THR And now the healing begins

[Layla]

Good luck with your appointments tomorrow, wander. I hope they both go well. Let us know what your OS says about the fluid around your incision. I hope you feel reassured by your visit. Will look forward to your update.
@wander03

 

[wander03]

Dr. Bradshaw thinks the pouch-like area, no longer squishy, around the incision is a hematoma, he said it could be a seroma, but that it really doesn’t matter since it does not appear to be infected and we’re not going to drain it. If anything changes, I am to contact him. Otherwise, he will see me on August 9 for my 6-week follow up. He said I have nothing to be concerned about; that the body generally reabsorbs the hematoma. I told him I have been concerned. He reiterated that I don’t need to be.

Dr, Evans took an x-ray of my knee, which he showed me (I had not seen an X-ray of it before; interesting) and moved it around. He said it looks good. He has no idea why it is so tight. He suggested I cycle and said that would help strengthen it. He said building up the strength in my core will also be helpful and that cycling will help with that. I told him my recumbent bike is just waiting for my left hip to finish recovering so that I can use it. The x-ray he took also showed my left knee, and he said it still looks good.

Now comes the decision as to when I want to resume physical therapy. I think it is probable that the PT I did on Wednesday and Thursday of last week contributed to the formation of the hematoma, since those are the only days I did therapy on the day after the therapist was here, and the hematoma started forming on Thursday afternoon. Therefore, I hesitate to start back with the PT immediately even though Dr. Bradshaw said to work on the physical therapy. I am relatively certain that Dr. Bradshaw, Daniel, and Chris would say there is no correlation, but I think it is a possibility. I re-read the BoneSmart position on PT, and it appears that it’s either PT or no PT. I want to resume PT at some point because it certainly helped strengthen my right leg. I am considering waiting for three more weeks, until six weeks after the surgery. Is that a logical time to resume, or would a week or two more than that be advisable? I’m waiting for input before I finish my text to Daniel.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Layla]

Hello @wander03
I‘m happy to hear your appt with Dr. Bradshaw went well and I hope his reassurance has brought you peace of mind.

As far as PT, I don’t view the BoneSmart position to be PT, or no PT. It is personal preference. The decision whether to engage is yours as is the choice of how involved you want to be. I don’t think it will hurt you to return at six weeks, or eight weeks, if that’s what YOU want to do. I’d advise you begin slowly, not pushing yourself through any movement that causes pain. If you find yourself in pain the day after a therapy session, you’re doing too much. Listen to your body, do what you’re comfortable doing and no more. I will remind you of the Big Tip from the Recovery Guidelines.

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.

I hope your evening is a peaceful one. Take good care!

 

[wander03]

@Layla I read the Big Tip before I wrote the post, and just walking for the next three weeks, and even then not to excess, is what I have considered doing. None of the PT I did last week hurt. During the first two weeks, if something was not comfortable, I quit doing it, and when I resume PT, that is what I will continue doing.

I had a basically textbook, uneventful recovery with the right hip, my right knee being the only concern. I think that is why I am vacillating so much about what to do with this hip since it seems to be a bit problematic.

Thank you very much. I’ll just have to make a decision.

 

[Eman85]

I've had 2 THR's and they were different recoveries despite same OS and same procedure. My left had complications and it was stronger right after surgery and had great movement. My right was a log and was slow to come around.

 

[wander03]

@Eman85 I had the same OS and both replacements were anterior. Of course I was expecting the same great recovery with my left hip that I had with my right one. Thank you for letting me know I’m not the only one for whom things did not go as expected. I keep telling myself, “This, too, shall pass.” It’s a temporary condition and most likely will end up just fine. But I certainly do prefer the recovery experience I had with my right hip.

 

[Eman85]

Actually the recovery experience with my second was a better experience then my first. I had the attitude if I could I would and had many setbacks and pains with my first because of that. With my second I did the sit, rest. walk and ice method and it worked out a lot better in the long run. I did not do any formal PT with either.

 

[subie2021]

I think it's easy for those of us with smooth, faster, and comparatively pain free first hip replacements to set that experience as normal, and it becomes a standard of comparison. Then when the other hip takes longer and is more difficult, our brains start warning us it's "not normal, something is wrong, oh no what is going on!"
If the first replacement had been more difficult, a similar second experience would be familiar, and a better second would be a pleasant surprise.
Now, I need to get this ^^^ tattooed on my arm so I'm reminded when the times comes

 

[Layla]

Preach it sister! @subie2021 That Is ALL So True!!!

I had a good recovery and fear I could never match it. Doesn’t matter how many times you read it here ”no two recoveries are alike, even with the same person”.
I understand when members are tempted to let their mind go to the bad place, I’m sure I’d do the same.

Look at it this way @wander03 - You’re taking a different route this time, but you will arrive at the same destination as the last trip.

 

[wander03]

@Eman85 To the best of my ability, I have done all the “right” things with my second hip as I did with my first. I had no control over the nurse in the recovery room overdosing me with drugs. I do not know of anything I did to contribute to the formation of the hematoma or seroma, unless physical therapy contributed. I was not in the ODIC with either one. So this more difficult second recovery is frustrating.

@subie2021 That is exactly what I am experiencing. However, I’m glad my first hip replacement recovery was so smooth and uneventful. Had it not been, I probably would have dreaded my second. As it was, I was looking forward to the second and excited about it. As someone who wants to control the circumstances of my life as much as possible, seemingly being unable to have any control over this recovery despite my best efforts is a difficult experience for me. I know that, as in all things, there is a lesson for me to learn from this, but I would have preferred a second recovery more like my first one. I do not enjoy the lessons that aren’t fun. But who does? The tattoo would be a good reminder, but perhaps you could reduce it to an acronym?

I know one of the things nagging at my mind is that I want to get back to work, but I don’t want to start back until I am absolutely certain that I am ready to do so. That was not a concern with my knee and first hip recoveries because I had not worked for a considerable length of time. I know that I don’t need to be concerned about the situation because it’s great if there is still work available when I’m ready to start working again, but my life will go on just fine if there isn’t. Yet, the thought seems to be ever present.

I want for all of this waiting until I recover to be over with. I’ve been in a holding pattern for a year, and I’m ready to move on.

 

[wander03]

@Layla I know you are right; however, it seems to me that rather than taking a different route, I’m on a detour, and I’m not enjoying the detour. Perhaps I need to take into consideration that some people are having what seem to be much-more-difficult recoveries than mine with this second hip. And here I am, whining. But even that does not change my frustration with this recovery.

 

[Layla]

I want for all of this waiting until I recover to be over with. I’ve been in a holding pattern for a year, and I’m ready to move on.

This is certainly understandable, it truly is given the surgeries and recoveries you’ve endured over the past year.

Tell yourself it’s going to be another year until you’re feeling wonderful. Along the way your energy will continue to increase as you grow stronger and steadier on your feet. This is the exact opposite of the downward spiral of a deteriorating joint. You’re on the right path now and on your way to brighter days.

 

[wander03]

@Layla That is definitely the attitude that I need to adopt and maintain. Thank you for helping to put things in perspective.

 

[Layla]

And here I am, whining. But that doesn’t change my frustration with this recovery.

Whining is allowed and frustration is understandable. Your best defense may be to stay busy, keeping your mind engaged on anything non hip / recovery related and try to adopt a que sera, sera mentality. Your surgeon reassured you that this will reabsorb and said you don’t need to be concerned. Trust that.

Maybe you’re due for a nice little outing with a dear friend, family member or neighbor. Just lunch, or maybe even just coffee! A drive in the country listening to your favorite music. What about a movie?!! I’m dying to see, Elvis, heard it was really good and with those big squishy recliners they have in the theater these days, you could even ice and elevate as you watch the movie on the big screen with your popcorn.
Hey, I think I just talked myself into going, lol.

 

[subie2021]

@wander03 ...I know what you mean, I'm the same way. It's a humbling experience, to not have control, isn't it? I believe that everything has a reason, there are no coincidences, and that what we go through is necessary to complete our journeys to wherever it is we need to be. But it's so hard sometimes to keep that in mind. When it gets difficult I tell myself "Everything is as it should be right now, for this moment" and it gets me through the rough spots.
I hope you can find some kind a peace and tranquility, and that your recovery soon turns the corner to smooth and speedy.

 

[wander03]

@Layla “Que sera sera” has generally been my mantra, particularly for those times when I can’t seem to control circumstances. But sometimes I need a reminder. Thanks for the reminder. Yes, Dr. Bradshaw said the hematoma or seroma will resorb and that I don’t need to be concerned. Now all I need to do is to not be concerned. Easier said than done for me. But I’ll work on it.

I hope you enjoy Elvis. It is supposed to be a good movie. I’ll probably go to a theatre again some day, but not having gone to one for so long makes it easier to watch movies at home. Those recliners are very comfortable. And the idea of icing and elevating, if I could smuggle in an ice gel pack, is fun.

I’m driving to Fayetteville on Friday to have my hair trimmed. While there I plan to see my friend Sarah and take her the single Milk Bar Chocolate Truffle that I have kept frozen for her for a while. When the truffles arrived, I asked her which flavor she would prefer, and she chose chocolate, so I have resisted the temptation to eat it. If you‘re curious, Google “Milk Bar” and you will see a delightful assortment of treats. Jennifer is also having her hair done on Friday, and we always enjoy visiting with Erin, our cosmetologist. Jennifer and Pete plan for us to have their favorite pizza, and I will see my six grand dogs, so Friday will probably be a very nice, although possibly tiring, day. At the least, it will be a nice distraction from sitting in my lift chair all day except for when I walk around and when I fix something to eat.

@subie2021 It appears that we share the same basic philosophy. “But it's so hard sometimes to keep that in mind.” So true. Thank you for helping lift me out of the abyss of self pity. Not to say I won’t slip down there again, but maybe your reminder will help me maintain my footing.

Thanks to both of you and to @Eman85 for your encouragement. You are helping me to keep on keeping on.

 

[Layla]

Sounds like you have an action packed day, Friday.
Enjoy time with your friend, Sarah and your daughter Jennifer & Pete.
You may be tired by the time you get home, but it will be a good tired and hopefully you’ll sleep like a baby Friday night.
@wander03

 

[wander03]

@Layla Thanks. Fortunately I sleep like a baby just about every night.

I’m trying to accept that I can do nothing about the hematoma or seroma that is at the incision site except ice and just leave it alone. I return to see Dr. Bradshaw on August 9 if there is nothing of concern between now and then, and he will look at the incision site and let me know the status of the hematoma or seroma. I am making progress.

 

[myglasshalffull]

wander,
Baby steps, that's what it's all about. then one day we take a gigantic big step forward, it's amazing how it does come together.
Enjoy your outing on Friday, sounds like a fun day.

 

[wander03]

@myglasshalffull And I will be sooooo glad when that day arrives!