Alan's hip replacement: September 1, 2023

 Alan had his left hip replaced on September 1.  After doing a lot of research, he decided to use a surgeon in Knoxville, who does the anterior approach.  (Thank you Phyllis for the recommendation.) This method separates the muscles to do the replacement, rather than cutting through the muscles.  As a consequence, the surgery is much less invasive, and has a much quicker recovery time.  It was same day surgery, using a spinal injection, rather than general anesthesia. They got him up to walk with the walker as soon as he was able to move his lower limbs.  It was really amazing.  I drove him home to JC that same day.

He was given strong pain meds, but he only used them for a few days, taking Tylenol since then, as needed.  He only used the walker for a few days, also.  They gave him this great machine that circulates cold water through a pad.  It worked well for pain and swelling.  The big thing was that he was supposed to get up and walk every hour or so during the day to keep from getting blood clots.  After a day or so, I enlisted the help of Alexa on that, setting a timer when she reminded him to walk. He knew it was important, so he was willing to do it.  He also has gotten physical therapy once a week, which has been very helpful. Benchmark Physical Therapy in Boone's Creek is the office he has been going to.  The therapist has been excellent. (Thank you Mairzy for the recommendation.)

He was cleared to drive as soon as he stopped taking the opioids and felt comfortable with his abilities.  We went to Knoxville yesterday for the followup appointment with surgeon, and he drove back from Knoxville easily.  The surgeon was satisfied with how he was doing, and his incision looks great.  We will go back in three months for another routine followup.

It will take a while until he is back to his normal activities.  It could take six to twelve months to full recovery.  However, Alan is motivated to do things, so he won't sit on the couch for long.  We plan to do a short walk on a track or at the Tweetsie Trail this afternoon.  We are having beautiful fall weather, with the high in the low 80's, so it should be fun.

The first week in October we meet Alan's sisters and their husbands at a cabin at Rock Island State Park in middle Tennessee.  It is supposed to be a beautiful park with lots of waterfalls.  It should be wonderful in the fall.  Alan should be able to do some limited trail walking by then. Alan's family is always a joy to spend time with.