THR AJinNH’s recovery RTHR

[tallguy79]

@AJinNH - I try to walk upright, although my daughter tells me I'm limping when I'm not even aware of it - I suppose it becomes automatic. I was told yesterday that my restrictions will probably be for 12 weeks, which was disappointing as I'd thought 6 weeks was more than enough - especially with the delightful TEDS! - and what I hadn't realised was that I wouldn't be able to sit on my swivel chair at work after 6 weeks, so I'll have to investigate alternatives. I'm afraid the therapist also didn't help much when she said that if I'd had a previous infection in the joint, it was more likely that I'd get an infection this time. I said it was 12 years ago, but she didn't rush to encourage me! She also said if I'd had MRSA (which was hospital acquired and, again, 12 years ago) I'd probably be in a side room. I suppose I might sleep better, but I'd been looking forward to the camaraderie of a ward. Oh well, this whole caboodle can be a bit of a bumpy ride it seems.

@Cassidy Why no swivel chair? I have been using an office chair to carry food from kitchen to dining rooom every day with no problems. No one anywhere along the way said anything about not using a swivel chair.

 

[jaydub63]

@tallguy79 I think it's just because it can be harder to brace yourself to get up from a chair on wheels or one that swivels in the weeks right after surgery, since they may move as you are getting up or sitting down and are less stable than a regular chair for someone who has just had a THR. If you've been fine doing what you are doing, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Cassidy]

@tallguy79 and @jaydub63 - I rather felt that the therapist I spoke to wanted to make everything doom and gloom. I thought my restrictions were going to be for six weeks, but she told me they'd be for 12 unless the OS thought otherwise. She also relished telling me about all the things I wouldn't/shouldn't do. Everything was delivered with a sort of doom-laden countenance! She quite depressed me actually.

 

[Cassidy]

Anyway, I'm going to hope that the OS will give me better news!

 

[AJinNH]

Eleven weeks today. I traveled to visit with my son and his family and had a wonderful visit. The grandkids are growing so fast and I am already planning my next visit.

Getting through TSA was a nonissue, I just had to go through the scanner instead of the metal detector just like @jaydub63 said. I was surprised by the number of people waiting with me to get scanned, most because of joint replacements.

Unfortunately the sitting from traveling and flying set me back because my psoas tightened up pretty bad and I was limping a bit in the morning, but it would eventually get better as the day went on. At PT today they worked hard at trying to stretch as well as release it. I have a feeling that I’ll be sore tomorrow, but I can feel a difference. I think I’m going to be working on this psoas problem for a while.

 

[Layla]

Nice update. It sounds like you had a wonderful time with family.
Tackled TSA too and all went well. I've yet to have the pleasure, lol.
I'm sorry you have the psoas issue and hopefully you find relief soon.
Have a great week!
@AJinNH

 

[Mojo333]

Glad you enjoyed your trip...do hope the psoasis problem eases soon.

 

[MammaT]

Glad you got to see the grandkids @AJinNH. I am planning trip to Phoenix in July so I can spoil two of mine. Good luck working the muscles out. Sometimes that seems to be the hardest part.

 

[AJinNH]

12 weeks postop today. I had to contact my OS due to a new issue I have been having. I started getting a pain in the front of my thigh, about 3/4 up my leg that was causing me to limp when I’d put pressure on that leg. It was intermittent, but it definitely was a new pain, as was the limping.

I had been doing a lot, but nothing that I hadn’t got the okay to do first. I had water aerobics the past 2 Wednesday’s (the pain started after the May 30th class), but I also traveled the next day, Thursday, so wasn’t sure what caused it. Friday morning I could barely walk for about 20 minutes, then I was fine (until later after I’d been sitting for a while). More travel Sunday and more pain after sitting.

Then when I got back from traveling I had PT on Monday, water aerobics & laps and massage on Wednesday and worked out on my elliptical on Friday. I’ve done nothing since Friday per suggestion of NP and she said if it improved, which it did, then it’s probably muscle pain from over doing it. However she went on to say that they encourage the activity that I’ve been doing, but not to over do it. I do admit to eagerly doing everything in class (I felt great while doing it, no pain), then I did laps for another 15 minutes, so maybe a bit much.

I guess I’m not indestructible

I hadn’t thought about the possibility of a loose stem or cracked femur until several days in, and then it really scared me. I’ve been inactive sine Friday and it’s hard, but I’m feeling a lot better. The challenge is going to be seeing how much activity I can do without causing the pain to return. The whole point of getting the replacement was so that I could be active again. I’m kind of depressed, I really loved being back in the pool.

Has anyone else experienced a similar pain after exercises?

 

[Layla]

Hi @AJinNH
I'm sorry to read you're dealing with this and the resulting concern it brings.
It sounds like overactivity to me especially because you backed off and it's improving.
Why don't you just try walking for a couple weeks, and nothing else, then slowly add other activity and see how it goes from there. Just an opinion but that's what I'd try. I'd probably even hold off on the walking until the pain is gone.

I saw a sign this past Winter that I liked - "Pain Is Your Body Asking For Change" good one, huh?
I'd give it a bit more of the "change" as you're doing right now. I know it's difficult but possibly best.
Hope you're feeling better soon!

 

[Bone-obo]

It seems like a lot of people start having strange pains pop up (knees, muscles, and general achiness) between 9 and 16 weeks, and I wonder if part of it is muscle imbalances from new hips. I'm so with you in terms of doing everything in class! but maybe focus on form instead of intensity for a while - less pressure on the elliptical, and cheat with your upper body some in water aerobics, at least for a few weeks, and then gradually start putting more effort in. Sounds like you've got great body awareness, so regardless, you should be fine. (I'm going by how I start bike season every year - I always have to force myself to do slow, short rides for a little while, or I pay for it with my knees the rest of the summer.)

Don't forget us when you figured this out! Some of us rookies want example to follow going forward!

 

[AJinNH]

Thanks @Layla and @Bone-obo I appreciate the feedback. I think just walking for awhile might be a good idea. And maybe the elliptical since I haven’t been using any resistance or incline postop, but I can slow my pace down. I’m a little too competitive with myself for my own good.

Pain is my body asking for change! Good one. Although I may have to remind my body that a hip replacement is a pretty big change. I’ve been listening

@Bone-obo is that a recumbent bike? I had one too not long ago and I loved it. It was a bit higher off the ground than yours with big chopper-like handle bars that always amazed the little boys I’d pass. It never failed, I’d see their eyes get real big and then they’d yell WOW, I loved it!

I will definitely let you know when I figure this out. I hope it’s soon. I’m not very patient either unfortunately, that’s the hard part.

 

[Bone-obo]

Yep, it's a Trice Micro. Tiny little thing, like pedaling a skateboard - I may well keep riding it, even when I can mount an actual upright again. If you don't mind a little tech talk, what recumbent brand did you own?

 

[anny]

AJ....sorry you've got a new niggle popping up....you never know what's going to happen next with this joint replacement stuff! Hopefully, as it came out of the blue, it will go back quietly into the night, never to be felt again I feel quite paranoid these days, wondering if the latest twinge is something or nothing......I do hope that this phase doesn't last forever or the little men in white coats will be coming to take me away! At least by now we know to slow down in case it's ODI and are you also ?? The whole thing is definitely a bit of a

 

[Mojo333]

Our bodies are very good at letting us know when there is still deep healing happening and how ready some of the muscles are to perform.
Or surgery IS to get us back to doing what we enjoy AND what will keep us strong and healthy.
But I know that my legs needed alot of down time in other to truly get well so I COULD get back to my life. My normal daily activity once back to work was often more than my body was ready for.
Main trouble was, as you mentioned, I didn't have the Hip pain so I could was excited to go go go...only hurt when I stopped.

You'll figure it...you just can't hurry some of the process...but you can hinder it with impatience.
Speaking from experience
Hope all eases soon..a few more months of easy does it..well worth it for lifetime of happy hips!

 

[AJinNH]

@Bone-obo I can’t recall the name of the bike at the moment, it will come to me, usually around 3am. But it looked just like this one, but only cost a fraction of what this bike is listed for: https://bobs-bikes.com/product/sun-...MIgb_vlqDO2wIVhcDACh0XcQ8fEAQYHiABEgK3cvD_BwE

 

[AJinNH]

Thanks for the support @anny and @Mojo333 it always helps. The good news is that the thigh pain has gone away and I haven’t used any OTC pain relief for over 24 hrs. So less activity it will be for a little while. This is going to be very difficult for me. I’m going to have to come up with a plan so that I can monitor my progress and see how much I can do without relapsing. If nothing else it will keep me preoccupied.

Also good news I’ve been sleeping comfortably on both sides now for a few hours at a time. The first time it happened was on my op side for four hours! I’ve been spending less and less time sleeping on my back and as a result have been getting much better rest.

So 12 weeks postop my preop pain is gone, I’m not taking any pain meds, I’m sleeping much better and getting around normally. I’ve also gone back to doing most things with the exception of lifting anything too heavy. I have a lot to be thankful for, I’ll stop complaining

 

[Layla]

Wonderful update! @AJinNH I'm happy to hear that pain is gone.
All sounds well.....you're up and on your way!
Hope your week is great!

 

[Bone-obo]

Fabulous report, @AJinNH! Keep rockin' this recovery - I'm rootin' for ya!

 

[Mojo333]

Also good news I’ve been sleeping comfortably on both sides now for a few hours at a time. The first time it happened was on my op side for four hours! I’ve been spending less and less time sleeping on my back and as a result have been getting much better rest.

You are catching the side sleeping early on than I did...jealous!
I really do think a reprieve will do you some good AJ.
We can strengthen, tone, AND get back to whatever we like...what we think we lose,,,we can gain back. I have.
Just want you well!