THR April 12 - Second THR

[MissFanny]

Tomorrow’s the big day! I’m having my left hip replaced after a successful RTHR in September of 2022. Can’t wait to have this behind me and get back to life!

I am doing outpatient surgery, and have to check in at 5:45 am tomorrow.

 

[djklaugh]

@MissFanny Welcome to BoneSmart! Best wishes to you for a successful acquiring of a new hip! And here are our post op articles and helpful suggestions.

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. At week 4 and after you should follow this
Activity progression for THRs
6. Access these pages on the website
Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications
Wound Care In Hospital

The Recovery articles:
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 that each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.

 

[Jaycey]

All the best today @MissFanny ! See you on the other side soon!

 

[Mojo333]

See you on the Healing Side @MissFanny

 

[myglasshalffull]

See you "tomorrow" when you are done, let us know how it goes. Good luck!!!

 

[MissFanny]

It was pretty easy! Checked in at 6 am and back in my car at 11 am. The nurses declared me a “rockstar patient.” I am taking Tramadol and Tylenol for pain. Going to try to keep my legs elevated more to stave off swelling this time. Thank you for the resources and well wishes! Off to read the articles now. ❤️

 

[MissFanny]

Slept okay. I mistimed my pain meds when I set up my schedule/reminders on my phone and went 8 hours instead of 6. Glad I figured that out quickly. I was a little nauseated this morning but it passed. I also got some color back today. I was pale as a ghost yesterday. I was getting up and walking every hour yesterday. I changed my schedule to every 1.5 hours today. I will do that for a few days and see if I can increase a bit later. All in all, things are well for 1 day after a THR.

 

[Jaycey]

@MissFanny Welcome to the other side. Sounds like you are doing great! Slow and steady now. Rest, ice, elevate, meds and repeat. You are on your way!

 

[MissFanny]

Got a good night’s sleep last night. What a difference that makes! I could barely keep my eyes open all day. I bet I took 6-7 naps and slept a full 8 hours last night.

With my last hip replacement, I lost my appetite and dropped like 8-10 pounds in 2 weeks. I was kind of looking forward to that happening again , but I’m hungry this time! Maybe that will help me to feel better. I have been sticking to good, healthful food—heavy on the protein and vitamin C. I have also been sitting in the sun for 15-20 minutes.

So far, this recovery feels slightly easier than the first. But I know more this time.

 

[Mojo333]

Splendid... so much healing can happen when we sleep and glad your appetite is such that you can give the body the proper building blocks it needs to heal and restore from surgical trauma.
I'm a big advocate of natural Vitamin D
Nothing better for cabin fever, too.
Happy Friday, friend.

 

[Layla]

I was kind of looking forward to that happening again , but I’m hungry this time! Maybe that will help me to feel better. I have been sticking to good, healthful food—heavy on the protein and vitamin C. I have also been sitting in the sun for 15-20 minutes.

Great ideas! Congrats on your new hip and Happy Seven Months to Righty!

 

[MissFanny]

I am waiting for the other shoe to drop, but so far my recovery is easy. Last time, I was bruised, battered, swollen, and depressed. I had a little bit more of a honeymoon with the pain last time because the nerve block lasted two days, but then on day 3 the pain got so much worse. This time, it hurt right from the start and the pain has let up some now (Wednesday surgery, so I am calling this day 4).

I told myself I wouldn’t have any expectations this time because that is what caused most of my disappointment last time. Several nurses told me I was going to do great because I was so strong right after surgery, but I tried not to hang my hat on that. A couple differences this time: I weigh 9 pounds less and I did a ton of hilly hiking up to my surgery date. Also, my first hip was worse (on x-ray) and because it caused me back pain, I didn’t get as much exercise pre-op with the first hip. Second hip hurt pretty bad, but the pain was mainly isolated to my butt, so I could grit my teeth and trudge on. I am trying not to get too excited—you never know what will happen after a big surgery like this—but so far I am pleased. Sure glad it happened this way—easier experience with the second surgery—than vice versa.

 

[Mojo333]

I'm glad things are easing some and you are finding your recovery groove

All Temporary was the mantra that kept me sane in early days.

Hope you have a Healing Saturday!

 

[MissFanny]

Oof. I got a little too optimistic too early. Brutal knee pain today. First time I’ve ever had that.

 

[Eman85]

Knee pain is common, usually it's the IT band that you strained which runs through the hip down to the knee. ICE!

 

[LaKarune]

You are a week ahead of me - my THR is scheduled for this Thursday 4/20. Looking forward to watching and learning from your recovery. I hope your knee settles down soon!

 

[MissFanny]

Best of luck to you, LaKarune! I would feel amazing considering the circumstances if I could get this knee pain under control!

 

[MissFanny]

Pretty good day today. If it wasn’t for the knee pain, I would be in a great place. I have rested and ice a lot today. Tomorrow is my first day on my own. My husband is setting things up to make it easier for me tomorrow. He’s also home by 1 pm (goes in early) so I may just wait and eat lunch after he gets home. I had him chop me a pepper for peppers, hummus, spinach salad, olives and grilled bread. I can whip that up in 5 minutes. He can make me breakfast before he goes or I can have fruit and yogurt. Trying to take it really easy this first week.

 

[CricketHip]

Your meals sound so tasty for tomorrow. Sadly, in my recoveries, I craved milkshakes! I hope your first day on your own goes well. Glad your husband can return by 1 pm.

 

[MissFanny]

Interestingly, I usually love my sweets! But on the pain meds they nauseate me. I have craved strawberries, blueberries, peppers, and broccoli.

Husband just left for work. I am feeling pretty well this morning, but I still can’t carry anything in my hand while I walk. I have to use my walker to relieve the pressure on my knee. I had him set a dining room chair by the counter so I can just eat there. He made me a nice breakfast of grilled veggies, eggs, and toast before he left.

I’m feeling well and fairly confident. Still going to take it easy today. I want to do everything right to promote healing and avoid setbacks (if possible).