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2 week post-op Recovery Report~mediocre

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Sofa King

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Hi All!

I've spoken to a few of you in the past week or so, I'm Dalton, "LawDawg's" husband; thought I'd go ahead and make my own user name and account.
Well, it's been 2 weeks today since my Left THR, and I wanted to post how I'm feeling and progressing, for the benefit of others who are about to have the same procedure, and those who are recovering too, for comparison.

Lets see... I'm still stuck in the recliner, but I am able to rise without assistance, (except the walker). I'm still very stiff, slightly swollen in the left ankle, knee, and especially the left buttock area. (The Wife says I've got a "Bedonk-a-donk"- LOL). For about 10 days after surgery, I had a clear yellow drainage from near the incision site, but it has since stopped X2 days ago. My OS put me on a week of Keflex and 20 days of Levaquin due to the discharge, just in case. My pain level has dropped to about a 3 or 4, but if I go more than 5 hours without my next Percocet 10's, it rises again to about a 6. I'm also taking 25mg of Phenergan for nausea from the Percs, and 10mg of Flexeril for muscle spasms, which are still quite active, especially while sleeping. I'm sorry to say I haven't been getting much PT; the Phisiotherapist whom I met last week has been out to the house once, and was supposed to pass me off to another PT while he was out of town, but I haven't heard from anyone else. I know, I know, I AM responsible for keeping up with the PT, but it's really hard to motivate myself without someone else making me do it. I have been getting up and walking with the walker 3-4 times a day, but 10 minutes is about the max before I'm exhaused. Oh yeah, for those of you who are wondering, I'm a 38 y/o male Deputy Sheriff, I was in fairly decent shape before the surgery, but do have hypertension, and about 40lbs overweight. (5' 11", 240lbs). No other medical problems. My surgery was from avascular necrosis due to extended deep compression dives as a commercial diver in the 90's, but I didn't have any symptoms until about 90 days prior to the diagnosis and operation. The Doc said my necrosis was quite advanced, and involved the total femoral head. I suspect I've also got "thrush"; a lack of good bacteria on my tongue that makes food taste bad or tasteless, probable from all the meds. I started drinking Dannon pro biotic yoghurt drinks yesterday on the advise of Josephine, and it seems to be helping; my taste buds are coming back slowly. Other than that, I seem to be doing fairly well. Based on my current progress, I estimate that I'll be able to drive and return to work light duty (seated only) by the middle or end of July. I know some of you, folks quite a bit older than me, have had less trouble recovering than I, but I guess it's different for everyone. I'm still very positive, and hope that I'll never have to replace this prosthetic or get the Right hip done! I surely don't want to go through this again! I'm really looking forward to sleeping in a bed again, and I've always slept in a fetal position, alternating sides throughout the night. Since the surgery I've had to sleep on my back in a recliner, and it's been difficult (especially on my buttbone. Yet, I've had some relief by sitting on an inflatable donut).

I met with my OS about 4 days ago, and he gave me paper copies of my post-op x-rays. I wasn't sure what exactly my prosthetic was composed of, and he said I have a cross-poly acetabulum cup, a ceramic ball, and a titanium post. What a combo! I was amazed at the x-ray too, the post is HUGE! It goes over 20 centimeters down into the femoral shaft, almost to my knee! I had seen a few post-op pix online, and none of them were as long as mine. I hope it lasts me... I don't plan on running or jogging regularly anymore, but DO intend to swim, bike, and lift weights again eventually.

Can anyone tell me if it's OK to sleep on my side(s), as long as I use the wedge pillow and don't cross my legs? Is that a hip precaution, or just based on the pain I feel when doing so? How long will it be before I can safely cross my legs or bend at the waist greater than 90 degrees? My incision is mostly healed, and the sutchers have been removed. Thanks for any replies, and I'll answer any questions I can, plus I'll post again/update when I'm 3 weeks out.
Thanks,
~Dalton~
 
Hey Dalton,

Love the Sofa King....
I am at 4months post op, 50 years old. I did not even try to move on to the left operated side for a long while. I hurt too bad. I started leaning on to my right side with the pillow between my legs at about 4 or 5 weeks little by little and then no problem. At about 6 weeks I still could not go to the operated side. Took weeks after that. It just felt strange and not comfortable. Now I can sleep on that side for awhile and back on to the right. It's kind of like a ping-pong ball. Funny thing, your hip will let you know when it does not like the position it is in.
The hip precaution with the wedge is to not dislocate the hip. You still have quite a bit of healing to do. And no, I have never been a back sleeper. I have to say, six weeks is when things turned around for me. You just take it one day at a time. We have all been right where you are now. Some of us have healed quicker than others but I am still trying to strengthen my muscle and my advice is getting into outside PT by 6 weeks. I waited until 9. I do the gym/pool four times a week and am still limping but it has gotten so much better. I was in horrible shape before the THR so it will take me twice as long to get back to normal.
You just keep posting. Lots of fun people out there. Talk to you soon..Patty
 
Those first few weeks were pretty hard for me too. I am 5 weeks post op tomorrow, and this weekend, all of a sudden I was feeling really good. I almost feel like my walking is pretty normal. I think that is what they call the gait??? (learning all the lingo!) Anyways, today for the first time, I was able to pull my leg up on the bed and put my own shoe and sock on!! That felt really good. It's funny how little things like that are so exciting to me! I just hope and pray that I don't regress...I have learned from this site, however, that recovery will happen at its own pace, and there will be good days and some bad, but that's OK, I don't have to try and be Superwoman~which is the mind set I had going into all this!
I also did need to start sleeping on my side with the pillow in between legs. That was such a great thing! I still can't sleep on my bad side; it still puts too much pressure on the incision and kind of hurts. But I've read many posts of people sleeping on it fine.
Good luck,
Bridget
 
Patty and Bridget,



Thanks for the replies, and good advice all... I tried laying in the bed with the wedge pillow between legs then rolling onto Right Hip (non-op side)... BOY, that is DEFINITELY NOT going to work yet... sigh, I guess I'm resigned to this recliner for awhile... Oh well. Maybe I'm asking too much too soon; heck, it's only been 14 days, right? Yes, I think I've got a ways to go yet. I just looked at the clock and realized it's been 4 hours and 20 mins since last Percocet too, and simultaneously noticed that the hip joint is letting me know it, right on time... I went from a 4 to a 6+ in about 30 minutes. Sheesh. I hate to keep taking these, but I guess I'm going to need something (Rx pain meds) stronger than over-the-counter for a while. I sure hope my OS doesn't cut me off yet...
~Dalton~
 
Sofa King-
(Great name by the way). Have you tried a normal pillow instead of the big wedge thing? I used the foam wedge in the hospital and that was about it. The therapist that came out to the house told me to try a normal pillow with the ankles together and it made a lot of difference. Monday was my 6 week post surgery, Thursday he gave me the OK to do what I wanted but stop if it hurt. Thursday was the same day I went from a walker (my security blanket) to a cane. Talk about a rude awakening. That will improve in time.
 
Hi Dalton,
I am just a few days ahead of you for right THR. I just turned 51. Average weight, very active. Obsessive runner for all my adult life. Turned to an obsessive hiker recently. I had my doc prescribe pain med before surgery so I could hike all I wanted before surgery.
I also went to a pt gym to strengthen things before surgery.
I have had pt come to my house 3 times, although I think insurance pays for 3 weeks only.
My right leg tells me when 4 hours is passed as well. I have been basically coming downstairs in the morning to spend some time in my chair (although it is a recliner, I can not get out of the recline position) only if my husband is home can I recline. I had a lot of swelling in both legs so my pt has told me to spend most of my day in bed!!!!
I used a walker for almost 3 days in the hospital. Then I was moved to the rehab floor, had my own crutches with me and got to use them from that point on. This was my first huge breakthrough. Walking was so much easier with crutches. I felt free!!!!
Of course I still could not get my leg out of bed!!!
My muscles hurt so much now i can hardly believe it. My doc did tell me he wanted me to use crutches for 6 weeks. In surgery he noticed my femur was fractured at the top so he did some wiring, but still I am on weightbearing as tolerated.
Now I am concentrating on putting more weight on the operated side and using one crutch at home if the pain meds are at their strongest!!

I was determined to get my leg out of bed myself before I left the hospital. My family is not too reliable and I could just see myself at 2am needing to pee!!! It really hurt, but I did it. It still hurts to do it and I help it back on with my hand.
They had put me on my side in the hospital with that giant wedge pillow. It was ok but only for a little while,.
This morning at 6, I took 2 percocet, went back to bed and tried my non operated side to lay on. I had the pillow in between my legs and was ok. I had tried that before and it was not comfortable. I sleep just like you in the fetal position , moving around from side to side. What helps me sleep now is a drug , trazadone. It knocks me out. It did not work in the hospital, but has worked after being home a few days.
For side sleeping, the pillow has to separate the legs and of course no crossing.
My pt told me last week she would show me how to make it comfortable.
Yesterday I went to target and walked around a little. It was ok.
My x-ray on friday showed everything in place and my doc said it had not moved at all. He had no problem giving me more percocet. He simply asked if I am still taking it every 4 hours and I said yes and if I go longer it really hurts and I can not move.

I can't remember all of your concerns, I'll look again after I take a shower! my landlady called me my firsrt full day home and told me she was puttig the place on the market, someone is coming in an hour. Off to the shower for me.
Judy
 
Thanks for the "attaboy" re: the name (GMAC and Patty); I thought it was apt, and funny. ; P

GMAC~ Yeah, I thought of trying it with a softer, more comfy pillow, but I sleep so deeply, as soon as I was under, I know I'd be moving all over the place, maybe crossing legs, etc. Actually, the pain would wake me beforehand probably. I'm not even at the point yet where I can lie flat on my back, nor turn to my side without tugging too much on the surgery site. I'm no where NEAR ready for a cane yet either, I can only put about 10-15% body weight on the surgery leg while bracing with a walker. It'll be a while...

Judy~ I was a triathalete in my early 20's and when in the Military, ran 60 miles a week at one point, but kinda let myself go in my 30's. I'm sure being 40 or so lbs. overweight for most of the last decade hasn't helped my hip joints. As far as needing to pee, it's a bit easier for us guys to use the hospital bottle while in bed/recliner, but I've been trying to get up almost every time just for the exercise and blood flow, even when I don't want to. By the time I get back to the chair, I'm beat. I haven't even tried crutches yet, even though I have a pair; strictly the walker. I too take a small dose of trazodone; I've been taking about 100mg a night for a few months before the surgery for insomnia. It helps, but if I take it too late then have to get up, I really feel drugged, so I don't take it everynight. Right now I'm on the flexeril too, and I only take it at night. Knocks me right out too. If I take it during the day, I'm a worthless sack. Actually, and my Wife will agree, I'm a worthless sack right now anyway, just an awake sack. lol
~Dalton
 
DALTON,
Just a quick reply before heading to bed. They will all express the meds situation. I do not understand these doctors. Mine was great and never ever expressed a problem. Those first 4 weeks are pure &^%$. It is trial and tribulation. Every day brings a new adventure. Just keep up with the meds before you really start hurting. And I mean the muscle relaxers to the pain meds. I was happy with the Lortab and Darvocet combo. Finally weaned to Darvocet. I really started cutting back at about 6 weeks. It just got better and better.
And yes, at 1 month I graduated to the cane. Still used the walker at night to go to the bathroom for safety reasons but knew when I felt comfortable to go strictly with the cane. Never did the crutches but a lot feel more comfortable with those.
And yes, keep the wedge for safety reasons. OUCH, could not imagine waking on my side by accident.
As for sleep, remember, your body will be crazy for at least a month, if not six weeks. I thought I was going to lose my mind with lack of sleep but all the sudden I slept all nite and then the next and so on. Just give yourself time.
As I say to all, one step forward, five steps back, three steps forward, one step back and then all the sudden all steps forward.
Do not hesitate to post any problems. Believe me, you will have something different everyday. Talk to you later...Patty
 
We had a doctor and his wife get arrested recently for over prescribing pain medication. It has been in the news a lot over the past few months here in Kansas. They are awaiting trial. This must be why my doctor's office is stingy with prescribing anything to me. I have lortab now, no more percocet for me. But my gosh, I never had anything like everyone is talking about. I want something that knocks me out at night. I've noticed I am usu the lastest poster every night! Go figure...
Bridget
 
Hey Bridget,
Go Back And Find The Post Insomnia At Two Months...oh My Gosh...I Tried Everything From Ambien To The Health Food Store And Everything Wired Me. Only Thing To Knock Me Out Were The Pain Meds. But, Six Weeks Seemed To Be The Magic Number....I Really Think That All The Trauma I Went Through Finally Lifted Then....Just Hang In There.....If You Have One Of Those Shuffle Ipods, Put Those In Your Ears At Night With All Your Favorite Songs And At Least Imagine You Are Elsewhere. That Did Seem To Help Me.... Kids laughed that Mom had all her tunes singing in her Ears...lol.....patty
 
Sofa King, according to many posts your recovery progress is well within the typcial range so the best thing would be relax and enjoy a time of inactivity, read a few good books that have gathered dust on the shelf waiting for when you "had time". But to preserve your sanity, turn off the TV, that makes everyone who watches it too much brain dead.. Never seen it otherwise.
But as soon as possible, even if it hurts a lot, do exercises, and walk, concentrate on walking balanced because you really have to relearn that skill. That is my hardest point now 3 weeks post op, I get around great, long walks and even once went dancing, but every time I focus my attention on my balance I notice I am still favoring my bad leg just as I did for years before the replacement, it will take a long time to train my body for correct balance.

One of the elements that made be self sufficient early was not being able to depend on others since I live alone. It forces you to do things that actually help recovery such as cooking, light housework and laundry. Nothing strenuous, just keeping moving and active out of necessity.

When possible, avoid the pain medication after it becomes discretionary since it might lower drive to do things.

I've been doing some searching of medical studies about pain management and found the US, since the 80s, has shifted from a "pain is a normal part of healing" to "manage pain at any cost" philosophy. Some researchers point to the 7 fold increase in oxycondone from 1997 to 2005 as a contributing factor in longer recovery times.

Good luck and recovery
 
You'll hear lot's of of different things here. The one constant is that recovery is not quick, it takes it's course. All you have to do is your prescribed exercises to the best of your ability which work even when you don't see much progress. Sometimes the improvements are big breakthroughs and sometimes it looks like you've taken a step back, but if you keep at it you'll win in the end.
At times I felt the exercises I was given were too few and the reps too few to make any progress but I was told that doing them two to 3 times a day was enough and that I shouldn't push it further.
I also had a lot of discomfort since my shoulder was acting up at the same time. Sleeping was "a distant memmory" for the first 8 to 10 weeks. I did fend for myself but didn't overdo it. The books I bought went unread as I couldn't or didn't want to concentrate. I used the computer a fair amount till my puppy jumped on it and broke the screen............hang in there!!!!!!!
Ms Weezl
 
I like that name Sofa King...Some told me to get the body pillow but I sort of roll up a huge blanket and try tp fix it so I don't roll over as I sleep in fetal also. I hink I can sleep on my operated side because my incision seems to be over more so I can.
I am 62 and i didn't sleep at all in the hospital and the same when I got home. Finally about week 6 I started sleeping a few hours ((YEA)) It is like a new world when you sleep. Be patient....
 
It is pretty important that you observe the restrictions about not crossing legs, etc. because that it the position that could put you at risk of dislocation. To my knowledge, the restrictions apply for about 6 weeks after which the incisional area is healed enough and the muscle tone is beginning to be restored.
 
Hey All,

Well, I slept pretty well last night, got maybe 6 hours of mostly uninterrupted sleep, but awoke with a pain level 6 right in the middle of the hip joint. I just counted my Percocets, and I'm down to 7 left, which means I'll run out later tonight or tomorrow. I just called my OS's office and left a voicemail for his RN asking to refill either the Perc's, or a step down with some Lortab 10's. My fingers are crossed that they won't balk too much, and I'll get an Ok for another week's worth. I think If I can manage the pain for another 7 days or so, I'll (hopefully!) be well enough that I can wean myself to 800mg ibuprophen or 400mg of Allieve. I do know I'm not ready for OTC yet... What recourse do I have if he blows me off? I guess a visit to my Primary Care Physician, but he's kind of stoic in hip approach to pain management also... I'm scheduled to see the OS again Wednesday, but if he won't renew my pain meds awhile longer, I may just blow him off and see the PCP instead. It shouldn't be this big a pain the *** to manage pain; isn't that what the meds are for? Bridget, it's a shame that Dr. you referred to was prosecuted for overperscribing; I don't know the details, but if he was doing so for profit, then shame on him. Yet, I hate to hear that the exeception to the rule happens, it causes worry for legitimate Docs and unecessary pain for those who really need it still... I'll drop a few lines again later to let ya'll know what the OS RN says on my refill...
~Dalton
 
Hey, it's Bridget, and I am from Wichita. Yes, I guess that doctor was doing so inappropriately. My husband works with a man whose wife was one of his patients. I guess she did become addicted to some narcotic she got from him and she died. I don't know all the details, that's just what my husband told me. So sad!! But, it does make it harder for those of us that are legitamately in need of it!
Anyways, I'm glad you got some sleep last night. I think I probably could have, but it was the second night that I woke up in the middle of the night to notice that my daughter's TV had gone back on! We have gone in her room each time it's happened and the remote was NOT on the bed and my daughter was sound asleep. I started thinking we had a ghost! Isn't that really strange? Any thoughts on why that was happening??? I'm spooked!
Bridget
 
OOPS! When I went to the forum this morning, I neglected to look closely and see all the replies on page 2; thanks bunches Patty, Stanj, Ms. Weezl, Sunshine, and Josephine... reading your replies REALLY HELPS! You know what they say, "Misery loves Company!" More later guys...
~Dalton
 
Bridget,

You should talk to my Wife "LawDawg" about that... she LOVES GHOSTS! lol ~I do too, but I'm more skeptical than her. Another explanation is, that the meds you're on are playing tricks on your mind. I know that the first few days home from the Hospital when I was withdrawing from the Morphine, I DID have some hallucinations; I'd see people that weren't there in my peripheral vision, strange sounds, etc. Even now that I'm only taking 10mg of oxycodone every 4 hours, I find my short term memory is blotchy; ie: I'll forget what I did ten minutes ago, or not remember setting an object down where I did, etc. On the other hand, maybe you do have a ghost? Who knows? The idea doesn't scare me, I think it's FUN!
~D.
 
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