THR 50 year old male's recovery

[toughstuff]

Calgal, you are exactly 2 months ahead of me. How do you feel overall? Do you still have shortcomings?

 

[Layla]

Yes. Sitting for a length of time was uncomfortable. I couldn't sit in the car, especially, for over 30-40 minutes without getting extremely uncomfortable. Hard chairs...the same.

What type of movement are you getting sore after? Your walks? If so, and you're not icing, start icing on a regular basis for 40-60 mins, no less, each time you ice, especially after walking. Begin there and see if that makes a difference.
@toughstuff

 

[Calgal]

@toughstuff I'm doing really well. Just working on more strength in my gluteus muscles and trying to get rid of limp and also more strength to walk for longer distances without needing to rely on a crutch. I'm doing 5000 steps a day or so. Walking dog 30 to 45 minutes (maybe 2 miles at a time). I'm really happy that my hip OA pain was gone the minute I left surgery. I had muscle tightness for a good 2 months but it got better every week (not every day!). My OS says it's a 6 to 12 month recovery so I'm in for the long game. Looking forward to continuing healing. Hope this helps with your expectations.

 

[toughstuff]

Layla,

It really appears that the driving is causing some of the issue afterward. I just can’t believe that driving could do it but it sure seems like it. It hurts right in the crease of the groin and in the butt. That was not the case before I started this attempt at driving.
Only other thing I can think of is a static stretch called ‘static back’. Did that because I thought it was benign and helpful.
What a roller coaster. I was told Wednesday that everything is where it should be as far a surgery went.

 

[ForumUser]

tough,

Lots of us read, but don't comment when things seem normal.

You're doing fine - everyone recovers differently.

I’m approaching four months ... don't think about it much, anymore, but know I still need to be thoughtful.

 

[Layla]

I believe you're overthinking it all. Try to go about your day, doing what you do on a daily basis.
If you're still on meds, take them on schedule.
Ice all areas of discomfort for 40-60 mins, no less, several times daily. Target 4X
Eat healthy / Stay hydrated
Balance activity with rest.
Do your walks.
Try to put Recovery out of your mind, for one entire week...then next Sunday, look back and see how many little things have improved or are no longer bothering you.
You were just reassured on Wednesday that all is well. Believe that.

It really appears that the driving is causing some of the issue afterward. I just can’t believe that driving could do it but it sure seems like it. It hurts right in the crease of the groin and in the butt. That was not the case before I started this attempt at driving.

Bring a gel pack and place it under your rear (sit on it) when you drive. Bring another for your groin. Keep the car rides short while they're bothering you. I used a gel pack for weeks under my seatbelt where it landed on my incision and caused discomfort. Do what you have to do...

 

[mainegirl1]

Driving involves lots of tiny muscles
Its not surprising they are grumpy after being woken up.
I am 20 days post op and just started driving
and feel those little muscles protesting after some miles. I can adjust the seat 10 ways . If you can try adjusting every few miles while stopped. That requires I pull over as we have almost no traffic lights but it does help
And as Layla indicated bring a water bottle. It does help to stay hydrated IMO

 

[toughstuff]

Can any of you feel the actually movement of the new ball and socket depending on how you move the hip? It does not hurt but just in the last couple of days I can actually feel the ball move in the socket at times.

Is this any issue at all?

 

[Layla]

Please STOP
I'm giving you your Get Out Of Jail Free card. You're a prisoner of your own mind. You will drive yourself crazy if you continue to obsess. Please find something to occupy your mind and time aside from recovery.
You. Can. Do. This.
Find something constructive to do today and give your mind a break. Please, it's for your own good.
@toughstuff

 

[toughstuff]

Ok but is this something others can feel or sense?

I can actually feel it move in the socket, no pain but definitely sense it.

 

[Layla]

Yep, it's fine.
So....do you have any exciting plans for the day? Or the week?

 

[Hoppy Nanny]

@toughstuff
I'm 5 months out from op.... I'm still experiencing different pains from time to time.

And... Yes.. Sometimes when I walked early on things felt like they were moving in the joint.... It's only that the muscles were 'parted' and they are adjusting to your new gait & tightening up!

6.5 weeks is only the beginning.... However, it gets better... The niggly, unconnected & slightly worrying pains stop being an issue.... It's time & patience.... It's called a roller coaster recovery & it is!

do take Layla's advice... Get out and socialise if you can & you will forget about it for a while. I also use an app called 'Headspace' which helped no end in me distancing myself a bit from my hip recovery..... Otherwise it can be all consuming.

Take care xxx


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[ceezee]

I also use an app called 'Headspace' which helped no end in me distancing myself a bit from my hip recovery..... Otherwise it can be all consuming.

I just downloaded and tried this app. I did the first of the Stress and Anxiety meditations. I’ve never done any meditation but this was so soothing I plan on continuing with it.

Just my recommendation to maybe give it a try ......

 

[Hoppy Nanny]

@ceezee
It’s invaluable ... especially when the mind goes into overdrive (as we do in this recovery). xxx


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[ForumUser]

toughstuff,

Yep - that ball on the end of your femur is moving round and round, back and forth, it's smooth and will wear longer than you will.

Don't think about it ....

Whoops - I forgot - left and right!

 

[mainegirl1]

I revel in my rotating ball. It would be cool to feel but all I feel is the stretch of ligaments that now are free to move
Now my replaced knee is like a percussion section I just ignore it. It is out of tune

 

[toughstuff]

Week 7 has a new twist.

I went up 4 flights of stairs walking the ‘normal’ way. This did not hurt while doing it.

The next two days very sore. Is it too early to try this? Does it make sense that the stairs would cause that issue?

 

[Eman85]

It will be a while yet but everything you do that pushes the muscles will come to haunt you in the following days. It seems to take almost as long to grasp the severity of the damage to the muscles as it does for them to heal. I found if you don't grasp it they don't heal faster.

 

[toughstuff]

Should you work through these moments and hope the muscles get stronger or am I too early? Is the area still likely too ‘injured’ for this type of stress to help it? I know many of you say it’s early, but 7 weeks to try to walk steps normally?
I am not doing PT but trying functional things at times like the steps. The balance of activity and sitting around is difficult.

 

[KathyB]

He also stated that the gluteus maximus was 'violated' with this approach and it will hurt until it heals. Steps the traditional way and driving will cause the muscle to hurt and it will take time. I have to believe in him, he has done over 4000 hips.

Week 7 has a new twist.

I went up 4 flights of stairs walking the ‘normal’ way. This did not hurt while doing it.

The next two days very sore. Is it too early to try this? Does it make sense that the stairs would cause that issue?

@toughstuff Sounds to me like too many stairs all at once. Any new activity needs to be done in very small increments, even though it doesn't hurt at the time. Not over doing things can be hard to do when you're not feeling any discomfort at the time. Recovery can be a real balancing act. Try to remember what your OS told you about driving and steps. As always, ice and elevate anytime soreness occurs.