Brian McCoy

Where do I start?

I spent the better part of last year coming to grips with the fact that I needed to have some sort of intervention with my hip pain that had incapacitated me after a workout and a run in early Spring. After several visits to local doctors in Tulsa, several x-Rays and MRIs to better understand my condition (hip impingement with several labrum tears, femoral head cartilage tears as well as bone on bone arthritis) I reached out to several doctors for second opinions. All had the same diagnosis that a total hip replacement was necessary, and all had different approaches to the procedure - some were posterior, one anterior and one lateral. All seemed like very capable doctors, but after meeting with Dr. Vigdorchik, I knew that the STAR approach - and the fact that the process spared key muscles (like the piriformis) and did not release any muscles - was the approach that I needed. The staff was incredible through the whole process; prior to, during and after surgery which I greatly appreciated, especially coming from out of town.

My surgery went well and took 1 hour. The recovery team was fantastic with my pain and expectations for getting up and moving around shortly after surgery. The team was also very cognizant of my flight back home and prepared me with the right meds and expectations there as well.

After 3 days of using a walker in the evening, I no longer needed the walker from a stability standpoint, as well as from a comfort standpoint. One week after, I was already in swing on walking straight and spent a lot of time sleeping and recovering, which I thought was key to a quicker recovery. I was also able to remove the scar tape that was over my incision and it revealed a clean incision that was obviously meticulously put back together. No infection and no issues with my incision point from day 1.

Two weeks post-op, I was able to drive having been off meds for a week (minute meloxicam as an anti-inflammatory) and having had a left hip replacement as well. I was also feeling more comfortable with my cane and less support needed.

Three weeks post-op, I didn't use a cane and gained flexibility in my leg. While I had no hip pain, I had soft tissue pain that needed more time to recover. The biggest issue was muscle tightness in my glute and full ability to lift my leg up 100%, although I was at around 85% at that point.

One month post op: Felt like being back to normal was right in front of me and my physical therapy shifted from flexibility, mobility, stability and muscle preparation to muscle growth and challenging my body to begin depending on the muscles that I was favoring due to soreness. I was also able to get into the pool as one of my favorite forms of exercise after consulting with Dr. Vigdorchik and his office on the condition of my scar. Because my body healed quickly and the great job that was done on the incision, I was cleared to swim. All bruising was gone from my leg as well, which had looked like I was kicked by a mule 3-days post-op. I was pleasantly surprised when I began with a soft dolphin kick and freestyle, that there was zero pain in my hip where it had been before. Lots of smiles underwater for 500 yds of getting back into it.

Two months post-op: The feeling of being a little uneven on my leg length, due to my leg being inflamed (although it didn’t feel that way, it was) was settling down. Even a millimeter or two felt like I was standing on a cutting board on my left leg while having my right leg flat on the ground. This subsided as therapy and time went on and was feeling negligible at this point. I was able to swim 1 mile in the pool without issues. I was able to walk up a paved mountain road 3.4 miles without pain, but slower than my normal pace. Nor did I feel super comfortable breaking out in stride.

Three months post-op: Continued therapy and muscle build, continued swims twice a week began conditioning my muscles with very little associated soft tissue pain. If I pushed myself, there was some reaction of inflammation that was expected as I was still healing but easily taken care of with over the counter anti-inflammatory and rest. No restrictions at work, comfortable tying my shoes again and putting on socks (huge accomplishment from where I was before). Also comfortable at this point sleeping on my surgery side without feeling the need to toss and turn. I am still finding the need to use ice packs occasionally when sleeping or during the day.

Four months post-op: Mobility is at 90%. Flexibility is getting better by the day and the soft tissue tweaks that I have been working through are getting to be fewer and fewer post workouts. I was able to swim over a mile with no complications as well as complete a 2-mile hike up rocky terrain without any issues and felt great to achieve the pinnacle with my family. I have very few restrictions and I’m only limited to a few motions that test my gluts and abductor muscles that are on the way to being at 100%. After a longer day of pushing myself, walking, working outside or working out, I do feel the need to relax my leg by propping it up and/or ensuring my overnight rest is longer.

I can contribute the path above to Dr. Vigdorchik and his team and the approach that he conducted for my speedy recovery. Additionally, preparing my muscles around the joint prior to surgery by working out (mostly swimming and stretching) as well as post-operative physical therapy is something I would highly recommend and am continuing to attend 2 times a week at 4 months post-op plus working out and stretching. Most of recovery is upon you and how much you want to do to achieve your lifestyle goals.

Back in the Game (all pics are post-op activities I was able to do less than 4 months after surgery).