THR 5 weeks post op

[Layla]

How are you feeling now that you just passed your four month anniversary? Hopefully the past couple weeks
have brought some relief. Is the aquatic PT helping at all? Hope to hear from you soon.
@Cmoon

 

[Cmoon]

How are you feeling now that you just passed your four month anniversary? Hopefully the past couple weeks
have brought some relief. Is the aquatic PT helping at all? Hope to hear from you soon.
@Cmoon

So sorry I haven’t updated, I’ve been in my own little world. Thank you, it’s been kind of a struggle. After a week and a half of limited weight bearing I’ve been able to walk more but still depend on a cane, I have to take it easy because it still feels like my right leg will give. It’s the groin pain that suddenly comes on. My disability has been extended until the end of Feb, I hope by then this is all worked out and I’m stable. I’m still waiting for aquatic therapy, there’s a huge backlog and insurance to get through, it’s been a headache. I can’t afford a gym membership with a heated pool so I’ve just been doing as much walking as I can and some leg exercises.
I am concerned about my scar, I’ve never had one be so sensitive, and I am still getting some swelling by mid day. My lower back stiffens up after walking, aches and pains until I sit down and I feel so much better. I recently found a almost brand new wheelchair for $50 so I am using that while I attend a weeklong event, hopefully it’ll help with my pains and give me some needed rest. Thankful for my husband during this time. I never thought I’d be 32, dealing with an autoimmune disease that fatigues me so much, the all over joint pain associated with it all while having to get a THR. My surgeon considers me a rare breed, considering this all happened within 8 months with no accidents or falls to put blame on.
Thank you for reaching out, that makes me happy this community is here for me. I hope you are doing well. I will update when I return back home.

 

[Layla]

I am sorry you're still struggling at this point, dealing with an autoimmune disease and joint replacement recovery concurrently. I wish you comfort as you attend the weeklong event and hope you're able to get the restorative rest you need. Until next time...all the best to you.
@Cmoon

 

[Eman85]

For a heated pool you might be able to work something out with a local motel that has one if there's one near you.

 

[Cmoon]

It’s been awhile. I wish I could share I’ve progressed but that would be a lie. My new hip was feeling strong but my right has been progressively getting worse. I started aquatic therapy 3 weeks ago, it was helping but also irritating my right hip more. My right hip has started to swing inward as I walk and rotate my hip, painful in the groin and pops when rotated outward. Very painful as my lower back would swell too and then one day I noticed my new hip was swollen. My PT was concerned and we took it easy. It’s been over a week and slowly the pain crept in and the feeling of helplessness sinked in. I’ve contacted my surgeon, he said it was odd for swelling this far out and with aquatic therapy. I sent along a photo because the next available appt isn’t until the first week of February, I’m still patiently waiting. Back to resting, icing, taking some pain reliever and Gabapentin to help me sleep every night. I was looking forward to finishing PT mid feb and going back to work but this doesn’t look like I will.

 

[Layla]

I'm sorry. It sounds like your right hip is getting in the way of your left hip healing without incident. Consider backing away from PT and aquatic therapy for a few weeks and see if you notice a difference. You many be pleasantly surprised, but it's obviously your choice.

It is not necessary to exercise your injured hip to promote healing. The controlled trauma sustained through THR will heal on its own. Often though, we're impatient and want to move the process along. In doing so we run the risk of struggling with pain and setbacks stalling the healing process. The best therapy for recovery is walking, but not to excess. Start slowly increasing time and distance incrementally in an effort not to overdo it. Give yourself the TLC you deserve and reap the benefits of a successful recovery.

I hope things begin looking up for you soon. At seven months post op there is still some time and room for improvement. So hold that thought.
@Cmoon

 

[Cmoon]

It’s been a long time since I logged in and posted. I am currently recovering from my right THR. My surgeon and I went back and fourth about my pain and not being able to really do anything because my ability to walk was so limited. I had a mri in May and it showed my right hip had severe necrosis and the head already collapsed. I am fully bionic now! Haha I am in much better shape than last year, I am just shy of 4 weeks and have progressed from a walker to a cane. I feel stronger, my left hip feels nice and stable as well. I kicked the pain killers a week and a half ago, it was very rough for the first week. My back pain has even subsided which has been great. I am going through a flare with my lupus, which is a bummer because my whole body is in pain but it’s tolerable. I’m super fatigued but I still feel better than last time. Now just having trouble sleeping since I’m no longer taking hydrocodone. I have been taking Gabapentin to sleep but this past week it hasn’t been any help.
Life is crazy

 

[Mojo333]

@Cmoon
Welcome back, my double hippy compadre

. I am fully bionic now! Haha I am in much better shape than last year, I am just shy of 4 weeks and have progressed from a walker to a cane

Can you please give us the exact date of your latest THR so we can add this information to your signature?

My back pain has even subsided which has been great.

My back pain, with two trashed hips, is what started my quest for relief from chronic pain and thankfully has mostly resolved after my BTHR.

I am sorry you are having a lupus flare on top of these rough early recovery days, but hopefully it abates soon.

Healing saps the bodies energy and sleep deprivation is a common complaint also... as you know.
All Temporary....

I'm going to leave you our Recovery Guidelines again for a refresher....
Hope all continues to get easier and you are staying iced up..
Slow and Steady will get you there faster.


Hip Recovery: The Guidelines

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​

6. Access to these pages on the website​

Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

​

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.

 

[myglasshalffull]

Congrats on your new matching hip, sorry to hear about Lupus flare up, just what you don't need on top of recovering from your latest surgery.
Overall sounds like you are coming along.
Take care of yourself and best wishes on your recovery.

 

[Layla]

Congrats on your new hip! Like everyone above, I am sorry you’re dealing with the lupus flair currently, I hope it’s short lived. Wishing you comfort.

You may consider Magnesium for sleep. It works for many,
Magnesium supports the following:
Bone health
Healthy blood sugar
Cardiovascular health
Muscle relaxation and nerves
Promotes healthy sleep (falling asleep and staying asleep)

An article on Magnesium -
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/magnesium-is-a-star.20301/

I hope you have a good week. Thanks for stopping by with an update!
@Cmoon

 

[Cmoon]

Can you please give us the exact date of your latest THR so we can add this information to your signature?

June 1, 2023!

And thank you!

 

[Cmoon]

Congrats on your new hip! Like everyone above, I am sorry you’re dealing with the lupus flair currently, I hope it’s short lived. Wishing you comfort.

You may consider Magnesium for sleep. It works for many,
Magnesium supports the following:
Bone health
Healthy blood sugar
Cardiovascular health
Muscle relaxation and nerves
Promotes healthy sleep (falling asleep and staying asleep)

An article on Magnesium -
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/magnesium-is-a-star.20301/

I hope you have a good week. Thanks for stopping by with an update!
@Cmoon

Oh! I haven’t thought of taking anything really so I’ll look into magnesium! Thank you!

 

[Cmoon]

I have a question for someone that hopefully can answer.

When sitting does it ever feel like your hip slips a little and is suddenly painful? I have to shift and it’ll be fine, I have no other issues but I’m worried it may be loose or that’s just normal.

 

[Mojo333]

@Cmoon
I had a lot of odd sensations and travelling aches, but not sure I ever had my hip feel like it slipped with pain following.
I think I would get an appointment so you can get some reassurance that all is healing well.

 

[Cmoon]

That’s what I’m thinking, it’s kind of an odd feeling. The pain in instant but is gone just as soon as it starts. I’ll have to make an appointment and see my surgeon.

 

[Hipopapotamus]

Please don't stress about PT or exercising. Right now your body is using all it's energy to heal. And add Covid to the mix - wow! Mega energy drain. Rest, ice, elevate, medication and repeat. Plenty of time for strengthening and building stamina later.

Read the Big Tip at the end of the recovery guidelines Mojo left for you.

I’m only 7 days post op and I’m already agreeing with all of this. I have some very minimal exercises but still they have caused discomfort. I think just getting around the house and the stairs is enough for me at the moment (I have ADHD and I tend to move too quickly and also hypermobility. I really need to think about moving correctly) so I’m cutting back for a few days to see what effect that has on my discomfort. Will also ice and elevate often.
I wonder if you could deter the PT visits a little longer with a lingering Covid “symptom” Hope you recover from that well too Xx

 

[Sockeyewillie]

That’s what I’m thinking, it’s kind of an odd feeling. The pain in instant but is gone just as soon as it starts. I’ll have to make an appointment and see my surgeon.

Can you locate the pain? Is it up in the acetabular or in the femoral appliance? If it’s femoral, is it at the distal or proximal ?

 

[Hipopapotamus]

Wow @Cmoon
It sounds like you've been through the ringer! I'm so sorry.
I stumbled on this group after my surgery and it really helps to read what others are going through and to know that this is not just a simple procedure we had done. It was major surgery and it will take time, a LOT of time, to heal and recover. I need to be reminded of that because I get impatient. I'm at 5 weeks 4 days post surgery and having major swelling and some pain. I've been icing all day and it's not helping so I'm feeling discouraged. I finally took a pain pill and 2 Tylenol and that took the edge off. I'm actually starting to have pain in my non surgery hip and I think it's from putting on my weight on that leg when I stand or walk. It's so frustrating. And I am bored and lonely. Thanks for listening to me whine. I hope you are on the mend since your original post.
Barbara

Oh no, keep taking your pain meds and icing it 20 minutes on and letting it get back to normal warmth then ice again. I’m moved home finally, I was with my parents during the first month and a half after. I’ve been having soreness and pain through my whole pelvic area, so today I’m just going to do the same and stay in bed. I’ve been overdoing it, definitely. I graduated from a walker to a cane barely a week ago, my hip finally feels stable enough and I regained my upper body strength. My last PT told me the reason why my non operated side hurt in my upper thigh was because I was still favoring weight on that side. I have to concentrate and make sure I’m moving my hip flexor, and almost march like movement to heel to toe while I walk, it’s helped so maybe try that! It feels funny but helps.

It too have overdone things haven’t slept well at all. Day in bed for me tomorrow not moving for anyone. Butt pain, pelvic pain, groin pain wound feels more sore .. slowly forwards Xxx

 

[Layla]

It's your two month anniversary. I'd like to wish you a happy one...I hope it is.
You mentioned dealing with some pain last time you were here. I hope it's eased for you.
Wishing you a Happy Anniversary and all the best as you move forward!
@Cmoon