Day before Surgery

Hi All~

I thought it would be a good idea to capture my experience of my hip surgery.  Today is March 16, 2009, the day before surgery.  After 6 years of hip pain, I have decided to have a right total hip replacement.  Here is a little background for you...

I danced all my life -ballet, jazz, modern, tap, broadway, etc.  During my college years, I noticed this dulling pain in my right hip.  (I was a Dance & Communications major at Montclair State University).  I realized both my outward and inward rotation was becoming very limited.  Furthermore, I was unable to shift my weight to my right supporting hip.  

I began to see many orthopedics, getting various opinions.  Most felt I had AVN -Avascular Necrosis.  This is when the blood does not get to the bone -which leads to no cartilage.  The causes of AVN could be steroid use, excessive alcohol abuse, or just an unknown reason -that's me!  I developed AVN for no reason -quite frustrating.

So here I am 6 years later.  Through the years, the pain has become increasingly worse.  However, some days are just fine -this is why I never knew if I was ready for not.  Although, when I think about all of the activities I don't do because I know of the pain that will follow, it saddens me.  I'm 27 years old, and would like to enjoy normal activities without the pain afterwards.  After much contemplating, I decided NOW is the time!

I am off to complete some last minute things before tomorrow -oil change, food shopping, cleaning, etc (not that my car is going to be moving for 6 weeks -but I would like it done for when I able to drive).

My anticipated recovery time is about 8 weeks -can't drive till 6 weeks, but back to work in 8 weeks.  The full restrictions are lifted at 12 weeks. 

Well, that's about it.  I will post after the surgery!