It has been 6 weeks since I had the hardware removed from my hip and I am crutch-free once again. It’s like nothing ever happened. I have been to the gym 3 times in the past 3 days, and have resumed my usual routine. Thanks to my recent appendectomy my pullups are limited, but other than that things feel great. I was actually sore, I love it.

I have my follow-up appointment with Dr. C next Tuesday. I’ll get more x-rays and find out how long it will be before I can start running again. Hopefully soon.

I had my follow up appointment today. A doctor removed the staples from my leg; I was glad to see them go. Orthopedic specialist Dr. C. said the x-ray from the surgery looks great and that my hip is definitely 100% healed. There is a good-sized hole where the screws were so it is important that I keep off the leg for 4 more weeks.

Once I’m walking unassisted and given an OK by the ortho docs, I’m going to finally attempt to get off disability and be cleared “fit for duty.” As I’ve explained, this doesn’t mean that I’ll be immediately returning to active duty. What it does mean is that I can reapply for OCS (assuming the higher-ups approve of it) and start the lengthy waiver process.

At this time, I can apply for OCC-197 or PLC 2nd Increment 2008. OCC-197 starts in January of 2008, which will give me a little over 6 months of training (if all goes well). If that doesn’t happen, I’ll just wait for PLC 2nd Increment 2008, which begins in just over a year.

I had the hardware removed from my leg yesterday. My mom drove us to the hospital and I checked in at 6AM, and was brought upstairs to be begin the process. My mom parked the car while I changed into a hospital gown and put all my clothes into a bag. The nurse then instructed me to get into the bed. She then proceeded to do a complete medical history with me, and give me an IV. My mom came in and sat next to my bed. The first IV she put in wasn’t right and the stinging wouldn’t go away, so I had her redo it. On her second attempt she got blood all over the floor. The second IV felt better and we were able to proceed.

Next I met the anesthesiologist. She asked me a few questions and left. I met a few more people who asked me some more questions. Finally my doctor came in and wrote “yes” on my leg. The nurse told him I’d like to keep my screws. He asked me if I had any special plans for them and I told him what I planned, everyone got a good laugh.

The nurse then got the green light from the operating room and gave me a cocktail to make me feel better. I said goodbye to my mom and was wheeled down a bunch of halls into the operating room. It was a very large room and started to fill up with people. All the sudden everything went dark and I was out.

I woke up to a nurse saying “we’re all finished!” I was wheeled into a post-operation area and was given all my instructions for the days to follow. I can’t get my bandage wet for 5 days, and I have to go back in 12 days to get my stitches out. I was prescribed vicodin, but I don’t really like the way it makes me feel, so I’m trying not to take much of it. The pain is pretty bad, especially when I’m sitting down, but things aren’t nearly as bad as my first surgery.

He would like to have his screws taken out with the idea of getting back into the Marines and finishing training, which is a possibility for him, as long as he heals in the lateral cortex. He does understand that with the varus deformity, he is at slightly increased risk to have a fracture in that region again due to training and any impact activities and is willing to accept that risk, understanding that it is likely treatable. The other problem that he may encounter over time is avascular changes in the head. At this time, the x-rays show some minimal disuse changes in the superolateral anterior femoral head, which are minimal and not in the weight bearing area and are not very concerning, but this is something that will need to be watched on a regular basis and he understands it can occur for up to 5 years.

We will schedule screw removal and he will be on light activities after that until the lateral cortex bridges.

Dr. T, M.D.
Director of Orthopaedic Trauma

Good news, after a little begging I got the green light from the doctors today at Boston Medical Center to get my screws out. The surgery is scheduled for the morning of May 30th. I will be on crutches for 6 weeks while the holes in my femur heal. I can’t wait to (hopefully) not be in pain anymore!