THR 10 weeks post op getting depressed

[Cattis]

Thank you so much. Since last time I wrote I believe I got a little bit more steady but I still struggle a lot. I have this underlying fear that something is wrong because of threally slow progression (next week I have time booked for x-rays, a standard follow up here). I can walk without aid inside the house now, I do not need to take medicines anymore and I did start to work 2-4 h/day (those few hours really make me totally exhausted though). Outside I still walk with crutches (I walk around 5000 steps/day). I also try to follow the advice to go outside and grab a coffee or do something not-hiporiented a couple of times a week.
Sometimes I try to walk a little bit without crutches outside as well but my leg gets tired very fast so I guess I am just not there yet. Some days, like yesterday, I walked quite a lot (with and without crutches) and felt really happy. All day I had that positive feeling, a feeling of a new strength in my op leg and my life geting back to me. Today when I woke up I immediately felt a tiredness and a little bit of soreness in my op leg. Then all those positive thoughts quickly merged to negative ones and today has been another hard day to manage. This journey is really a rollercoaster.
When I have walked a lot I still feel tender and swollen in a part of my op leg. It feels like a bruise inside the body. I really hope this travel of my new hip will get a little bit more easy soon. It’s getting to me….

 

[Cattis]

@Layla I do not understand how to post replies correctly I believe but I do want to add that I think this forum is really great in so many ways!

 

[Layla]

You just posted a message and you did it perfectly.
We thank you for your kind words in regard to the forum.
We’re happy you joined us and hope you continue to participate and share your journey here. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions in regard to using the forum, we’re here to help.
Enjoy your day!
@Cattis

 

[Layla]

Cattis,
I understand your anxiety in feeling that you’re progressing slowly. Do keep in mind that you are healing from the controlled trauma of major surgery and it can take a full year and even longer for some. So in the entire scheme of things, 12 weeks post op is not that far along. I think it’s great you’re not needing meds and aren’t struggling with pain. As far as the exhaustion goes you're certainly not alone in experiencing that.
Our body's energy supply isn't limitless. So when we're in healing mode after major surgery our energy will be used for healing first, not leaving a great reserve for all the other activity of daily life. It is completely normal to feel tired for quite some time. How long....most likely relates to your body's rate of healing. Making our best effort to get adequate sleep and rest is beneficial. Our body does it's best healing while we're sleeping.

When I have walked a lot I still feel tender and swollen in a part of my op leg

I think the tenderness is normal and my OS told me swelling can last up to six months and even a year for some. We’re all different and we all heal at different rates. I’m sure your x-rays and visit with your OS will reveal all is well and hopefully offer you reassurance putting your mind at ease. I wish you all the best. Please let us know how it goes.
@Cattis

 

[Cattis]

@Layla Thank you once again! I believe you are right in everything you write and will keep your words in mind. Friday it has been 6 weeks since I overdid it last time (I do not know how you say it in english but my OS believe I had a minor rupture/burst in the soft tissues at this point). The OS Said it could take 6-8 weeks for this to heal so maybe the little progress I have noticed the last days is a sign that this period of “soft tissue healing” soon will come to an end. And maybe this will be the start of a more steady progress of my op leg. I surely hope so.

 

[Layla]

You‘re welcome! This recovery takes patience and a lot more for some than others.

I had a minor rupture/burst in the soft tissues at this point). The OS Said it could take 6-8 weeks for this to heal so maybe the little progress I have noticed the last days is a sign that this period of “soft tissue healing” soon will come to an end. And maybe this will be the start of a more steady progress of my op leg. I surely hope so.

Let’s hold that thought. Time is the healer of all. Wishing you peace and comfort.
Hugs

 

[Cattis]

@Layla Msy i ask you a question. Do you think ice and elevation still will do any difference when it comes to swolleness after 3 months ?

 

[Jaycey]

@Cattis Yes, ice and elevation work for many months post surgery. Ice for 45-60 minutes per session, several time per day.

 

[Cattis]

Thank you @Jaycey! I Will do some icing right away

 

[Schaargi]

@Cattis

I'm so sorry you are having a difficult recovery! My fist hip replacement, almost 18 months ago, was very difficult and is not back to normal. In the meantime, my other hip failed and I had my other hip replaced just over a week ago.

While in recovery for my first hip, I got excited when I could do a straight leg lift. I kept showing my friends and family and ended up injuring myself. The injury set me back several weeks, so I know how that goes.

It takes a lot of patience, especially with another injury. Make sure you rest and bring it back slowly, because it won't be rushed!

It will get better. It's just slow.

 

[Cattis]

@Schaargi Yes. Those sets backs are really discouraging. I am sorry that you have experienced it as well and I hope your second recovery will be both easier and faster!

The PT at my op hospital told me that they have been talking about remove exactly the exercise you write about from their “post op training program” for a long time. Today the program says you should do exactely that exercise 3 times a day (8 rep) from day after surgery. I had to stop doing it day 4 since it made my hip hurt. Reading your post I think it is crazy they still recommend it. It must be a really tough exercise for a new hip to handle.

Overdoing is so easy when everything feels good. Right now I believe I am where I was week 7 before my last set back (6 weeks ago). Today I suddenly found myself being able to walk outside only with poles and inside the house I have been able to walk without any aid at all (my PT, who really think we should move slowly forward, said it was ok for me to try). I do not know what happened but maybe it was just time that helped the process moving forward (and the burst in the soft issue that have healed). I will continue to take it very easy. No need to rush anymore and certainly no envie to visit the overdid it club again..
Wishing you the best for your second recovery!

 

[Eman85]

Every one of us and both of our hips are different. For some reason PT's think there is some great reason to do things like leg lifts the day after surgery. With my left I could easily do a leg lift the day after surgery. With my right no possible way that leg would move to lift itself.
With my first THR I was able to move quite well but that set me up for some serious setbacks. My big setback came at 3 mos and I found myself sitting in the chair a lot with ice. Took me 3 weeks to get back to where I was.