THR Day 16 - left THR - my left knee is my recovery hold back

[Cedar Gal]

I feel fortunate that my surgeon elected for direct anterior hip replacement as best choice for me. I am sure my recovery has gone better because of it. My wound was closed and sealed with mesh and glue (Dermobond Prineo) and I have no stitches or staples and waterproof bandage (pic attached from 1st day) so I am allowed to shower. I had next to no pain or discomfort for first couple days post op then my knees decided to take the headline. My left knee and left side of my thigh (quite painful at start) are stiff and sore to walk and achy at night but better each day. Apparently they decided to complain about the new construction. Today I am feeling stronger and my knees are accepting the care and attention I have been giving them (short walks, ice and starting recently some heat). I am still using crutches (for knee and thigh pain - hip seems happy). I have been recovering on holiday in our RV. This has worked great and I would recommend to anyone that has a larger RV (for mobility) and is used to extended stays (we spend 1 or 2 months at a time in our RV). I have a few short level steps to the bathroom and 2 steps down to do my walks around the kitchen island. 3 steps to walk outside. My great dane always walks with me and has taken to following me around the kitchen island. Lol. I have the option for some PT when I get home and will take the advice I have read here and not allow the professional to push my limits.

 

[djklaugh]

@Cedar Gal Congratulations on your new hip! It sounds like you are doing well with your recuperation Yes the knee(s) can complain a bit after hip surgery after all the muscles in your leg have to get use to moving in a way they have not moved for a long time (think of how long it took for you to get to the point of needing a new hip). Usually those complaints fade away as your leg gets used to the new state of things.

I love the image of your Great Dane keeping you company during your walks

Don't know if you heard this before your surgery ... get new shoes! The wear patterns on shoes you wore frequently before hip replacement are the old limping painful hip pattern and it is not a pattern you want to continue. If you've already done this - wonderful!

Here are our post op articles and helpful suggestions:

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.

 

[Hippie Chick]

Hi! Thanks for joining us on this journey! Your Great Dane sounds like a good boy!

 

[myglasshalffull]

Welcome! My right knee was more sore than my hip after surgery, might be the way they twist and turn your body to get new hip in place.
It gets better, you are approaching it correctly, rest, ice, elevate, take a stroll around the house and have that Great Dane to lean on if need be!
I wish you the best.

 

[GrumpyMCO]

Recovery Buddies are great - I've started telling mine "It's okay - you don't have to follow me everywhere!" I had knee pain, most likely tendonitis on both knees prior to surgery. Post surgery the knee on the new hip side had a different pain - deeper in the joint - I just assumed it was due to the manipulation of the femur during the procedure. Keep us updated on your recovery - it sounds like you are off to a great start!

 

[Eman85]

Most of us have knee pain in recovery. The IT band terminates at the knee and when they dislocate us they really stretch all of the muscles. It seems the IT band likes to sound it's alarm from the knee when we use it in recovery.

 

[Cedar Gal]

Thanks for your messages of support and sharing your experiences, it really helps. While I understood I would have pain other than in my hip, my knee pain holding me back from walking (vs hip) was the surprise. Home yesterday from the camping portion of my recovery. Still not dancing a jig but my knee (day 19) is slowly letting me put more weight on it. I am using one crutch and can take a couple steps without. I have additional "recovery buddies" now that I'm home ....cats. I am extra aware of my steps with them here and will never be allowed to sleep in now as one pesters me in am until I am up. Lol I see my Dr for my first Follow up Monday. Going to make it a girlfriend trip for lunch as my good pal has offered to drive me (1.5 hrs from my house to surgeons office).

 

[Eman85]

Stairs and uneven ground, any hills up or down, really made my knee hurt in recovery. It was all soft tissue not joint pain for me.

 

[Layla]

Happy One Month Anniversary, Cedar Gal!
I hope your post op appointment went well and you're pleased with your progress.
Take good care and enjoy the weekend!
@Cedar Gal

 

[Cedar Gal]

Thanks! Post op went well. I was told I could drive myself to my 2nd follow-up Oct 11th and I am happy to report my knee has been much happier the last couple days.

 

[Hippie Chick]

Yay CedarGal! Please keep us updated on driving!

 

[Cedar Gal]

Had my 2nd follow-up on Oct 11 (day 51 post op). It was my first day permitted to drive. It is a 1.5hr drive to my surgeons office and my only issue (other than missing a turn directed by my car computer) was being a bit stiff and sore after sitting so long. I loosened up walking from my parked car to the office. I'm bragging more now but boy did it feel great to confidently walk unaided and not limping into the office. My sugeon seemed as pleased as I was. We congratulated each other on a job well done. Lol. My sleeping is disturbed at night by aches and pains (now both sides from hip to toe as my body adjusts). Getting up for a few min (even just a walk to the bathroom) usually gives me enough relief to get back to sleep. I am also setting reminders to move during the day to keep from sitting too long and getting stiff and sore. I have slowly increased my daily walks to an hour or so but keep mindful to adjust as my body directs (and everyone's advice here, thanks). I am prepared for some ups and downs thanks to your posts but mostly I feel very fortunate.

 

[Hippie Chick]

Great job on the doctor’s appointment! I know you are very pleased!

 

[Esmeralda]

Your recovery is definitely moving in the right direction, I'm not surprised your surgeon was pleased. It's still early days but hopefully your sleep will become less disturbed as your hip continues to heal, have you tried taking any pain relief before going to bed to see if that helps at all ?

 

[Layla]

I'm bragging more now but boy did it feel great to confidently walk unaided and not limping into the office.

I found statements such as yours above inspiring and encouraging as I tried to gather up the confidence to schedule my surgery. So many gracious members worry that they are bragging or hesitate to share good news in an effort to spare the feelings of those that are struggling in their early recovery, but how hopeless we'd all feel at the prospect of joint replacement if members were unwilling to let us share in the joy of their accomplishments, so thanks for sharing the good news! Have a wonderful weekend!

 

[Cedar Gal]

Thanks @Esmeralda and @Layla. I appreciate your suggestions and comments. I will put some meds on my nightstand tonight to remind me its ok to take a pill and not have to try to power through . I also hate sleeping on my back but know that position with my shoulders and head propped with a pillow provides most comfort for my overworked muscles and tendons. I met a fellow "hippie" neighbour before my surgery that was out walking unaided after less than a month and bragging he was pain free which encouraged me so I hope to "brag" a bit more in the future

 

[Layla]

Happy Two Month Anniversary!
Wishing you a great Sunday and week.
@Cedar Gal

 

[Cedar Gal]

I'm back. I've been travelling and enjoying my new left hip. I am now wanting my right hip replaced. My right hip is having same issues my replacement hip had before surgery. The issues in my right hip started about 2 months after my left hip was replaced so I chalked it up to adjusting to the new hip. The issues escalated recently and are somewhat worse than my replaced hip was before surgery so I asked for new xrays. The results say mild to moderate. I have not spoken to my doc or surgeon yet but anticipte being told I am not yet a candidate for surgery as my left was moderate to extreme to opt for surgery. This has me anxious and concerned. I guess I'm looking for encouragement that a surgical solution my be offered as meds are not helping. I'm using ice and heat most of the day and night.

 

[Layla]

Well...I guess you'll need to meet with your surgeon and see what they think. I am sorry you're hurting and feeling anxious and concerned about your future. I wish you comfort and hope you're able to find some relief.
Please keep us posted and let us know what you hear from your OS.
Good luck!
@Cedar Gal

 

[Cedar Gal]

Hi @Layla it's a comfort to be able to vent here and know someone is listening.
Thanks