THR 9 Weeks into Recovery - still stiff, is this normal?

[Layla]

@catlover55
No questions are silly, so please no apologies. As, Elf mentioned the timeline for using an assistive device varies from person to person, but by all you shared here I’d say you’re ready to move forward without your crutch. You’re already successfully mobile without it for lengthy periods of time. It sounds like it’s just a comfort for you to carry your crutch at this point so looking into the folding cane, if it’s within the budget, may be your best bet if it will make you feel more secure.

Wishing you an early Happy Four Month Anniversary while I’m here.
Four months already on Saturday, boy time flies!

 

[catlover55]

Guess I'm ready to do without assisted device as I've been forgetting about it of late on my way out and turned back for it.Cant believe how good this surgery has been for me so far as I feel I'm making good progress, particularly over the last two weeks So grateful for this. Think I may be being a bit over cautious on this issue as I just want to do the right thing. Also we are getting ready to head into the second stage of coming out of lockdown here in the UK so looking forward to having my follow up with my OS somewhere down the line where things will be checked out .Thank you so much for the input. Much appreciated.I will look into purchasing a folding cane to have as back up for a wee while. Thank you once again.

 

[catlover55]

Just seen your post Layla and yes your right. I do feel it is a comfort to have the crutch with me but at the same time I want to be independent of it. However, your comments have reassured me.Needed to hear this. I will start to leave it behind when I go out and not be so hung up on it. You are a great confidence booster and yes, how time flies. So different to where I was this time last year Thank you once again.

 

[Layla]

Happy Four Month Anniversary!
I hope you’re enjoying the weekend and I’m wishing you a great week to come.
@catlover55

 

[catlover55]

Thank you for the good wishes Layla.. Was hanging out laundry in our back court on Saturday morning. Sun was shining , birds singing and squirrels scampering around..my cat was with me rolling around on the grass. Just got such a good sense of well being.The simple things in life. Cant beat them. Have a great week.

 

[Layla]

Hello and Happy Monday @catlover55
I can relate and it’s a wonderful feeling. I had one of those moments about a month post op. The sky was blue, the sun was shining, the trees were green, the birds were chirping and the temperature was perfect. I was walking into the grocery store, minus any pain, no longer limping and felt like ALL was right in the world. Told myself I was going to store that moment in my memory bank and I have. It’s amazing how this miraculous surgery can give you a new appreciation for life. I’m so very happy for you!

Wishing you many more of those moments.

 

[catlover55]

Thank you so much for your kind words Layla and yes your so right. This surgery is indeed miraculous. Feel I'm well on the way to getting my life back. Enjoying the simple things in life and finding I'm taking pleasure and interested in my surroundings when out and about. No pre op pain to spoil things. Funny thing happened today on my way out. Met a neighbour whom I hadn't seen for a while. He asked how my op had went and commented on how well I looked . Said he was glad to see me walking so well but also said he noticed a huge difference in my face as all of the pain that had shown had now gone. I had never thought of that before and didn't realise how obvious the pain was. Glad it's all behind me now. Have a great week.

 

[catlover55]

Hi everyone, At 6 and a half months post op, hip doing good but have developed pain in my shoulders and across my upper back area on waking in the morning. Also painful when I'm trying to breathe deeply. This goes on all day and feels muscular as its painful when moving and trying to stretch. I thought the cause was the fact that I still sleep on my back since my THR. I can turn on my unoperated side for a time and sleep using a pillow between my knees, and have tried with my op side but am a bit wary as it's still uncomfortable. I also purchased a special pillow called my pillow but so far no improvement. Has anyone else experienced this issue? I would be very grateful for any advice offered to me. I am reluctant to contact my GP at this time as the covid cases here in Scotland and the whole of the UK are rising daily and this takes priority over other health issues. However, I may need to make contact if the pain doesn't ease. Thank you.

 

[Jaycey]

@catlover55 I get shoulder and upper back pain if I sleep on a mattress that is too soft. But I am concerned that you say you have pain when trying to breathe deeply. Does this ease as you get moving during the day?

 

[catlover55]

Hi Jaycey.Thank you for your response. Yes it does tend to ease as I get moving during the day. I am very active in terms of daily activities and am enjoying walking a lot without the debilitating pre op pain and don't seem to have any breathing issues and my diet is for the most part fairly healthy. I don't have any problem sleeping either, it's just that on waking up I have this shoulder and upper back pain which can be quite severe and continues when I try to breathe deeply and try to raise my arms to stretch. I've been taking a couple of cocodamol in the morning which helps a bit. Just to add I did have some shoulder pain when I was using my crutches which I felt was normal and would resolve once I had discarded the crutches. It feels muscular so not really sure what I should be doing. Do you feel there are any exercises that would help, or do you think I should speak to my GP or maybe contact the physio dept for advice? I hate to bother them in these difficult times, but to be honest I haven't seen anyone since my discharge in February, just got on with it with the geat support and advice I received from you guys. Really value your opinion and any advice offered to me. Thank you.

 

[Jaycey]

What type of crutches were you using - under arm or elbow crutches?

If you are medicating to ease this you should contact your GP and at least have a video consultation. Shoulder, upper back and chest pain needs to be at least recorded in your patient summary. Here's hoping it is all just muscular.

Does your GP have a physio in their office? It wouldn't be a bad idea to try and connect with a physio as well. They will be able to recommend stretches to ease this if it is muscular.

Sorry I don't really have any answers. Please don't hesitate to contact your GP. There are thousands of patients who are not getting proper treatment now due to not wanting to "bother" their GP. This pandemic is bad enough. We don't need an epidemic of other health issues added to its impact.

Please keep us updated!

 

[catlover55]

Was using elbow crutches, which I found very supportive although did cause some pain and and discomfort in my shoulders and arms.GP doesn't have physio in their office. Procedure is patients are given a form to fill out and send to physio dept at tI he hospital for self referral. Pain seems to have eased a bit on waking this morning. I had adjusted my pillow and bedding a bit on retiring last night so hoping that has helped a bit.However, I will contact my GP and take it from there.You are absolutely right Jaycey re medicating. Made me realise the fact that I need to medicate to ease this merits a call to my GP. Think this pandemic is putting many people off seeking help as we don't to further burden our NHS. Thank you so much for your input. I really appreciate it. You have been very helpful. Will update when I have spoken with GP.