3 weeks post-op -- AMAZING!!!

[kittykat]

I went to see my surgeon yesterday (at 3 weeks) and was quite amazed at how he upgraded my "allowed" activities! he took an xray and said everything looks great, and said I can start driving, walking around my home without the crutches, start outpatient PT (and they can clear me altogether from crutches if they decide my gait is good -- I will see them in 10 days); I can also stop the coumadin (and lovely support hose!!) next week, I can get in the pool now, I can resume a lot of activities in general!

I am amazed b/c I was not supposed to get this kind of upgrade for 6 weeks. but he had me come in sooner (to make sure nothing was wrong, since I still need a fairly high dose of pain meds), and he gave me this huge amount of new freedom.

I was really struggling with the limitations and not having my hands free, etc. but my swelling is down, and I've been able to walk pretty normally (evenly) without the crutches, as long as I take my time so as not to limp, and am careful to not twist, etc. so I'm very happy to be regaining my freedom so quickly!

the only thing I don't like is my new hip "clicks" when I extend it back with some of my exercises, or with changing directions while walking. that's kind of a bad feeling, and a disconcerting sound.

I hope everyone else here is doing well. I think it has helped me a lot to follow the PT exercises consistently and to the letter (even though ti's boring and tedious!!), and to drink lots of water and use ice, and I think probably also I'm recovering quickly b/c I'm on the young side (50) and in pretty good condition. I think it would be much harder to get through this if one is older and maybe has weakened condition, or other illnesses.

again, I wish everyone else the best. let me know if I can be of any support for you, too!

kittykat

 

[JudyS]

Hey kittykat,
Congrats!!!!
Regarding the noise,, what type of prosthesis do you have?
Which hip?
I had my right done and am not close to being ready to drive as far as I am concerned. Are you reducing pain meds.?
How often are you taking them?

I know I should not compare because everyone is dfferent , but I can't help myself!!!!
Tomorrow is my 2 week apt. My pt is noticing my extreme over pronation and explaining how continuing to walk with it will lead to more issues especially with my knee. I figured my knee would be the next to go as it has been bothering me for an equal amount of time

Well I am off on an expedition to the kitchen to do my standing exercises!!!!
Keep up the good work
Judy

 

[kittykat]

Hey kittykat,
Congrats!!!!
Regarding the noise,, what type of prosthesis do you have?
Which hip?
I had my right done and am not close to being ready to drive as far as I am concerned. Are you reducing pain meds.?
How often are you taking them?

I know I should not compare because everyone is dfferent , but I can't help myself!!!!
Tomorrow is my 2 week apt. My pt is noticing my extreme over pronation and explaining how continuing to walk with it will lead to more issues especially with my knee. I figured my knee would be the next to go as it has been bothering me for an equal amount of time

Well I am off on an expedition to the kitchen to do my standing exercises!!!!
Keep up the good work
Judy

I have ceramic/ceramic. I take 20mgs oxycontin 2X a day (it was 3X/day but I'm tapering off) and percocet, 2 tabs q4. my pain is not completely covered (I have times in the day where I am VERY sore), but I can do other things to help with the pain, like doing my exercises, taking a short walk, ice, rest, etc. I know I still need more pain meds but I just don't think my OS "gets it", and I do want to get off these anyway, so I put up with it and know that my body will adjust as I taper down. my first step is tapering off the oxycontin, then I'll see how I go with reducing the percocet.

 

[Josephine]

Sounds like your OS is one of many! Oy vey! They should try it themselves, eh?

But well done on the progress. You sound like a lady with plenty of grit!

 

[JudyS]

Thanks Kittykat,
I was starting to feel very wimpy and I have always been such a strong person. I know at home not to do anything as my family will then stop doing the few things I ask of them

Yes, Josephine , I know I should keep up with the pain meds and I sure feel better and can do more (basically going from bathroom to chair to bed) comfortably. But I now join those with the fear that my OS will tell me to reduce them
I see him this afternoon.
I didn't take any at bedtime or all night and now I am just sitting here waiting for percocet to kick in.

I was even thinking to time the meds so they are at the end of the cycle so I don't look so "good" at the apt. Maybe then I can get a new prescription.
My challenge as all kids are sleeping, to get a cup of coffee from the kitrchn to the living room with some left to drink!!!!
Judy

 

[Josephine]

My challenge as all kids are sleeping, to get a cup of coffee from the kitrchn to the living room with some left to drink!!!!
Judy

Aaawww! Such challenges we are faced with sometimes!

 

[kittykat]

Sounds like your OS is one of many! Oy vey! They should try it themselves, eh?

But well done on the progress. You sound like a lady with plenty of grit!

I agree (that the OS's should try this surgery and then see how they like the pain meds doled out in dribs and drabs -- give me a break!!).

thanks for the compliment, josephine. I think my life is such that I really can't slow down very much, but I have to do my best to make sure I take breaks and rest. I'm grateful that I'm able to walk pretty normally at this point, but it is then really easy for me to overdo it because of this.

josephine, you always have such upbeat, optimisitic responses -- thanks for this.

and judy, hang in there. I think it's awful that OS's scrimp on the pain meds like they do. it's crazy. don't be afraid to tell them that you HURT and need to have your pain managed. it's ridiculous for them to think you can get by without adequate pain meds!

 

[JudyS]

It was the anesthesiologist running the pain/acetaminifin IV study who sent me home with 20 percocet.
I saw him after 10 days and told him he was crazy. I know he felt bad, then asked me how many he should give me. He wrote a prescription for 50 and told me he would ask my OS how many he should prescribe!!!!
Yesterday my OS simply asked if I still took percocet every 4 hours. I told him what happens when I don't. He prescribed 100 more, so no problem there.
He has the realizaation of how much it hurts as when he walked in he asked me if I wanted to shoot him!!!!!

Only when the percocet is at its peak can I put full or close to full weight on the operated leg. He does want me to put more weight on it and still use crutches or go to cane and reassess in 4 weeks.
I do have low bone density and a fracture in my femur and am very active and as I told him very clutsy. I do tend to trip over everything and at times nothing!! He wants me to really watch that.

I can swim at the end of 3 weeks too, and just walk for now.
Judy

 

[sunshine]

Congrats KitKat!!!! Sounds like your doing great. I feel good but unfortunately my bad hip is keeping me back so though I am in a lot less pain then befor surgery I still use the walker and chair till I have other hip done.
Judy
Don't feel so sad, I still use the scooter at the stores also. I just tell myself I am special I get to ride they walk!! I know it sucks sometimes but we have to laugh or make the best of it.

 

[JudyS]

Well, it is 3 weeks for me today. I'm definately having an easier time with my exercises. I started using one crutch around the house so I can carry things. Like my coffee!!!!
I think I have been overdoing the outside walks. My OS told me it was difficult to tell me a certain distance, but inevitably, I would overdo it and my body would tell me. That is where I am now!!!!
I see maybe a little difference in the length between taking pain meds.

My OS said I could swim at 3 weeks. I am just trying to figure out the logistics. I would need my reacher grabber to get dressed after., A ride there and back!!
Has anyone swam when still using crutches? or a cane? Do yu take them to the edge of the pool?
I know my crutches and water do not like each other. They turn into ice skates.
Thanks
JUdy

 

[1jt@atime]

Judy, just be REALLY careful. I found that going to the pool/gym during off times of the day helped as the floor wasn't as wet. Plus, with just one crutch, you can probably hold your own and just need that little extra support so make sure your crutch is in a sturdy, dry spot before you lean into it with each step. I'm a kneebie but think I would just go to and from the pool in the swimsuit and change at home so as not to get stuck in a somewhat ....uncorfortable situation in the locker room..... I'm 2 1/2 weeks out and hope to get back to the pool in about a week. Can't hardly wait. Karen

 

[JudyS]

Hi Karen,
I still can not put full weight on my leg and use both crutches when out of the house.
Going home wet is a good plan!!
I just don't know how to manage the wet floor. When one of my crutches has landed on a little wet spot it slides out from under me.
But I really want to get back to exercising!!
Be careful on your pool venture too
Judy

 

[1jt@atime]

I am walking around the house without assistance and take one crutch when going out. I think I'll be able to walk around the pool without aid by next week. I'm hoping so anyway. I went through this last fall and this time is 200% better. I now know how drastically different a knee replacement recovery can be. Not only can you not compare yourself to someone else but you also can't compare one knee to another. Think it probably goes the same for hips. Karen