THR 15 September Right joins Left

[DK63]

Hope I am in the right place, generally I find I am not. Anywho, Righty new hip 15th September...to join Lefty October 2018......2pm scheduled...

 

[CricketHip]

Hello @DK63 .
I had my left THR done on Sept. 21st! It was a wonderful time for a recovery, less humid and bright sunshine.
Here are the BoneSmart Recovery Guidelines to peruse -
HIP RECOVERY GUIDELINES

As you begin healing, please keep in mind that each recovery is unique. While the BoneSmart philosophy successfully works for many, there will be exceptions. Between the recommendations found here, your surgeon's recovery protocol and any physical therapy you may engage in, the key is to find what works best for you.

1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary.

2. Control discomfort:

rest​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

3. Do what you want to do BUT

a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you​

b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.​

4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

Activity progression for THRs​

The recovery articles
Pain management and the pain chart
Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of THR recovery
Dislocation risk and 90 degree rule
Energy drain for THRs
Pain and swelling control: elevation is the key
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

BIG TIP: Hips actually don't need any exercise to get better. They do a pretty good job of it all on their own if given half a chance. Trouble is, people don't give them a chance and end up with all sorts of aches and pains and sore spots. All they need is the best therapy which is walking and even then not to excess.

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery. While members may create as many threads as they like in a majority of BoneSmart's forums, we ask that each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.

 

[DK63]

Thank you @CricketHip . I intend to follow the guidelines as learnt (I think) from past mistakes. @Layla pointed me to this section if I understood her correctly so I could open the new thread whilst in theory being in control of my faculties and clear headed......if indeed I ever am. Thanks again for the guidelines.

 

[Layla]

You're welcome here since your surgery is tomorrow. So no worries, I did indeed invite you to join us here today.
I hope the day is a peaceful one for you and you get some sleep overnight. Will be watching for your first post once you're resting comfortably at home.
All the best to you!
@DK63

 

[CricketHip]

Of course you belong here! I guess I still think it’s early August!!
Wishing you the best for tomorrow.

 

[Mojo333]

Please leave your "work ethic " at the door and practice toning up your patience muscles, dear friend.
Just because we can, doesn't mean we should.
Wore out that baby, time for a new hip and a better quality of life.

 

[DK63]

How dee do dee....am on the other side after Righty posterior....bits still numb from spinal thing but not going anywhere today. Surgeon had a look at Lefty for me and says pains there are definitely muscular. Biggest joy of all, he does not believe in the crazy stockings....so what an absolute relief. Ta for all messages and support....

 

[Mojo333]

Glad to see you here on the Healing Side!
Hope you are able to get home today where you can get more comfy and assume the position

 

[DK63]

Surgery was at 18.30. This morning xrays and then physio. Walker was introduced so a good wander around followed by what about crutches. And then how about some easy exercises, followed by see you in about an hour for qa bit of everything. They arrived an hour later but I was too knackered and in pain. So off they went with
a cheery we can do the exercises In a couple of hours (persistent Eh?). I asked for some ice but was told they only use it for other joints, not hips....anywho, am now on bed with a lovely big ice bag...

 

[Layla]

Yay! You got your way. Atta boy!
I'm curious as to the reason why they only use ice for other joints, but not hips, Hmm?
Safe travels home once they release you. Glad you're off to a good start.
@DK63

 

[Abbylayla]

Congratulations! Very happy to hear your doing well! Hopefully you'll be home soon comfortable in your own environment!

 

[DK63]

So today started for me before 8am with one of the team of physios (all about 12 years old) announcing that I would be going home...strangely enough I had not seen this one, but she said she saw me coming back from the toilet/john/restroom and that I was walking well. Approximate distance of walk 2 metres, 6 yards. The Staff Nurse said to her she couldn't make a decision like that and the staff nurse preferred I stay another night to monitor everything. Upshot is going home tomorrow......Some pains that are easing and short walks doing me good, including the stair test. No bruising at all around incision site . Onwards and upwards, sideways whatever....

 

[Layla]

(all about 12 years old)

That one made me laugh.

Sounds like you're doing well.
Safe travels home tomorrow. Keep in touch so we can follow your progress.
@DK63

 

[DK63]

Thank you @Layla . At home since yesterday afternoon. Leg and thigh swollen up as to be expected. On the pain meds on the clock, do my blood thinner jabbing (22 days to go) , been backwards and forwards in our tiny house, mainly unsuccessful trips to bathroom. Senna being taken. Not comparing any of it with the other one, work surgeon did seems nice (,pic displayed on hippy scars). So, all I have to do is be patient....well that seems really easy to achieve

 

[Layla]

Glad you made it home safely! Hope you're resting comfortably in your own space.

Leg and thigh swollen up as to be expected

ICE and ELEVATION will certainly help with the swelling. Let me share something on elevation
The lymphatic system rids the body of fluid (swelling). In elevating, fluid from the hip area or lower extremities is gravitationally pulled toward the lymph nodes in the torso area to be processed more quickly. The lymphatic system works rather slowly on its own so elevating assists in speeding up the process. The fluid isn't draining into the hips, it's contained within the lymph system and moving to the torso and lymph nodes located there.

Hope you sleep well tonight!

 

[DK63]

I was open and honest when in hospital and gave all the staff there a clue to my mood by my choice of pyjama top

 

[DK63]

One week gone. Definitely the worst day so far. Pain level very high and meds just keeping on top of it. Thigh, calf and foot swollen. Pain in incision site and thigh when walking, just around the house, bathroom, kitchen. Getting some relief from icing and elevating but I guess a bad day is a really bad day. Hoping it sorts itself out soon as am finding it very difficult.

 

[Layla]

I'm sorry you're having such a bad day. Wondering if you were a bit more active yesterday and you're suffering for it today? If you're doing any new exercises, or Physio, that may be the cause. Please consider dialing it back if you are. If not, ice, rest and elevation is your best bet for relief. You can ice as often and for as long as you like, just make sure you place fabric between the ice source and bare skin. I hope you're feeling better tomorrow.
@DK63

 

[DK63]

Hi @Layla ....don't think I overdid it really but if you analyse the whole day I could probably find something and that was standing wash for about 20 mins so could have been it. Since then, some pain, some swelling, bruising coming out. Have been able to walk about house with just one crutch without overdoing it. However, today, bit of a setback re pain. So icing, elevating and hoping. Am due at hospital Thursday for them to check the wound and obligatory visit with the physios....that won't take long as I have already told them what I am prepared/not prepared to do. I would say that Lefty took me the best part of a year to be absolutely brilliant so I will not be pushing Righty to where it does not want to go.

 

[DK63]

Oops, nearly forgot...had my first phone call about why are you still on crutches, my wife stopped pain meds, ditched all aids and won the London Marathon 3 days after her THR whilst carrying an oven, fridge freezer and anvil on her back. This used to be really annoying after my last Hip op but I have a new stance. So when I was told that his wife ditched aids and meds after 3 days this was my reply (feel free to use it if you wish?). For my hip replacement, we agreed with the surgical team a very light sedative as they were all invited to a party and pressed for time. So they asked me to finish off the stitches, clean the wounds, put my leg back in the right place, which I happily agreed to do. Then I swabbed down the operating theatre, got dressed and walked 7 miles to my home and was back participating in a kick boxing contest the next morning.