THR Carita's Recovery Thread

[cstinchcomb]

You go, girl. Pie, meatloaf, veg ... yippee. And yes, ambitious all at one time. Yum. I bet it was excellent and that you have leftovers. Hubby and I think that a stiff neck after a workout means that we are low on protein ... so you might have some extra today and see if that helps. And yes, that qualifies as a workout ...

 

[Carita]

Hello hip friends! I'm laying in a sunny window at our beach cabin with ice on my 8 week old hip. I made it to two months! There were very rough days early on and you all held me with your supportive words, thank you!

Yesterday I puttered in my yard then an evening flat walk of one mile without a cane! It was the first time without a walking aid for an extended walk. I'm surprised how much more muscle power it took. I was ready for the couch when I got home. The very challenging hip joint pain is gone...it is such a relief.

I continue to ice a few times a day and have not needed any pain meds for about 3 weeks. I love my ice packs! I am seeing my PT once a week to work on calling in all the muscles that lost strength over the last year. She is very conservative as is my OS. I saw him last week and the exam went very well. He said I look great and to wait until 12 weeks before I engage in more active exercise. I have not attempted a sand walk as my body has given me clues I'm not ready for that. Our driveway here is long and a bit steep and I've been comfortable slowly navigating it with hubby's arm and my cane.

I have seen progress nearly every day and am so pleased. This is very different from the brain injury recovery which has taken years. I am deeply grateful.

Best to you all...thank you for this informative supportive forum. I will check in again soon.
With wellness,
Carita

 

[CricketHip]

What a wonderful update! Your recovery is so inspiring! You overcame some of the impatience of recovery and have persevered.
You are still early on with your healing, so keep that patience muscle activated... I loved reading the advice from your OS about taking it easy until 12 weeks..

Good on you! You are making this recovery thing look easy!

 

[Carita]

Thank you for the kind words Cricket. You and others here emphasized patience and slow going when I was struggling with this early on. I am very appreciative for that advice.

In my excitement to report I forgot to share the ongoing challenges! Fatigue persists and sometimes I reach a point I have to drop what I'm doing and lay down. It's more of a physical fatigue, as if my body runs out of fuel. I'm eating very well throughout the day. My PT says it can last for months with joint replacements. True? Patience!

Another issue is a large area of numbness at the operative hip. I'm starting to have slight sensation to touch at the incision but my lateral thigh is completely numb midway to knee. I can fire my quads and use my leg though it does not feel fully stable and affects my balance. OS was not concerned so I'm working to befriend it!

Hip pain can present when climbing stairs which I imagine is not unusual for 2 months out. I also have a dozen or so sore spots that are adjusting to the new hardware and have been inactive a long while with the old arthritic hip.

From what I've read here all of these symptoms are not unusual. Settling into my new body with its restrictions and new ability is a discovery!

Many thanks,
Carita

 

[CricketHip]

Yes, fatigue and energy drain are a huge part of our recoveries. You sound right on track with how your feeling..

I seem to recall that there were days when I would have to revert to taking the stairs one step at a time-even at 3 and 4 months- most likely on the days that I had been more active.

So yes, you are correct in thinking that your symptoms are normal and actually right on schedule!

Even with the lingering numbness along your lateral thigh, that can take it's own sweet time to recover and some say that they end up with a small amount of numbness that never goes away.
At that point, it is more of an irritation than a problem with any activities.

 

[Carita]

Thank you Cricket. I appreciate your wisdom.

Warmly,
Carita

 

[Layla]

Happy Two Month Anniversary!
A flower picked just for you
Hope today is special, even if it includes a nap. After all, you’re still healing.
Hugs
@Carita

 

[leejaa]

You have a great attitude and patience is paying off for you. It is all wonderful and doable when one remembers the awful pre op arthritis pain. Great update.

 

[cstinchcomb]

Hi @Carita! Its so great to read that you are doing so well. At the beach, I bet it smells wonderful.

Sometime after my first hip, my massage therapist (a former dancer, with just the world's best posture, and two replaced hips) suggested that I keep stimulating the numb area to encourage the nerves to regenerate. The numb spot on my left (6 year old) hip shrank markedly over time. I got a spiky massage ball (also great for the feet) and used that for a long time. I am now using it on the new right one. Maybe that will help.

When I first met my current (new) surgeon, he asked about my numb spot on the left. I told him that at first I was horrified, and that now I didn't care one bit -- the replacement gave me my body back, almost entirely.

 

[Layla]

Happy Three Month Annniversary!
Hopefully all is going well and you continue to enjoy increased stamina and mobility.
We‘d love to hear from you as time allows.
Have a wonderful week!
@Carita

 

[Carita]

Thank you Layla! 3 months already! Things are going well. About 3 weeks ago I really started feeling more like myself. I am walking up to 3 miles at a time using walking poles. Gentle yoga and PT prescribed exercises daily. My physical therapist told me she can no longer offer me anything and said goodbye! I have my 3 month visit with my orthopedic surgeon next week.

I want to thank all of you for encouraging me those difficult early days. What a lovely group of people you are! The first 2 months were really challenging for me and your wise words were a lifeline. Yesterday I power washed the deck at our beach house, something I haven't been able to do in years because of hip pain. I'm a bit sore today because I'm sure I used muscles I haven't used in a long long time!

I've only touched the tip of the healing iceberg and more mobility and flexibility will come. I'm so happy I can walk without pain, sleep well and stand with comfort. I did not realize how limited I had become.

I will check in again with updates. Best to everyone!
With much gratitude,

Carita

 

[Elf1]

What an awesome update, so happy for you!

 

[leejaa]

Wonderful report. It feels so good to be able to do things that we have avoided due to pain. Enjoy your shiny deck.

 

[Layla]

Love your update, Carita! You’re accomplishing so much and doing so well!
Please do stop by periodically. We’d love to follow your journey a little longer and many following behind will be encouraged by the progress that can be made in such a short time. All the best to you!
@Carita

 

[cstinchcomb]

Wow, @Carita, you power washed the deck ... I'm so glad that you're feeling so well. Enjoy your beach time, sounds wonderful. Hugs

 

[CricketHip]

Another great update! I am so happy for you @Carita . You are well on your way to a having the "forgotten hip"!

 

[Layla]

Wow...four months already, Carita.
Happy Four Month Anniversary! I hope your three month post op visit went well.
I’ll bet you’re enjoying the final days of Summer and looking forward to many more months of small surprises as your body continues to heal.
Have a lovely Autumn!
@Carita