Hip Rehabilitation After Surgery

One of the critical success factors for a positive outcome is following the physical rehabilitation process. In order to help achieve the goals for a successful hip resurfacing procedure, you must actively participate in the rehab process and work diligently on your own, as well as with the physical therapists, to achieve optimal results.

Early Rehabilitation

Your recovery program usually begins the day after surgery. The rehabilitation team will work together to provide the care and encouragement needed during the first few days after surgery.

Life After Hip Resurfacing Surgery

After you have completed your hip rehabilitation, you should experience improved range of motion and have strength in your hip to return to most everyday activities. Below are a few warnings to keep in mind after your hip resurfacing surgery. Remember to listen to what your body tells you. If you begin to have pain or swelling, contact your physician for advice.

Take care to protect your new hip from too much stress and follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding activity level.

Do not perform high impact activities such as running and jumping during the first year following your surgery to allow your hip bones to heal properly. While that same study of 2,385 Birmingham Hip resurfacing patients found that less than one-half of one-percent of patients experienced a femoral neck fracture in the first five years after surgery, the average time this fracture took place was just two and a half months after their surgery. Other studies have shown a fracture rate of up to 1.4-percent.

Early device failure, such as breakage or loosening, may occur if you do not follow your surgeon’s limitations on activity level. Early failure may occur if you do not protect your hip from overloading due to activity level or fail to control your body weight. Accidents such as falls may also cause early device failure.

Hey Dr. Wagner, here is a photo of a recent skin/ski of Mt. St Helens. Chris Burke, MD

I have had complicated hip dysplasia on both hips, requiring extensive surgery on one. I chose not to repeat this in favor of arthroscopic repair, and have been more than pleased with the results. I required fairly extensive micro-fracture surgery and labral resection. More extensive damage than expected, though am glad I went through the surgery and recovery.

At baseline, I am a very active backcountry skier, bike rider (road and mountain) and tend to push myself fairly hard physically. I did the appropriate physical therapy and within 4 months I was back to full activity. My celebratory return to activity was to skin up and ski down Mt. St Helens. I had no pain while doing so and feel I am now back to full activity with no restrictions.

I have been more than pleased that with a minimally invasive procedure, my dysplasia can be mitigated and I can return to my desired activities with no pain. In retrospect, I would have had this procedure much sooner should I have known how successful this was to be. Thank you Dr. Wagner.

Chris Burke, MD

Emergency Physician

Dear Dr. Wagner and Team:

Jetta RackleffI would like to write a testimony on behalf of Dr. Mark Wagner for his excellent job on my hip arthroscopy on March 25th, 2014.

After years of hip pain due to ski racing and hockey goaltending, I ended my freshman season as a D1 goaltender at Rochester Institute of Technology with a devastating hip injury. After being diagnosed by team doctors, I decided to conduct my own research. I searched for a highly qualified hip surgeon that made me comfortable with the procedure and ability to return to the rink. Dr. Wagner fit the description perfectly with his extensive experience and research in the field of young adult hip issues and athletes with hip injuries.

Dr. Wagner and his whole staff scheduled me in as soon as they could. They completely accommodated my schedule so I could fly in from New York and have the procedure performed. Every detail was taken care of, from the insurance to the flight home protocol. Dr. Wagner and his team helped me put together the entire process. It doesn't stop there. Not only did Dr. Wagner ensure my career and livelihood as an athlete with his spectacular surgical ability, but the follow up care was simply wonderful. From answering my questions over the phone to my follow up visits. I felt they were with me every step of the way.

Day one of being injured, I did not know if I could ever be the same. As a hockey player and as an athlete. I'm writing this testimony because on the achy days, the difficult rehabilitation moments and the rough weeks, I never thought I could be here, six months later, stronger than ever. I praise the magnificent work of Dr. Wagner and his team to help me reach my highest athletic potential. I have not felt this great since I was 16. I am so ecstatic I chose have the surgery performed. Thank you for all you have done Dr. Wagner and team!

Sincerely,

Jetta Rackleff

RIT D1 Women's Ice Hockey Goaltender
USA Women's Inline Hockey Goaltender

I had labrum/hip surgery a few years ago after getting injured in an international basketball tournament. Dr. Wagner did a fantastic job assessing the injury, performing the surgery and helping with the rehabilitation program so that I was able to get back to playing basketball within only a few weeks.

One of Dr. Wagner's greatest strengths is his understanding of the athlete's mindset due to the fact that he has worked with so many high level athletes. This enables him to speak to athletes in a way that is encouraging and thorough - yet progressive and optimistic with a clear action plan for recovery.

I highly recommend Dr. Wagner and still count on him for occasional advice even 5 years after the surgery!

Lawrence Norman

Managing Director of Adidas South East Europe
Professional Basketball Player - Israel
Gold Medal, Maccbiah Carnival, Open Division, Sydney, 1989
Gold Medal, Pan Am Maccabiah Games, Open Division, Montevideo, 1991
Gold Medal, Pan Am Maccabiah Games, Masters Divison, Buenos Aires, 2007
Silver Medal, Maccabiah Games, Masters Division, Tel Aviv, 2009
Gold Medal, Pan Am Maccabiah Games, Masters Division, Sao Paolo, 2011

Dr. Wagner,

I thought I’d share my most recent post hip-replacement endeavors.

Over the last two years my activity level has increased exponentially. I’ve lost 20+ pounds, I’m able to wade my favorite fishing waters, climb in and out of my boat painlessly, and hike the backwoods like a teen-ager (sort of); all things that were impossible before surgery.

Troy BuzalskyAs a current active duty firefighter the job can at times be quite arduous, and the older I get the more I have to focus on maintaining myself “Fit for Duty”. Recently a great friend was diagnosed with AML Leukemia. His son is a firefighter and I learned he was going to participate in the Seattle Firefighter Stairclimb in his dad’s honor. The event is a benefit for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Having participated in this event more than 15 years ago, I knew what I was up against, and immediately pledged to climb (yes, I’m crazy)… showing my support while giving me the motivation to train for the event.

The firefighter stairclimb occurs on March 6th, at the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle. It requires firefighters to wear full combat gear complete with breathing apparatus and climb 69 flights of stairs. That’s 1,311 steps with a vertical elevation gain of 788 feet. I have set my goal at sub 20 minutes, which will be a huge accomplishment for my age group.

To prepare for the climb I started training in December. My regime includes countless hours on the stairmaster while climbing local high-rise stairwells, including Portland’s “Big Pink” tower. I also add in a healthy dose of CrossFit and interval training, with lots of focused leg exercises including squats, lunges, box jumps, burpees, mountain climbers, and even dead lifts.

I am happy to share that my hip is holding up perfectly, and just like you predicted, the only time I’m reminded of my hip replacement is seeing the scar. I guess next time I’ll ask for a plastic surgeon.

Sincerely,

Troy Buzalsky

Battalion Chief, Longview Fire Department

Doctor Wagner,

I wanted to let you know how incredibly well the surgery worked for me. As you know, I'd been dealing with chronic groin pain for about ten years and never found anything that alleviated the discomfort. Over the years I had two different courses of physical therapy, a stretching program, a series of cold laser treatments and also some ultrasound therapy none of which had any lasting effect. I'd finally given up and resigned myself to just having to live with the problem. That is until I heard about the procedure you do which releases the damaged tendon from the bone. I was skeptical at first, but after speaking to you and another orthopaedic surgeon (Dr. Rod Wigle in Bend, Oregon) I was convinced to go ahead and have the surgery and the results have been nothing short of spectacular. A few easy hours in the hospital for the outpatient procedure and that evening I was on crutches for a total of about 2 hours and realized I didn't need them and never used them or any other type of walking aid again. I never needed pain medication stronger than Tylenol and that was only for a day or two. And within a couple of days I was easily able to climb stairs and resume virtually all my normal activities. The best part was 10 days after the surgery I was able to ski again and 2 weeks after that I was back riding my 900 pound motorcycle. You've truly given me my life back. I'm 72 years old, but feel like I'm 20 years younger. It's amazing!

Thank you.

Ray Yillik