THR Back home and all is well

[Layla]

Hi @JAS
Congratulations on your new hip. You‘re off to a wonderful start.
I am sure you’ll enjoy the company of your furry friend once again after a little separation. Let us know how your follow up appointment on the 16th goes. We’re rooting for you and wishing you only the best.
Happy Sunday!

 

[JAS]

Follow up today (16 days post op), dressing removed and wound nicely healed, physios very pleased with range of movement etc, suggested further exercises if I want to do them but think I will just increase walking distances initially, Quick visit with consultant who said that he is happy for me to drive again so I am one happy bunny! I still have some sciatic nerve pain but this is improving daily, also an area of reduced sensation on my outer thigh, just below where the drain was inserted. This is also improving but will probably take a while to go completely and is probably due to the fact that there was more bruising this time. Still taking Ibuprofen three times a day but starting to drop the Paracetamol occasionally. Hope everyone else is doing well and getting plenty of rest. I am sleeping very well and still taking a nap every afternoon - I love my nananaps!

 

[Mojo333]

yes, freedom!
You sound to be doing splendid and all of the above recovery niggles you describe are very reminiscent of my own recovery.
Power napping was definitely my saving grace as all night sleep was the last piece of the recovery piece to fall into place for me.
Lots of energy being directed to healing these early days....
Hope the rest of your week is sweet.

 

[JAS]

Yesterday I went for a short walk up the road during a break in the rain. I actually find that any pain lessens as I walk - I suppose the stiffness gets loosened up. The only problem I have is neck/shoulder pain associated with using a single crutch on my left side - I have now given up the crutch completely and am using a cane which seems to cause less spasm in my shoulder. I am fine around the house without it but not ready to go outside with no support yet. I also drove my car yesterday! Only went about a mile down the road to my daughter's but the wonderful knowledge that I can if I want/need to is really uplifting. Sleeping really well as able to lie on both sides now (with pillow between legs on non-operated side). Also managed to carefully push vacuum cleaner around living room - darned dog is shedding all her coat! As I live alone I have to do these things myself when I get fed up looking at it!

 

[Layla]

Wonderful update, JAS!
It sounds like you’re making great progress, taking it slow and easy, as you should. With any luck as you use the cane less and less your shoulder pain will ease. I hope you have a great rest of the week.
@JAS

 

[JAS]

Update at nearly 4 weeks post op. Hip is now very comfortable and swelling has all disappeared. Sciatic pain has gone completely but am getting some thigh pain when I first start walking which wears off once I get going. I remember this from last time and find that taking Ibuprofen first thing in the morning and before bed helps to control this. Occasionally I take Paracetamol at about 2pm but it depends on what I have been doing. I keep forgetting to take my cane if I go out anywhere in the car and do not use it in the house now. Grandchildren can now climb onto both legs and it doesn't cause me any pain. The only problem is if they knock into my shins which bruise easily, probably because I am still taking Pradexa for another ten days or so. Not feeling so tired now and most days I don't nap in the afternoon but still sleeping really well at night. I did manage to put socks on the other day, with some difficulty and had to use my grabber to help on the right side. Luckily lockdown means that I don't get to go out anywhere that it matters that I have bare feet ! Next follow up in 3-4 weeks and then hopefully no more restrictions.

 

[Layla]

Thanks for the update! Best wishes for your follow up in 3-4 weeks. Please stay in touch and let us know how it goes. Until then, happy healing!
@JAS

 

[JAS]

Final follow-up with surgeon yesterday. He is very pleased with my progress and has removed all restrictions, with the proviso that I continue to listen to my body and don't overdo things! The area of numbness on the thigh has now returned to normal and the best thing is that the low back pain that I have had for quite a while has now disappeared because my posture has changed now that I have a matching pair of hips.
I have now been discharged so won't be seeing my lovely surgeon again, unless I do something stupid!

If anyone in the South of England needs a recommendation for a super-surgeon I will happily pass on his details so please get in touch.

 

[Layla]

Wonderful update, JAS! It’s so reassuring to hear all is as it should be.
Thanks for taking the time to share the news.. I hope you have a joy filled holiday season and I wish you many blessings in the new year! Stay in touch.
@JAS

 

[Mojo333]

great update.
We love to keep up with surgeon recommendations so hope you will share with us.
Hope your holidays are sweet.

 

[Jaycey]

If anyone in the South of England needs a recommendation for a super-surgeon I will happily pass on his details so please get in touch.

Please let us know here. We keep a list of recommended surgeons so we can help our members find a surgeon.

 

[Layla]

Happy Two Month Anniversary to you!

It’s time to ring out the old year and welcome the new.
We invite you to be part of the BoneSmart New Years Eve Party on Thursday, December 31st. You will find many friends old and new dropping by the Community Room with well wishes. Please join us!


@JAS

 

[JAS]

Now two and a half months since my right THR and I can honestly say that I have completely forgotten that I had the surgery - my hip and leg feels completely normal and I have no discomfort whatsoever. Last week I had to climb up my stepladder to reach a pot on top of the kitchen cupboard - something that used to cause me some pain before surgery but not any more! I have had no physio since leaving the hospital and absolutely believe that hips heal themselves and do not need to be pulled about by over enthusiastic therapists. I hope all the other October hippies are doing well and wish everyone all the best for their future surgeries and for 2021.

 

[djklaugh]

@JAS Excellent update! It's wonderful to hear you are doing so well ... even making excursions into stepladder heights Enjoy your new hip!

 

[Layla]

Wonderful update...thanks for sharing.
Happy New Year and a Happy Three Month Anniversary.
A great week to you!
@JAS