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THR Dog Lovers Recovery

I'll only add that my therapy has been walking and more I walk the better I feel.
Even my OS told me on my last visit to just walk.
Others have done PT and that's fine, whatever works, there's no one way for everyone to recuperate.
My OS gave me oxy, took first couple of days after I returned home but Tylenol and ice seemed to be just fine.
In the early days I'd get up and walk around my dining table about 10 times. I let my hip guide me.
Lots of naps in early days as well.
All my best for a pain free day.
 
Well Day 3 is here and actually so far seems to be less pain. Leg is swollen this am as I didn't elevate last night decided to sleep in recliner. Best sleep so far. Icing now. I think ankle pumps leg slides and squeezing glutes is all pt I will do today. No opiods until bedtime only Tylenol today.
 
Sounds like you’re doing well. Ice, ice, ice. :ice:
I slept comfortably in a recliner for three weeks. :sleep:
I hope today is a good day! :yes:
 
Thanks Layla
I had read dont sleep in a recliner but I was desperate. Woke up at 3 am back and leg hurting so came in living room propped up pillows took a oxy and fell asleep, best sleep. Bed is just too flat.
Getting so bored thought I might try a shower today but I don't think I have the energy.
 
I’ve have read that about recliners. Try convincing those that loved and frequently slept in their recliner during early recovery of that, lol.

I found my first shower a bit draining, but it felt so good. If you don’t feel up to it today, wash up the best you can and consider it again tomorrow. It took me a few days, even though I was dying to take one and wash my hair, I was feeling anxious about it and hubs almost had to push me in. :heehee: It was a quick one, but it accomplished all I needed. Good luck!
@Doglover7
 
Day 4 Slept good moved to the couch and elevated my legs. Taking oxy at night that does help me sleep. Tylenol during the day. Had a meltdown cry yesterday dont know why, better today. My concern is my operated leg feels/is longer my knee looks twisted to the side. Its making my low back hurt when I walk. My pelvis I know early on was tilted up to the right so if it levels that would make my right leg longer. If I hear one more person tell me so and so was walking by day 2.
I felt I had accomplished a feat by sleeping thru the night and getting in the shower unassisted. One minute I am feeling good about things then I feel I will never be right again.
 
You are doing well if you are sleeping through the night! I don’t think I slept a wink at night for the first 12 nights, just a few fitful seconds before my snoring woke me up. After desperation I began side sleeping then and even still, it was up to pee every hour or two all night long. So you’re doing great with sleeping!

Congrats on your first shower- I know you feel better after that!

I can’t comment on your leg differences. But how you are walking today at day 4 is NOT how you will be walking at day 24 nor day 104. It really does get better.

Sleep, rest, ice and elevate and tiny little walks to the bathroom and kitchen . That’s all you need for today!
 
Doglover7 said:
If I hear one more person tell me so and so was walking by day 2
Click to expand...
People are so helpful when they say dumb things like this. We all walked hours after surgery, with a walker and an assistant. Just remember none of those so and so's actually had a THR but everyone on this board has had at least one.
 
Thanks guys! I have to keep reminding myself this is only Day 4. I think people who say so and so was walking to the mailbox at day 2 forget that it was more like 2 weeks.
Today is better than the first day so I am going to take your words for if that it will get better. I watched videos of people walking by day 4 without a cane etc and set my expectations higher than realistic.
How many of you were still limping by day 4? I can walk better I pushed the walker ahead and attempted 2 steps unaided..a slight limp but no where near as bad as it was. My dogs miss me and don't know why I haven't come to see them..I made the mistake of opening the downstairs door and called out to one so he could see me at the top of the stairs...he barked for 3 solid hours on and off before he finally gave up. May attempt to go on the back porch tomorrow and see them from the safety of the porch.
 
First off, no 2 of us are alike so our recovery will be different than yours on a day to day timeline. my 2 THR's were different right from day 1. Limping is expected, you underwent a traumatic surgery. Whether we tell you we walked on day 2 or couldn't walk unaided for months none of it will change your timeline. Don't get impatient now, you've just begun.
 
Day 5 Sleeping better but now dealing with swelling. From incision all the way down to kneecap and behind it. Got out of recliner at 2 am and elevated on couch..fell asleep until 5am now pain at front of thigh, shouldn't have slept elevated for hours ..my bad.
 
Hooray for the improved sleep!
But Swelling Happens. So does that front of thigh pain. At this point it isn't because of something you did (as long as you are behaving yourself!)
The front of my thigh was tender for months. The swelling was significant for a couple of weeks, then the elevating helped to bring it down fairly quickly over a couple of days.
Happy healing!
 
Congrats on the new hip! There will be ups and downs but it does get better I find in jumps! One day you just notice improvement. Keep the ice on it and elevate. I hear ya on the pain meds. If they tell you to take tramadol an hour after then I would only use it if I needed. Tramadol is not a narcotic but works like one. Can be a lot of your not use to them to. Idk if my legs are still turned … I stopped looking lol. They will in time change. Mine were still turned at week 2 and I’m now on week 5.
 
Don't listen to people who say stupid stuff about walking in 2 days, yes we were walking in 24 hours but limited, with a walker!!
I kept doing same thing, comparing myself to other stories I had heard before I ever had this surgery and thought something must be wrong with me not to be further along.
Thank goodness for others here that are on same recovery journey!
And the crying will come and go.
My last crying jag came at about 3 months post op and I was crying over not being able to clean the glass shower doors all the way to bottom or get on my hands and knees to wash bathroom floor. My sweet daughter in law came next day and cleaned bathroom top to bottom.
All my best.
 
Day 6 Slept fairly well, dog and hubby still asleep. Got in the shower by myself managed all clothes on except compression socks on operated leg. Why is it that mine goes on so easy but my hubby really struggles and it looks a mess when he's done. Oh well, its on.
Swelling down for now.
My biggest worry right now is I will limp forever. When do most people find their limping stopped or at least significantly improved?
 
HI @Doglover7 Love your forum handle name. What kind of doggies do you have? You will be fine-it takes a lot of patience and even more patience until you are better. You will have some ups and downs and maybe more ups which may cause you to do too much. Try to take it easy. Think about it this way: when else are you going to have all this free time? Binge watch some netflix shows and write down your own recovery for yourself if you feel like it and watch more netflix. Get some smooches from your doggies too. I just put mine down after 14 wonderful years and I miss him so terribly. Big goofy yellow lab. He was stuck to me through my whole recovery and now that I am up and about he's gone. I really want to get another dog but I feel its too early and I am still not one hundred percent so quite a dilemma:(
 
I am so sorry to hear about your loss!! Thats so hard at anytime much less while your recovering! I have an old 13 year old girl sleeping and snoring at my feet now.
I show and raise Chow-Chows.
Thats my motivation to get better quick!
 
Day 8 of recovery
Had a great day yesterday. PT came took off my bandage and I finally got to see my scar. Not horrible about 4-5 inches.
Finally got to go sit on the back porch and say hi to my babies they miss momma taking care of them ..although hubby is doing a great job!
Might have overdid it some. Really sore today but overall feeling better than last few days.
Have ditched the walker and using cane.
Still concerned about operated leg feeling longer, PT felt hips said they may level out over a few months but limping to be expected still, use the cane until then...thats my biggest concern right now.
 
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