Bilateral THR 6 months with new hips, but a long way still to go!

[Hermione]

Hello, I have just found you 6 months after bilateral hip replacement. Following a car accident in 2007 it has been a long journey to identify the cause of my severe pain and immobility. Numerous tests, steroid injections and disc decompression finally led me to an orthopaedic consultant who took one look at my x rays and 6 weeks later, a week before Christmas I had 2 new hips!

Initially recovery was great, I'm only 51 and pretty active. Having our own business I was back to sitting at a desk within 2 weeks (OK not what I would have chosen) and able to get back on a horse in 8 weeks. I've followed the guidebook, started regular pilates classes with a physio and have tried not to do too much but by month 5 I started going downhill.

Lots of discomfort in both hips, especially around the scars and the muscles are causing pain in both legs, shoulders and arms, bit like having flu. Generally feeling pretty miserable too. Returned to GP who has ordered blood tests to check me out and told me to carry on with painkillers (Meloxicam and Co-codamol). I have spoken to the hospital where the operation was performed and they suggested asking my GP to refer me back to see my consultant.

Just wondered if anyone else has had this experience and any tips for improving the situation. Thanks very much.

 

[tashia]

Welcome to the site, I will throw my feelling in on this. I think you have done too much and you need to rest more . Do you Ice. I found that so important and also rest and elevation. With hips it makes that interesting. I had only one hip so I can only conment of that. Going back to work when you did seems to me to be awfull early. I will page Josephine. and let her conment. She is a nurse so I know she can help. Have you read our Liberary. In the libeary there are articles on rest, doing things to early. and also going back to work. So please check it out. Again Welcome to our site. Please keep us informed on how you are doing. I just thought of someone who had both hips done at the same time. I will page her also. bottomshollow. Take care Tashia

 

[Nannyannie]

Welcome! Back on a horse at 8 weeks? Wow, didn't you get told to rest? tashia has tagged them, so I'll let our experts comment on that! I know it's difficult if you are self-employed but you need to look after yourself even more!
Best wishes to another Kent resident.
Anne

 

[Poppet]

Hermione, sorry to hear your recovery has gone backwards. Welcome to BoneSmart.

I was wondering what type of prostheses you had implanted? It is interesting to me that you have such widespread discomfort and pain. I hope you can get into see your OS soon.. Do let us know how you go.

Jo is away for a few days, but she will see the tag when she returns.

Bottomshollow has not had a bilateral hip, I will tag a very good friend of mine djklaugh and puddle fish, both of whom are at different time frames with their recovery.

 

[tashia]

Sorry about that. , I do hope that your days are getting better. I hope and pray its just needing rest. Please try to rest and hope to hear soon that you went to the OS. Take care. Tashia

 

[Hermione]

Hi everyone, thanks so much for your replies. I had DePuy Corail prostheses (haven't got full details with me) and I don't think it's them giving me problems. Hip movement is great and mobility fine. Surgery was at The Horder Centre in Crowborough which is a specialist orthopaedic hospital and has a great reputation. My consultant was Mr Hugh Apthorpe, also highly recommended and did a very neat job. Surgery was minimally invasive, so no cutting of muscles and tiny scars. I had a blood transfusion day 2 post op, which held up my recovery slightly but 24 hours later I was home, with legs that sudddenly worked again.

It would have been wonderful to stay off work for longer but no one else does my job and just couldn't face the backlog. To put things into perspective slightly, we own a small farm and my office is in one of the outbuildings and only a 50m walk to work. I can plan my day and move about as necessary, I have a room set up next door with exercise bike etc and horses looking in the window. Problem is once I am stuck in my very uncomfortable office chair I tend not too move and the longer I sit the worse it is. Weekends are much easier, I move around more, wander about on a horse (no I'm not practicing for the next Olympics) and feel much better. Oh and no the emphasis was on exercising post op and keeping moving, although I do try to rest as well.

Am I answering my own question! - I have read the articles on this site and had a look at other peoples progress, thanks Nannyannie, I noticed you were in Rochester so interested to see how you are getting on as you are a month ahead of me. Maybe the big problem is motivation after 6 months, and keeping an eye on what works and what doesn't. I noticed a lot of people seem to have physio after the op. I had 2 sessions out of bed on the day I left hospital and that was it until I started Pilates 6 weeks ago. Have phoned the physio department at the hospital and am booked in to return on Monday, for assessment so am hoping that might give me some answers. Also got blood test booked for tomorrow, just incase there is something else causing problems. It will be interesting to see what my iron levels are as I've had no supplements since the op and they were pretty low then.

Nice to meet you all, feel better today than yesterday just reading your stories!

 

[ByGosh]

Hello Hermione Welcome to BoneSmart! You will find a lot of good information and support from this site. The members are wonderful to each other and very friendly.

You sound like you had a very quick recovery, only to have pain start later for you. How unfortunate! I think it's a very good idea to have blood work done to be sure there's nothing else going on. Did they do recent hip xrays? It will be interesting to see what our forum moderators and administrators advise you. I would imagine that horse back riding may aggravate your sore muscles, though, as might a too much walking.

I think I may have been pushed too quickly by my PTs, and by having many doctor's visits at my 4 week mark, as I am currently still recoverying and experiencing pain in both hips (groin area). I'm trying to keep my activity limited, and rest and ice each afternoon, but whenever it starts to feel better, and I actually try to walk a little outside, it comes back. So I understand your frustration! It's a roller coaster ride for sure.

I hope you get some answers to your pain soon. It seems that seeing the consultant is a very good idea.
Good luck, Hermione. Keep us posted so we know how you're doing. Take care.

 

[SeaSiren]

Thanks for stopping by my thread earlier Hermione! Nice to meet another bi-hippy friend !
I was quite surprised to read you barely had any physio after surgery... I guess each surgeon has their own theories, mine is adamant about a miniumum of twice weekly for the first 6 weeks to build strength and flexibility... but it's never too late to start!! I hope your tests today will shed some light on your issues. I love that you're surrounded by horses!! I haven't ridden in about 10 years but would love to again once I'm able... OK you need a new office chair!!!! No exceptions! It's where you spend many hours and for goodness sake make sure it's comfy ... that's all the preaching I have for now! Keep us posted on your test rsults & physio evaluation ...

 

[djklaugh]

Hi Hermione welcome to BoneSmart! And thanks for stopping in at my thread too. Us BTHRs gotta stick together. I agree with SeaSiren - a new office chair is a definite MUST DO NOW! I have a fairly comfortable one that also has a memory foam pad added (lol a folded old piece that was too small for my bed so got "recycled" for added chair comfort) plus a small meditation pillow that I use as a foot stool .... being of the short persuasion I find it more comfortable to have my feet up on something when I'm at the computer. And yes do follow through with the PT .... there are lots of muscles that can be affected by hip replacement surgery and it's important to strengthen those carefully.

 

[Hermione]

Thanks for the messages, doing some research on a new office chair, think that will really help. Recovery was really quick and my consultant was keen to get me moving quickly. The minimally invasive surgery is great, tiny scars, no stitches / staples and no cutting of the muscles so able to get going straight away.

Blood tests taken yesterday so will be interesting to get results, will keep you posted. xx

 

[Songlady]

Hermione - I just wanted to say hi, and let you know I've read your thread. I'll be watching to see how you do and what the blood tests tell!
I am 7 weeks out, and I can't quite imagine getting on a horse yet. I didn't have the minimally invasive surgery, so there's one difference; but I think the surgery is an assault on the body, regardless of approach! I rode until about 4 years ago (when I was on the approach to having my first hip replaced) and a friend invited me to go to her barn this afternoon, but I am just not ready yet, I don't think....
My own, somewhat cynical view of what the doctors say is that "clinically" we are repaired and they see no reason we can't do a lot of activities, but in fact real recovery takes longer. So, I'm sorry for the pain you are having, and unless something shows up in blood tests, maybe a little more rest and ice would help? Hang in there!

 

[Hermione]

Hi Songlady good to hear from you. Riding is fine, its the little grey one in the picture I ride most of the time and he is very well trained, puts his head down to let me get off and stands by the mounting block to let me hop on. The movement especially in walk is great and loosens up the hips but am very careful what I do. I must say if I didn't have horses at home it would be a different story, we have 4 and they have all been with us a long time and having ridden until 3 month before my op they are well used to my unusual riding style. I can hop on when I'm feeling well and go for a short hack or do a bit of schooling in the menage. I'd recommend you wait a bit longer before having a go? Do you ride with a western saddle or english? I have a western sadddle but haven't got round to trying it recently.

Like your comment about being "clinically" repaired, I was pretty damaged before and I'm sure it will take quite a while for everything to settle down. I've started pilates with a physio and she was saying that the scar tissue starts to tighten between 6 - 9 months so that might explain some of the aches.

Thanks for the encouragement x

 

[Mollyb]

I live on a farm also but I haven't ridden my horses for a couple of years due to the pain prior to surgery. You were brave to get back on your horse after such a short time. I am 5weeks postoperative but I know there is no way I could catch and saddle my horse let alone ride. Good for u. I hope your doctor can help u with your recent pain

 

[Songlady]

Hi Hermione and Mollyb -
I will wait a bit longer. I don't own a horse; I took lessons for some years in order to have saddle time. I did English for several years, then tried Western one day for fun and got hooked! I tried a little barrel racing in the lesson ring - yee-HA! I think I'm a cowgirl at heart! My riding buddy owns her horse, and I go with her upon occasion. Actually, the last time I rode was in the fall, on the beach. That was really fun!!

 

[Hermione]

hi Songlady and Mollyb, Sounds good, think I'll get that western saddle out later and have a little play, horse loves it and has tried a bit of barrel racing with my daughter. Sun's out here so good riding weather! 5 weeks too early to hop on, be warned though a friend had an emergency hip replacement last Saturday having fallen when leading her horse, maybe its safer up top!

Just got blood results, all normal so that's good news. All pointing to the muscles now - off for massage on Monday.

 

[Mollyb]

G

hi Songlady and Mollyb, Sounds good, think I'll get that western saddle out later and have a little play, horse loves it and has tried a bit of barrel racing with my daughter. Sun's out here so good riding weather! 5 weeks too early to hop on, be warned though a friend had an emergency hip replacement last Saturday having fallen when leading her horse, maybe its safer up top!

Just got blood results, all normal so that's good news. All pointing to the muscles now - off for massage on Monday.

Good to hear a message would be wonderful

 

[zauberflöte]

Hermione so glad the labs are good. And massage, ahhhhhhhh that will cure what ails you!

 

[puddle fish]

Hermione, hi, I also had bilat a few months before you, minimal invasive as well. I was on iron for about a month and needed two transfusions 3 units after the op that took about three months for my levels and BP to stabilise. Recovery was quick and then I overdid it. A combination of hydrotherapy, I had to push to get it, and strong anti inflamitories, settled it down, it was just grumpy muscles and ligaments. I would say Feb, March and part of April were the worst months. Back on track by end of April, and I passed a dive medical fitness test and I now regularly dive with full kit. I do have some IT band issues and use a blue foam roller to help as well as rubber physio bands to help streacth out the muscles. I take magnesium, calcium + vit D and chondroitin and glucosamine supplements I believe they have helped. Today I have a bit of a limp and its most likely due to overdoing it, and wearing heals (ok high heels closer to 4 inch ones) all week at work. Most of this is in my tread. Get fully checked out hassle for some hydrotherapy and fingers crossed it’s just grumpy muscles and ligaments. Combination of ice and heat work to try and ease the stiffness when I overdo it but rarely now since Mid-April have I needed to take any meds including the ones you buy over the counter. Good luck and fingers crossed it gets sorted soon.

If riding makes you happy dont let anyone stop you as happy people heal quicker , but be prepared to compromise.

 

[Poppet]

Wonderful to see the bi-lateral hippies communing.. I love it, such good support.. Hats off to all of you

 

[Hermione]

Hello and thanks for my messages, puddle fish, you are absolutely right grumpy muscles and ligaments. Saw the physio on Monday at the hospital who is happy I'm progressing well, but having both done at the same time takes longer, scars although looking good are still pink, therefore still healing, and there is still a way to go under the skin. There does't seem to be a major problem with the scar tissue, just have to be a bit patient. Will take up to a year even though I didn't have my muscles cut. Can cope with that If I know what's going on. Interesting to hear your wobbly times were the same as mine.

Also mentioned I was generally aching, especially shoulders. That was where I got a bit of a telling off! It's not that I'm doing too much, I'm just not doing things properly. Horse riding came out well as good posture is essential on a horse (good start), but I have to stop sitting for long periods in the office and try to put a bit more effort into exercising. I went to London for an assessment for a new office chair on Tuesday and having arrived this morning can't believe what a difference it makes. No slouching at the desk and lots of support for back and hips. Poster on the wall with my exercises and have noticed an improvement already.

Was pretty pleased my bloods were OK as I have only taken multivitamin, fish oil, vit D3 and extra magnesium post op. I had been seeing a nutritionist before the op and they certainly have helped. No extra iron needed thank goodness, the 2 units of blood obviously did the trick.

Also had hydrotherapy and I agree that works well. I am lucky enough to have a hot tub at home which is great for easing sore muscles. Might try using my foam roller and bands in there to do a few more exercises.

Do have my mad heel moments, couldn't wait to get back into them, but not on a daily basis as I'd be limping too. Not sure that is just a result of the hip replacements!

Time to get up now and do a few more stretches, don't want to start slacking just yet, I have to report back to the physio again next month!