THR Life in the fast (swim) lane
- Thread starter SwimGirl
- Start date
- Status
United States
All the best tomorrow @SwimGirl . See you on this side soon. Here are your recovery articles ready for reading when you are back:
First are the BoneSmart mantras ....
- rest, elevate, ice and take your pain meds by the clock
- if it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physiotherapist - to do it to you
- if your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again
- if you won't die if it's not done, don't do it
- never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down, never stay awake when you can go to sleep!
- be active as much as you need to be but not more than is necessary, meaning so much that you end up being in pain, exhausted or desperate to sit down or lay down!
Pain management and the pain chart
Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of THR recovery
Dislocation risk and 90 degree rule
Energy drain for THRs
Pain and swelling control: elevation is the key
Activity progression for THRs
Home physio (PT)
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?
First are the BoneSmart mantras ....
- rest, elevate, ice and take your pain meds by the clock
- if it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physiotherapist - to do it to you
- if your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again
- if you won't die if it's not done, don't do it
- never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down, never stay awake when you can go to sleep!
- be active as much as you need to be but not more than is necessary, meaning so much that you end up being in pain, exhausted or desperate to sit down or lay down!
Pain management and the pain chart
Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of THR recovery
Dislocation risk and 90 degree rule
Energy drain for THRs
Pain and swelling control: elevation is the key
Activity progression for THRs
Home physio (PT)
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?
BusterBeans
senior
Waiting to hear how you dove in, found the water smoother than expected and are leisurely swimming along. Please keep us up to date on your progress as we anxiously wait our turns.
Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart Forum
Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart Forum
SwimGirl
senior
@calebj06 Hello again! Survived surgery on Right hip. Surgery was easier than expected. No pain at hip or incision site. Had trouble with mobility due to swelling, and now trying to get around without walker. PT says I just need to strengthen quad sets on right thigh. How did you do with your hip arthroscopy?
SwimGirl
senior
@BusterBeans Hello again! Surgery went well! I was up 2 hours post op and never took anything for pain other
than Tylenol#2. Swelling in right leg was uncomfortable but the answer indeed is ice, ice and more ice. No bruising whatsoever. Difficult part of surgery was the anesthesia. I had a blood pressure drop and they kept me on IVs longer than expected but I have been pushing fluids ever since. Now, I am having trouble with
leaving the security of my walker. I have been accommodating for my right hip by using left leg that I lost the
strength in quads on right thigh. PT gave me exercises, but they are so hard to do right now. I must work at my own pace. I have pushed next
surgery to end of Oct. so I have time to get strong on the right. Kudos to those who are strong enough to get bilateral hips done!
than Tylenol#2. Swelling in right leg was uncomfortable but the answer indeed is ice, ice and more ice. No bruising whatsoever. Difficult part of surgery was the anesthesia. I had a blood pressure drop and they kept me on IVs longer than expected but I have been pushing fluids ever since. Now, I am having trouble with
leaving the security of my walker. I have been accommodating for my right hip by using left leg that I lost the
strength in quads on right thigh. PT gave me exercises, but they are so hard to do right now. I must work at my own pace. I have pushed next
surgery to end of Oct. so I have time to get strong on the right. Kudos to those who are strong enough to get bilateral hips done!
SwimGirl
senior
@Jaycey Thanks for sending the information. I read that over and over preop so I believe I knew it by heart!
How helpful this site has been! Surgery much easier than expected and I am better prepared mentally for next surgery at end of Oct. when left hip is done. Have a great surgeon! Only a 4 inch incision! Anterior repair!
How helpful this site has been! Surgery much easier than expected and I am better prepared mentally for next surgery at end of Oct. when left hip is done. Have a great surgeon! Only a 4 inch incision! Anterior repair!
SwimGirl
senior
@Tweetybrd Thanks for thinking of me. I agree that the stress is in the waiting period! Kept thinking of @Cynthia777 who said she had an easy recovery. I am still working on that one! We must stay positive!
SwimGirl
senior
@BusterBeans By the way, how on earth did you manage with bilateral TKR? Didn't mean to exclude bilateral knees when I said kudos to bilateral THR.
BusterBeans
senior
@SwimGirl. So glad to hear from you and to hear you're doing well! We were really worried that the hurricane had interfered with your surgery or release. Sorry to hear you had some complications during surgery but it sounds like you're already catching up.
Yes, I had a bilateral TKR last October. I did a bilateral to reduce the number of surgeries requiring anesthesia because of my previous allergic reaction but I don't think I would do it again. I knew it would be tough, but it was even tougher than I thought. I hear that a THR is a little easier than a knee, but I'm definitely doing my other hip at another time.
Take care and please keep us Sapphires informed of your progress and your successes. I'm still scheduled for the 27th.
Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart Forum
Yes, I had a bilateral TKR last October. I did a bilateral to reduce the number of surgeries requiring anesthesia because of my previous allergic reaction but I don't think I would do it again. I knew it would be tough, but it was even tougher than I thought. I hear that a THR is a little easier than a knee, but I'm definitely doing my other hip at another time.
Take care and please keep us Sapphires informed of your progress and your successes. I'm still scheduled for the 27th.
Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart Forum
SwimGirl
senior
@BusterBeans. I just needed to turn inward after the surgical procedure so I didn't really feel like talking.
It was not a bad surgery, but it still takes it's toll on your body. Energy drain mainly. I will be thinking and praying for you on the 27th of this month. I was amazed at how my first time up with walker I was able to feel the stability of the hip on my right. Never had pain in the hip or incision line. I did have swelling that made bending difficult
when going to BR. You will be so happy to get it done! My next surgical date has been moved to the 27th of Oct.
At my 10 day followup appt. I said I was concerned about my lack of strength in my right leg quadriceps. (You do
use opposite leg to help with standing up from sitting position.) So, I chose to put it off a few more weeks. The
surgical nurse specialist said that those having surgery within the 6 wk time frame tend to have more problems with anesthesia. So, later works for me.
It was not a bad surgery, but it still takes it's toll on your body. Energy drain mainly. I will be thinking and praying for you on the 27th of this month. I was amazed at how my first time up with walker I was able to feel the stability of the hip on my right. Never had pain in the hip or incision line. I did have swelling that made bending difficult
when going to BR. You will be so happy to get it done! My next surgical date has been moved to the 27th of Oct.
At my 10 day followup appt. I said I was concerned about my lack of strength in my right leg quadriceps. (You do
use opposite leg to help with standing up from sitting position.) So, I chose to put it off a few more weeks. The
surgical nurse specialist said that those having surgery within the 6 wk time frame tend to have more problems with anesthesia. So, later works for me.
SwimGirl
senior
@calebj06. You are too funny! Yes I am alive! I finally found your posts post op. Sounds like you have had your share of ups and downs. Does sound like you are getting around much better now. I am really impressed!
I am still working with exercises to get off this walker. It will be 3 wks soon and I am doing all the work that
PT recommends. The new exercises are sent to me on an ipad and with a bluetooth disc that is placed on
straps that I attach to my leg, 4 inches above and 4 inches below my knee. The movement is recorded back to PT
as to my progress. I can send a text when needed to PT and they will send text back. It is not perfect as some exercises do not record, but I am doing them regardless. I will see the PT next Friday for another eval.
Hope you continue to improve daily!
I am still working with exercises to get off this walker. It will be 3 wks soon and I am doing all the work that
PT recommends. The new exercises are sent to me on an ipad and with a bluetooth disc that is placed on
straps that I attach to my leg, 4 inches above and 4 inches below my knee. The movement is recorded back to PT
as to my progress. I can send a text when needed to PT and they will send text back. It is not perfect as some exercises do not record, but I am doing them regardless. I will see the PT next Friday for another eval.
Hope you continue to improve daily!
SwimGirl
senior
@Josephine I know there has been much discussion on NSAIDS as of late. In Feb of this year I was taking ibuprofen 2 to 4 a day with food and ended up with a GI bleed thus delaying my surgery. Nonetheless, I am
going to leave the security of giving myself Lovenox (injection) in just 4 days to switch to 325 mg Enteric coated aspirin. I understand that the asa will dissolve only in the intestine and not the stomach however I know it affects the delicate balance in the stomach regardless. Are you familiar with something called slippery elm?
It coats the mucosa in the stomach and protects it from adverse side effects of NSAIDS, etc. I have read information regarding slippery elm that states if taken 2 hours from other meds it will protect GI tract and you will still get your medication as ordered. (this without damage to GI lining). Do you think I will still get the DVT prevention that I need when switching over to aspirin while on slippery elm? I am ambulatory with the anterior THR but still trying to wean off walker.
going to leave the security of giving myself Lovenox (injection) in just 4 days to switch to 325 mg Enteric coated aspirin. I understand that the asa will dissolve only in the intestine and not the stomach however I know it affects the delicate balance in the stomach regardless. Are you familiar with something called slippery elm?
It coats the mucosa in the stomach and protects it from adverse side effects of NSAIDS, etc. I have read information regarding slippery elm that states if taken 2 hours from other meds it will protect GI tract and you will still get your medication as ordered. (this without damage to GI lining). Do you think I will still get the DVT prevention that I need when switching over to aspirin while on slippery elm? I am ambulatory with the anterior THR but still trying to wean off walker.
Tweetybrd
graduate
I'm glad to hear you are doing pretty well Swimgirl. Sounds like you have made some improvements slowly. Take it easy and get healed up so you can be ready for your next surgery. I am lurking in your thread and learning. 
SwimGirl
senior
@Tweetybrd Thanks for following my thread. I am doing fairly well. I just sometimes cannot see past
being on this walker. I will be on it again soon enough with the next surgery. I have given myself all of
Sept, Oct. and Nov. to be in healing mode. I do all the exercises each day! How are you doing knowing
that surgery is in January? You know it will be here sooner than you realize. Time sure does fly! Life is
like a roll of toilet paper, the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes! My positive thought for the day!
being on this walker. I will be on it again soon enough with the next surgery. I have given myself all of
Sept, Oct. and Nov. to be in healing mode. I do all the exercises each day! How are you doing knowing
that surgery is in January? You know it will be here sooner than you realize. Time sure does fly! Life is
like a roll of toilet paper, the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes! My positive thought for the day!
Tweetybrd
graduate
@SwimGirl Thanks for the laugh this morning! I loved the toilet paper bit. 
I hope you are having a good day and resting and icing.
I have known my surgery was January 20th since the end of June, so I am half way there!
Doing pretty well. Just trying to stay distracted.
It helps to read other peoples great recoveries and wonderful attitudes on here.
I hope you are having a good day and resting and icing.
I have known my surgery was January 20th since the end of June, so I am half way there!
Doing pretty well. Just trying to stay distracted.
It helps to read other peoples great recoveries and wonderful attitudes on here.
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