Bilateral THR 13.5 Weeks Post Bi-Lateral THR - Can't walk on concrete

[lillypie]

Hi Gang!

I’ve been lurking in this site for months and it’s been the most valuable parts of this process - so thank you.

I’m 6 weeks post bilateral THR. It’s coming along; I guess. 40/F/Posterior.

It’s becoming more fluid to walk; doesn’t feel as much like I’m balancing on stilts. PT is very light but has helped tremendously with figuring out my gait. Their assessment is I’m ahead of the curve.

My primary concern is when I’m sitting at my desk for work. I’ve been working from the couch as much as possible as a short term solution but it’s really not a long term strategy.

I was cleared to go back to work after two weeks but there was no way I could. I came back after 3; which was still a week too early.

There is a strong pinching sensation in the groin on both sides right along the pubic bone. I’m basically only able to sit for an hour before it turns into actual pain.

(That’s maybe one hour a day sitting at the desk, tops. And even then not possible consecutive days in a row)

I’ve tried adjusting my chair, positioning, etc. have all the fancy tools. Nothing is helping and I’ve really seen no progress yet in this area.

Obviously I’m freaking out as I need to work in order to live.

I swear it feels like I can feel something pointy there or something; but I know the mind can do this when we’re scared. (And yes, after 10 months of excruciating pain that led me here I am scared right now)

I have a surgical follow up tomorrow but would appreciate everyone’s insights. Is this normal?

I keep telling myself it was my weakest area before surgery so it’ll take the longest to heal; but I’m not sure how much longer I can believe it.

Thank you!

 

[Jaycey]

@lillypie Welcome to BoneSmart! What was your surgery date? We will put it in your signature for you.

At only 6 weeks out from bilateral surgery it is really way too early to return to work. As you have already discovered, sitting for any length of time is just not something new hips want to do. The recommended time off work post just a single THR is 10-12 weeks and then a Phased return to work. All you should be doing right now is resting, icing and elevating. Short walks to avoid stiffness.

Is it possible for you to work from home in these early days?

 

[lillypie]

Hi there!

Surgery date was 5/19.

I should have clarified I am working from home. (I’m in IT)

Unfortunately I work for a company that isn’t based in the US, so there is no formal short term leave policy and therefore no “phased return to work” plan.

I have flexibility over my work hours to a degree - so I’m couching it up as much as I can. I’ll sit with ice packs and my legs elevated and just use my laptop. Probably around 90 percent working from the couch.

However, the reality is to actually be effective and get work done I need to be at a desk. (It’s nuanced work)

I’ve been in survival mode for a very long time prior to surgery. Ive gotten pretty good at it (sadly) at this point but I’m really looking forward to getting out of it!

The good news is that it seems that this isn’t a huge setback that I’m fearing it is. Every x-Ray so far shows that it’s “sitting beautifully” and from what you’re saying this should be expected.

I just have to be patient

 

[lillypie]

PS - Thsnk you for reminding me this is still “early days” - feels like an eternity to me!

 

[Lupyhippie]

Yikes!! Good grief!! You had a Bilateral and you are up already working !! This in itself is a feat. Your groin pain could be a number of things but check w your drs office. When you actually SEE what goes on in a THR, it’s intense. While under anesthesia they are rolling you, chopping, hammering and cutting. ITS A LOT!! And your poor body went thru it TWICE!! So give yourself some love. I can’t imagine what country you are working for that would be more restrictive than the US as we are normally near the bottom w regards to workplace flexibility, but you need more recovery time. I remember w my R THR 4 years ago that yes I was strong and have a high pain tolerance BUT I would be just wiped out when I did anything. Like a shower for example. I’d end up having a 2 hour nap. So just take more time to heal. Even sitting up right on your sofa is a lot. You need to try to still lay flat. Maybe on your side in your bed w your laptop in front. You don’t want your hips to be in that bent position for so long. The pain very well might be telling you that it’s too soon to sit that long. There’s a big muscle that wraps over the top of your pubic bone and goes up towards the inside of your body and connects to your diaphragm. My best guess (only as a nurse knowing some anatomy) is the pain may be coming from there. I actually had that same type of psi when I was pregnant twice. Both times as soon as the baby was out the pain was gone. So that’s why it makes me think that sitting vs lying is putting too much pressure on that round ligament which probably was stretched out during your surgery. Good luck to you but please try to be kind to yourself. You want a good future w these new devices; it’s just a few weeks more and you will be so happy you had this done.
That being said on 7/15 you can remind me of my own words when I try to do too much. Patience is not my middle name either. I found the example given here to be good bc it gave me something to visualize :https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/energy-drain-for-thrs.12415/

Good luck.
Lisa

RTHR 6/14/19. LTHR 7/14/23.

 

[Jaycey]

Thank you for reminding me this is still “early days” - feels like an eternity to me!

Yes indeed - very early days! IT work is definitely desk based. But unfortunately it's not hip friendly at this stage. Be good to yourself! And remember - all this is temporary! You got both hips replaced so all is done and dusted. All that is needed now is patience and time.

I'm going to tag my colleague @Mojo333 who also had BTHR. She has an extremely active job and is back to living life again. She might have some tips for you in these early days.

 

[lillypie]

Yikes!! Good grief!! You had a Bilateral and you are up already working !!

Thank you so much for the empathy and the information. I’m glad the reminder will be good for you. I’m not only trying to work but I live alone so all of the general maintenance of life falls to me as well. Of course I’m letting things slip and following some of the supportive guidelines I see here but … still. It’s a lot. Two flights of stairs to bring down trash, etc.

you’ve given me huge peace of mind that it’s probably not a huge concern / something wrong. Just more time in survival mode, I guess. Sigh.

 

[Jaycey]

Can you get a neighbour or friend to come and help with things like taking out the trash, light cleaning, etc? Or hire a teenager for a few hours per week. Even a local church might be able to find a volunteer for you.

 

[ljpviper]

I work from home IT as well. Sitting at a desk at 90 degrees is stressing your hip flexors. I usually lay at an angle on my bed with the laptop on holder in front of me. Works great and keeps the pressure off your hips.

 

[Mojo333]

Hi @lillypie
Good to have you on the forum, my "Both at Once" pal.

These first months recovering and adjusting can certainly be trying on our bodies and our psyche.
The reassurance and support I received here certainly helped during my recovery.

All Temporary became an important daily mantra....

I was cleared to go back to work after two weeks but there was no way I could. I came back after 3; which was still a week too early

About 3 or 4 weeks too early, in reality...but the success and prevalence of this life reclaiming surgery somehow has created an environment where the long term recovery struggles seem to be downplayed by our surgeons.
Can you get back to work early?
Yep.
Good idea? Probably not.
Neither here nor there at this point, but it is a struggle and good news is... you are All Done.

My primary concern is when I’m sitting at my desk for work. I’ve been working from the couch as much as possible as a short term solution but it’s really not a long term strategy.

It sounds like you are icing alot.... a definite must and plus for helping aleviate the internal inflammation and doing all you can right now to change positions when needed.

There is a strong pinching sensation in the groin on both sides right along the pubic bone. I’m basically only able to sit for an hour before it turns into actual pain

This was a normal sensation for me when in a sitting position for very long, but fortunately with my job (that I went back to too early too) I had more opportunity to move about when needed.
Short walks were absoutely helpful but at this stage, I honestly had to change positions constantly
Recliner, bed, couch, walks ....

I swear it feels like I can feel something pointy there or something; but I know the mind can do this when we’re scared. (And yes, after 10 months of excruciating pain that led me here I am scared right now)

I was in chronic pain and sleep deprived leading up to my BTHR.
How you feel now, is not how you will feel in a few weeks, and then in a few months...
But this longterm recovery will likely bring travelling pains, niggles, and annoyances for this next year.

It gets better and better and is worth all of it in the end.
I am six years post-op and am healthy and strong and glad to have new hips.

Keep the faith, my friend!

 

[lillypie]

Hi @lillypie
Good to have you on the forum, my "Both at Once" pal.

These first months recovering and adjusting can certainly be trying on our bodies and our psyche.
The reassurance and support I received here certainly helped during my recovery.

All Temporary became an important daily mantra....

I was cleared to go back to work after two weeks but there was no way I could. I came back after 3; which was still a week too early

About 3 or 4 weeks too early, in reality...but the success and prevalence of this life reclaiming surgery somehow has created an environment where the long term recovery struggles seem to be downplayed by our surgeons.
Can you get back to work early?
Yep.
Good idea? Probably not.
Neither here nor there at this point, but it is a struggle and good news is... you are All Done.

My primary concern is when I’m sitting at my desk for work. I’ve been working from the couch as much as possible as a short term solution but it’s really not a long term strategy.

It sounds like you are icing alot.... a definite must and plus for helping aleviate the internal inflammation and doing all you can right now to change positions when needed.

There is a strong pinching sensation in the groin on both sides right along the pubic bone. I’m basically only able to sit for an hour before it turns into actual pain

This was a normal sensation for me when in a sitting position for very long, but fortunately with my job (that I went back to too early too) I had more opportunity to move about when needed.
Short walks were absoutely helpful but at this stage, I honestly had to change positions constantly
Recliner, bed, couch, walks ....

I swear it feels like I can feel something pointy there or something; but I know the mind can do this when we’re scared. (And yes, after 10 months of excruciating pain that led me here I am scared right now)

I was in chronic pain and sleep deprived leading up to my BTHR.
How you feel now, is not how you will feel in a few weeks, and then in a few months...
But this longterm recovery will likely bring travelling pains, niggles, and annoyances for this next year.

It gets better and better and is worth all of it in the end.
I am six years post-op and am healthy and strong and glad to have new hips.

Keep the faith, my friend!

Thank you so much for the kindness and reassurance it gets better. I, too, had a hell of a horrible ride for 10 months leading up to the surgery - and I’m hindsight this is nothing compared to that!

I admittedly don’t change positions often enough - I either recline or sit; recline or sit. I can definitely work on that! I can also take short walks, unless I’m stuck on a conference call.

 

[lillypie]

Can you get a neighbour or friend to come and help with things like taking out the trash, light cleaning, etc? Or hire a teenager for a few hours per week. Even a local church might be able to find a volunteer for you.

I appreciate the suggestion - My neighbors have been really helpful but you know how that is… by 6 weeks you just start to feel like a burden.

They drove me to surgery, picked me up, did my laundry the first few weeks, etc. It was really kind of them.

I actually hate living here… and i just had to resign my lease for a year because I am in no position to move and this came up unexpectedly

Just one more thing added to the MENTAL pain of dealing with this!!

I will definitely look into a housecleaner of some kind. That was a great suggestion!

Thank you,

Lindsay

 

[lillypie]

Hi Everyone!

This forum has been very helpful. I appreciate your insights.

I am now 13.5 weeks post surgery. I had a setback recently that involved a fungal infection that required surgery to remove; which was completed two weeks ago today.

I assume that hindered some healing on my part. When I woke up from sinus surgery I felt like I had been pushed back 3 weeks in my recovery as far as limping, flexion, and general pain were concerned.

This morning I tried to go for a walk outside - just a ten minute walk to get some sun. I couldn't even make it around the block! It's hard to describe the sensation; less pain but just an immediate fatigue and limp. It's particularly prounounced when I am walking on concrete; but will happen on the treadmill at the gym as well.

The same thing happened two weeks ago as well. I can bike for around 35 minutes at the gym - but apparently have no stamina for walking.

Like many here I was very active prior to surgery - It's quite disheartening to be not be able to partake in the simple pleasure of taking a walk. So far the surgeon's input is that everything looks fine - I am pushing for another evaluation.

I am doing standard PT and they are growing concerned with this; along with the fact that I still have a pinching sensation in the hips that prevents me from using my desk at work. (currently typing this from my laptop on the couch - very annoying!)

This obviously has me a bit freaked out - especially as I will be starting a new job soon that I am very much looking forward to. It will require me to drive and visit clients; and i worry about my ability to do all these tasks.

If anyone has words of wisdom or support I would greatly appreciate it. I thought I would be way beyond this stage in my recovery at 3.5 months. Thank you!

 

[Jaycey]

Like many here I was very active prior to surgery - It's quite disheartening to be not be able to partake in the simple pleasure of taking a walk.

You have just had major surgery and are fighting off infection. Please reset your expectations for this recovery. It really doesn't matter how active you were before surgery. You need to allow those hips time to heal. You are only 3.5 months into a process that may take 12 months or longer. Relax, baby those hips for now and remember that this is all temporary. You will get back to doing all the activities you love after those hips are healed.

 

[lillypie]

Thanks Jacey

Like many here I was very active prior to surgery - It's quite disheartening to be not be able to partake in the simple pleasure of taking a walk.

You have just had major surgery and are fighting off infection. Please reset your expectations for this recovery. It really doesn't matter how active you were before surgery. You need to allow those hips time to heal. You are only 3.5 months into a process that may take 12 months or longer. Relax, baby those hips for now and remember that this is all temporary. You will get back to doing all the activities you love after those hips are healed.

Thank you for taking the time to read through my post. I will try to keep my head up and stay reassured. I’m just so tired of being in survival mode.

 

[myglasshalffull]

As much as you want to get back at normalcy, the hips will have to heal. By pushing yourself you are adding to your recovery time. If you read guidelines hips don't need much other than TIME to heal properly. That and walking. Sitting in a chair for any length of time in early days is tough. If you read any of our posts most had trouble sitting in one spot for too long. For me, standing or laying down worked best. I limited car rides as well as having visitors. Loved having company but explained I couldn't sit at table and chat for hours. Come over, let's eat and talk but by 7PM I need to go lay down.
A good friend of mine had his replacement in May and we visited July 4th weekend and his wife explained we could come at 2PM but by 5PM he had to lay down. No need to explain to me, I had same experience.
I was also extremely active prior to my hip surgery, walked 3 miles a day, volunteered at dog rescue several days a week and worked 2-3 shifts at very busy restaurant. New hips don't care! I fell and fractured my hip. Hated it but it happened. You will experience bouts of depression. All goes with this journey we are on.
All my best.

 

[Mojo333]

Hi my double hippy friend
Both at Once is quite a recovery journey (was for me) and I think possibly harder for fitter folks because they jump back into rehab mode too soon.
Not sure how long you have been back to gym with treadmill and cycling but I found that oft times it never seemed to bother me until later... making it hard to edit oneself.

Are you still icing? That is an amazing recovery protocol after activity.
I went to work (too early) requiring lots of standing and walking on concrete and new shoes were a must for me.
It felt so good to move about without the former bone crunching pain, but that still healing soft tissue can be easily angered and unfortunately patience is required.

Maybe you would consider dropping or limiting gym activity for a few weeks and try to just take multiple short walks per day with icing in between so you can get back on track.

 

[lillypie]

That’s a great suggestion - I’ve completely stopped icing after doing it religiously for so long prior to surgery and the first month post-op.

I can definitely try replacing the gym with short walks - Honestly being able to be outside and moving would do just as much for my mental health as a good gym day. Probably more so.

I have PT this afternoon; I’m going to bring it up. We’re spending the first half of PT doing dry needling anyway - it’s a good time to address the walking concern.

 

[lillypie]

As much as you want to get back at normalcy, the hips will have to heal. By pushing yourself you are adding to your recovery time. If you read guidelines hips don't need much other than TIME to heal properly. That and walking. Sitting in a chair for any length of time in early days is tough. If you read any of our posts most had trouble sitting in one spot for too long. For me, standing or laying down worked best. I limited car rides as well as having visitors. Loved having company but explained I couldn't sit at table and chat for hours. Come over, let's eat and talk but by 7PM I need to go lay down.
A good friend of mine had his replacement in May and we visited July 4th weekend and his wife explained we could come at 2PM but by 5PM he had to lay down. No need to explain to me, I had same experience.
I was also extremely active prior to my hip surgery, walked 3 miles a day, volunteered at dog rescue several days a week and worked 2-3 shifts at very busy restaurant. New hips don't care! I fell and fractured my hip. Hated it but it happened. You will experience bouts of depression. All goes with this journey we are on.
All my best.

Thank you for the kind words. It really helps to be reminded I’m not alone …