Just wanted to post an update for my fellow hippies, especially those of you who are worried about your operation.
TLDR: Op went great. 2 days post op walking with a cane. Almost no pain.
Background: 70 yr. old male. Broke hip on bicycle accident Dec. 16, 2017. Got a partial replacement. Recovery went fine, but fell on sidewalk and knocked everything loose. Hobbled around, unable to walk more than 100 yds., until Sept. 12, 2018, when I went in for revision THR. Very worried old implant wouldn't come out without osteotomy, requiring no weight bearing for 6-8 weeks before starting normal THR rehab. But lucked out -- the implant wobbling around, causing all my pain, came right out, so I was only under for 2 1/2 hrs. Ceramic pin with plastic cup. Fantastic surgical and anesthesia team, great nursing care.
So now I'm 3 days out of surgery. I'm in less pain than I've been in for 7 months. I take a 500mg Tylenol in the morning and one at night, not so much because I desperately need it, but to keep ahead of pain.
I was up walking 6 hours after the surgery, and within the next 24 hours did about 20 rounds around the ward on a walker. I probably overdid it a bit, mainly because I was so amazed to be rid of the pain deep inside my hip. I went home about 24 hours after the surgery.
Home health care came to see me yesterday to check out the house. My ever attentive wife had already taken out all the throw rugs, removed obstacles, etc., so the house was totally safe. Medicare gave me a walker, which I absolutely hated. I got rid of that on the third day, and went to my cane -- but only after the physical therapist confirmed that I was steady on my feet.
She gave me five exercises. Three of them I do on a bed. 1) bring your heels up toward your butt 15 times. Not past 90 deg. - I can't get close to that yet anyway. 2) move your ankles up and down 15 times, stretching your calf muscles. 3) flex your quads and glutes 15 times. Then, at a counter, do 15 side stretches, where you first step on your good leg and move your bad leg out to the side while keeping your hip centered. Then do 15 on the other side, letting your operated hip bear the weight while supporting yourself on the counter. Last exercise - marching in place 15 times. I do these 5 exercises 3x per day.
Most important - walking. The PT emphasized that form was very important. Since I had been limping with a cane, and in extreme pain for 7 months, my walking form was abysmal. The three main problems were that I was "posting" with my bad leg, i.e. placing it off to the side to minimize direct pressure on the cup in the pelvis. Secondly, my bad hip step was much shorter than my good step. Third, my feet were too far apart. So I take three 20 minute walks a day, concentrating on those 3 things. It's harder to do, but I think it will be well worth it in the end.
The bummer is that the PT has put me on "house arrest" for the next two weeks -- no going out to restaurants, no overdoing it. Oh well, I probably needed that anyway.
Medications: They gave me a 3 day regimen of steroids - 3 pills the first day, 2 the second, 1 the third. I have Oxy, but I'm going to return it to the pharmacy. Stool softener, because the anesthesia tends to make you constipated. A couple more pills for inflammation. Tylenol 500mg, which is the only thing I'm taking for pain, 1 in the morning, and 1 at night.
If you're thinking about not having this surgery, think again. I know it's scary, and I was very nervous prior to the operation. But I'm so thankful I had it. I'm looking forward to resuming my active life. Yes, I'm giving up road biking, but I will ge an indoor cycling machine, and I have my weight set ready to go.
The last thing I'll say is this. I think it makes a big difference at my age to be in shape. I got out of shape after I broke my hip in December, but I was in really good shape, riding around 125 miles a week, before that. Once you pass 60 yrs. old, your body isn't so forgiving. So, if you have been living a sedentary life because of your pre-op pain, let this operation give you a new lease on life.
And thanks to all the hippies here who gave me advice and encouragement before my operation!