THR Ava in recovery

Ava

junior member
Joined
Oct 27, 2020
Messages
61
Age
64
Country
United States United States
Gender
Female
Hi - just got to my room. Surgery went well and so happy it’s over. Have a nerve block so pain is not bad. Will see how it goes when it wears off. Nurses are wonderful I’m icing and taking meds. I told my nurse I want my pain meds when due and she told me she will be there for me at all the appropriate times. So far so good
 
Congrats Ava! :yay:
Great to hear surgery went well and you’re in your room. I hope your pain stays under control and you get some sleep this evening. Please join us on the recovery side when you’re able so we can follow your healing journey. In the meantime I’ll leave a copy of the Recovery Guidelines for you below. Hope to see you on the other side soon!

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
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
5. Here is a week-by-week guide
6. Access to these pages on the website

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 the at each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.
@Ava
 
:flwrysmile: Glad to see your surgery is done and you sound very good.
Hopefully you will soon be getting home so you can get to the business of healing.
Hugsxxxc
 
@Layla - do I start posting on post op and my thread will carry over or do I just stay here to post? Going home today. Just met with the PT and not taking 3/4 of the info she suggested I do. I’m am going to ice, rest, and walk. I learned my lesson with PT for my knee replacement 6 years ago. Very intense PT and I ended up with great flexión and ROM but suffered for it.
 
@Ava I've moved all your post op posts to a recovery thread for you. Post all your updates and questions here so we have all your information on one thread if we need to advice you.

Glad you are going to take it easy with PT. Hips really don't need all that - just walking works best.

Safe journey home!
 
Yay, Ava!

You will be amazed how great you are going to feel and move in about a week ... some work to get to there, but it is REALLY worth it! In six months you probably won't even think about your new hip!

I found the following really helpful:
1. Elevate the hip
2. Ice for at least 45 minutes at a time
3. Walk
4. Repeat

I also depended on Tylenol for pain relief - doesn't work as effectively for everyone, but worked very well for me.

My personal opinion is that PT, other than simple things like foot slides and stretching, can wait for a few months - hips need little PT - other than walking!
 
Congratulations on your new hip. You have a great plan for recovery with taking it slow and easy. It worked for me every time. I hope your night is a peaceful one.
 
Thank you everyone. Pain really kicked in last night. Slept 3-4 hours. Just elevating, meds and ice. I ando this. One good thing no back pain. Afraid to say it. Fingers crossed
 
Welcome home @Ava ! Keep that icing going. Take your medication as prescribed - it's important to stay ahead of the pain at this stage.
 
So ironic how PT is not very knowledable with joint replacement recovery. The PT told me don’t take pain meds on a schedule, do only when you need it. I’m taking every 4 hours and I’m keeping up with the pain. I didn’t do that with my knee and could never catch up with the pain. Thankfully my nurse at the hospital understood and she came in my room right on time. I didn’t even have to buzz her.

As a result I’m managing pretty well. Thank God for bone smart. So grateful.
 
Well done @Ava . Sounds like that PT has no clue. Either that or totally inexperienced! Waiting until you need the medication puts you behind the curve and you are forever trying to catch up again. This article gives a good explanation: Pain management and the pain chart.
 
:hi: So glad you are home and healing.
Taking your meds on schedule will help keep you more comfortable and let you be more mobile.
Make sure you are mindful of stool softeners and lots of drinking water as the meds are notorious for constipation.
The walks to the bathroom count as exercise.:heehee:
All temporary, and you will love your new hip once these rough bits have passed.
Healing hugsxx
 
All the best Ava. Good to have had it done and the only way is up now, even if it’s a bit bumpy. I’m going for THR on my right hip on Monday. At the moment more excited than nervous but that seems to fluctuate. Lots of good advice on here and some interesting stories about PTs. I’m really getting to appreciate that my PT had a hip replacement herself a year ago apart from being a specialist hip PT and clearly “gets it”.
 
Thank you all for thinking of me. I had my first shower this morning it was awesome. I’m pretty bruised up but the pain is lessening each day. I’m quite surprised how well I feel and my lower back pain is gone. First time in over a year I can say that.

I’m icing and elevating constantly. Taking 10 min walks around the house every hour and a half. I’m going up and down the stairs (10 up and down) twice a day for exercise. I have a lot more mobility today but just taking it easy. I vowed to take it slow and looks like it’s paying off.

I’m cautiously optimistic that I’m going to do well with my new hip. My friends are calling to check on me and all saying I sound so good. I don’t want to jinx myself but I’m very pleased with where I’m at this early in recovery.

Thank you to everyone for being there for me. I was a mess going into this.
 
So ironic how PT is not very knowledable with joint replacement recovery. The PT told me don’t take pain meds on a schedule, do only when you need it. I’m taking every 4 hours and I’m keeping up with the pain. I didn’t do that with my knee and could never catch up with the pain. Thankfully my nurse at the hospital understood and she came in my room right on time. I didn’t even have to buzz her.

As a result I’m managing pretty well. Thank God for bone smart. So grateful.
Good luck with the new hip. I had my hip joint replaced at the end of June. The surgeon offered PT as an option. He gave me no restrictions and instructed me to move. It took a few weeks for the pain from tissue trauma to go away. The main issue I’m working on now is weakness. It’s coming along. I’m of the belief that it takes one year for full recovery. Maybe a bit longer for some. I’m very pleased with the result and I’m only 5 months out. I opted out of PT. Instead I walked and did the exercises provided by the clinic. While I couldn’t do all, I did most. I’m of the opinion that walking is the best form of PT. Let the body heal naturally. Good luck on your journey.
 
What a wonderful update! You’re doing so well. Thanks for sharing as it’s great to hear and will encourage many following behind you.
Happy Sunday, Ava! :wave:
@Ava
 
Thank you and happy Sunday. Just elevating, icing and short walks in the house. Did a little cleaning in the kitchen today. Everyday I am seeing small progress. Hoping I stay on this path. Fingers crossed and thanks for all the comments xxoo
 

BoneSmart #1 Best Blog

Staff online

  • Layla
    Staff member since November 20, 2017
  • EalingGran
    Staff member since January 23, 2024

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
65,168
Messages
1,596,879
BoneSmarties
39,357
Latest member
LeonGirl
Recent bookmarks
0
Back
Top Bottom