THR Charlie's RTHR Recovery Thread

To be honest, I think the PT rom movements hurt the muscles and fascia in operative calf, thigh, and hip. Leg was improving until they began obsessing on rom.
 
Not to make light of any ROM measurement, but THIS was not an issue during my recovery and it improved over time.
I have no issues at almost six years out... I did at 3 months, 6 months, even I year and am better now than at 2 year mark.
Jaycey's post was regarding flexion and Rom improving for Knee Replacement members, but the premise is the same...
Where you are now is not where you can be if you are patient, mindful, and allow your body to heal... not only from joint replacement, but from the time pre-op where likely you suffered from bad ROM, bad posture, bad gait... Lots of muscles and tendons involved in both postop and pre-op.
 
Hi, @Charlie33 , just checking in. I know you've been feeling frustrated with your progress...how are you doing today? :SUNsmile:
 
Well second trip of planes trains automobiles to see Philly…fairing better than last trip but still amazing how much endurance doing things we take for granted (like walking around a city doing 10-15k steps, standing for hours etc). takes. Humbling.
 
Hi Charlie :wave:
It’s only been three months so I’m not surprised that the activity is causing you to feel depleted. I hope you’re having a good time. Stay safe, rest when you’re able and enjoy!
@Charlie33
 
Oh, hey, it does sound like your second excursion is going better than your first. I know that feeling of being humbled when your body says, "Uh....how about NO. How about we have a nice sit NOW?" Maybe some Philly cheesesteaks will help with the fatigue? ;)
 
Hi @Charlie33 , the 3-month point was very rough for me personally. It was like one step forward, two steps back. I didn't have just post-op blues. I had post-op doom and gloom.

But at 4 months, there has been a real turnaround. I mowed my grass yesterday and am experiencing no next-day pain. We've shared a lot of the same nasty issues in recovery, so try not to be too down or hard on yourself. THR recovery is just plain weird...I feel sure you'll turn a corner soon!
 
Layla @Merrimay @thepuckhead

Three months! Thanks for the kind thoughts.... yeah recovery is just plain weird. Observations for folks googling three month milestone:

- Overall I'd say to anyone reading that persistence and zen, mindful attitude is what wins the day. This is absolutely a game of inches and a marathon versus sprint....you get out of it what you put in. A quiet mind will help your body heal much faster! Easier said than done..

- Exercises and natural movement: don't save all the rehab/exercises for one or two sessions. Think about range and movement over the entire day. One or two movements versus thinking 20 reps on an exercise. A bad hip causes compensation and unnatural movement patterns that need to be reprogrammed, which takes an active mindset. I never thought this way. I thought 'hit the weights or a 20 mile bikeride'. Ha!

- Pain and healing: around 10-12 weeks the 'tightness' near incision seemed to finally fade and allow for better movement. The posterior muscles / glutes just never seemed to loosen up until then, which had me banging my head against wall: the darn thing just needs some time to heal before you can continue to make progress. It's everything you read here over and over but have now personally experienced.

Wishing all a healthy hippster day!
 
You seem to be doing well at three months, Charlie. Thanks for updating progress here for the benefit of those following behind. I was a lurker with a bad hip before I came out of the shadows and joined the forum on the eve of my surgery, but it was updates like yours that I sought out in an effort to gather up the courage to schedule my surgery. So again, thanks for sharing your recovery journey with us.
@Charlie33
 
@Charlie33
I like your wise observations. It seems as though you have come to them the hard way. This forum should be a must for anyone undergoing surgery. So many wise comments from people.
 
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UPDATE: Falcon Crest is coming back on cable @thepuckhead! Alert!! LOL. Trying to be as funny as you my hockey playing amigo but impossible....just letting you know I read your posts :)

Ok now down to business. Saw surgeon today. Left THR is like a part of my body. Not perfect, still needs some strength and range work, but overall very happy with outcome.... That said I learned I will need the right done in the next 6 months to two years. Not there *yet* but pain levels on right side are annoying (like under a 3), kind of holding my overall recovery back so will likely get the SI joint injection bandaid and continue with recovery. Not using PT anymore as I think active range of motion exercises far more beneficial that 'STRETCH' till you hurt,.

QUESTION FOR ALL: Do you need to take antibiotics before SI injection as it is 'invasive'? Will ask doc but wanted to see if folks here thought was protocol.

So, kind of a bummer as you just want to recover and move on with your life as now a 'part 2' may be upon me. As I write this not bummed as I think I can really work on getting both sides in a better place and be prepared for it. Also just feel good actually to have information versus dealing with the unknown. Plus huge upside that @Mojo333 and I can be double hippie buddies LOL!!

Onward and upward my friends!
 
@Charlie33 You probably will not need antibiotics for getting a SI injection. Since it is done in a doctor's office under sterile procedures and is not removing anything or opening any blood vessels there would not be the concern of stirring up infection. But do ask your doc anyway. I had a steroid injection in a very painful shoulder joint about 7-8 months after having hip replacements and did not need antibiotics for that though my surgeon did have me taking antibiotic before dental procedures for two years following the hip surgery.

There are many many folks here (and not here) who are double hipped so if/when the other one of yours needs doing you will be in very good company :)
 
Hi, @Charlie33 ! I received an antibiotic injection when I received the guided imagery SI injection, but no rx to continue taking antibiotics. The SI injection was done by a sports medicine specialist in my OS's group. He said he did it in an "abundance of caution," so I assume not all docs do it in those circumstances.

Good luck with the procedure! It really helped me, tho I did follow up with trigger point therapy and dry needling after a few weeks. I am finally walking without a limp or SI pain. :fingersx:
 
I, too, may be joining you as a bilateral hippie. :groan: The only reason I'm not freaked out is because of all the positive stories at bonesmart.
 
I was afraid the SI injection would be painful. But they put in some numbing agent. I "felt " the injection but chatted and made jokes all through it, so it was quite tolerable. :wink:
 
@Merrimay had the SI injection today. Took 4 antibiotic horsepills I have for dentist. Not indicated but why not!

Flouro image guided done by an interventional radiologist…. Like you pressure and a bit of pinching but no big deal…saw image after and how precise the injection is in center of joint. Was told this is way to go even for hip steroid injection as results go from good to excellent under guided image.. also they say to chill for 24 hours. Not bedrest just let everything settle down.

will report back for benefit of allas of now pain free, all good…. Green beer anyone? lol
 
Good news, @Charlie33! The image guided SI injection was the first post-op intervention that really helped me. Definitely rest up for a day, then give it some time. I saw the biggest improvement in about 6 days.
Green beer is definitely in order, too! :beer:
 

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