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THR Allison's Amazing Recovery

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FYI: I love Xarelto as a blood thinner, but have no idea who it is suitable to treat.

For me, it causes no trouble (Diclofenac, my hip targeting NSAID did have a known interaction warning with Xarelto but for me this added a SMALL amount of bruising and a little extra bleeding, e.g., shaving cut, but no big deal except for surgery prep but all these get dropped 2-7 days out anyway for surgery.)

Investigate Xarelto with your doctor if you must take a blood thinner. Generally it is a great improvement over things like Coumadin.
 
Hi all, it's been a while since I last posted. I am almost 9 weeks out and went back to work today. Boy, am I beat! I am sore too, I guess because of getting up and down out of my chair more than I'm used to and generally being more active. I took an oxycodone when I got home.

I saw my OS yesterday for a follow-up appointment and when I asked about loosening restrictions after 3 months, he basically said I will always have to follow them. Including side sleeping with a pillow between my legs. No bending past 90%, no inward bend of the leg, no nuthin'. I'm not flexible enough yet to go much past the 90% anyway but I really was surprised that it's something I'll always have to watch. I know every doctor has his own protocol, but how seriously should I take this?
 
Wow, @allison good to hear you are back to work, and back to living!

But, those restrictions? Why?
The only thing I cannot do is run/jump. I had anterior. What did you have?
 
Hi, @MajorHeidi I'm thinking he's being overly cautious about the risk of dislocation. I had the posterior approach, and he impressed upon me the direction that the bone was dislocated during surgery so he wants me to avoid movement in that same direction. Yet at the same time he stated that after 3 months it's not as big of a concern. I specifically asked about the restrictions, and his reply was that I should never stop adhering to them. So I'm a little confused...
 
Well @allison It may be one of those deals where a doctor doesn't want you coming back next year with a dislocation and him having not said 'it could happen; so please don't do these things'....
A CYA liability coverage....
But, if you can observe the actions that he says, I am sure that is always a good thing.
they typically say that the first 6 weeks are the big worry period.
I tend to follow the 'if it hurts, stop doing it immediately approach".
 
Hi @allison, I'm glad you're doing so well. I was later going back to work but I too was tired and a bit sore but is get a bit easier!

I had posterior approach and I've had the restrictions lifted. I considered that my surgeon had a conservative approach so I'm very surprise yours is saying maintain them indefinitely. I think the 90°is often three months here and then move as you are able. I would agree @MajorHeidi not to push beyond your comfort zone and that too grows with time. The first time I could cut my toenails was great!

I hope day 2 at work is a good one!

RTHR May 27th 2014
 
@allison , well done on getting back to work. Easy does it now. Stamina is still a big issue.

Regarding your restrictions, I am not a medical expert but I think your surgeon is being way over cautious. For my LTHR I had posterior approach and the only restrictions I have are no parachuting or bungee jumping. Every hip is dislocated during THR - how could they replace the joint without doing this? I think you should listen to that hip. It will tell you if it does not want to move in a particular direction. Keep trying - these things can take time.
 
@allison glad to hear you are doing well even though work is tiring. As your stamina builds that will feel a lot better. I had similar feedback about precautions from my surgeon at my 5 week exam. I think as time passes many of these restrictions will go away, but he also indicated that he wants me to be cautious of some movements indefinitely. In the 1st couple days after surgery he said he did not ever want me to do yoga again, but the physical therapist said I would be fine after a while. I will be sure to post my new information after my 11 week exam and perhaps it will be helpful. I am posterior as well. The surgeon is apprehensive about giving clearance to some activities that i want (and plan) to return to, but for now I am patient and concentrate on what I can do. I want to return to surfing and nearly every account I have read, people surf again after THR, but he still seems hesitant. If I am 6-8 months out and feeling strong, I will have more conversations with the surgeon about any limitations at that point. I am comfortable giving up other sports, but it really hope to return to my low impact activities. I hope your recovery continues to go well and look forward to more updates
 
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Thanks for all your replies. I agree that my surgeon is being overly cautious. From everything I've read here, I should be allowed to touch my toes at some point!

Day 2 at work and I woke up exhausted. Energy drain, go away!!
 
I felt more confident that I'd be able to return to my normal activities by 12 weeks than I do now. I'll be 11 weeks Friday and I'm still not ready to move in certain ways. I have some pain after I've been on the go too long so my hip doesn't yet feel "normal" or "forgotten". I'm learning to manage my activity level better, though, and perhaps with practice over a longer time period, I'll feel more assured. My OS told me to observe restrictions until I see him again on Nov. 10th but he didn't have to tell me. I'm not ready to throw caution to the wind. :boohoo:
 
@beachgal I hear ya about returning to certain activities and lingering restrictions...now what is that expression. Patience is a virtue. Arrgg, I need to remind myself of that. @allison I hope your Day 2 goes well and your energy drain subsides, I expect it will take a few days and then it is the weekend :) Does coffee help at all? I recently returned to the 'dark side' myself
 
@allison I am @ 11 weeks (with a 2nd injury) and my OS still has me on full restrictions. Eventually, there will be lots I can do that I certainly can't do now. I let my pain triggers be my guide and likely will stick to that as the months pass. I know if it hurts, it's not good for me and I am not about to push my luck bungie jumping or skydiving anyway :)
 
I'm about four and a half years post-op with a posterior THR. I do lots of yoga and Pilates. I don't follow any hip precautions and I have full ROM in that hip. No one in my classes even knows that I have an artificial hip.

I think it's wise to listen to your body and not to push positions that feel uncomfortable, but I would say that to anyone. With time your ROM is naturally going to increase and it's probably not realistic to limit yourself. After all, you had this surgery to get back your quality of life, right?

About that pillow between the legs... I found it really comfortable at first. Then, it became increasingly less comfortable and I had to get rid of it. I don't think I could sleep like that now. So, listen to your body there too. If you're kicking the pillow away in your sleep, there may be a reason for that.

Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk
 
@allison My restrictions were lifted at 12 weeks BUT listen to your body like Alex says, I can touch my toes easily but I always could thanks to yoga - I am pretty flexible apart from severe osteo-arthritis in various joints, but exercise does help those bits to keep moving. It's funny how different surgeons impose different restrictions (even at the same hospital!) so I think a lot can be ignored.
Regards
Anne
 
Thanks everyone. I agree about not pushing movement to where it hurts. I wasn't suggesting that I was about to start learning contortions, ha ha. It sounds like I don't really have to worry about the restrictions indefinitely, as long as I don't try to do something that my body doesn't like. And yes, the pillow between the legs has been ending up on the floor by morning, so I am not adhering to that one anymore.

It's getting a bit easier day by day to manage working full time. Last night I did take a short nap when I got home, and that helped. I don't feel as sore, just tired, so if I resolve to at least lie down for a bit when I get home that might be the answer for now.
 
@allison hope you are getting some much need rest this weekend. Each week will get easier. You are doing great!
 
Thanks @Jaycey I did get lots of rest but I find going back to work exhausting and depressing. I am in a funk that I can't seem to shake. I hope you are doing well after your recent surgery...
 
allison said:
I am in a funk that I can't seem to shake.
Click to expand...
Can you work shorter hours to help build up your stamina? It can take awhile to get back into the "grind". Hope this week is better for you!
 
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