3 weeks post op - questions

[rnorris]

Hello,

I had LTHR 3 weeks ago on May 13th. I have gotten along well. I have an uncemented ceramic on plastic hip. I am doing the exercises the therapist gave me every day. The doctor said I could put full weight on it as soon as I could bear it. I started walking without assistance within a week, although still limping and have quote a bit of soreness. Most of the pain I feel is in my thigh and most of it concentrated just above my knee. My knee is very stiff and sore when I try to bend it. My question is have I prolonged recovery time by tossing the cane so soon? I figured the more I used it the sooner it would get better. I am taking Tylenol but could probably live without it.

Also, about 3 days ago I was trying to get a look at the scar and stupidly twisted my knee/foot inward to get a better angle to see. When I straightened back out and took a step, it felt like the whole back of my thigh cramped up momentarily. I at first panicked thinking I had dislocated or fractured my thighbone but I could still walk about the same. I felt pretty bad pain for a day or so after but it has eased quite a bit now. Did I pull a muscle or what?

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Josephine]

First of all, welcome to BoneSmart!

Q1 Well, do remember you are only 3 weeks after having had a VERY major op! What ever makes you think you shouldn't be stiff and sore still? You obviously had a posterior approach which means your leg was subjected to a lot of twisting and pulling with hands gripping your thigh and especially just above the knee. Don't worry - it's early days yet and you don't seem to have done anything wrong that I can tell.

Q2 Well, that was a silly thing to do! You think your muscles are going to let you get away with a manoeuvre like that without complaining! Was just a bit of cramp, I expect. It can be quite violent on occasion. If you had dislocated and/or fractured, you wouldn't be in any doubt about it, I can assure you! Next time try looking in a mirror

Very pleased to hear you are doing so well though. All power to you.

 

[rnorris]

Thank you for the quick reply. Eases my mind. I was not tooo worried about the muscle cramp but was concerned that I had given up the cane too soon.

I AM using the mirror to keep an eye on the wound now

I returned to work today for the first time...nice feeling for things to be getting back to normal.

Patience with the hip precautions will be a struggle for me but with the bit of a fright I got from the cramp after twisting the knee I think I'll be more mindful.

Thanks again,
Rob

 

[kittykat]

the only thing to keep in mind with throwing the cane away too soon is this:

with an uncemented prosthesis, the bone needs time to grow into the stem of the prosthetic and make it secure. if you put too much stress on it, you will undermine the process of bone growing into the prosthesis.

you want to find a fine balance between bearing weight so that you are keeping your hip/pelvis muscles evenly activated while you move around, but not so much pressure that you prevent the process of bone growth into the prosthetic. that is what is going to anchor your new hip for the long term.

I know recovery is frustrating (I am just 8 days out!), but try to be patient. it will benefit you in the long term.

kittykat

 

[Josephine]

You're not wrong, kittykat, but there is a difference of opinion on that one - some surgeons allow weight bearing straight away, others require non-weightbearing for around 6 weeks.

The reason for the first group's approach is that bone growth and density is enhanced by loading. {That being part of the reason that my bone density scans were off the scale! (I'm

250lbs!) }

 

[rnorris]

Yes my surgeon told me I had no weight bearing restrictions. It is a cementless implant. Knee is still stiff and sore although not as bad.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Vjklander]

My knee was messed up by the surgery too. Most of my pain and impairment was from the knee. Anti-inflammatories helped a lot. But once it started feeling better it was like every morning I would wake up and could feel a marked improvement, so it is just a matter of time. My son joked that was a good thing because the knee problem probably kept me from over-doing it with my hip. He is probably right about that... ;)

 

[Vjklander]

BTW - Make sure your doc is aware of the knee pain. Sometimes I think they get a little cavalier in their handling of a sedated patient and aren't quite as careful as they could be ..... Maybe he will be a little more cautious with the next patient if you bring to his attention...

 

[Josephine]

Sometimes I think they get a little cavalier in their handling of a sedated patient and aren't quite as careful as they could be ..... Maybe he will be a little more cautious with the next patient if you bring to his attention...

ouch

that hurt!

I have never known a doctor, nurse or any other member of staff handle a sedated patient like that. In fact, it's more usual that we handle sedated or anaesthetised patients with MORE care and concern as they can neither express discomfort nor defend themselves against harmful or painful movements. With obvious exceptions like when dislocating a hip, there is always extreme awareness from even the most junior staff. Cavalier isn't in our vocabulary when it comes to handling a vulnerable patient.