THR Anterior patients, I am questioning posterior pain. Dislocation?

[Solar7]

I hadn’t realised that! Very different here!
I’m about to approach week 8 and still using assistance. But all our recoveries are different..

Maybe I'm being too optimistic. I'm hoping that at my age, things will repair quickly and assistance will only be a "just in case" thing I carry around near that time since I'm in decent shape otherwise.

 

[Solar7]

Well, it's been two weeks! Outside of my complaints here, I do think recovery is going about as well as possibly expected, I really think I could do more than I am at the moment without joining the ODIC. My incision hasn't been giving me much in the way of trouble, just some itching here or there. I found myself scratching at it overnight as I woke up, but I don't think I disturbed the dressing, which I think comes off tomorrow at my surgeon followup anyways.

Swelling has been surprisingly minimal, but I've been elevating and icing a lot per Bonesmart advice. I'm mostly off of the prescription pain meds, mainly taking them before bed or pre/post-PT. I do still have a big swollen area on my lateral/posterior area, but that's about it. The bruising is yellow/light brown, which is much better than the big bruise I had about 2-3 months before surgery when I had a minor fall getting into a broken chair.

As anyone here knows, I'm anxious to get off of the walker at least some of the time. I forget it's there and get up and walk a few steps without it before remembering sometimes, so I'd really like a cane or single crutch. I'm writing this pre-PT, so hoping I can get that answer today, or at least tomorrow at the doctor.

The only pain I'm a little worried about is about a 1-2 right around the replacement joint. It's more of a "reminder it's there" than a true pain, but I still get concerned about it being centralized around the replacement. I have no warmth or symptoms of infection, so I hope tomorrow's x-rays can alleviate any fears that maybe it's misaligned or anything.

If I recall correctly, people begin to see marked, almost daily improvement after two weeks. Is that true? If so, looking forward to it.

 

[Hippie Chick]

Good luck at your appointment tomorrow!

 

[Jaycey]

If I recall correctly, people begin to see marked, almost daily improvement after two weeks.

This is different for everyone. Sounds like you are doing very well. You just need to gain the confidence to transition to a crutch or cane. You are already seeing signs you can do this if you are leaving the walker behind.

 

[Solar7]

Post-PT update... I was graduated to the cane. But even more interesting... I'm walking without it!

I've had someone close by, but I'm moving and going with zero assistance. No balance problems. Walking better than before the surgery. Gonna be careful and not overdo it and move with intention, so I don't twist and do anything.

But, wow for two weeks since I was in the operation room!

 

[Layla]

Awesome...isn't it?!!

Gonna be careful and not overdo it and move with intention, so I don't twist and do anything.

Smart thinking! Go slow and have a great week!

 

[Hippie Chick]

Yay!

 

[Esmeralda]

Really pleased to hear your good news - well done you !

 

[TiredOfLimping]

Hi @Solar7, I am so glad you are doing so well with this recovery! Just continue to walk with a purpose and continue your healing journey!

 

[Goma]

We're same dates however I had posterior approach. I live in Australia so have a different approach to recovery. I was on a walker for one day and that was used as a precaution in case I was still unsteady from the anaesthetic. The following day I was walking on two crutches but used them as an assistance to walking correctly..not keeping my operated leg off the ground.

After the first week I progressed to one crutch and I can now walk comfortably without a crutch. If I do that there's a bench close by I can grab if I want to. So one crutch and carry say a cup of tea in the other.

I have stairs and can do them with one crutch.

I have pt via zoom and he encourages one crutch for walking. I don't sit too long. I get around the house and do basic things..some easy cooking ...put the washing on..which I stand without crutches. Shower standing no crutches. I think I'll be off crutches in about 2 weeks. Walking without them is natural.

My pt hasn't said bridges and pt is easy leg slides and glute squeezes. Nothing in pt hurts me.

 

[Solar7]

My mom is refusing to come to the doctor or interact with me/provide care because I am planning on asking the doctor when I'm eligible to get flu or covid vaccinations today. Not even asking to get them, asking when it is safe...


I might have to just head home sooner than planned. I sure do hate politics.

 

[Newhip_Pol]

So sorry - saw this in your reply elsewhere and I was beginning to wonder if, as someone else suggested, you should think about getting back to your own place. I'm sure that at 2-3 weeks, so long as you are partly mobile and well organised, that you will be able to manage. You can read on the forum of a number of people who managed to recover whilst living alone. Once again, so sorry to hear of your problems. Take care.

 

[Hippie Chick]

Weigh out your options and prioritize hip healing. Which option is best for your recovery at this point?
My son is in college- I would not be in the exam room unless he insisted I was there. I have lived through him having a severe strained nearly broken ankle his freshman year when Covid restrictions only allowed the patient in the office. I was in the parking lot though.
This may fall under don’t ask/don’t tell?
Good luck with your mom.

 

[Goma]

Good luck at the doctor..sounds like you're doing well.

 

[Layla]

I'm sorry to read this and I imagine it must be somewhat uncomfortable staying at your moms house when she's not speaking to you. Sounds like it's time to head home...and keep the peace. I'm guessing at this point you're able to function well on your own anyway. Give it a try...you can do it!
@Solar7

 

[Solar7]

Things have calmed down since yesterday. Which is good. I think I really need to stay here and have someone help out, along with making sure I get to PT (plus being MUCH closer to their office). My dad works part time and when he's home, things are good. No one has given me clearance to drive yet, and I'm own a very low seated car.

PT really stepped me up today, and said I was a very fast healer. So we'll see where things go. I hit the pace of 94 rpms on the recumbent bike for 10 minutes, which I felt was pretty good. Before the injury I was recumbent biking 45 minutes to an hour nearly daily with resistance, so I was pretty comfortable getting it done.

I might have to dust off the recumbent bike and be ready to do that a lot - it'll be a good way to shed these current lbs I've put over the last year and some change.

 

[Hippie Chick]

Sounds like things are working out!

 

[Esmeralda]

I'm glad to hear that things have got a bit easier for you at your family home, as that allows you to concentrate fully on your recovery - and your recovery certainly seems to be going well now.

 

[Solar7]

The doc told me I could wean off of compression stockings, so I slept without them last night and haven't put them on today (I was wearing them 23.5 hours a day prior), and haven't seen any swelling. I think I might progress with them off. Also slept on my side for the first time, which was a bit of a pain, strangely enough in my knee, which I think just bent over the pillow and was a weird angle.

Today we're finally going to set up a desk area so I'm not stuck in either my hospital bed or my recliner. I think sitting at a standard desk and having my computer instead of just my iPad will be a nice respite... and I can finally watch ad-free YouTube there!

Starting to get ready to apply for jobs in a couple of weeks here... but I might try to push that until the 2024 hiring season in January and just give myself the 12 weeks to heal up and then enjoy the Christmas-NYE week before getting back into the swing of things.

Edit: Forgot to mention I've basically put away the cane in the house now. I don't feel any lack of balance and I feel like if I were about to fall, this cane wouldn't do a thing for me anyways. I still will carry it when going out to PT, but outside of that, I don't really see the point. I've always had an impeccable sense of balance, and my right leg is at full strength. I'm able to pick up my left leg to 90 degrees with no assistance too.

 

[Jaycey]

I hit the pace of 94 rpms on the recumbent bike for 10 minutes, which I felt was pretty good.

Please remember - you are not in training, you are healing. If you feel no ill effects from this, well done. Just listen to that hip.

Also slept on my side for the first time, which was a bit of a pain, strangely enough in my knee, which I think just bent over the pillow and was a weird angle.

Are you sleeping with a pillow between your legs? This prevents the top leg from falling forward and crossing the midline. A bit more supportive in these early days.

Starting to get ready to apply for jobs in a couple of weeks here... but I might try to push that until the 2024 hiring season in January and just give myself the 12 weeks to heal up and then enjoy the Christmas-NYE week before getting back into the swing of things.

Giving yourself a good 12 weeks is a great idea. You will be much further along in the healing process and able to cope with the stresses of the job search.