OP
OP
aprilc
member
Oh I bought a fitbit finally @MajorHeidi , trying to see if I can control myself better with that.
THR FAI + 2 scopes = THR
- Thread starter aprilc
- Start date
- Status
beachgal
post-grad
@aprilc, well, I get it. I feel the same way as you at times. I was not in very good shape before my surgery because I was dealing with so much hip pain. I did some upper body workouts to build up my arm strength but that's about it. I walked a mile, nonstop, for the first time over the weekend and it took me 23 minutes. No pain. I really concentrated on my gait, trying to stretch my stride on my op side to match my natural stride on my non-op side. I think we all are in too much of a rush to get back to normal. I remind myself every so often that I was hurting on some level for four years pre-op. Recovering from that is not going to happen in 12 weeks, just sayin. 
I'm not sure, though, about your continued pain. You must be trying to do too much too often. Have you thought about setting up an exercise routine chart, planning to do everything for at least 10 days, backing off if you are in too much pain. The secret would be to get a good place to start. You could increase a bit from there, but not too quickly. I try to walk every other day, not every day. That seems to give my hip time to rest. It really is a delicate balance. I've sorta resigned myself to the fact that I'm in it for the long haul and that it could be a year before I'm really doing things I used to enjoy.
You are quite a bit younger than me but I'm not so sure that means a whole lot when you're dealing with THR. I mean, it would if I were 80 and you were 48 but I'm just 61 and I think I'm about where I should be....it probably doesn't help that your friends are probably planning ski trips for Christmas, either??
I'm not sure, though, about your continued pain. You must be trying to do too much too often. Have you thought about setting up an exercise routine chart, planning to do everything for at least 10 days, backing off if you are in too much pain. The secret would be to get a good place to start. You could increase a bit from there, but not too quickly. I try to walk every other day, not every day. That seems to give my hip time to rest. It really is a delicate balance. I've sorta resigned myself to the fact that I'm in it for the long haul and that it could be a year before I'm really doing things I used to enjoy.
You are quite a bit younger than me but I'm not so sure that means a whole lot when you're dealing with THR. I mean, it would if I were 80 and you were 48 but I'm just 61 and I think I'm about where I should be....it probably doesn't help that your friends are probably planning ski trips for Christmas, either??
Hoppy Nanny
big-cheese
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2013
- Messages
- 3,846
- Age
- 74
- Location
- Bognor Regis
- Gender
- Female
- Country
United Kingdom
@aprilc. So sorry you are feeling down but so glad that you sure able to vent here...it's very necessary to let those feelings out & this is the perfect venue for it!
It's hard not to feel upset when others seem to be progressing faster....but I'm sure that with Josephines advice to cut back on PT etc for a wee while you will see an improvement .....you can then start introducing more exercise later into your schedule.
It's that horrible word 'patience'....my recovery was quite slow but now at just over a year I really have the 'forgotten hip. I only did a little walk each day & some hydrotherapy for my limp...while others were running marathons ( or so I thought)..... You will get there! Stay with BS....in a few weeks you will be telling a different story Im sure...Chrissie x
Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart Forum
It's hard not to feel upset when others seem to be progressing faster....but I'm sure that with Josephines advice to cut back on PT etc for a wee while you will see an improvement .....you can then start introducing more exercise later into your schedule.
It's that horrible word 'patience'....my recovery was quite slow but now at just over a year I really have the 'forgotten hip. I only did a little walk each day & some hydrotherapy for my limp...while others were running marathons ( or so I thought)..... You will get there! Stay with BS....in a few weeks you will be telling a different story Im sure...Chrissie x
Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart Forum
waterman1
graduate
Okee Dokee Miss April C I guess I am gonna give my two cents on here. Sorry I disappeared, but I just have nothing to complain about so I thought these moderators really, really want guys like me to just go away, so I did. Short update - I'm back on my boat as a captain, yay. I am back in my air conditioned JD tractor with air ride seat, mowing and baling hay for hours on end, yay. I can fish, walk, swim, freedive, farm, hunt - with little or no pain. Still am a little careful with wild sexual positions, that's about it, ha ha. I do not have the energy I used to have, and a nap is great most everyday.
I am concerned about your last posts, and always enjoyed talking April. What a journey, huh? I still say we are our own worst enemy. I walk a mile, and I enjoy the above. I think you are doing too much, April. The addiction: what worked for me was I quit taking the Percocet altogether, and asked the doc to give me Hydrocodone. I took them until I didn't miss them anymore. AprilC and MajorHeidi - I think of you often, and wish you the best. I am blessed without a doubt, and I wish the same for everyone on this website
I am concerned about your last posts, and always enjoyed talking April. What a journey, huh? I still say we are our own worst enemy. I walk a mile, and I enjoy the above. I think you are doing too much, April. The addiction: what worked for me was I quit taking the Percocet altogether, and asked the doc to give me Hydrocodone. I took them until I didn't miss them anymore. AprilC and MajorHeidi - I think of you often, and wish you the best. I am blessed without a doubt, and I wish the same for everyone on this website
Carriemay60
post-grad
@aprilc I am certainly no expert and know very little about hips, etc really. I am going to apologize in advance if I offend or jump to any conclusions due to not reading more carefully.
It has been my impression since I first saw your thread that you have tried to tackle your recovery head on with a lot of gusto wanting a fast recovery and great results. I remember you having an accident while dancing very early on and can't help but wonder if you could take things a bit more slowly with more care? From what I have read here, people that dive in with both feet too fast seem to be the ones that suffer longer and sometimes even pay the price of overdoing it too soon. I think I am clear that you want your life back, yesterday but I have learned from my research here that those that take it more slowly and more methodically get their lives back much sooner than those that try to rush. You strike me as a very vibrant, fun loving woman and I really do you feel for you being slowed down but I wonder if you will feel better sooner if you slow down a bit and do things by routine rather than fits and spurts. I do wish you the very best!
It has been my impression since I first saw your thread that you have tried to tackle your recovery head on with a lot of gusto wanting a fast recovery and great results. I remember you having an accident while dancing very early on and can't help but wonder if you could take things a bit more slowly with more care? From what I have read here, people that dive in with both feet too fast seem to be the ones that suffer longer and sometimes even pay the price of overdoing it too soon. I think I am clear that you want your life back, yesterday but I have learned from my research here that those that take it more slowly and more methodically get their lives back much sooner than those that try to rush. You strike me as a very vibrant, fun loving woman and I really do you feel for you being slowed down but I wonder if you will feel better sooner if you slow down a bit and do things by routine rather than fits and spurts. I do wish you the very best!
Gosh, Waterman.....I don't know where you got the idea that we wanted people who are moving on with their lives to go away....nothing could be further from the truth!! Actually, all of us would love for everyone to stay and post forever. But....we are realists and know that folks usually move on and just live their lives once they are healed. And that's certainly okay too. But, please, please never think we don't want you here letting us know how your're getting along and what all you can do with your new hip. That is exactly the type of success story that our newbies and guests need to read.
@aprilc......I'm sorry to hear that you had a fall and that you are frustrated with your recovery. But it is true that patience is needed in most cases. True, there are some who breeze through and move back to normal activities very quickly. But a majority of folks need months and sometimes up to a year or more to be fully functioning. It is not ever advised to compare your recovery to anyone else's. This is not a one-size-fits-all surgery! Each person is an individual and each person's recovery is uniquely theirs. Your body is in charge and nothing you can do will make things go faster.
But....you certainly can do things that will make your recovery go more slowly. Things like pushing too hard to early in your recovery definitely fall in this category. You have been pushing. The best thing you could do for yourself will be to slow down a bit and listen to your body. If things hurt or you're tired, that's a sign to slow a bit. On those days you're feeling really good, you can push a little more. But when you try to do things like extra activity, long work hours or times on your feet or trips before your body is really ready, you're going to have setbacks.
We'll always listen to a good venting....all of us need to express the frustration with not being able to do everything we want to do right now. So don't hesitate to do that. Time is going to give you the recovery you are looking for. You just have to allow yourself that time, though.
You aren't "different" @aprilc - you are you - and each and every recovery is different. My current recovery is totally different from my first THR. We can't predict any outcome and quite honestly there is no sense in trying to rush any of this.
Please do not compare your recovery to any other recovery. At 3 months post op some can walk miles - most can't! Walking 3.5 miles when you have not done anything at that level is bound to make that new hip complain. The trick is to build up your strength and stamina - not throw everything at it and hope there won't be pain. Start slow and short distances and build up. That is the only way you will be able to control any soreness.
What PT are you doing? Frankly the walking is the best exercise for a new hip. Anything else may be stressing those atrophied muscles versus strengthening. Slow and steady. What seems impossible one day will be easy another.
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
April, where did I tell you this? I've explored this thread from page 1 and cannot find it. I know I did give you my questions, I just wanted to refresh my mind on our responses.
Because you're only 3 months out - still a baby! Besides which you may have had different approaches. This was what I wanted to check out - do I remember you had something other than an anterior? If so, perhaps that other member did have an anterior or maybe even a SuperPath which allows these amazing recoveries.
You really have to get on board with the fact that 3 months is VERY EARLY in THR recovery. And that person didn't have your surgery and you didn't have his/hers. No two surgeries are alike, not even when they are on the same patient!
That's right - you created all these inflammaotry issues and they need pain pills to keep them subdued.
All these comments tell a tale. Yes I KNOW you're frustrated and I KNOW you're impatient to get this job done but what you don't seem to accept is that YOU are not the arbiter of how things go. You can - and have - very effectively scuppered a smooth and problem free recovery but the only way you can influence things is to take it easy and stop trying to race ahead! That's what got you in this predicament in the first place, isn't it?
Now I say this in kindness and out of caring, that you really have to go back to rest and pain meds for at least 2 maybe 3 weeks before you can start going forward again. Sorry and all that, but it's a fact. And the very LAST thing you need right now is a fitbit so please, please leave it in a drawer for the time being!
fearbox
member
I understand where you're coming from Aprilc. I'm just about 3 months out as well. I still have pain. I'm far more active than I was. I still have pool therapy. That therapy works for me. My ortho doc had me stop some exercises because I was just aggravating my hip. He said it takes a lot of time for the tissues to heal. Basically don't sweat it. I just stay active and not concentrate on any one thing in particular. My rough times are usually in the evening. After a busy day, I am miserable. I just figure it's just gonna take time. I do try to take breaks during the day. I am back to work part time. I will never be able to go back to my job I had before surgery. It is far to physical. I was a Fed Ex driver. Now I manage our drivers and I will soon run a training school for new drivers. I truly just try to take a break every chance it get. I hope you fell better soon.
Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
OP
OP
aprilc
member
Thanks so much everyone, I really needed to some words of encouragement. I really can't talk about this with anyone because they don't get it. I know I must be overdoing it but I feel like I'm hardly doing anything. I guess it's because of where I used to be activity wise, it's hard for me to conceive of overdoing it if my muscles aren't burning or I'm not breathing heavy.
@Carriemay60 You're totally right, but I'm having a super hard time slowing down, as I said above, I feel like I'm not doing anything and moving at a snails pace and I guess that's too much. I can't gauge this properly.
@Josephine You're right you didn't tell me to stop altogether, just to take a break for a month. I was being overdramatic, I knew what you had suggested.
I had the lateral anterior approach. But with 2 prior scopes for my FAI. So maybe all that other work on my hip is making this harder and maybe I'm so sick of being held back and thought this would be a superfix that I had unrealistic expectations.
Thank you for being patient with me @Josephine . I'm honestly, truly don't know how to take it easy. I think I am but apparently not. I actually got the fitbit to help me know when I've walked too much. I've set it for 5000 steps which is what I basically do in a day just moving around from place to place. My fitbit is to restrain me! (plus I like the cool silent alarm So I was going to try swimming a bit today. Should I not do that? Just rest like I'm a month out of surgery? Or just walk? It was easier to recover when I was on the 2 forearm crutches - REALLY!
@waterman1 Great to hear from you stranger! So happy you're doing so well and I say this with love - you and your awesome hips SUCK!
But really awesome that you're back on the boat and living your life to it's fullest. I remember when I was doing laundry after week 2 or 3 and you gave me the where and what for. One of these days I still plan on smoking you in the water!
@Carriemay60 You're totally right, but I'm having a super hard time slowing down, as I said above, I feel like I'm not doing anything and moving at a snails pace and I guess that's too much. I can't gauge this properly.
@Josephine You're right you didn't tell me to stop altogether, just to take a break for a month. I was being overdramatic, I knew what you had suggested.
I had the lateral anterior approach. But with 2 prior scopes for my FAI. So maybe all that other work on my hip is making this harder and maybe I'm so sick of being held back and thought this would be a superfix that I had unrealistic expectations.
Thank you for being patient with me @Josephine . I'm honestly, truly don't know how to take it easy. I think I am but apparently not. I actually got the fitbit to help me know when I've walked too much. I've set it for 5000 steps which is what I basically do in a day just moving around from place to place. My fitbit is to restrain me! (plus I like the cool silent alarm
So I was going to try swimming a bit today. Should I not do that? Just rest like I'm a month out of surgery? Or just walk? It was easier to recover when I was on the 2 forearm crutches - REALLY!@waterman1 Great to hear from you stranger! So happy you're doing so well and I say this with love - you and your awesome hips SUCK!
But really awesome that you're back on the boat and living your life to it's fullest. I remember when I was doing laundry after week 2 or 3 and you gave me the where and what for. One of these days I still plan on smoking you in the water!
waterman1
graduate
AprilC, your love back to ya dearest - we can relate because we both love physical fitness and that fitness will come back to help you dramatically. I don't know about you, but my legs had some atrophy going from the lack of exercise. Now, with just a little bit of walking and a little bit of living my old lifestyle, the legs feel strong and look strong. I am sure you know how to listen to your body's aches and pains and adjust, or stop altogether if something hurts. I am surprised that you just keep pushing yourself if there is some pain anywhere now that you have an artificial implant in your hip. Come on dearest - I was always accused of enjoying pain and maybe we should accuse you. Surely not, so take care of your body and your new part. Adjust. Adjust. Adjust. I believe you have an awesome hip also, but you seem to want to walk the razor's edge with it!! I say all this because I believe you are blessed too and I care...
MajorHeidi
big-cheese
@aprilc and @waterman1 !
We had some great discussions, didn't we?
I am very happy to hear of Bill's good report of being back to normal and being a captain, again. Yay you!!!!!
And, you had both done. Well done on that!
I can relate, here April.... I did get bursitis (trochanter) for doing way too much daily distance walking and cycling with intense repetitive motion. I have eased up for the past three weeks, and the bursitis pain is gone now, and wait for it.... the awful stiffness on standing is almost all dissipated. Whew!
SO, April... I think my case is similar to yours. Rest up a bit, and it will come. Don't overdue it, and we will be all fine like Bill! Woohoo!!!!
We had some great discussions, didn't we?
I am very happy to hear of Bill's good report of being back to normal and being a captain, again. Yay you!!!!!
And, you had both done. Well done on that!
I can relate, here April.... I did get bursitis (trochanter) for doing way too much daily distance walking and cycling with intense repetitive motion. I have eased up for the past three weeks, and the bursitis pain is gone now, and wait for it.... the awful stiffness on standing is almost all dissipated. Whew!
SO, April... I think my case is similar to yours. Rest up a bit, and it will come. Don't overdue it, and we will be all fine like Bill! Woohoo!!!!
waterman1
graduate
Hey Major. You bring me smiles!! Yes, what a journey, huh? Great discussions gave me strength to look ahead thanks to those like you and so many others. I chose to get off of here due to something said by moderators a while back and feeling a little guilty that I am doing so well with two implants. But believe that I don't push it. If something hurts I stop. I really, really enjoy the feeling of pain free. I look at my canes and say no, I am done with that past. So, I believe everyone on this website is blessed to have the implants. Now go forward and enjoy them, remembering you will always be a little bit fragile, a little bit disabled if not for a better word, a little bit I believe... I wish you the best and thanks for alll your kind words, and most of all, your time
OP
OP
aprilc
member
@MajorHeidi So maybe I am within normal range in terms of rehab but just waaaay out of whack with expectations! (and patience) I am taking it easy and just walking up to 5000 on my fitbit. I planned to go swimming today after work, but now I don't know what to do. It's the one thing I haven't done for a bit, would you try it or just do nothing? I literally need an activity advisor to follow me around at this point. The pain always seems to come after the activity so I don't realize I've overdone it until I've overdone it.
@waterman1 Dive far, Breathe Well and may you always remember us hipsters!
@waterman1 Dive far, Breathe Well and may you always remember us hipsters!
beachgal
post-grad
You really are your own worst enemy. I can only imagine how frustrated you must feel but until you heal up a bit, you'll continue to pay the price. The surgery was just getting you to the starting point. How you finish this marathon is really up to you. If you don't let your body properly heal, what was the point?? :rolleyes:
I wasn't able to exercise hardly at all pre-op and I had my surgery on 7/25...now I'm doing most of the things I couldn't do before my THR and a few things I haven't done in years! At 12 weeks! BUT....I really took it slowly and gave my body all the rest and such it needed. It has paid off in huge dividends. I'm not a swimmer, I don't run, am slowly building up my walking time but doing it without pain.
So you want to swim after work? Great. Why not get in the pool and walk? Slowly. Deliberately. For half an hour. Then go home. If you still want to compete next summer, you've gotta lay the groundwork for it now.
I wasn't able to exercise hardly at all pre-op and I had my surgery on 7/25...now I'm doing most of the things I couldn't do before my THR and a few things I haven't done in years! At 12 weeks! BUT....I really took it slowly and gave my body all the rest and such it needed. It has paid off in huge dividends. I'm not a swimmer, I don't run, am slowly building up my walking time but doing it without pain.
So you want to swim after work? Great. Why not get in the pool and walk? Slowly. Deliberately. For half an hour. Then go home. If you still want to compete next summer, you've gotta lay the groundwork for it now.
Carriemay60
post-grad
@aprilc Ask yourself if you are setting your own expectations or is you are concerned what those around you are thinking. Ask & Answer it honestly to yourself and you may be able to decide how to move forward. Water resistance can be intense so if Josephine said to rest.... If you really just want to get in the water how about just getting in, standing or maybe floating on a board without ANY kicking? As Beachgal said, it is really decision how you want to heal and move forward but 'IMHO' you are far too young to screw this up!
MajorHeidi
big-cheese
@aprilc I am glad you got the Fitbit! I do love mine!!
While I was chilling with bursitis I cut WAY back to like 3000 steps per day max.
I am walking again and feel good. But, I am not jumping back to where I was because I feel good. No way!
Thus, I would recommend you stay at 5000 steps max for awhile. If you want to swim, don't do a structured walk, too. Pick one or the other, per day...... Would that work for you?
While I was chilling with bursitis I cut WAY back to like 3000 steps per day max.
I am walking again and feel good. But, I am not jumping back to where I was because I feel good. No way!
Thus, I would recommend you stay at 5000 steps max for awhile. If you want to swim, don't do a structured walk, too. Pick one or the other, per day...... Would that work for you?
Hoppy Nanny
big-cheese
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2013
- Messages
- 3,846
- Age
- 74
- Location
- Bognor Regis
- Gender
- Female
- Country
- United Kingdom
@aprilc. You said "So maybe I am within normal range in terms of rehab but just Waay out of whack in terms of expectations ( & patience)". Yaaah..you've hit the proverbial nail on the head!! I'm sure you will be doing just fine now! Slow & steady wins this particular race....xxxxxxx
Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart Forum
Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart Forum
OP
OP
aprilc
member
You guys are all awesome and are all correct and i am an idiot. But I think ya'll (and my hip) have gotten through my thick skull. I didn't read these most recent responses until just now, so yesterday work let out, I had time to waste while I waited for my daughter's volleyball game so I went to the pool. Now don't groan....wait....I swam about 250 yds, then just pulled (no kicking) for the rest of it. Didn't really hurt while I was doing it although pushing off the walls didn't feel great - not even attempting a flipturn, the kicking was very light. Afterwards I went to my daughter's game and yup the pain began, I wanted to kick myself! Tough night sleeping too and today is not particularly fun either. BUT I think it has finally gotten through my thick skull. I am cooling it for awhile, I will wear my fitbit and keep it at 5000 steps bc really that's just a normal day walking for me. I may walk a mile once I get over this most recent flare up but I get it - I'm an a big dummy - but I finally REALLY get it. I guess I had to prove it to myself, prove that I wasn't wimping out but that I really was doing too much.
Feel free to call me whatever names you would like to throw my way - I deserve it, ya'll have been telling me, sorry i've been so hard headed. No more complaining from me!
Feel free to call me whatever names you would like to throw my way - I deserve it, ya'll have been telling me, sorry i've been so hard headed. No more complaining from me!
Carriemay60
post-grad
@aprilc I certainly don't consider you a "dummy" or an "idiot". Gosh girl, you are just learning as you like the rest of us. I am not very adventurous because I am so fearful of further injury but if I had just got my life back after living with a long term disabling hip, I can't imagine what I would be attempting to do. No one walks in your shoes except you. I am guessing that you may have a competitive personality at least against yourself and what you think you should be able to do. Fighting that tendency for a recovery such as this would be very challenging ~ I wish I had some advice on how to curb that in yourself but perhaps someone else does. It may take some soul searching
- Status
Staff online
-
djklaughStaff member since December 30, 2020 -
LegselevenStaff member since June 2, 2026
