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Cleared the physical, Bilateral Hips on 30 September

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'Normal' will be anything from around 3-6 months, Nancy. But probably about 4 months. Until then you can expect to feel easily tired, listless, lack appetite and unable to sleep well. All part of life's rich patter for a hippy!

Welcome to BoneSmart, btw!
 
Thanks Josephine. Yes my appetite is off, I never slept too good and listless is a good word for how I feel. I returned to work today after 7 weeks post op. By 2:00 I was spent but I hung in until 4:00. I like 4 months. I could do that. Right now I can't see why I did both and why I did it at all. The pain is different but it's still pain, and I can't do all the things I did previously (i.e. put on my own pants, lol - without the help of my little puller-upper.

If anyone would like to share their recovery with me please do, I very curious on how others felt. My OS and my PT tell me I'm doing great, but I guess I just too tough on myself.
 
Nancy, I had my THR on the same day as you did but only right hip. I return to work this coming Monday. Wonder how I will do stamina wise. Would imagine you need more time for bilats?

Take care,

Laurie
 
Laurie, I would have liked two more weeks but financially it was not possible. So I take it you're not 100% back to normal with 1 hip after 7 weeks. That's good to know as I had no idea what to expect really. My OS said I would be able to drive after 4 weeks and could go back to work in 5 or 6 weeks. To me, this translated that I would feel great by the time I had to go back to work. (i.e. I didn't drive for 5 1/2 weeks and was out of work 7 weeks). I did have my OS put down a restriction that I should only work a max of 6 hours a day for the first two weeks. So I have a little out if needed.
 
Nancy, I am feeling very well. However, I have been relishing taking things slowly at my own pace over the past 7 plus weeks. My job is administrative but very demanding time wise, not to mention have many meetings in the community--out of the office. So, I hope I can keep up. Being away from a job I thought I loved for the first time (I tend to be a workaholic) gave me time to reassess priorities. Found I didn't miss my work like I thought I would.

At this point, I will take a few hours off in sick time if I need to as I get back into the swing of my work schedule. Fortunately I have alot of time built up. It just seems as though you would need significantly more time to recup from both hips---trust you are sleeping ok at this point. That didn't happen for me til 4-5 weeks.

Laurie
 
Nancy
I'm at 15 days post op now. No more crutches, just using a cane now and sometimes nothing at all. Had my first visit back at the surgeons office on Monday, everything was good except for some drainage on the right hip incision that started last Friday. Per the Dr's instructions, we have had a partial bandage with gauze on it that has been changed daily. She also put me on an antibiotic as well as a sleeping aid so I can get some better sleep. I asked about going back to work and was told to give it another week. No argument there though the days are home are starting to get monotonous. I will most likely start back to work next Monday which will be 3 weeks postop.

I'm getting stronger every day, pain is lesser each day though both legs and joints are pretty stiff still. I took the truck out today and went over to the local DMV to get my Handicapped placard, though I'm not sure how long I'll need it. I've never liked to watch people get out of cars in those spots that have no problem walking the distance, so I have no intention of being one of them. I also went to the local supermarket and did a bit of shopping, maybe 15 mins max and then drove home. I was quite tired and had to sack out in the chair for an hour or so to recover.

I'm still not able to touch my toes or anything close to the floor. I start outpatient therapy tomorrow. Hope that will help with the flexibility. I'm pushing myself to get out and do some walking each day and each day I'm a little stronger. Going to do some more short trips driving before I have to go in Monday. I'll probably be somewhat tired once I get back to work, but its a desk job and I need to show my face back there soon enough. Then I'll probably wish for these boring days sitting home.
 
Bob, I'm surprised/impressed (and a little jealous) about the progress. And I truly mean it as in "good for you!!!" Of course I haven't gotten to the other side yet (6 days) but my Dr has some crazy strict rules. I don't even get to see him until 6 weeks post op. For those 6 weeks i get crutches with 70% weight bearing on the new hip starting on day one. Also, lots of rules on which way to move my leg and how to keep it straight. Also, no bending at the hips more than 90%, so I can forget about picking up anything from the floor, or any other activity that requires that motion.. socks????? I plan to go back to work on week 3, but I only work part time, on a computer, and boss let me work from home till end of the year if I want. So I will try a little at a time.
Still just not sure what to expect for the surgery - someone please tell me they will knock me out, and really what to expect for afterwards. I am planning to treat the hospital as a small vacation for me and hubby, but when I get home, it will be a different story... :(

Anxious,
Lidia
 
Lidia
I'm moving fast because of the "mini hips" or "Jiffy hips" or whatever you want to call this version of minimal invasive hip surgery. I had no hip precautions leaving the hospital. In a standard surgery, I would have had plenty, most likely what your surgeon is talking to you about.

I know in my case that I was completely put under general anesthesia. One of the reasons that they told me that morning was they wanted my body completely flaccid so that they could manipulate my legs to perform the surgery. If they put you out with a general, you will wake up after the surgery without any memory of what transpired. You will be groggy for a while and will have some level of pain, but from what you told me previously, it should not be much worse than what you are experiencing now. It will get better but it will take time.

If you can treat a hospital stay as a vacation, more power to you. I couldn't sleep and having somebody wake you up every 4 hours to take vitals didn't help. My wife was my biggest support. She was there every day, about a 30 mile trip to the hospital, going home to take care of the two dogs. Some days she made the trip twice. I know it was no picnic for her, but she was my strength. Hang in there, you will get through it. Scared and apprehensive is normal, but you will make it through. You have all our thoughts and prayers.

Bob
 
Bob, thanks much for the support. I live on this forum lately and make it from one day to another. Yes, my hip is the regular deal and they want me on my side. As far as I know, no general. Just some funny meds.
I've been thru this so many times before - I am not sure if I mentioned. Several big reconstructive surgeries. So this should be a walk in the park from what everyone says. I just can't believe, that "here we go again."

Can't thank you enough for taking time to comfort me, hearing from you guys helps tremendously - that goes for everyone...

Lidia
 
Bob, what the heck are "mini hips". I think I may feel better now, knowing that what you had was a little different. God Bless you for being able to recover so quickly. I'm a little over 7 weeks and couldn't even think about driving for 5 1/2 weeks. It was still scary, but I only had to go 1 mile. I came back to work yesterday for 6 hours. I also have a desk job with a 20 minute commute, but I was in agony by the time I got home and needed some pain killers to help me sleep. I think this is going to take some time!!!
 
Nancy, I had a posterior right hip on June 6th. I am trying to remember where I was at your point. I did not drive until 6 weeks, then only short distances and I was still on percocet. I remember at 6 weeks my doc telling me I could tie my shoes, just make sure the leg goes out. It was still a challenge for a few weeks.
I was still very exhausted and dealing with pain from ITB band, muscles etc and was sent to pt at that point for 6 weeks.

Take it easy at work, go home and just rest
Judy
 
Sewell44, I thought I did my research but apparently I didn't. I thought there was two ways to replace a hip. The old world with the 12" incision or the new way withe 4" incision. Now I am finding the incision can be in the front on the side or on the hind quarters!!! I had bi-lats. I was amazed to learn that the Aterieal (sp??) doesn't cut through any muscle and yet it's not the method used by all surgeons??? I thought my guy was cutting edge. I went to some website to search for Dr.'s who use this method and they didn't even have the state of CT listed???
 
Nancy
The hip replacement came as kind of a shock to me. I had been going to the orthopedic practice for over a year for my spine adn really liked the hip/knee surgeon so I went with him., Then I started researching a bit. I never looked into the minimally invasive. I did ask him if he did the anterior approach. He said he did with patient request, but he prefered doing the posterior. So I went with his preference

Judy
 
Nancy
Mini hips are just another name for the minimally invasive procedure. They use shorter incisions on the front of the hips and minimize the cutting of muscle and ligaments so that the recovery time is much shorter. Here is a link to an article in AARP describing it, though I know its after the fact: https://www.aarpmagazine.org/health/jiffy_hips.html. If I were to have had conventional surgery, I might not have even had both sides done at the same time. The recovery time and the lack of after surgery precautions are what make this procedure so amazing.

I went to my first outpatient PT session today for the evaluation. My right hip is stronger than the left, but the left has a bit better range of motion. Apparently I also have something that causes me to lean to the left a bit as I walk. I guess we'll be working on all these issues over the next few weeks. Still I feel a bit stronger each day but I need to be mindful to keep things moving. The PT told me to remember, "Motion is the Lotion" to keep things moving smoothly.
 
Thanks Bob. I'm still amazed and can't understand why my surgeon never mentioned this even enough to say he doesn't use this method. WOW. I went to one Website regarding this method and it has a Surgeon Search option. There were none in the entire state of CT and only one in the entire state of NY. I wonder why it's not more popular. Where are you from.
 
Nancy
Its not the most widely accepted surgery yet. Much more prevalent in Europe but then again so is hip resurfacing. Skeptics would say that they cant do as good a job fitting the prosthesis since they are working through such a small opening, but the results that they are getting appear to be just as good as traditional surgery.

I'm down in the Norfolk area of Virginia. I live in Portsmouth on what is called "Southside" and I had to travel up to the Peninsula in Newport News to see this surgeon. There are a couple of doctors who are listed as doing similar surgeries much closer to home, but my PT wife did not care for them from having dealt with them directly on other cases. The surgeon that did my hips was Dr. Cavazos and she had had several of his cases and was very impressed by the quick turnaround of his patients.

I had been seeing a different Ortho before I went to Dr. Cavazos, but he is not doing anything close to a minimally invasive procedure. As my wife tells me, many of these orthos have been doing the traditional surgery for years, with good results and a minimum of post op complications and are hesitant to want to try something different even if it means a much less painful and a shorter recovery period for their patients. I guess its a variant of "Don't mess with success".

I have a twin brother in Northern NJ who is probably a year or two behind me and is seriously considering getting his done too. I'm not sure how many groups in that area do a version of the "mini hip" but I would think there would have to be one or two for sure. And of course you don't want to go somewhere where they have just started the procedure, in my case, Dr. Cavazos and his group have been doing these minimal invasive surgeries (hips and knees) for about 3 years now so they do have a good track record.
 
Hi Bob and Nancy, I am in northern NJ (Morristown area) and don't think the anterior approach has been accepted much here....would be hard pressed to find a surgeon who does it. I am fascinated by the topic though. My excellent OS who did my "minimally invasive" posterior approach right hip is not a proponent. He gave me the same reasons as the AARP article and even told me that some OS are going back from doing anterior to posterior due to problems.

Guess time will tell. If and when I need my left hip replaced (no pain now but xray shows it is not perfect) I will definitely look into all options. NYC is not far away and all types have to be available there.

In meantime, I am thrilled with my new hip and results. Despite not having anterior, after the first several days, all was uphill. Got a prescription for percocet but never filled it. Was only taking tylenol extra strength after the 6th day. Sleeping was the most difficult til about 4th week . Don't know if the other type of surgery would have made a difference there.

At 7 plus weeks, am keeping up with the best of them.

Laurie
 
Nancy and Laurie,
I don't know if your insurance will let you go here or not but if so.

https://www.hss.edu/index.htm

They are in NYC and currently are ranked higher than Hopkins in Baltimore and The Rothman in Philly. If I could have I would have. Not that I am unhappy with my results but I aways try to find the very best that my insurance will cover - even if it's a drive.

Best wishes,
Donna
 
Thanks so much Donna. I know someone who had knee surgery there recently and she was very pleased. If I need the other hip replaced, I will definitely look into it. In meantime, I am having a hard time not overdoing exercise I feel so good. Today I did 45 minutes on elliptical and 40 minutes on treadmill with an 8 incline and 4 mile/hr speed. Am tired at moment but am thrilled with my progress.

Laurie
 
Thanks Bob and everyone. Well, it's too late for me now so I'll just puddle through my pain until it goes away. This Tuesday will be week 8. I do see my progress but I wasn't expecting this much discomfort. When my OS said I could probably drive in 4 weeks and go back to work after 5 or 6, I assumed that meant I would be dancing a jig.

I am seeing my OS on 11/10 and I'm going to ask him about your approach. I already know his answer. (Same as the AARP article).

I do like to overdo the exercise and then suffer the pain later when my muscles are rebuilding. I'm too competitive and when I'm told the more exercise I do the quicker I'll get better, well there I go. Don't worry I don't exercise if it causes pain.

I did do something really stupid the other night that I paid dearly for. My dog had a tick in his hind quarters and I couldn't bend low enough to work on it, so I tried to sit on the floor. I got so far and then my knees buckled and I went down. Not a far fall but a fall none the less. I couldn't get up, and my dog is not trained to 'go get Daddy'. I had to scream to wake my husband who had to come down and pick me up. The soreness was horrible for the next day, but I don't think I knocked anything out of place. OH WELL
 
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