Rehab

The Rehab Road

According to "Heal Your Hips", a generic timeline for recovery is as follows:

Leave hospital	simple exercises laying down; using crutches
+10 days	staples removed
to 6 weeks	advance to cane; free standing by end of 6 weeks; "can play (disc) golf now"
to three months	start thinking about real exercise - some running etc
to six months	good to go
after 1 year	this is your hip...

Early Rehab

By the time I left the hospital I was walking well with two crutches; able to do stairs; and four days home, walking 1/2 mile at a time outside. I did not need the walker and shower bench in the shower (they are there just in case, but unused).

I was given a set of simple exercises to do (3-5x per day) after going home: these were mainly to work the quads and adductors. Five days later, I was given standing exercises (2x per day) in addition. It was pointed out that I tended to lean forward, historically as an adjustment to my hip situation; I am to stand taller and improve my posture!

Milestones:

12 days - staples removed
13 days - transition to a cane
13 days - stop coumadin
20 days - start Nordic Trak
24 days - limited free walking
26 days -

released from cane (except when wet out)
allowed to drive
stop wearing compression stocking

27 days - outpatient physio starts - 2x/wk
40 days - released from needing pillow between legs to sleep; and not sleeping on surgery side
42 days - stopped using raised toilet
Jan 30 - surgeon followup

released from hip precautions
still 4 weeks until jogging
can start biking
6 more weeks of physio - 2x/wk for 3 weeks then 1x/wk for 3 weeks

Feb 3 - fly to Italy (Dulles->Rome->Bari; return Feb 9)

yes, the implant is detected at airport security!

get used to the wand and pat-downs
they are accustomed to seeing implants go by. Fellow at SFO estimated 100 per day.

no problems on the flights (phew!)

stood too long

able to put socks on unaided
noticeable improvement in flexibility

mid-Feb

beginnings of jogging
physio concentrating on strength, flexibility and some cardio; visits preceded by 10' sessions on bicycle and elliptical machines

late-Feb

jogged 3/4 mile on track (ok, a bit too far)
last of 2 per week physio sessions; backing off to once per for 3 weeks
right leg is generally feeling very happy and able to do non-running things essentially normally now

March 2

first kayak outing, in Foster City lagoon.
legs were unused to being in the pegs to start. Got used to it. Hip got tired from time to time.
some odd sensations when trying to edge the boat down on the right side, pushing down with right hip.

March 20

last physio session - I'm "cured"!

March 24

start workout regimen at the hospital gym

March 28

first "gentleman's" frisbee game

April 16

first full field ultimate game, with cleats

May 28

first day at ultimate where right hip felt just like left while running

July 31

6 month followup with Dr B. All is well with the world. Note that all goes well with ultimate - in fact with everything. All pre-op issues are resolved - hip pain, lower back pain etc. The right leg still needs a bit of strengthening, compared to the left, but still works well.

Dec 9

one year checkup
bone growth into the implant is excellent and no indication of wear (ball still centered on cup): latest xray.

Expected:

three-year anniversary checkup - Dec 2010

Notes:

Dr Bernstein is recommending 2g of amoxycillin just pior to any dental work. Forever!

Walking Videos
Dec 16: crutches 9 days post surgery	Dec 21: cane 2 weeks post surgery	Dec 31: free walking Limited example!

First Kayak Outing: 2 March

Miscellaneous Videos
Goaltimate: Apr 2	Goaltimate: Apr 21