Guest guest Posted December 17, 2003 Report Share Posted December 17, 2003 Hi I had a bilateral with Dr. Amstutz. I was required to be on crutches for 6 weeks. I was able to go up and down stairs with crutches after just two weeks - would have been sooner but I had a pinched nerve as a result of the surgery that caused some discomfort for two weeks, but then went away entirely. After 6 weeks I was allowed to drive, though it took a bit of effort until more flexibility came back. I went back to work after the third week - but on a 20 to 30 hour work week schedule since I was at the mercy of my wife being able to take me to work and pick me up, until I was able to drive. And I recently did play golf at 6 months. All in all, a short amount of time invested for such an incredible return on my life. Regarding ROM, it's getting better every week - I work out at the gym three days a week and focus on my stretching - I'm determined to resume my martial arts in the next couple of weeks. Joe Bilateral, C+, 5/8/03, Dr. Amstutz > I had my initial appointment with Dr. Mont on Tue. 12/16. I am > tentatively scheduled for bilateral Conserv + in early Febuary. A > couple of thing that came out of the appointment have me concerned. > > 1. I was given pretty long recover time expectations. I'm > interested in anyones actual experiences(specially bilaterals): > How long on crutches > How long to do stairs > How long till driving > How long before back to work > Most important - how long till golf > > 2. I have pretty poor ROM and was told that I won't get it all > back. I'm interested in actual experiences in that area as well. > > Thanks for any info. And thanks to this group for helping me find > Dr. Mont and gather the info I needed to get to this point. > > Regards, > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2003 Report Share Posted December 17, 2003 Thanks Joe that's a bit more encouraging than I got from the Doc. I think they give worst case sinarios. Good luck with the Martial Arts. > > I had my initial appointment with Dr. Mont on Tue. 12/16. I am > > tentatively scheduled for bilateral Conserv + in early Febuary. A > > couple of thing that came out of the appointment have me > concerned. > > > > 1. I was given pretty long recover time expectations. I'm > > interested in anyones actual experiences(specially bilaterals): > > How long on crutches > > How long to do stairs > > How long till driving > > How long before back to work > > Most important - how long till golf > > > > 2. I have pretty poor ROM and was told that I won't get it all > > back. I'm interested in actual experiences in that area as well. > > > > Thanks for any info. And thanks to this group for helping me find > > Dr. Mont and gather the info I needed to get to this point. > > > > Regards, > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2003 Report Share Posted December 18, 2003 Hi, While I don't fall into your catagery with bilaterals I had no ROM to start with........ fused hip for 35 years......... I feel it has a lot to do with how you tackle it.......... I seem to have recovered a lot of movement which physios, doctors etc said was highly unlikely........... You just have to want it bad enough I guess..........and if the hip capsule and general area isn't too badly mangled from previous adventures by surgeons it seems to be simply time...........and effort........mine is pure pool work but others do a lot of gym............ Edith LBRH Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02 > I had my initial appointment with Dr. Mont on Tue. 12/16. I am > tentatively scheduled for bilateral Conserv + in early Febuary. A > couple of thing that came out of the appointment have me concerned. > > 1. I was given pretty long recover time expectations. I'm > interested in anyones actual experiences(specially bilaterals): > How long on crutches > How long to do stairs > How long till driving > How long before back to work > Most important - how long till golf > > 2. I have pretty poor ROM and was told that I won't get it all > back. I'm interested in actual experiences in that area as well. > > Thanks for any info. And thanks to this group for helping me find > Dr. Mont and gather the info I needed to get to this point. > > Regards, > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2003 Report Share Posted December 18, 2003 Kieth, Congratulations on your decision to go " Bi-Lat " Most doctors will only do one at a time about 3 - 4 months apart. I had mine done in June this year by Dr. Gross in South Carolina. (Right hip on Monday, Left hip on Wed.) " Climbed on an airplane and flew back to Ohio on Sunday. They stated they had to do it on the two separate days, to get around the FDA rules. Everyone has a different recovery level and I feel that mine has been on the slow side (mostly due to being well over the 300lb mark.) I was on crutches for about 3 - 4 weeks, then went to two canes for a couple weeks, then one and at about week 10 I shed them all together. I have 6 steps leading into my house and HAD to do them from day one. I would only go outside to do my walking once or twice a day though. You will find that they " take it out of you " at first but get easier as you go. by week three, I had no problem doing the full flight (13 steps) down to the basement and back up) I drove the van at Week TWO, with no problems, although I was limited to how much time I could spend in the seat and getting in and out proved to be the bigger challenge. I worked as a Quality Assurance Manager and went back to work in " TWENTY DAYS " (way too soon, now that I look back) You will find that the earlier you go back (depending on what you do) the more you have to " move " around and not stay sitting / standing for prolonged periods. I'm six months post op and can walk comfortablly a couple miles now without back or hip pain. ( I couldn't walk 2 tenths before surgery.) My range of motion has improved about 50 to 60 percent compared to before. The rest will be up to me. I have lost some weight now due to the ability to exercise, walk and such and will continue to do so. I will also push for the ROM increase as well. I don't play golf, so I can't help you there. I did see that someone mentioned playing around the 6 month mark. By the way I feel now, I would say that is absolutely possible (if not a little sooner for those in better shape). Different Doctors put different restrictions on their patients. Most will cite the FDA Study Rules. Your body will be your best guide and you will see improvements every few days. I was " told " by my Doc. to put as much weight on the hip when walking as I could stand. (some tell you only a percentage). @ 300+ pounds, my 50% might be your full weight. If you are in relatively good shape (other than the ROM) You should see better results than I have, as have most of the folks on this site. I think all will tell you that, You will not regret having this done. Best of all, you will only have one recovery time vs. two if you had them done separately. Best wishes to your pending new life. Timmy T. Bi-lat C2k Gross June 2k3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2003 Report Share Posted December 18, 2003 Thanks for the reply. Lots of encouraging info. I appreciate you taking the time. Good luck with your further recovery. > > Kieth, > > Congratulations on your decision to go " Bi-Lat " Most doctors will > only do one at a time about 3 - 4 months apart. I had mine done in > June this year by Dr. Gross in South Carolina. (Right hip on > Monday, Left hip on Wed.) " Climbed on an airplane and flew back to > Ohio on Sunday. They stated they had to do it on the two separate > days, to get around the FDA rules. > Everyone has a different recovery level and I feel that mine has > been on the slow side (mostly due to being well over the 300lb mark.) > > I was on crutches for about 3 - 4 weeks, then went to two canes for > a couple weeks, then one and at about week 10 I shed them all > together. > > I have 6 steps leading into my house and HAD to do them from day > one. I would only go outside to do my walking once or twice a day > though. You will find that they " take it out of you " at first but > get easier as you go. by week three, I had no problem doing the > full flight (13 steps) down to the basement and back up) > > I drove the van at Week TWO, with no problems, although I was > limited to how much time I could spend in the seat and getting in > and out proved to be the bigger challenge. > > I worked as a Quality Assurance Manager and went back to work > in " TWENTY DAYS " (way too soon, now that I look back) You will find > that the earlier you go back (depending on what you do) the more you > have to " move " around and not stay sitting / standing for prolonged > periods. > > I'm six months post op and can walk comfortablly a couple miles now > without back or hip pain. ( I couldn't walk 2 tenths before > surgery.) My range of motion has improved about 50 to 60 percent > compared to before. The rest will be up to me. I have lost some > weight now due to the ability to exercise, walk and such and will > continue to do so. I will also push for the ROM increase as well. > > I don't play golf, so I can't help you there. I did see that > someone mentioned playing around the 6 month mark. By the way I > feel now, I would say that is absolutely possible (if not a little > sooner for those in better shape). > > Different Doctors put different restrictions on their patients. > Most will cite the FDA Study Rules. Your body will be your best > guide and you will see improvements every few days. I was " told " > by my Doc. to put as much weight on the hip when walking as I could > stand. (some tell you only a percentage). @ 300+ pounds, my 50% > might be your full weight. > > If you are in relatively good shape (other than the ROM) You should > see better results than I have, as have most of the folks on this > site. > > I think all will tell you that, You will not regret having this > done. Best of all, you will only have one recovery time vs. two if > you had them done separately. > > Best wishes to your pending new life. > > Timmy T. > Bi-lat C2k Gross June 2k3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2003 Report Share Posted December 18, 2003 --, I also saw Dr. Mont on Tuesday, and was told February was the likely timeframe for my surgery. I am awaiting a call back from his scheduling coordinator. For my right hip resurface I was told to think in terms of 12 weeks. 50% load bearing for the first 6; 20 % for the next 6. A twelve week investment for a lifetime return is a pretty good deal. With some trepidation I am looking forward to it. Good luck. Fred- In surfacehippy , " keithsale " wrote: > Thanks for the reply. Lots of encouraging info. I appreciate you > taking the time. Good luck with your further recovery. > > > > > > > > Kieth, > > > > Congratulations on your decision to go " Bi-Lat " Most doctors will > > only do one at a time about 3 - 4 months apart. I had mine done in > > June this year by Dr. Gross in South Carolina. (Right hip on > > Monday, Left hip on Wed.) " Climbed on an airplane and flew back to > > Ohio on Sunday. They stated they had to do it on the two separate > > days, to get around the FDA rules. > > Everyone has a different recovery level and I feel that mine has > > been on the slow side (mostly due to being well over the 300lb > mark.) > > > > I was on crutches for about 3 - 4 weeks, then went to two canes for > > a couple weeks, then one and at about week 10 I shed them all > > together. > > > > I have 6 steps leading into my house and HAD to do them from day > > one. I would only go outside to do my walking once or twice a day > > though. You will find that they " take it out of you " at first but > > get easier as you go. by week three, I had no problem doing the > > full flight (13 steps) down to the basement and back up) > > > > I drove the van at Week TWO, with no problems, although I was > > limited to how much time I could spend in the seat and getting in > > and out proved to be the bigger challenge. > > > > I worked as a Quality Assurance Manager and went back to work > > in " TWENTY DAYS " (way too soon, now that I look back) You will > find > > that the earlier you go back (depending on what you do) the more > you > > have to " move " around and not stay sitting / standing for prolonged > > periods. > > > > I'm six months post op and can walk comfortablly a couple miles > now > > without back or hip pain. ( I couldn't walk 2 tenths before > > surgery.) My range of motion has improved about 50 to 60 percent > > compared to before. The rest will be up to me. I have lost some > > weight now due to the ability to exercise, walk and such and will > > continue to do so. I will also push for the ROM increase as well. > > > > I don't play golf, so I can't help you there. I did see that > > someone mentioned playing around the 6 month mark. By the way I > > feel now, I would say that is absolutely possible (if not a little > > sooner for those in better shape). > > > > Different Doctors put different restrictions on their patients. > > Most will cite the FDA Study Rules. Your body will be your best > > guide and you will see improvements every few days. I was " told " > > by my Doc. to put as much weight on the hip when walking as I could > > stand. (some tell you only a percentage). @ 300+ pounds, my 50% > > might be your full weight. > > > > If you are in relatively good shape (other than the ROM) You should > > see better results than I have, as have most of the folks on this > > site. > > > > I think all will tell you that, You will not regret having this > > done. Best of all, you will only have one recovery time vs. two if > > you had them done separately. > > > > Best wishes to your pending new life. > > > > Timmy T. > > Bi-lat C2k Gross June 2k3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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