THR First five days after surgery

[ctrlaltdel54]

I don't think I've overworked anything yet, and I don't have any intentions of adding to what I'm doing for at least another week. I'm hoping the physical therapist I'm supposed to see will give me some guidance, but who knows when I'll get to see her again. They never did call after the insurance company approved the therapy, and told me after I called them this morning that my therapist was booked through the week and they'd have to get back with me. The American health care system is such a gas. I'm taking the minimum recommendation for the pain meds (1 pill every 4-6 hours), and since I'm not in that much discomfort, I suppose that is working. I am trying to keep aware, as you said, of my short term limitations. I just need to keep convincing myself that short term isn't tomorrow.

 

[ctrlaltdel54]

Got back to the Gym today. I managed 30 minutes at a speed in the low 2's on the treadmill while gripping the bars on the side. It was actually easier than walking outside using the walker. I'm trying to get accustomed to using a cane. It is more work than the walker, but not much more. I'm finally going back to the physical therapist Friday (it took a couple of calls to get them moving despite having insurance approval), and hopefully they'll give me more ideas of what I can do at the gym, especially with regards to the legs. Until then, it is just the treadmill and some upper body stuff.

 

[Jaycey]

Easy does it my friend - and listen to that new hip. PT will definitely help you with strengthening exercises. And the treadmill to get that new gait perfected is excellent. Slow and steady.

 

[ctrlaltdel54]

Finally got around to seeing the physical therapist this morning (the first time since 3 Nov). We didn't do much, but he did point out how lousy my walking form was. I picked up some very bad habits during the 4 years I've been dealing with arthritis, so I have a lot to unlearn. I'll get there eventually.

They couldn't come up with a script today for my pain meds because the doctor was busy (or something), so they suggested taking Aleve during the day and what Norco I have left (4 pills) at night. I really haven't had any serious pain issues since returning from the hospital, so it will be interesting to see if the Norco played a major role in that or not. I have never had much luck with Aleve (it was useless for the arthritis pain), but I'l give it another shot if I get too uncomfortable this weekend.

 

[MajorHeidi]

Hi @ctrlaltdel54 you have had some lousy customer service from your docs/staff, I must say.
Not coming up with a script on Friday because the doc was too busy. Well, just try again on Monday I guess.
Geez.
I just wanted to comment on your walking form..... One of the purposes of the walker is to
help you balance while you 'get your gait back'. If you ditch it too soon, you will keep your limp.
So stick with it like they want you to, you will be happy that you did.
Onward and upward!

 

[ctrlaltdel54]

I still use the walker except when I go to the gym; it is just too cumbersome to lug around there. The temperatures have taken a nosedive in this part of the country the past week, and that has kept me from using the walker outside, which is what I was doing before this cold spell. Maybe I need to bundle up better and just take a short walk outdoors along with the gym stuff. I know my walk has gotten all screwed up and it is going to take work to get it at least close to right.

 

[ctrlaltdel54]

I switched the walker for a cane a couple of days ago, and the physical therapist I saw this morning said I may even be able to give that up in a week. I'm down to 1-2 pain meds a day, and I'm not even that sure I need that. I'll probably stick with that for another 20 days, then unless I go backwards somehow, stop taking them completely. I should be back to work by 1 December if things keep going the way they are. So, I can definitely say things are going very well. I already feel a hell of a lot better than I did before the operation. I should have done this at least a year ago, but better late than never.

 

[CanukTriMom]

When you are cleared for the pool, go for it as I find it is great rehab to rebuild strength. I use swim fins, a pull buoy between the legs to work upper body but not both at the same time.

 

[ctrlaltdel54]

I had my last doctor checkup for the year this morning. Everything looked very good except for a weakness in one muscle, which he gave me an exercise for. He said I didn't have to wear the stretch socks anymore and didn't need any more blood medication (which was fortunate, since that stuff cost over $120). I'm still taking the Norco, but only two pills a day through Saturday then one until the prescription runs out, then I'm off all the meds. I still have physical therapy, but that will stop sometime next month. I'm going back to work next week, and I don't think I'll have problems with the long walks to and from my work area. I'm doing a lot of cardio stuff at the gym and all of it is much less painful than it was before the operation. So, I certainly don't have any complaints about the way things have gone after the operation.