Another newbie with questions

[DianeC]

This forum is great and I'm glad I found it. After reading the posts, I'm feeling much better about my upcoming RTHR.
I am 52 and will be having my surgery in May. My hip started aching about 15 months ago and my arthritis has gotten progressively worse since then.
My questions are:

1. Do they always put the drain at the incision site and how long does it stay in?
2. Did you have had to give yourselves anti-clotting injections or did you take oral medications?
3.For those who slept in recliners: did you have trouble maneuvering in it without violating your hip precautions?

Diane

 

[YoungM]

Hi Diane! Welcome to the forum! I had a RTHR on 3/17/09 and am 27 years old.

1 -I'm not too sure about
2 -I had to take an aspirin every day (up to 6 weeks) to prevent clots. Also, they will give you a specific exercise to do to get the blood circulating in your legs.
3 -I never slept a full night in a recliner. Instead, I would wake up early and go into my recliner in the AM to rest. I was able to do so without breaking any precautions.

Hope that helps!

 

[Karen54]

Welcome, Diane! I'm 54 and had RTHR 2/4/09. I didn't have a drain at my incision site. My husband gave me the injections - just couldn't bring myself to do it! I also took a full aspirin for about the first 6 weeks. My recliner wasn't comfortable for me right after surgery, so I never slept in it. Spent a couple of weeks roaming the house at all hours of the night because I couldn't sleep, though! Best of luck to you and keep posting!

Karen

 

[Josephine]

This forum is great and I'm glad I found it. After reading the posts, I'm feeling much better about my upcoming RTHR.

I'm delighted to hear that. And welcome to BoneSmart!

1. Do they always put the drain at the incision site and how long does it stay in?

Some surgeons use them to stop an accumulation of blood (haematoma) in or near the hip joint which itself could be a problem, others don't because they consider it a route into the wound for infection. Don't personally agree with that but then I'm 'only' a nurse! The drain is placed deep in the wound near the hip joint and usually comes out the next day or at 48hrs maximum.

2. Did you have had to give yourselves anti-clotting injections or did you take oral medications?

In my experience they are usually given as injections - if the surgeon subscribes to that protocol. Some don't. If you have to, they are simplicity itself to give. The needle is little thicker than fuse wire and hardly gives any sensation much less pain. They are administered into the belly fat.

3.For those who slept in recliners: did you have trouble maneuvering in it without violating your hip precautions?

So many people here have used recliners, I would think that implies they've not had any problems in that respect. But I'm sure some will drop by to comment.

 

[Judles]

Welcome to Bonesmart, Diane!
1). Never had a drain
2) Never took injections
3) Never slept in a recliner, although I rested in it during the day!

 

[prairienut]

Hello Diane, I am 58 and had a RTHR just 2 weeks ago. I found this forum extremely helpful in getting through the pre-surgery jitters and the post-surgery questions.

1. I did not have a drain.
2. For clot prevention, I had one Lovenox injection in the hospital, then was started on 325mg aspirin twice a day for 6 weeks following surgery.
3. I used an electrically operated recliner for my first few nights at home. The motor on it lifts it up off the floor so you can sort of lean back on it, then lower it. Even without that feature, I think I still could have gotten in the chair without breaking precautions but it would have been more difficult. Once I was able to more easily lift my operated leg onto the bed, I found lying flat in bed much more comfortable.

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your new hip!
Gail

 

[DianeC]

Thanks for your quick responses! It's helpful to read about other people's experiences.

I didn't think to ask my doctor about the drain, so I don't know if I'll have one or not.
I think I'll have to do the injections,but my husband said he'd give them to me if I was squeamish about it.

Diane

 

[HopAlong]

Hi Diane

I had the drain in over night until the next day.
I gave myself Lovenox injections for 10 days, then 325 mg ecotrin (coated aspirin) daily.
I am 5 weeks post-op, but haven't used my recliner yet because it breaks the 90-degree rule getting in and out of it...... 7 more weeks to use it.


hop

 

[PRGal]

Hi Diane--Welcome! I'm 58 and had a right THR 5 months ago, direct anterior approach, so no restrictions. I DID have a drain, which was removed the next day after surgery. Also had anti-clotting injections for 14 days post-op. For some unknown reason, I did fine doing it myself for the first 9 days, then froze and had to turn it over to hubby. Go figure . . . As for recliner, I used it often during the day, but didn't sleep in it at night. However, I did sleep in our guest room the first 2 weeks, for 3 reasons: to avoid waking hubby as I shifted about trying to get comfortable; to avoid his thrashing & snoring , and finally, to avoid being leaned on by a ginormous chocolate lab who thinks she's entitled to most of the bed!

 

[Jamie]

Welcome, Diane.....I hope you find the forum a benefit to you as you approach your surgery. Our members are more than happy to share experiences with you and to give you whatever support you need both now and following the operation. They are a great group of folks!

 

[TBONE]

Hi Diane. I'll be 52 in June and had BTHR on April 1, 2009. Things are lookin' up!
I'm like Judles:
1). Never had a drain
2) Never took injections
3) Never slept in a recliner, and don't even own one, though I wish I did.
Tom

 

[Peta]

Hi Diane - I'm 49, female and had LTHR October 23rd last year.
1) Had a drain near the incision which came out 2 days after my surgery
2) Never had injections - had to take 1 aspirin daily for 4 weeks
3) Never slept in a recliner - just used lots of pillows to prop me up in bed

Good luck with everything!

Peta

 

[oldbones]

Hi Diane, I had THR 1-12-09. I did have a Hemovac drain which was removed the next day. I was started on Coumadin the evening of surgery and was on it for 6 weeks after surgery which required protimes 2x/week along with medication adjustments. I didn't find it necessary to sleep in a recliner but rather used several pillows in bed. I hope you've found this blog to be as helpful as I have. Good luck to you! Oldbones