THR Are We There Yet?
- Thread starter Barbaraj
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Alitm
post-grad
Good afternoon Barbara! It was a quick feed the horses this AM, while my wonderful neighbour did the hay and mucking out. Then it was clean up and off to the OS's office for my six week check, hubby driving. Will post about that on my thread.
Hoping you get to the gym with your girlfriend this afternoon, so can do what you would like and not have to wait for hours for your husband!
Isn't it amazing how the energy starts to come back in bits and pieces, like a puzzle coming together? So pleased for you that you are seeing the difference coming along.
I'm dreading this week in a way, as I have something on each day, plus I'm doing the afternoon shift (which is lighter) in the barn each day now until second surgery. The wonderful part of the week is our daughter will be here and using us as a base for 12 days before she starts her job. She is doing a course in Vancouver on the two weekends she is here, but it will be so great to have her here, even if fleetingly!
It is the second half of fall weather here for sure....the sun comes out occasionally and we get rain and wind in between! We had a beautiful sunrise a few days ago..I think I'll post on my thread at some point. I've already had two cups of tea today....that is another sign
I'm trying to think of how to change my thread title without changing it entirely (@An54 has me motivated), and if I should change my avatar to something horse related (@Lmflora thoughts?)....
Wishing you a pleasant afternoon and relaxing evening
Hoping you get to the gym with your girlfriend this afternoon, so can do what you would like and not have to wait for hours for your husband!
Isn't it amazing how the energy starts to come back in bits and pieces, like a puzzle coming together? So pleased for you that you are seeing the difference coming along.
I'm dreading this week in a way, as I have something on each day, plus I'm doing the afternoon shift (which is lighter) in the barn each day now until second surgery. The wonderful part of the week is our daughter will be here and using us as a base for 12 days before she starts her job. She is doing a course in Vancouver on the two weekends she is here, but it will be so great to have her here, even if fleetingly!
It is the second half of fall weather here for sure....the sun comes out occasionally and we get rain and wind in between! We had a beautiful sunrise a few days ago..I think I'll post on my thread at some point. I've already had two cups of tea today....that is another sign
I'm trying to think of how to change my thread title without changing it entirely (@An54 has me motivated), and if I should change my avatar to something horse related (@Lmflora thoughts?)....
Wishing you a pleasant afternoon and relaxing evening
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Mojo333
Former BoneSmart Staff Member
That's how I felt.
Better than that horrid hip pain!
I had the numbness along with zips and zaps as things got well.
Right leg had more extensive numbness, though smaller area as time went on...and at about 8 months I assumed it could be permanent!
Not sure when it left completely...but it did!
All normal now.
Hope today is a Good Day for you!
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Nope guys, not anterior approach only. My OS uses only posterior and I had the numbness too.
It eases over many months, to only a little spot here, a little spot there. Then one day, after you forget about it, you realize it's gone.
It eases over many months, to only a little spot here, a little spot there. Then one day, after you forget about it, you realize it's gone.
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Barbaraj
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Good morning, Bonesmart land! Thanks to @Layla and @Mojo333 for their thoughts on residual numbness. It may fade in time or it may not. In either case, I'm okay with that--numbness is the least of my worries! I was at the gym yesterday, this time with a friend who pre-surgery was my "workout buddy". She only does 30 minutes normally on cardio equipment so that, unlike my husband's lengthy workouts, we can get in and out without my having to wait around for an hour in the lounge for my husband to finish up. I pushed it a bit, and added a wee bit of resistance on the elliptical. Good news is that I was able to handle it just find, bad news is that my left groin area started to ache by the end, reminding me once again that my left hip is NOT in good shape--heavy sigh. But energy wise I felt just fine afterwards, no worse for wear, and this morning I'm feeling okay as well. My friend asked if I'd like to go again this afternoon when she gets off work and I said yes so I need to contact her today to confirm.
Just realized I'm one week away from my six week post-op check up--wahoo--and starting to get excited about that. I suspect they'll say I'm doing well--I feel as if I am, particularly as I'm walking mostly fine (although want them to confirm that and if I'm still limping then I will be pushing hard for a referral to PT) and energy drain seems to be fading mostly although I still am taking it easy most of the time. I am, of course, worried about what they'll say about my left hip--it would be lovely if they could say that with some additional work to strengthen my core and musculature around my hip I might be able to stave off a second surgery for awhile, but who knows. Part of me dearly wants to be fully recovered and have some "free time" in between surgeries, while another part of me thinks, "let's just get this over and done with". I know the surgeon will say I can have the second surgery when it's right for me, the question is picking the time that's right! But, we'll see what he says next week. PS @MrDIY, I am indeed north of you--up just north of Seattle. Got a bit of sunshine yesterday, but mostly overcast interspersed with drizzle--gotta love that liquid sunshine!
Just realized I'm one week away from my six week post-op check up--wahoo--and starting to get excited about that. I suspect they'll say I'm doing well--I feel as if I am, particularly as I'm walking mostly fine (although want them to confirm that and if I'm still limping then I will be pushing hard for a referral to PT) and energy drain seems to be fading mostly although I still am taking it easy most of the time. I am, of course, worried about what they'll say about my left hip--it would be lovely if they could say that with some additional work to strengthen my core and musculature around my hip I might be able to stave off a second surgery for awhile, but who knows. Part of me dearly wants to be fully recovered and have some "free time" in between surgeries, while another part of me thinks, "let's just get this over and done with". I know the surgeon will say I can have the second surgery when it's right for me, the question is picking the time that's right! But, we'll see what he says next week. PS @MrDIY, I am indeed north of you--up just north of Seattle. Got a bit of sunshine yesterday, but mostly overcast interspersed with drizzle--gotta love that liquid sunshine!
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Mojo333
Former BoneSmart Staff Member
Do please be careful about overdoing on the exercise, my friend, as five weeks out all is starting to settle and is the perfect time to hit the O.D.I.C.
Hope the rest of your week is sweet @Barbaraj
I dont know your exact situation but if you are anywhere bone on bone, as I was, very little is going to help...but as we hear often, each of us is different so I will certainly hope upon hope with you.
Hope the rest of your week is sweet @Barbaraj
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Barbaraj
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Awww...thank you @Mojo333, I do appreciate your caution--my left hip was doing "better" than my right before right hip replacement surgery, but still not in great shape. I am aware that I need to be very careful not to abuse it or it will result in left hip replacement far earlier than I'd planned. It feels sometimes like a "catch 22" for me--I want so much to get back to daily, meaningful cardio (horrible family history of cardiac problems) and yet I truly don't want to push it so hard that I exacerbate the real problems of my left hip and bring on a second surgery earlier than I'd like. It's a c.r.a.p shoot either way!
Lmflora
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Hey @Barbaraj so sorry to hear your left is giving you some problems. Maybe the PT referral from the doc should be about the left and finding a way to stabilize it, your right is going to be fine. I suspect resting the left while you let the right heal would be a good thing. I understand wanting to get your work out routine back, maybe you could get cleared to swim? very low impact and give both your hips time to heal and rest.
My right THR was in March, it took several months, like until mid September until I was riding, hiking, and going full steam pain free. My left started to pain me in Jan of the next year. Then it was a c.r.a.p. Shoot from there on out. I would go a few weeks, to a month or so with no pain, then it would drop down like a storm for a few days. I went on like that with the bad days becoming progressively more frequent and the good days fewer in number. Starting about a year ago, I knew it was coming time, I beefed up my health insurance, and took a lot of aleve, and practically lived in hot baths and under heating pads, and just went for it until I could pick a time that was going to work. So here I am today.
I hope you can find a break in the pain. You certainly deserve it, thank you so much for all,of your great support. I admire how you check on and encourage everyone.
My right THR was in March, it took several months, like until mid September until I was riding, hiking, and going full steam pain free. My left started to pain me in Jan of the next year. Then it was a c.r.a.p. Shoot from there on out. I would go a few weeks, to a month or so with no pain, then it would drop down like a storm for a few days. I went on like that with the bad days becoming progressively more frequent and the good days fewer in number. Starting about a year ago, I knew it was coming time, I beefed up my health insurance, and took a lot of aleve, and practically lived in hot baths and under heating pads, and just went for it until I could pick a time that was going to work. So here I am today.
I hope you can find a break in the pain. You certainly deserve it, thank you so much for all,of your great support. I admire how you check on and encourage everyone.
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Barbaraj
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Midday check in as I went out for coffee with my husband first thing this morning before we hit the gym. I am mostly behaving myself, only 30 minutes on the elliptical and with no resistance, and came home and iced for 45 minutes after that on my right hip as it was feeling a wee bit swollen. It's clear when I do this cardio exercise that my left hip is unhappy, but things generally settle down once I hop off and walk around. Other than a bit of swelling, now gone after icing, I am feeling pretty good. Bread is baking, and an afternoon of lolling about is in my future.
I think your idea, @Lmflora, of seeing if I can get a PT referral to help stabilize my left hip and build up some strength in that area might help me stave off that surgery for a little while. I know, on some level, that it probably makes more sense to have the left hip done before it's causing me a real problem, but finding the surgical "sweet spot" will be hard. I feel that ostrich feeling, wanting to just bury my head in the sand, but I know I have to "put on my big girl" pants and think about this reasonably and calmly.
I confess I am tired of this recovery already (and, yes, I know I've been blessed with a relatively easy and speedy recovery, but until I can go back to being "me" on every level, it won't be a full recovery, I am stubbornly insisting) and absolutely NOT looking forward to a second surgery. My husband thinks that I should have the second surgery done sooner rather than later. He thinks a spring surgery, say sometime in March or April, would be best and he assumes/hopes a second surgery and recovery would mirror the first to some degree. With that timing, I'd be in reasonably good shape to enjoy my summer and maybe our long awaited trip can be planned for the fall.
For others out there, who might be reading this and have had both hips replaced, how did you decide when was the "best" time for getting the second one done? Were you in a hurry to just get it over with, or did you string it out as long as you could? I know the surgeon will say "whenever you want to, it's going to need to get done" but it will be up to me to decide. I am already finding this stressful, and I haven't even finished recovering from #1 yet!
I think your idea, @Lmflora, of seeing if I can get a PT referral to help stabilize my left hip and build up some strength in that area might help me stave off that surgery for a little while. I know, on some level, that it probably makes more sense to have the left hip done before it's causing me a real problem, but finding the surgical "sweet spot" will be hard. I feel that ostrich feeling, wanting to just bury my head in the sand, but I know I have to "put on my big girl" pants and think about this reasonably and calmly.
I confess I am tired of this recovery already (and, yes, I know I've been blessed with a relatively easy and speedy recovery, but until I can go back to being "me" on every level, it won't be a full recovery, I am stubbornly insisting) and absolutely NOT looking forward to a second surgery. My husband thinks that I should have the second surgery done sooner rather than later. He thinks a spring surgery, say sometime in March or April, would be best and he assumes/hopes a second surgery and recovery would mirror the first to some degree. With that timing, I'd be in reasonably good shape to enjoy my summer and maybe our long awaited trip can be planned for the fall.
For others out there, who might be reading this and have had both hips replaced, how did you decide when was the "best" time for getting the second one done? Were you in a hurry to just get it over with, or did you string it out as long as you could? I know the surgeon will say "whenever you want to, it's going to need to get done" but it will be up to me to decide. I am already finding this stressful, and I haven't even finished recovering from #1 yet!
Having been through a long and complicated LTHR recovery, the minute my right hip started to complain I ran to the surgeon. Had it replaced as soon as I could and have to say the difference in recoveries was major. I was working from home 4 weeks post op and back in the office at 6 weeks. Sure there is energy drain. But not nearly as major as with the first op.
I too did not want to face more surgery. But there is a comfort that you only have 2 hips and when the second is replaced you are done. I know you don't want to hear it - but I think getting the 2nd one done soon is a better idea.
Lmflora
member
Jaycey, has a point about getting that left hip fixed sooner rather then later. how much activity and time are you willing to give up in your day to day life over the next few years? Maybe getting it done will give you your full life back, sooner. Just a thought,
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Barbaraj
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Good morning, the day after Halloween when, once again, despite my husband's purchase of a bag of candy, we got no trick-or-treaters. Now starts the mad rush to the holiday season with Thanksgiving coming up at the end of the month and then the crazy Christmas season! Hoping I'll be in good shape for that--perhaps not 100% but able to do most things without too much exhaustion.
Thank you, @Jaycey and @Lmflora, for your thoughts on timing a second hip replacement. You both sound like my husband whose view is sooner is better than later. I truly don't want things to deteriorate such that the quality of my life is impacted the way it was before my first hip surgery. Much as I am less than enthused about going through this AGAIN, as @Jaycey points out, I've only got two hips and once the second one is done presumably I can stride confidently forward. It's definitely something I'm going to discuss with my surgeon next week at my 6 week check-in. Given that recovery from this surgery has been relatively easy (at least I think so, I have nothing to compare it to really) seems like it wouldn't be too awful for a second hip although I know that every recovery even on the same body can be wildly different. We'll see.
Since I went to the gym twice yesterday, once with my husband in the morning and again with my workout buddy in the afternoon (slow, 30 minute workouts both times--I didn't push it and felt fine afterwards and this morning, too) no need to go again although I suspect my husband will be heading out shortly. Today is granddaughter's ballet lesson so I'll go and then my husband and I will stroll down a few blocks to a local restaurant with a good happy hour, and have drink and snack before retrieving her--so I will get in a bit of exercise with that.
Happy day, all.
Thank you, @Jaycey and @Lmflora, for your thoughts on timing a second hip replacement. You both sound like my husband whose view is sooner is better than later. I truly don't want things to deteriorate such that the quality of my life is impacted the way it was before my first hip surgery. Much as I am less than enthused about going through this AGAIN, as @Jaycey points out, I've only got two hips and once the second one is done presumably I can stride confidently forward. It's definitely something I'm going to discuss with my surgeon next week at my 6 week check-in. Given that recovery from this surgery has been relatively easy (at least I think so, I have nothing to compare it to really) seems like it wouldn't be too awful for a second hip although I know that every recovery even on the same body can be wildly different. We'll see.
Since I went to the gym twice yesterday, once with my husband in the morning and again with my workout buddy in the afternoon (slow, 30 minute workouts both times--I didn't push it and felt fine afterwards and this morning, too) no need to go again although I suspect my husband will be heading out shortly. Today is granddaughter's ballet lesson so I'll go and then my husband and I will stroll down a few blocks to a local restaurant with a good happy hour, and have drink and snack before retrieving her--so I will get in a bit of exercise with that.
Happy day, all.
Alitm
post-grad
Good Morning @Barbaraj, I am sorry your left hip is making you question when to get it done, or can it wait etc. I always wanted to get my two hips done at once as they were equally as bad, but my surgeon felt it better to do one at a time, closer together 8 - 10 weeks apart. As much as I'm not looking forward to all the post op brain fog business, I am very glad to be getting the second one done and get on my way with healing and my life. That is my take on the whole thing. If I knew I could have six months pain free from my left hip, it would be nice to have that window of opportunity to have some fun and get some riding in, but it isn't an option for me with the OA in my left hip kicking up you-know-what. Such a hard decision to make for you. Having two hips replaced bilaterally or close together does take a chunk of time out of a year, but then it is over and done with. Sounds as if you need to have a frank conversation with your OS at your upcoming six week check up. Good luck and we are all thinking about you as you go through the decision making process
We had terrible weather last night, rain and wind, and we lost power! Cranked up the generator for a bit...power back on during the night. Awoke to sun and blue skies. Wishing you the same in the department! Have a great day!
We had terrible weather last night, rain and wind, and we lost power! Cranked up the generator for a bit...power back on during the night. Awoke to sun and blue skies. Wishing you the same in the
department! Have a great day!
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Barbaraj
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Good morning, all. Wow, sunshine outside my study window this morning, although just a break in very threatening looking clouds so I know more rain is on the way today. My husband is not happy--he's got a football game on Saturday night at 6:00 (under no cover) and he doesn't like night games, and particularly not with rain in the forecast all this weekend. Sorry to hear you had a power loss last night, @Alitm, but thank goodness for the generator! We had a lot of wind, too, but power didn't flicker and everything was well this morning.
Hips are feeling pretty good this morning, although I woke up aching--argh--and was a hobbling a bit when I first got up, but it's all sorted out now, and I'm leaving shortly, heading out to a local mall with a friend who has some extra cash and it's burning a hole in her pocket (!) I am just along for the ride, but I figure I'll get some exercise walking around with her, and that will make up for the fact I'm skipping a trip to the gym with my husband this morning.
I agree, @Alitm, I do need to have a frank discussion with my surgeon on Tuesday. I definitely think I'm leaning more to the "just get it over and done with" view in terms of my second hip. Miserable arthritis only gets worse with time, I know, and the inexorable move from moderately severe to severe may not take that long, I'm guessing, particularly as my goal is to resume being active sooner rather than later. On one hand it's encouraging to think like this, and on the other hand my black mood descends and I just feel grouchy and irritable thinking about it. Well, Tuesday's appointment should be enlightening. Happy Friday!
Hips are feeling pretty good this morning, although I woke up aching--argh--and was a hobbling a bit when I first got up, but it's all sorted out now, and I'm leaving shortly, heading out to a local mall with a friend who has some extra cash and it's burning a hole in her pocket (!) I am just along for the ride, but I figure I'll get some exercise walking around with her, and that will make up for the fact I'm skipping a trip to the gym with my husband this morning.
I agree, @Alitm, I do need to have a frank discussion with my surgeon on Tuesday. I definitely think I'm leaning more to the "just get it over and done with" view in terms of my second hip. Miserable arthritis only gets worse with time, I know, and the inexorable move from moderately severe to severe may not take that long, I'm guessing, particularly as my goal is to resume being active sooner rather than later. On one hand it's encouraging to think like this, and on the other hand my black mood descends and I just feel grouchy and irritable thinking about it. Well, Tuesday's appointment should be enlightening. Happy Friday!
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My hip replacements were about 3 yrs apart. My right hip looked terrific after I had my left hip done. Then those dreaded symptoms and an X-ray confirmed bone on bone! You’ll know for sure when you get your post op xray what you need to do. There will be no question. I know, I was so disappointed when I saw the awful truth. And now it’s done. Chin up and hopefully you’ll have plenty of time to prepare. I was hoping to put this hip off til Spring but the discomfort no matter what I did told me otherwise & the Doc had a couple of openings. Now I’ll be back golfing in the Spring. @Barbaraj Enjoy this recovery. You know the drill. My 2nd hip had different symptoms but very similar recovery. 
Lmflora
member
@Barbaraj, it is a tough go thinking about doing another one so soon, but oh boy it surely will be nice to get this whole thing behind you and be as active as you want to be. It can be unpredictable and disrupting not knowing when you're going to have a bad day, hard to plan that European vacation if you're not sure you won't be hurting the whole time. and that is no fun at all. be hopeful, you know you can do this, and it wasn't as bad as you thought it was going to be, am I right?
Cheers
Have a great weekend
Cheers
Have a great weekend
SurreyGirl
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A big decision for you! Your recovery from Hip no 1 has gone very well. Some good physio and the right exercise may stave off 2. For a while . But some other people have reported the more the deterioration pre op the harder the recovery afterward.
I met a lady of my age in the Recovery place who had the same surgeon as me and had had her second hip done. She was lucky and got a cancelled slot and went ahead as she didn’t want to get to the bone on bone stage. Her recovery went really well compared to the first time when, like me, she had waited 2 years and the hip had badly worn.
I met a lady of my age in the Recovery place who had the same surgeon as me and had had her second hip done. She was lucky and got a cancelled slot and went ahead as she didn’t want to get to the bone on bone stage. Her recovery went really well compared to the first time when, like me, she had waited 2 years and the hip had badly worn.
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Barbaraj
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Thanks to all who weighed in on timing for the second hip surgery, @wcgirl, @Lmflora, @SurreyGirl and @Ginny12. I didn't really hear any reason why I should go ahead with a second surgery as soon as my surgeon advises it's appropriate. But I heard a lot of affection and concern in each of your comments, and I am grateful for that. If anyone should not be scared of a second surgery, it's probably someone like me who, just shy of 6 weeks, is feeling pretty darn good--walking freely, able to do pretty much what I want, and living "la bella vita" in most aspects. Sure, I am still a bit stiff in my recovering right hip, and now aware of twinges in my left hip, but other than not being able to really exercise properly and at the levels I'd like, I can't really complain (not that it ever stopped me, however!) I am clearly one of the lucky ones whose recovery has gone very well and a second surgery, I think, would probably go well also. Still, the idea of going through this again feels a bit overwhelming. But I will try not to fuss and wait until Tuesday so I can talk candidly with my surgeon.
Husband went to a concert last night, and out to dinner beforehand with friends. I stayed home and puttered and foolishly made muffins last night. Nothing wrong with baking to pass the time, of course, but these are exceedingly moist and tasty muffins (really qualify as cupcakes), and I had four--yes, that's right, FOUR--of 'em last night, and another for breakfast this morning. It is so hard to be dietarily disciplined sometimes and like many folks, when there is a whiff of anxiety in the back of my mind I am inclined to want to indulge and spoil myself with baked goods. But this morning I made up a card for a neighbor who has been ill, and I have another neighbor whose son just had a birthday, and I will make two plates up of the remaining muffins and get my chauffeur husband to take me out later this morning so I can offload temptation!
Happy Saturday, Bonesmart Land!
Husband went to a concert last night, and out to dinner beforehand with friends. I stayed home and puttered and foolishly made muffins last night. Nothing wrong with baking to pass the time, of course, but these are exceedingly moist and tasty muffins (really qualify as cupcakes), and I had four--yes, that's right, FOUR--of 'em last night, and another for breakfast this morning. It is so hard to be dietarily disciplined sometimes and like many folks, when there is a whiff of anxiety in the back of my mind I am inclined to want to indulge and spoil myself with baked goods. But this morning I made up a card for a neighbor who has been ill, and I have another neighbor whose son just had a birthday, and I will make two plates up of the remaining muffins and get my chauffeur husband to take me out later this morning so I can offload temptation!
Happy Saturday, Bonesmart Land!
MrDIY
member
Happy Saturday @Barbaraj . This muffins sound delicious. I have been eating like a fiend during my recovery and would have easily eaten 4 or more! I would offer my suggestion for when you should get your second surgery, however I think you could quite easily guess my thoughts on the matter! Hope you have a great weekend.
