Re: How soon can you walk after surgery...?

[Guest guest]

Hey ,

I'm not your Doctor, so I can't say for sure what's right or

wrong. The JRI book says that people go to one crutch as early as 3

weeks blah blah blah...and they explain that in days of yore they

might have been worried about " capsular scarring " ...but go on to say

that there is no evidence of that, so do what you are comfortable

with, but at a careful and SLOW pace. I personally went to 1 crutch

at about 10 days, went to the cane at about 15, and chucked the cane

yesterday. I limp, and by the evening I kinda get tired. But really,

I only hurt when I first stand up, and that's mostly tightness. So,

I guess you do what's natural for you. I'm holding off on

strenthening and stretching for at least another week (1 month for

me on thursday), and I see Dr. Amstutz for x-rays on wed. the 19th.

I want to give the synovial capsule time to heal.I have been

swimming 1/2 mile a day, and doing a circular " bycycle " kinda

rotation with my legs as I support myself with my back against the

corner or the pool. I really like that. The other swimmers don't

like it cuz I kick them when they do their flip turns...but it's

amusing nonetheless. But walking is the one thing we can do, and

they tell us to use pain as a guide, so that means to me, walk...but

stop if it hurts. Heck, the Belgian speed demons at 4 weeks claim to

jump out of planes, high jump 6'8 " , run marathons and conquer small

countries. So I suppose you and I can walk a mile or so.

If you get alot of pain in the front of your groin let me

know...I had it til yesterday, but my buddy (the physical therapist)

showed me how to get rid of it with a safe and easy stretch.

How high can you lift your knee on the operated side? I can

still only acheive 45 degrees. But I can put my operated leg into my

shorts now without the grabber. Neener neener....

C+ Amstutz 4-15-04

> Steve, Dave, Des, others, perhaps you can help me with this

> one. I have been walking on my crutches like crazy. Probably 4

> miles today. Is this ok as long as it is 50% weight bearing? I

> went to one crutch around the house. I want to do the right thing

> and be patient and I am somewhat willing to play by the rules. I

> don't want to have any set backs but I don't feel like I need the

> crutches. Is there a reason I should stay on them if I don't feel

> like I need them? Thoughts? I am one week post op. Thanks.

>

> C+ Dr. Amstutz 5/04/04

[Guest guest]

Hey ,

I'm not your Doctor, so I can't say for sure what's right or

wrong. The JRI book says that people go to one crutch as early as 3

weeks blah blah blah...and they explain that in days of yore they

might have been worried about " capsular scarring " ...but go on to say

that there is no evidence of that, so do what you are comfortable

with, but at a careful and SLOW pace. I personally went to 1 crutch

at about 10 days, went to the cane at about 15, and chucked the cane

yesterday. I limp, and by the evening I kinda get tired. But really,

I only hurt when I first stand up, and that's mostly tightness. So,

I guess you do what's natural for you. I'm holding off on

strenthening and stretching for at least another week (1 month for

me on thursday), and I see Dr. Amstutz for x-rays on wed. the 19th.

I want to give the synovial capsule time to heal.I have been

swimming 1/2 mile a day, and doing a circular " bycycle " kinda

rotation with my legs as I support myself with my back against the

corner or the pool. I really like that. The other swimmers don't

like it cuz I kick them when they do their flip turns...but it's

amusing nonetheless. But walking is the one thing we can do, and

they tell us to use pain as a guide, so that means to me, walk...but

stop if it hurts. Heck, the Belgian speed demons at 4 weeks claim to

jump out of planes, high jump 6'8 " , run marathons and conquer small

countries. So I suppose you and I can walk a mile or so.

If you get alot of pain in the front of your groin let me

know...I had it til yesterday, but my buddy (the physical therapist)

showed me how to get rid of it with a safe and easy stretch.

How high can you lift your knee on the operated side? I can

still only acheive 45 degrees. But I can put my operated leg into my

shorts now without the grabber. Neener neener....

C+ Amstutz 4-15-04

> Steve, Dave, Des, others, perhaps you can help me with this

> one. I have been walking on my crutches like crazy. Probably 4

> miles today. Is this ok as long as it is 50% weight bearing? I

> went to one crutch around the house. I want to do the right thing

> and be patient and I am somewhat willing to play by the rules. I

> don't want to have any set backs but I don't feel like I need the

> crutches. Is there a reason I should stay on them if I don't feel

> like I need them? Thoughts? I am one week post op. Thanks.

>

> C+ Dr. Amstutz 5/04/04

[Guest guest]

> Steve, Dave, Des, others, perhaps you can help me with this

> one. I have been walking on my crutches like crazy. Probably 4

> miles today. Is this ok as long as it is 50% weight bearing? I

> went to one crutch around the house. I want to do the right thing

> and be patient and I am somewhat willing to play by the rules. I

> don't want to have any set backs but I don't feel like I need the

> crutches. Is there a reason I should stay on them if I don't feel

> like I need them? Thoughts? I am one week post op. Thanks.

,

If I recall correctly, you were an elite athlete. I'm sure the

physical strength and skill that made you an elite athlete are going

to make you recover and regain strength more rapidly than us mere

mortals. It seems to me that the crutches are good for a couple of things:

1) helping to prevent falls, particularly in the early stages of

healing (before there's much bone ingrowth and before the joint

capsule has healed.

2) take enough of your weight that you can maintain a normal gait

(no limping). You don't want to reinforce the habit of an abnormal

gait after you've gone through surgery to get rid of it.

I think before you abandon walking aids this early in the game, you

might want to discuss the situation with Amstutz, just to get his

reading on the situation.

Personally, I can manage about 10 steps before the ol' penguin

walk starts to show up again so I'm sticking (no pun intended) with

the crutches for now (my abductors and external rotators on the left

side just pack it in, but that's still better than even a day or two ago.

Steve (bilateral C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

>

> C+ Dr. Amstutz 5/04/04

[Guest guest]

> Steve, Dave, Des, others, perhaps you can help me with this

> one. I have been walking on my crutches like crazy. Probably 4

> miles today. Is this ok as long as it is 50% weight bearing? I

> went to one crutch around the house. I want to do the right thing

> and be patient and I am somewhat willing to play by the rules. I

> don't want to have any set backs but I don't feel like I need the

> crutches. Is there a reason I should stay on them if I don't feel

> like I need them? Thoughts? I am one week post op. Thanks.

,

If I recall correctly, you were an elite athlete. I'm sure the

physical strength and skill that made you an elite athlete are going

to make you recover and regain strength more rapidly than us mere

mortals. It seems to me that the crutches are good for a couple of things:

1) helping to prevent falls, particularly in the early stages of

healing (before there's much bone ingrowth and before the joint

capsule has healed.

2) take enough of your weight that you can maintain a normal gait

(no limping). You don't want to reinforce the habit of an abnormal

gait after you've gone through surgery to get rid of it.

I think before you abandon walking aids this early in the game, you

might want to discuss the situation with Amstutz, just to get his

reading on the situation.

Personally, I can manage about 10 steps before the ol' penguin

walk starts to show up again so I'm sticking (no pun intended) with

the crutches for now (my abductors and external rotators on the left

side just pack it in, but that's still better than even a day or two ago.

Steve (bilateral C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

>

> C+ Dr. Amstutz 5/04/04

[Guest guest]

Steve,

Thanks for the response. I am going to do my best to behave and

stay on at least one of them. I am also bilateral, however, I

elected to buy some time on the other side. Given how heavily I

rely on the unoperated side, I can not imagine having both done at

one time. Of course next time I am going through this for the

second time you will be thinking how happy you are that you have it

in the past. You are on your way. Continued good luck and

progress. BTW I also have a bit of a gap at the top on the incision

that I need to keep on eye on.

Best.... C+ Dr. Amstutz 5/04/04

> > Steve, Dave, Des, others, perhaps you can help me with

this

> > one. I have been walking on my crutches like crazy. Probably 4

> > miles today. Is this ok as long as it is 50% weight bearing? I

> > went to one crutch around the house. I want to do the right

thing

> > and be patient and I am somewhat willing to play by the rules.

I

> > don't want to have any set backs but I don't feel like I need

the

> > crutches. Is there a reason I should stay on them if I don't

feel

> > like I need them? Thoughts? I am one week post op. Thanks.

>

> ,

>

> If I recall correctly, you were an elite athlete. I'm sure the

> physical strength and skill that made you an elite athlete are

going

> to make you recover and regain strength more rapidly than us mere

> mortals. It seems to me that the crutches are good for a couple of

things:

>

> 1) helping to prevent falls, particularly in the early stages of

> healing (before there's much bone ingrowth and before the joint

> capsule has healed.

>

> 2) take enough of your weight that you can maintain a normal gait

> (no limping). You don't want to reinforce the habit of an

abnormal

> gait after you've gone through surgery to get rid of it.

>

> I think before you abandon walking aids this early in the game, you

> might want to discuss the situation with Amstutz, just to get his

> reading on the situation.

>

> Personally, I can manage about 10 steps before the ol' penguin

> walk starts to show up again so I'm sticking (no pun intended) with

> the crutches for now (my abductors and external rotators on the

left

> side just pack it in, but that's still better than even a day or

two ago.

>

> Steve (bilateral C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

> >

> > C+ Dr. Amstutz 5/04/04

[Guest guest]

Steve,

Thanks for the response. I am going to do my best to behave and

stay on at least one of them. I am also bilateral, however, I

elected to buy some time on the other side. Given how heavily I

rely on the unoperated side, I can not imagine having both done at

one time. Of course next time I am going through this for the

second time you will be thinking how happy you are that you have it

in the past. You are on your way. Continued good luck and

progress. BTW I also have a bit of a gap at the top on the incision

that I need to keep on eye on.

Best.... C+ Dr. Amstutz 5/04/04

> > Steve, Dave, Des, others, perhaps you can help me with

this

> > one. I have been walking on my crutches like crazy. Probably 4

> > miles today. Is this ok as long as it is 50% weight bearing? I

> > went to one crutch around the house. I want to do the right

thing

> > and be patient and I am somewhat willing to play by the rules.

I

> > don't want to have any set backs but I don't feel like I need

the

> > crutches. Is there a reason I should stay on them if I don't

feel

> > like I need them? Thoughts? I am one week post op. Thanks.

>

> ,

>

> If I recall correctly, you were an elite athlete. I'm sure the

> physical strength and skill that made you an elite athlete are

going

> to make you recover and regain strength more rapidly than us mere

> mortals. It seems to me that the crutches are good for a couple of

things:

>

> 1) helping to prevent falls, particularly in the early stages of

> healing (before there's much bone ingrowth and before the joint

> capsule has healed.

>

> 2) take enough of your weight that you can maintain a normal gait

> (no limping). You don't want to reinforce the habit of an

abnormal

> gait after you've gone through surgery to get rid of it.

>

> I think before you abandon walking aids this early in the game, you

> might want to discuss the situation with Amstutz, just to get his

> reading on the situation.

>

> Personally, I can manage about 10 steps before the ol' penguin

> walk starts to show up again so I'm sticking (no pun intended) with

> the crutches for now (my abductors and external rotators on the

left

> side just pack it in, but that's still better than even a day or

two ago.

>

> Steve (bilateral C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

> >

> > C+ Dr. Amstutz 5/04/04

[Guest guest]

Steve,

Thanks for the response. I am going to do my best to behave and

stay on at least one of them. I am also bilateral, however, I

elected to buy some time on the other side. Given how heavily I

rely on the unoperated side, I can not imagine having both done at

one time. Of course next time I am going through this for the

second time you will be thinking how happy you are that you have it

in the past. You are on your way. Continued good luck and

progress. BTW I also have a bit of a gap at the top on the incision

that I need to keep on eye on.

Best.... C+ Dr. Amstutz 5/04/04

> > Steve, Dave, Des, others, perhaps you can help me with

this

> > one. I have been walking on my crutches like crazy. Probably 4

> > miles today. Is this ok as long as it is 50% weight bearing? I

> > went to one crutch around the house. I want to do the right

thing

> > and be patient and I am somewhat willing to play by the rules.

I

> > don't want to have any set backs but I don't feel like I need

the

> > crutches. Is there a reason I should stay on them if I don't

feel

> > like I need them? Thoughts? I am one week post op. Thanks.

>

> ,

>

> If I recall correctly, you were an elite athlete. I'm sure the

> physical strength and skill that made you an elite athlete are

going

> to make you recover and regain strength more rapidly than us mere

> mortals. It seems to me that the crutches are good for a couple of

things:

>

> 1) helping to prevent falls, particularly in the early stages of

> healing (before there's much bone ingrowth and before the joint

> capsule has healed.

>

> 2) take enough of your weight that you can maintain a normal gait

> (no limping). You don't want to reinforce the habit of an

abnormal

> gait after you've gone through surgery to get rid of it.

>

> I think before you abandon walking aids this early in the game, you

> might want to discuss the situation with Amstutz, just to get his

> reading on the situation.

>

> Personally, I can manage about 10 steps before the ol' penguin

> walk starts to show up again so I'm sticking (no pun intended) with

> the crutches for now (my abductors and external rotators on the

left

> side just pack it in, but that's still better than even a day or

two ago.

>

> Steve (bilateral C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

> >

> > C+ Dr. Amstutz 5/04/04

[Guest guest]

Dan,

Thanks for the response. There appears to be a significant

difference between the European post op rehab approach and the

perspective of the US doctors. I feel like I could walk with 100%

weight on both legs one week post op, however, I will continue to do

my best to behave and listen to my doctor. I wonder if the more

conservative approach in the US is driven by the fact that it is not

yet FDA approved and a more conservative post op will improve the

overall success rate of the procedure. Probably just individual

doctor's perspective for a procedure that is relatively new.

C+ Dr. Amtutz 5/04/04

> > Steve, Dave, Des, others, perhaps you can help me with

this

> > one. I have been walking on my crutches like crazy. Probably 4

> > miles today. Is this ok as long as it is 50% weight bearing? I

> > went to one crutch around the house. I want to do the right

thing

> > and be patient and I am somewhat willing to play by the rules.

I

> > don't want to have any set backs but I don't feel like I need

the

> > crutches. Is there a reason I should stay on them if I don't

feel

> > like I need them? Thoughts? I am one week post op. Thanks.

>

> ,

>

> If I recall correctly, you were an elite athlete. I'm sure the

> physical strength and skill that made you an elite athlete are

going

> to make you recover and regain strength more rapidly than us mere

> mortals. It seems to me that the crutches are good for a couple of

things:

>

> 1) helping to prevent falls, particularly in the early stages of

> healing (before there's much bone ingrowth and before the joint

> capsule has healed.

>

> 2) take enough of your weight that you can maintain a normal gait

> (no limping). You don't want to reinforce the habit of an

abnormal

> gait after you've gone through surgery to get rid of it.

>

> I think before you abandon walking aids this early in the game, you

> might want to discuss the situation with Amstutz, just to get his

> reading on the situation.

>

> Personally, I can manage about 10 steps before the ol' penguin

> walk starts to show up again so I'm sticking (no pun intended) with

> the crutches for now (my abductors and external rotators on the

left

> side just pack it in, but that's still better than even a day or

two ago.

>

> Steve (bilateral C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

> >

> > C+ Dr. Amstutz 5/04/04

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dan,

Thanks for the response. There appears to be a significant

difference between the European post op rehab approach and the

perspective of the US doctors. I feel like I could walk with 100%

weight on both legs one week post op, however, I will continue to do

my best to behave and listen to my doctor. I wonder if the more

conservative approach in the US is driven by the fact that it is not

yet FDA approved and a more conservative post op will improve the

overall success rate of the procedure. Probably just individual

doctor's perspective for a procedure that is relatively new.

C+ Dr. Amtutz 5/04/04

> > Steve, Dave, Des, others, perhaps you can help me with

this

> > one. I have been walking on my crutches like crazy. Probably 4

> > miles today. Is this ok as long as it is 50% weight bearing? I

> > went to one crutch around the house. I want to do the right

thing

> > and be patient and I am somewhat willing to play by the rules.

I

> > don't want to have any set backs but I don't feel like I need

the

> > crutches. Is there a reason I should stay on them if I don't

feel

> > like I need them? Thoughts? I am one week post op. Thanks.

>

> ,

>

> If I recall correctly, you were an elite athlete. I'm sure the

> physical strength and skill that made you an elite athlete are

going

> to make you recover and regain strength more rapidly than us mere

> mortals. It seems to me that the crutches are good for a couple of

things:

>

> 1) helping to prevent falls, particularly in the early stages of

> healing (before there's much bone ingrowth and before the joint

> capsule has healed.

>

> 2) take enough of your weight that you can maintain a normal gait

> (no limping). You don't want to reinforce the habit of an

abnormal

> gait after you've gone through surgery to get rid of it.

>

> I think before you abandon walking aids this early in the game, you

> might want to discuss the situation with Amstutz, just to get his

> reading on the situation.

>

> Personally, I can manage about 10 steps before the ol' penguin

> walk starts to show up again so I'm sticking (no pun intended) with

> the crutches for now (my abductors and external rotators on the

left

> side just pack it in, but that's still better than even a day or

two ago.

>

> Steve (bilateral C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

> >

> > C+ Dr. Amstutz 5/04/04

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> Steve,

>

> Thanks for the response. I am going to do my best to behave and

> stay on at least one of them.

I was talking to one of DeSmet's patients who said that his impression

was that there were some differences in the amount of acetabular

reaming done for the C+ and BHR. I don't know if that's really true

(perhaps our resident representative could comment), but if it

is there might be some significant stability differences between the

two implants in the first few weeks (before ingrowth has taken place).

This might well be a factor in the more conservative post-op

recommendations for the C+.

>I am also bilateral, however, I

> elected to buy some time on the other side.

If there had been any substantial difference between the two sides, I

might have done that as well. However, I was bone-on-bone on both

sides and both femurs were starting to wear visibly on the X-rays so

it just seemed prudent to get it all handled at once. From my reading

here and elsewhere, it seemed that I would only be increasing my

recovery time by a little less than 50% by doing this. Amstutz agreed

with this estimate. It actually hasn't been too bad.

> Given how heavily I

> rely on the unoperated side, I can not imagine having both done at

> one time.

It's been a little inconvenient, particularly since I live alone. I

seem to be about 10-11 days behind (he had a unilateral 4 days

before me), which is better than I expected. The biggest nuisance is

being so dependent on friends for transportation - I really feel like

I'm imposing.

I'm making my first foray to the grocery store this afternoon.

Doing a lot of pre-op training really helped.

> Of course next time I am going through this for the

> second time you will be thinking how happy you are that you have it

> in the past. You are on your way. Continued good luck and

> progress.

Thanks! Same to you!

Steve (bilateral C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

[Guest guest]

> Steve,

>

> Thanks for the response. I am going to do my best to behave and

> stay on at least one of them.

I was talking to one of DeSmet's patients who said that his impression

was that there were some differences in the amount of acetabular

reaming done for the C+ and BHR. I don't know if that's really true

(perhaps our resident representative could comment), but if it

is there might be some significant stability differences between the

two implants in the first few weeks (before ingrowth has taken place).

This might well be a factor in the more conservative post-op

recommendations for the C+.

>I am also bilateral, however, I

> elected to buy some time on the other side.

If there had been any substantial difference between the two sides, I

might have done that as well. However, I was bone-on-bone on both

sides and both femurs were starting to wear visibly on the X-rays so

it just seemed prudent to get it all handled at once. From my reading

here and elsewhere, it seemed that I would only be increasing my

recovery time by a little less than 50% by doing this. Amstutz agreed

with this estimate. It actually hasn't been too bad.

> Given how heavily I

> rely on the unoperated side, I can not imagine having both done at

> one time.

It's been a little inconvenient, particularly since I live alone. I

seem to be about 10-11 days behind (he had a unilateral 4 days

before me), which is better than I expected. The biggest nuisance is

being so dependent on friends for transportation - I really feel like

I'm imposing.

I'm making my first foray to the grocery store this afternoon.

Doing a lot of pre-op training really helped.

> Of course next time I am going through this for the

> second time you will be thinking how happy you are that you have it

> in the past. You are on your way. Continued good luck and

> progress.

Thanks! Same to you!

Steve (bilateral C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

[Guest guest]

> Steve,

>

> Thanks for the response. I am going to do my best to behave and

> stay on at least one of them.

I was talking to one of DeSmet's patients who said that his impression

was that there were some differences in the amount of acetabular

reaming done for the C+ and BHR. I don't know if that's really true

(perhaps our resident representative could comment), but if it

is there might be some significant stability differences between the

two implants in the first few weeks (before ingrowth has taken place).

This might well be a factor in the more conservative post-op

recommendations for the C+.

>I am also bilateral, however, I

> elected to buy some time on the other side.

If there had been any substantial difference between the two sides, I

might have done that as well. However, I was bone-on-bone on both

sides and both femurs were starting to wear visibly on the X-rays so

it just seemed prudent to get it all handled at once. From my reading

here and elsewhere, it seemed that I would only be increasing my

recovery time by a little less than 50% by doing this. Amstutz agreed

with this estimate. It actually hasn't been too bad.

> Given how heavily I

> rely on the unoperated side, I can not imagine having both done at

> one time.

It's been a little inconvenient, particularly since I live alone. I

seem to be about 10-11 days behind (he had a unilateral 4 days

before me), which is better than I expected. The biggest nuisance is

being so dependent on friends for transportation - I really feel like

I'm imposing.

I'm making my first foray to the grocery store this afternoon.

Doing a lot of pre-op training really helped.

> Of course next time I am going through this for the

> second time you will be thinking how happy you are that you have it

> in the past. You are on your way. Continued good luck and

> progress.

Thanks! Same to you!

Steve (bilateral C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

[Guest guest]

, Steve,

Each of you guys are doing great. Your progress is inspiring. As

far as going off crutches , you're reasonably light @ 145lbs

so you have less to support, which should equate to discarding them

early. But , buddy, this is not a contest. I know you're

goal oriented (an understatement) and have a high pain tolerance, but

pay attention to your body. It tells you so much and will let you

know its timetable. All we have to do is honor it. As Steve says,

you don't want to be limping just to say you're no longer on

crutches. I used them a few days longer than necessary just to be

safe. I only needed them for a little security on the first step or

two then held them off the ground the rest of the time I was up.

Dr. Mark has an excellent post #26706 including comments about scar

tissue. I pushed my rehab because I was so eager to recapture my

fitness and former activity level, but I am always aware of the

risk. I intentionally forgot about any stretching and worked on my

leg strength within my current range of motion, keeping in mind the

90 degree and no crossover rule. I began light stretching at 6 weeks

and only now (3 months post op today) feel I can do some serious

stretching. Range of motion will return when it returns. In the

meantime, there's strength building and cardio fitness to work

on. , you got me hooked on spinning. I've taken 5 spinning

classes in a week and a half and my fitness is improving

dramatically. That's on top of the 3 days a week I lift weights.

Steve, I had a very noticeable flap in the curve section near the top

of my scar where the two sides didn't mate properly. I used

Vitamin E oil and it smoothed out in 3 weeks or so. How are you

responding to time on the stationary bike? I have to admire you

bilateral guys.

If anyone is interested in supplements, ask the handballer Alan.

He's got it down cold.

Dave

> > Steve,

> >

> > Thanks for the response. I am going to do my best to behave and

> > stay on at least one of them.

>

> I was talking to one of DeSmet's patients who said that his

impression

> was that there were some differences in the amount of acetabular

> reaming done for the C+ and BHR. I don't know if that's really true

> (perhaps our resident representative could comment), but if

it

> is there might be some significant stability differences between the

> two implants in the first few weeks (before ingrowth has taken

place).

> This might well be a factor in the more conservative post-op

> recommendations for the C+.

>

> >I am also bilateral, however, I

> > elected to buy some time on the other side.

>

> If there had been any substantial difference between the two sides,

I

> might have done that as well. However, I was bone-on-bone on both

> sides and both femurs were starting to wear visibly on the X-rays so

> it just seemed prudent to get it all handled at once. From my

reading

> here and elsewhere, it seemed that I would only be increasing my

> recovery time by a little less than 50% by doing this. Amstutz

agreed

> with this estimate. It actually hasn't been too bad.

>

> > Given how heavily I

> > rely on the unoperated side, I can not imagine having both done

at

> > one time.

>

> It's been a little inconvenient, particularly since I live alone. I

> seem to be about 10-11 days behind (he had a unilateral 4 days

> before me), which is better than I expected. The biggest nuisance is

> being so dependent on friends for transportation - I really feel

like

> I'm imposing.

>

> I'm making my first foray to the grocery store this afternoon.

>

> Doing a lot of pre-op training really helped.

>

> > Of course next time I am going through this for the

> > second time you will be thinking how happy you are that you have

it

> > in the past. You are on your way. Continued good luck and

> > progress.

>

> Thanks! Same to you!

>

> Steve (bilateral C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

[Guest guest]

>I believe > that Dr DeSmet in Ghent, Belgium has the same approach as my OS †"

> 100% weight bearing on day one and very few walking aides thereafter.

>>

Just for clarification, us Belgian hippies are told to use crutches for up

to six weeks. It was just about right for me. When I was trying to walk

around my room at the Holiday Inn without crutches several days after

surgery, Marc the PT said it was too soon. He was right, The next day the

swelling went all the way down my leg and made nice colors... We could be

100% weight bearing but were not encouraged to throw away the aids too soon.

The risk of falling is one very good reason to keep on using them. Marc

told me to use one crutch indoors and two outdoors, especially on the wet

cobblestones in Ghent.

June RBHR De Smet Aug. 2003

> Dan,

>

> Thanks for the response. There appears to be a significant

> difference between the European post op rehab approach and the

> perspective of the US doctors. I feel like I could walk with 100%

> weight on both legs one week post op, however, I will continue to do

> my best to behave and listen to my doctor. I wonder if the more

> conservative approach in the US is driven by the fact that it is not

> yet FDA approved and a more conservative post op will improve the

> overall success rate of the procedure. Probably just individual

> doctor's perspective for a procedure that is relatively new.

>

> C+ Dr. Amtutz 5/04/04

>

>

>>

>>

>> I don’t know about the instructions/advice you were given, but

> at the hospital where I had my resurfacing done we were told to do

> 100% weight bearing on day 1. I never saw a crutch as they gave us

> 2 sticks on day 2 and we dropped one stick the same afternoon. On

> day 3 we did the stairs (up and down) with one stick only. I found

> I could walk on day 3 without any sticks and did the stairs without

> it too. I had a snapshot taken with my OS that day without a stick

> in my hand †" he highly approved of it and was very pleased. The

> same was true of another patient of this OS who was operated on the

> same day as I was. Both, the other chap and I are 53. The other

> patient’s hip was in much better shape than mine prior to the op

> and he was much fitter than I as well. So, I guess, it mostly about

> your OS and how he thinks the patients will recover best. I believe

> that Dr DeSmet in Ghent, Belgium has the same approach as my OS †"

> 100% weight bearing on day one and very few walking aides thereafter.

>>