At least u can have a drink or 4 over christmas!!
gary45745 gerriberri66
Posted
Dont worry about the socks that took me about 9 weeks to get xomfortable with and it still pulls a bit.
As say you sound ahead of where i was at your stage. But dont be superwoman. Take things slowly.
Bet u glad to be home in familiar surroundings. Xx
judith12644 RichardKen
Posted