THR Leahs Sloooww but steady recovery

Hi @Leahdp
I see you tagged Jo...you've probably noticed, but just in case you haven't, Jo resides in the U.K. and I'm guessing her time is approx 6 hrs ahead of Central time, so its unlikely she'll be back on the forum this evening.

I'm sorry you're feeling down. I do understand. I'm sure I'd feel the same. The prospect of a revision surgery isn't something any of us want to endure, but don't lose sight of the fact you may not have to. It's still unwritten. If it becomes necessary, you'll deal with it and get through it as many do. We'll be of support no matter what. Stop by often, we'll be here. We care.
Sending a warm hug and a prayer for your comfort and peace of mind. :console2: :prayer:
 
@NanaKP Yes it helps thank you. I've felt like I am progressing slow since day 2. Seeing others in hospital having so much of an easier time. Reading about others feeling so wonderful almost immediately.

I figured it was the fracture but the Dr assured me it would not be an issue. He cabled it during surgery and not till this last visit did I realize how big the fracture was. I hope he really believes this will resolve. He is a great surgeon but always optimistic and I worry he is overly optimistic. But he was honest about my limp maybe never resolving.

I have ok days and horrible days. Like last night and I have no idea what I did to aggravate the bone. Wish I knew so I could avoid it. I do wonder why with a fracture I was never given extra precautions like partial weight bearing.

The thought of another surgery upsets me mostly because I work full time and used so much of my accrued time already and then there is the financial burden of another surgery. The only bright side would be the pain would be gone. I am going to hold out hope it will heal but the pain seems to be increasing so I am pessimistic about it which irritates my family but I cannot help myself.
 
Don't give up on yourself. I was only given restrictions after they installed the cable and then NWB for 2 weeks. Then I went to one crutch. The PT I was put through from 2-12 weeks after THR didn't help at all. In fact, I believe it further aggravated the fracture as my limp and the amount of pain kept intensifying. I had never had anything like this done before so I had no idea what was "normal". Please go check out @BionicButt - her thread about the cable had me in tears . . . of relief, because I could identify with what she was saying and I didn't feel like I was losing it.

That GT is a LARGE area so add in the trauma to the soft tissue (from the replacement being done) and the cable holding the femur in place, you've got a perfect storm of "pain". Do not let anyone tell you it's NOT happening. It does sound like your OS is quite optimistic but he really needs to listen to you and what it is you're going through. One of the moderators on here once said "if you broke your femur and needed hip replacement from an automobile accident, would you be told no restrictions?" Would you go full throttle back into life? No, I think not. I, too, have read the extreme success and quick recovery stories but those are few and far in between. I remember thinking that I must've been doing something wrong during those 12 weeks and perhaps I was too soft with therapy and exercise . . . then I learned I had a fracture and I felt almost vindicated. I wasn't exaggerating, I wasn't being a big baby at all.

Please go read that thread I suggested above and I think you will recognize the kinship!!
 
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@Josephine I've been thinking about what you said and getting depressed. Saying it never does bond to the bone, I'm sure that means a revision. What would a revision for that type of fail consist of?
Sadly yes, it does mean a revision but only the loose stem would be removed and replaced with a new one, probably cemented.
not till this last visit did I realize how big the fracture was.
Honey, it probably looks big to you but in actuality, it's not really that big.
I have no idea what I did to aggravate the bone. Wish I knew so I could avoid it.
Leah, this was NOT your fault nor your doing. Once in a while it does happen that an implant loosens. I myself am in that situation now. One of my knee implants is loose and the likelihood is that I have have to have it revised. I'm not looking forward to it either but in truth, the revision won't be as harsh an experience as the original joint replacement itself.
The thought of another surgery upsets me mostly because I work full time and used so much of my accrued time already and then there is the financial burden of another surgery.
Oh that is a worry! I'm beginning to wish I'd not mentioned it now but I believe in being honest with people about these things. I'm so sorry I've upset you.
 
@Josephine
I didn't mean I did something to cause the loose stem I meant this spell last night and today of a lot of pain. Some days are ok and when they are not I wonder why.
I appreciate you honesty. I belong to a few Facebook pages and I get upset when people tell others post op is always sunshine and rainbows. I tell them plan for the worst but hope for the best. Time to take my own advice.
 
I walked around with a loose femoral stem for some number of years before I finally had a revision this January. It was misdiagnosed as bursitis until the stem came completely loose in November 2018. At that time, I needed crutches to get around comfortably while waiting for surgery.

I felt some of the same things you have mentioned -- thigh pain, pain doing leg lifts, and intermittent pain causing a limp. I also had "start up" pain when first getting up in the morning until the loose stem sort of seated itself again into my femur.

I unexpectedly fell three different times in the last year when the loose stem shifted (during a twisting motion) causing my hip joint to give way and land me on the ground!

The hip revision has actually been an easier recovery than the primary THR I think because only the stem was being replaced. It is wonderful to finally have a hip that feels solid and stable. It feels better now than the original THR ever did! I hope you do not need a revision but if you do, I wish you the best possible outcome and relief of your pain. There is life after revision!
 
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@prairienut After reading yours and Bionicbutt stories I am not as worried if I have to have a revision. I am glad from looking at BB's photos that my cable is different and looks smaller. I think my issue is pain while waiting and hoping the bone will tighten around the bone.
 
Ok I looked again at my x-ray of cables and they still don't look like they would be comfortable on tissue.
 
After reading Bionicbutt's story and seeing her X-ray with that very uncomfortable looking connector knob on her cerclage cable, I asked to see my X-rays during my OS appointment last Thursday. As part of the revision, my OS added a single cable loop to protect the femur from fracture. The front view of my x-ray shows just the wire and no connector. The side view shows a low-profile, smooth connector at the back of the femur where it will not interfere with any tendons. It has not caused any discomfort so far. I noticed in your x-ray that there are what appear to be clipped cable ends visible. I wonder if those could be causing some of your soft tissue pain. Worth asking.
 
It's nice to read you're not as worried.
Whatever the solution, you'll handle it well I'm sure and finally move forward without pain.
I'm happy you've found some commaraderie here. I hope it's comforting.
@Leahdp
 
@Leahdp When is your next follow-up with the surgeon? I'm sure they will need another x-ray to confirm if there is bone growth.
 
@Jaycey Saw him last week. He told me it should resolve itself in 6 to 9 months. He took xrays. That is the xray in my previous posts.
 
No not yet, I trust this surgeon. I assume another surgeon will also tell me to give it time since it has only been 3 months.

I know Josephine says bonding has usually happened by now but I googled how long it takes a femur fracture to heal and it says 3 to 6 months so I am going to give it more time.

He did not say it has not bonded, he just said it has not gotten tight enough at the top yet and that is where the fracture is. I will re-evaluate when I go back to him in May if I am still have the same pain or worse.
 
Happy Monday :hi:
Let's hold out hope. With any luck things will improve.
Best wishes for a great week!
@Leahdp
 
@Josephine If you don't mind me asking, I'm curious...
If you were Leah, what would you do?
Is there any harm in her waiting longer, or would you advise she seeks a second opinion with a revision specialist who's totally unrelated to the surgeon's group she went through for her THR?
What is the likelihood of a second Orthopedic surgeon advising Leah to give it more time?
 

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