THR Best thing I've ever done!

Dharlee

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I went in for a THR on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. I had seen several videos ahead of time concerning THR and what to expect, what to do, and what not to do and quite frankly those videos had me quite anxious as to what could happen. Some of the videos talked about how easy it was to dislocate the hip after surgery. A couple PTs mentioned how you could just barely turn the wrong way and it would happen, so I was pretty nervous. The people on this forum, and my Dr both put me at ease about it and I’ve been quite surprised at how well things went and how (for me at least) easy this whole thing has been.

I had an anterior hip replacement. I don’t know if that makes a big difference or not, but my surgeon seems to think it does. I had to have several procedures this year so by the time I was able to get my hip replacement, I was more than ready for it. The pain beforehand was absolutely excruciating. In all honesty I do not believe I would have been able to walk another day even with the help of a walker because of it. I am 68 years old and I have had exactly two painful events in my life that were worse. One was childbirth and the other was encephalitis at the age of 13. The headaches when your brain is swelling are quite maddening and I was delirious half the time. This hip came quite close to those pains. My knee was replaced in the spring and while it was bad, it was nothing next to the hip pain. My Dr said it was in absolutely terrible shape.

They set up my IV that morning, took me to the prep/recovery area and gave me a drug to relax me, then wheeled me into the surgery room. They took vitals and told me they’d see me soon and the next thing I knew I was in recovery. I went back to my room soon enough. The only pain I had was a sharp sting in my thigh, down below the surgery sight. It was quite sharp but didn’t last. I had it when transferring to my bed (I was to stay overnight). That pain revisited every time I stood up that day. I found if I held my hand and pressed over that site it would help a lot. My Dr later told me that was where the “spike” was driven into the bone.

My Dr. did not put any restrictions on me other than 1) I was not allowed to lift anything with much weight and 2) I wasn’t allowed to lift my right leg back into the air behind me. Otherwise, I could do many things I’d been told I probably wouldn’t be allowed to do. I could cross my legs. Unlike with knee surgery, I could have a pillow under my legs. I could even sleep on my side provided I could get on my side.(I couldn’t lol.)

The only complication I had was a bit of excess bleeding. There was enough bleeding that I had to lay on the surgery side against an ice pack to slow it down. My bandage was totally saturated which was supposed to be one of the reasons to call the Dr. immediately according to my instructions, and I had a drainage tube with a device a little smaller and a little thicker than a cell phone attached by a long tube that was drawing blood from the surgery site. I was told I had to wear that until I went for my post op appointment the next week. The nurses were worried about the amount of blood I had on the bandage, but the Dr was not. He said if it got thick and squishy he would see me, but as it was, it was hard and flat and doing its job. I got the tube out a week later and he told me my scar looks perfectly great as do my X-Rays.

It’s been only 10 days and I am now able to walk with a cane inside and only use my walker outdoors. I think I’ll only need the walker another week at most. Almost all the real pain is gone and I refused any more pain medication. I have some soreness naturally, but nothing like before. All in all, this was a cake walk for me and I feel very blessed. I hope others will have a similarly easy experience. I feel like this surgery is one of the best things I've ever done for myself.
 
@Dharlee Welcome to the recovery side! It does sound like you are doing well and managing the post-op recuperation with flying colors. You are just 9 days out though so do take things slow and give your self time to fully heal.

Here is the post-op list of helpful suggestions and information:

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.
 
If you have time during your recovery, check out my post. Lots of similarities in our experience. Best of luck and remember that your body heals on its own time so give it rest even when you feel like being more active!
:welome:
 
Your post makes my morning. So thrilled to see another person being so positive with their recovery. Keep positive, every day gets better, even when you go through those weird plateau phases where you think nothing may be happening, it’s really not actually the case. So much great things to come for you my friend. Surgery was day 1 of your great life restored. Sending you a big high five!
 
Thank you! I think it was just SO bad before that this seems amazing already. If I'd been young and used to a lot of athletic activity I probably would feel differently lol. But I'm just so happy about it.

@beachgal I'm so glad you had an easy time too! ❤️
 
I *think* I'm doing this correctly?... I have a question and since this is a recovery thing, I believe I'm supposed to continue here. If not please advise?

I have gotten along great, except that my scar just won't "dry out" and become normal the way my knee did. I do believe it's because I lost all that weight and my flabby stomach added to what's yet left to lose is hanging over my scar and preventing it from drying. It's been 3 1/2 weeks since surgery and I called the "on call" PA tonight who suggested I apply a wet to dry bandage using distilled water (only damp, not wet) against the scar. Then I'm to call the Dr in the morning. I worry because some yellowish drainage has formed and I know it's easy to become infected. Anyone else had this problem?
 
Hi Dharlee,
You're in the right place, this is your thread. :yes:
Call the surgeon's office in the morning and ask if you can send them a photo to view, or have it checked in the office. There is nothing like peace of mind. Let us know what you hear.
Best Wishes for some reassurance tomorrow and a good week!
@Dharlee
 
Thank you so much! Will do!
 
How are you doing, Dharlee?
I hope you received some reassurance in regard to your incision.
Its a special day...Happy One Month Anniversary!
Enjoy the weekend. :)
@Dharlee
 
Hi, I went back and he cleaned it out (ouch!). In doing so he made a hole about the size of the end of my finger. He told me he didn't think I was bad enough to go to the hospital. He told me to keep doing the wet to dry bandages twice a day, and pack the hole when I did. He wants to see me again in another week.

Thank you!
 
I yi yi...a hole? I am so sorry. I'm guessing that was a bit disappointing.
Thankfully you're under the care of his watchful eye and hopefully what you're doing through his direction will have you back on track soon. :fingersx: Stay in touch and let us know how you're doing.
@Dharlee
 
Yeah I was pretty surprised lol. It had the beginning of some infection, but he cleaned it out and this type of wet to dry bandaging is keeping it at bay apparently. Otherwise I feel great. Just hoping this works as well as he thinks it will.
 
Going back to my Dr today. My "hole" is worse to my eye. It shows infection at the top and in the bottom as well. Through research I believe this is called wound dehiscence. The thing I don't understand is that he told me in changing the wet to dry dressings I didn't have to worry about using distilled water. He said just plain tap water would be fine. I'd have thought he'd worry more about infection. Anyway, I see him again today and we'll see what happens. This hole could easily hold the last digit of my forefinger inside it. It's pretty big.
 
I am glad you are going in to see him...

I would be concerned about the wet to dry protocol that doesn't appear to be improving your wound also.
Please let us know..
 
Glad to read that you are returning to your Doctor today. I hope you get some satisfying feedback. I wonder if asking to see a wound specialist is in order?
At least that would be a question I would ask.
I hope you have a good visit with some good solutions.
 
From my past wound care experience, wet to dry is a pretty old method of treating a wound. Ask about a referral to a wound clinic. At least that is my humble advice
 
He wants to try a new type of dressing that will be sent to me through the mail tomorrow. I go back next week. He says this is going to be a long process. The biggest thing in the wound I saw that I thought was infection is actually a build up of serous fluid. If it's not better next week when I see him I will ask about a wound specialist.
 
Dharlee,
How are you doing on this two month anniversary of your Right THR? I hope your wound healing is progressing and you're doing well. Let us know when you have time.
Best Wishes for perfect healing and a great 2023.
@Dharlee
 
Hello! Thank you for asking. I'm still dealing with the wound. They finally sent me to a wound clinic and ordered a wound vac, but since it was over the holidays I won't get it until Wednesday this week. I have to have a home health nurse come in three times a week and change it. I'll see the doctor again next week and see what's up. At least there is no infection.

As to the hip, other than an occasional flash of pain (which seems normal to me) it's still the best thing I've ever done. I feel like a new woman!

Happy New Year all!
 

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