THR And now the healing begins

[wander03]

My right THR is tomorrow morning (3/23) at 6:00 AM CDT. I am looking forward to living without having constant pain and then walking and moving with ease as I recover. I’ll see you on the other side.

 

[Layla]

We’ll be thinking of you and watching for your first update. Sending comfort as you wait.

I‘ll leave the BoneSmart Recovery Guidelines in case you want to read over them with a clear head. If not, they’ll be here when you’re ready. Hugs!

As you begin healing, please keep in mind that each recovery is unique. While the BoneSmart philosophy successfully works for many, there will be exceptions. Between the recommendations found here, your surgeon's recovery protocol and any physical therapy you may engage in, the key is to find what works best for you.

Hip Recovery: The Guidelines
1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary

2. Control discomfort:

rest​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

3. Do what you want to do BUT
a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you
b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.

4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. Here is a week-by-week guide

Activity progression for THRs​

6. Access to these pages on the website

Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

Pain management and the pain chart
Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of THR recovery

Dislocation risk and 90 degree rule
Energy drain for THRs
Pain and swelling control: elevation is the key
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

BIG TIP: Hips actually don't need any exercise to get better. They do a pretty good job of it all on their own if given half a chance. Trouble is, people don't give them a chance and end up with all sorts of aches and pains and sore spots. All they need is the best therapy which is walking and even then not to excess.

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery.

While members may create as many threads as they like in a majority of BoneSmart's forums, we ask the at each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.

 

[Giddsy1]

All the best for tomorrow wander03

 

[I’vegotthis!]

My right THR is tomorrow morning (3/23) at 6:00 AM CDT. I am looking forward to living without having constant pain and then walking and moving with ease as I recover. I’ll see you on the other side.

Wishing you the best of luck! I had mine done on 25/2 so it is still fresh in my memory. Keep on top of the pain meds especially for the first week and listen to your body. Just think this time tomorrow your constant pain will be gone and you can start looking forward to life again. I will watch out for your update- you are in good hands so get some sleep!

 

[Going4fun]

I remember arriving early to my appointment. Time just flew from arrival at the hospital through the surgery.

Good luck and see you on the other side.

 

[Abbylayla]

Not much longer to pain free!!

 

[wander03]

Thanks to all of you for the encouragement.

 

[Mojo333]

Echoing the well wishes....
Bye bye Hip Pain.

 

[wander03]

Tada! Right THR was a brilliant success. Dr. Bradshaw told Jennifer, my daughter, that my slim hip made cutting easy. He said the surgery was a textbook case; that everything went great. I was in recovery for a bit, then moved to my room where Jennifer and her husband joined me about 10:30 AM. They just left about 2:30PM.

Jennifer, SIL, and I had a party. I have been absolutely giddy and exhausted myself. My knee no longer hurts! When PT had me walk from my bed to the recliner, there was some pain in my quad, but it is not intolerable. And my knee did not hurt! After sitting in the recliner for a bit (I’ve been here since 1:00 PM), there was a small amount of pain at the incision site, so I asked for, and was given, a pain pill. For the first days I think I will take the pain meds every four hours to stay ahead of the pain. It is so wonderful not to have the pain I have lived with for eight months. This is recovery pain. Yay!

My heart was set on an omelet for breakfast, so I had a 3-egg veggie omelet with two kinds of cheese, bell peppers, and mushrooms about 11:00 AM together with vanilla yogurt & low-fat granola, sour dough toast with butter and jelly, orange juice, and coffee. I ate most of it. Then about an hour and 15 minutes later I had lunch! That was Honey Dijon Salmon with lemon zest, served on a bed of wild rice with fresh steamed vegetables with ice tea. For dessert I had carrot cake and a homemade chocolate cookie. I requested that my SIL share my lunch, and he was glad to do so. There was no way I could have eaten all of it even if I had not just eaten breakfast an hour earlier. The food here is like that at a fine restaurant. I won’t get into what I’m having for dinner this evening and breakfast tomorrow. Yummy.

This orthopedic hospital is outstanding. The facilities are beautiful, everyone on the staff caring for me is thoughtful and upbeat, and I think I have the best surgeon. There are several surgeons here that operate on hips and knees, but one of the people taking care of me said if she ever has to have a procedure, Dr. Bradshaw is the one who will do it; that he is the best there is! I feel so fortunate that he was recommended to me. I am quite certain that the four-month wait between my first contact with him and the surgery was well worth the wait.

I foresee a speedy recovery. The bionic woman will once again roam the earth! This is such a positive experience so far that I am looking forward to my left THR on June 27. Did I mention the delicious food?

I will post again as my recovery progresses. Onward and upward!!!

 

[wander03]

This is the incision site. The nurse said the bandage is waterproof. I have not yet inquired as to when it will be acceptable for me to take a shower, but from what I’ve read, it will probably be a couple of days. However, I’m in no hurry to get into the shower. It’s not like I’m going to be gallivanting town around in the next few days.

 

[Layla]

So wonderful to read your joyful update. It sounds like you’re off to an excellent start. I hope they keep your pain well managed. Enjoy dinner…the food sounds delish. Thankfully you have an appetite. You're on your way!
@wander03

 

[CricketHip]

You remind me of myself immediately after surgery, euphoric! All sounds well and am so happy for you.
The food is amazing, you may need to ask to stay another day or so.
Seriously though, you sound marvelous and off to a great start.

 

[Klassy]

Woohoo, what a great start! Onwards and upwards indeed!

 

[wander03]

@CricketHip The euphoria was great fun. It lasted all day. I was giddy. I talked with several people on the phone in lengthy conversations and posted online. I kept going until about 10:30 PM when I went to bed. Leg massagers were put on my calves and stayed there until I woke up in the wee hours of the morning with the same excruciating pain I have had previously in my non-operated leg. I cried and agonized. CPN Martha took off the leg massagers and put ice packs on my groin and knee. That did not relieve the pain. RN Melissa gave me Diladud intravenously, and after a short time I had relief. No more leg massagers on that leg.

I came home mid-afternoon and am glad to be here. The food was delicious, but I ate too much and am as full as a tick. Back to eating less food.

Everything IS off to a great start. I have pain in my operated hip and thigh when I walk every hour or so, but it is healing pain and not that “is-this-ever-going-away?” pain that I had before. I can work through this.

 

[CricketHip]

Yes , you can work through this. You are familiar with recovery mode but please try to stay on top of the pain. What a nasty surprise.
Glad you’re home sweet home!

 

[Layla]

I remember that euphoria well. I think it was mainly because I was happy that I woke up and it was OVER!

Yes, you can do this. I’m sorry you had a rough first night. I hope tonight is much more peaceful and you get some restorative rest.
Hugs
@wander03

 

[Lynne54]

I am still in hospital and won't be discharged for a few days. Pain is off the scale and blood pressure 61/40 when they got me sitting up.cuttently 90/51 lying completely flat.

.

 

[Mojo333]

@Lynne54
I'm so sorry you are having a bad start.
I made you a recovery thread...

THR - Lynne54's Recovery Thread

I am still in hospital and won't be discharged for a few days. Pain is off the scale and blood pressure 61/40 when they got me sitting up.cuttently 90/51 lying completely flat. .

bonesmart.org

 

[wander03]

Good morning. I slept very well last night in my lift chair after I had slept about three hours during the afternoon. My operated leg was very stiff when I got out of the lift chair, but it loosens up a bit as I walk. Then the hot pain in my thigh begins. That abates some as I walk, but I become tired very easily when walking. As I write this, I am about to doze off. I slept about eight hours last night, but I guess I may be sleepy and tired for a few days. I’m going to take a nap now.

 

[Layla]

Sweet dreams! All sounds normal, even if a bit uncomfortable.

I loved my lift chair in early recovery. So much so that I slept in it overnight for three weeks! I stuffed soft squishy pillows in one side and my big ice pack on my posterior incision on the other side, felt like a swaddled baby. I slept comfortably for a block of
3-4 hrs nightly, up to go to the bathroom mid way through, then back to sleep for another 3-4 hrs. I was amazed.

I don’t know about you, but pre-op I never would have imagined I could sleep that soundly in a recliner. You certainly aren’t struggling with insomnia which is a blessing. I hope your pain is well managed and you can take many comfy naps. Our body does its best healing as we sleep, so snooze away.
Happy Weekend to you!
@wander03