Bilateral THR “Oh you brave soul!”<
- Thread starter mannyalfa
- Start date
OP
OP
mannyalfa
junior member
TODAY WAS A GOOD DAY!
It wasn’t pain that woke me up this morning: my incisions itched like crazy. My OS happened to pass by and took a look: healing VERY nicely, that’s why they itch!
AM PT: short walk to the bathroom and try out/practice the bathtub bench
PM PT: Therapist asked ‘What would you like to do?’ I replied ‘I want to a WALK, not hobble or limp, even if it’s only a couple of steps’. Her response was a smile and ‘Good call-let’s go!’ I walked with emphasis in bearing weight on my new hips, and starting to undo years of bad form & compensation **My ‘BAD’ leg now leads when I walk!!** Talk about role reversal!! Then I simply worked on feeling comfortable with my new hips, shifting my weight, changing positions, the just standing without grabbing the walker. It was absolutely great!!
My pain level dropped: tonight I’m cutting my OxyContin dosage in half, they’ll give me more if I need it-totally my call, whatever I’m comfortable with...
My transfer to rehab was postponed one day so they could get me into one of two premier facilities (!)
My big plans for the evening? Poop and a shower: funny how it all boils down to simple pleasures.....
It wasn’t pain that woke me up this morning: my incisions itched like crazy. My OS happened to pass by and took a look: healing VERY nicely, that’s why they itch!
AM PT: short walk to the bathroom and try out/practice the bathtub bench
PM PT: Therapist asked ‘What would you like to do?’ I replied ‘I want to a WALK, not hobble or limp, even if it’s only a couple of steps’. Her response was a smile and ‘Good call-let’s go!’ I walked with emphasis in bearing weight on my new hips, and starting to undo years of bad form & compensation **My ‘BAD’ leg now leads when I walk!!** Talk about role reversal!! Then I simply worked on feeling comfortable with my new hips, shifting my weight, changing positions, the just standing without grabbing the walker. It was absolutely great!!
My pain level dropped: tonight I’m cutting my OxyContin dosage in half, they’ll give me more if I need it-totally my call, whatever I’m comfortable with...
My transfer to rehab was postponed one day so they could get me into one of two premier facilities (!)
My big plans for the evening? Poop and a shower: funny how it all boils down to simple pleasures.....
InkedMarie
post-grad
You sound like you’re doing great!
- Joined
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Great progress + upbeat attitude = success
You're doing great! A pleasure to read your post. I hope it only gets better.
Happy Tuesday to you!
@mannyalfa
You're doing great! A pleasure to read your post. I hope it only gets better.
Happy Tuesday to you!
@mannyalfa
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
PLEASE don't do that. You're only 4 days out, for pity's sake! Keep taking them for at least 3 weeks. At the very least!
OP
OP
mannyalfa
junior member
I upped it to two I'm the middle of the night (the 'pain goblins' come to visit at midnight) otherwise it was good!
BM, shower & shave today: feel like a new man!!
In-patient rehab: Today's the day!!!
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
They sure do!
OP
OP
mannyalfa
junior member
Mojo333
Former BoneSmart Staff Member
One week!
This is when all the adrenaline from all the "yes, I made it" starting wearing off..
And recovery reality started setting in...
Hope you are still doing well?
This is when all the adrenaline from all the "yes, I made it" starting wearing off..
And recovery reality started setting in...
Hope you are still doing well?
OP
OP
mannyalfa
junior member
6 days after surgery and my first trip to the PT/OT gym. Became pretty adept with a wheelchair in not time, so I’m not bedridden anymore (!). Swapped hospital gown for t-shirt and cotton drawstring shorts...
Received an extensive evaluation of physical abilities, flexibility and range of motion.
Today was simple: leg extensions, leg lifts and very light resistance leg presses. Walked with walker 100ft. I can now put most of my weight on my legs. Balance is still an issue, not only do I have new hips, but my OS said they added about an inch of height (!)
Taking Naproxen for pain, which at this point feels like soreness a day after a heavy leg workout, still a little swelling
Received an extensive evaluation of physical abilities, flexibility and range of motion.
Today was simple: leg extensions, leg lifts and very light resistance leg presses. Walked with walker 100ft. I can now put most of my weight on my legs. Balance is still an issue, not only do I have new hips, but my OS said they added about an inch of height (!)
Taking Naproxen for pain, which at this point feels like soreness a day after a heavy leg workout, still a little swelling
Mojo333
Former BoneSmart Staff Member
I am so nervous about NSAIDs this early out!
I have seen alot of members discussing pain and inflammation medication, and I have always attributed NSAIDS to be the best for alleviating these issues Pre and Post op.
Honestly, before my surgery nothing helped so thank goodness I stopped all medication.
Josephine told me early on in my recovery Tylenol was a better choice.
I am constantly reading confirmations through research that NSAIDS are not a good choice for recovering hip patients.
FYI - an excerpt:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0300060517732697
Postoperative drugs
Painkillers are frequently used by patients with hip osteoarthritis. In our experience, most of these drugs are represented by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs are the least safe of painkillers in terms of osseointegration. NSAIDs impair the osseointegration process of titanium implants by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2. This results in decreased levels of prostaglandins, which are important in promoting inflammation and supply of bone-formation cells. Therefore, we suggest choosing acetaminophen (paracetamol) for mild to moderate pain and opioids for severe pain in patients following total hip replacement.
I have seen alot of members discussing pain and inflammation medication, and I have always attributed NSAIDS to be the best for alleviating these issues Pre and Post op.
Honestly, before my surgery nothing helped so thank goodness I stopped all medication.
Josephine told me early on in my recovery Tylenol was a better choice.
I am constantly reading confirmations through research that NSAIDS are not a good choice for recovering hip patients.
FYI - an excerpt:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0300060517732697
Postoperative drugs
Painkillers are frequently used by patients with hip osteoarthritis. In our experience, most of these drugs are represented by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs are the least safe of painkillers in terms of osseointegration. NSAIDs impair the osseointegration process of titanium implants by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2. This results in decreased levels of prostaglandins, which are important in promoting inflammation and supply of bone-formation cells. Therefore, we suggest choosing acetaminophen (paracetamol) for mild to moderate pain and opioids for severe pain in patients following total hip replacement.
OP
OP
mannyalfa
junior member
Occupational Therapy in the afternoon: got my 'hip kit' (dressing stick, grabber, long shoehorn and sponge-on-a-stick) I had bought everything except the shoehorn long ago when my hips really deteriorated. Went really smooth: upper body strength is good.
I can't believe I have bionic hips!!! I mean, as far as I'm concerned, they knocked me out (GA, no block) I woke up four hours after someone gave me two small slices on the front of my hips and then pummeled the heck out of my thighs.
But seriously, I look forward to seeing my post-op x-rays...
I can't sit in one spot or position for too long: I get antsy! At night I can't get comfortable in bed to sleep, but I can get in and out of bed by myself.
I was given the option of back-to back PT/OT today. They added pedaling: pedals moved, I just had to hang on-I haven’t been able to do that in years. Walked about 150 ft with a walker, longest yet. Occupational Therapy included upper body work, which actually felt good.
Got the rest of the day off: asked Nurse for a few minutes of fresh air when the Sun’s a little lower on the horizon (92 degrees in Miami today)
They changed my dressing today: nurse surprised how quickly it’s healing. Took a glimpse and it’s hard to believe it’s a week old!
I have one PT session tomorrow and Sunday off.
Appetite is back and bathroom habits are pretty much business-as usual.
They’re transitioning me to Tylenol for pain and aspirin for blood this weekend.
My soreness right now is more from the workout than anything else. I’m pretty independent in my room, I really don’t need assistance at this point: can dress, shower and use the bathroom by myself.
As far as wishing I could fast-forward life: I was SO wrong. Modern Medicine put all this hardware inside me, but I have to take ownership of it all: body & soul-there are NO shortcuts! To those of you who haven’t been through this yet: embrace it all, the good and the bad...
I can't believe I have bionic hips!!! I mean, as far as I'm concerned, they knocked me out (GA, no block) I woke up four hours after someone gave me two small slices on the front of my hips and then pummeled the heck out of my thighs.
But seriously, I look forward to seeing my post-op x-rays...
I can't sit in one spot or position for too long: I get antsy! At night I can't get comfortable in bed to sleep, but I can get in and out of bed by myself.
I was given the option of back-to back PT/OT today. They added pedaling: pedals moved, I just had to hang on-I haven’t been able to do that in years. Walked about 150 ft with a walker, longest yet. Occupational Therapy included upper body work, which actually felt good.
Got the rest of the day off: asked Nurse for a few minutes of fresh air when the Sun’s a little lower on the horizon (92 degrees in Miami today)
They changed my dressing today: nurse surprised how quickly it’s healing. Took a glimpse and it’s hard to believe it’s a week old!
I have one PT session tomorrow and Sunday off.
Appetite is back and bathroom habits are pretty much business-as usual.
They’re transitioning me to Tylenol for pain and aspirin for blood this weekend.
My soreness right now is more from the workout than anything else. I’m pretty independent in my room, I really don’t need assistance at this point: can dress, shower and use the bathroom by myself.
As far as wishing I could fast-forward life: I was SO wrong. Modern Medicine put all this hardware inside me, but I have to take ownership of it all: body & soul-there are NO shortcuts! To those of you who haven’t been through this yet: embrace it all, the good and the bad...
Windsong
junior member
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2018
- Messages
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- 72
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- Female
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- United States
Glad you're doing so well. Thanks for posting your experience. My surgery isn't until 10/23 but I'm so glad I found this website because it helped me to reset my expectations. I've learned so much from all the people who post their experiences in going through recovery. Even the pre-op side of this is rather enlightening for me - I'm having more up/down moments than I thought I would have but am learning to just accept it, embrace it and know that there is rejuvenation on the other side!
By the way - I'm north of you - in Tallahassee (where it's been hot and rainy most days). At least I have cooler weather to look forward to for my recovery in October!
By the way - I'm north of you - in Tallahassee (where it's been hot and rainy most days). At least I have cooler weather to look forward to for my recovery in October!
OP
OP
mannyalfa
junior member
Windsong: Anticipation is really the worst part of it because the experience is different for everyone, I can describe it for you, but only you can feel it!
I had my little panic attacks before surgery but they passed.
I was very calm the day of surgery: it was kind of ‘surreal’
As graphic as it sounds, remember that there is a VERY good reason why your joint replaced: consider the alternative! Any other time in history, most of us here would have indeed ended up bedridden for life. There is a better ‘you’ on the horizon, and this is your quickest path to get there!
Even a sinking ship feels secure until the water comes up to your neck!
I’m an ‘average’ person, no better or worse than anyone else here: if I can do it, anyone can!
‘This too shall pass!!”
I had my little panic attacks before surgery but they passed.
I was very calm the day of surgery: it was kind of ‘surreal’
As graphic as it sounds, remember that there is a VERY good reason why your joint replaced: consider the alternative! Any other time in history, most of us here would have indeed ended up bedridden for life. There is a better ‘you’ on the horizon, and this is your quickest path to get there!
Even a sinking ship feels secure until the water comes up to your neck!
I’m an ‘average’ person, no better or worse than anyone else here: if I can do it, anyone can!
‘This too shall pass!!”
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Mojo333
Former BoneSmart Staff Member
Right?! Like they use your legs for punching bags! Felt exactly same.
My legs were super antsy, didn't like to be still, moving..adjusting...uncomfortable...will be worth all of it..
Hang in there...
OP
OP
mannyalfa
junior member
Night after intensive PT: YEOUCH! This is is workout pain that I haven’t felt since the grueling ‘two-a-day’ football practices in high school. They warned you ‘Don’t lie down between practices!’
Anyway, this pain comes in waves, with pinpoint ‘jabs’ between hips and knees. These are muscles, tendons & ligaments that haven’t moved properly (if at all) in years.....
This will probably happen again as I progress through PT/OT, hopefully with less & less severity...
Since I’m off opioid painkillers, my digestive system is back to business-as-usual. My appetite is back to normal.
Speaking of ‘back to normal’, now that I am more mobile and independent, I insist on establishing a daily routine of dressing & personal hygiene: shower/shave before breakfast, brush before PT, ask for a hospital gown at night to use as PJ’s: t-shirt and shorts are for day/workout wear. Wash up & brush before bed just like at home. It’s easy to allow a hospital/rehab stay to become a continuous ‘pajama party’. I think this is an important step to normalcy and make a difference in how you feel-it’s YOUR recovery: take charge where you are able, but let the pros assist you as they’ve been trained & Instructed to do.
At this time 7 days ago I was still sleeping off the Anesthesia: what will life be like 7 days from now??
Anyway, this pain comes in waves, with pinpoint ‘jabs’ between hips and knees. These are muscles, tendons & ligaments that haven’t moved properly (if at all) in years.....
This will probably happen again as I progress through PT/OT, hopefully with less & less severity...
Since I’m off opioid painkillers, my digestive system is back to business-as-usual. My appetite is back to normal.
Speaking of ‘back to normal’, now that I am more mobile and independent, I insist on establishing a daily routine of dressing & personal hygiene: shower/shave before breakfast, brush before PT, ask for a hospital gown at night to use as PJ’s: t-shirt and shorts are for day/workout wear. Wash up & brush before bed just like at home. It’s easy to allow a hospital/rehab stay to become a continuous ‘pajama party’. I think this is an important step to normalcy and make a difference in how you feel-it’s YOUR recovery: take charge where you are able, but let the pros assist you as they’ve been trained & Instructed to do.
At this time 7 days ago I was still sleeping off the Anesthesia: what will life be like 7 days from now??
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