Bilateral THR Gierma Recovery Journey

[Gierma]

10 weeks after bilateral surgery

I have had 2 driving experiences, when after driving for over an hour, I experience new aches and pains in both hips. Is this unusual?

 

[Jockette]

@Gierma Hi and Welcome!

It is not unusual to have pain after driving for an hour at your stage of recovery. This recovery does take an average of a full year, so 10 weeks is actually still early in the healing process.

You’ll notice that I‘ve moved your post above out of the Monthly team thread as we reserve that thread for surgery date information, and so members can see who else has surgery the same month. We prefer all other comments and discussion to take place in a pre op or recovery thread, such as this one. Enjoy interacting with others who are on the same journey, here in this thread.

Please tell us the date of your surgery and we’ll make a signature for you.

I will leave you our Recovery Guidelines. Each article is short but very informative. Following these guidelines will help you have a less painful recovery.

Just keep in mind all people are different, as are the approaches to this recovery and rehab. The key is, “Find what works for you.“ Your doctors, PTs and BoneSmart are available to help, but you are the final judge as to the recovery approach you choose.

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!)

If you want to use something to help heal the incision,
BoneSmart recommends hypochlorous solution. Members in the US can purchase ACTIVE Antimicrobial Hydrogelthrough BoneSmart at a discount. Similar products should be available in the UK and other countries.

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. Here is a week-by-week guide
Activity progression for THRs

6. Access to these pages on the website
Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications
Wound Closure

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 the at each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.

 

[Layla]

Welcome to BoneSmart and recovery. Thanks for joining us!

I created a signature for you with September 2022 as your surgery month / year, please share the exact date and we'll edit your signature accordingly. Thank you in advance!

I can relate to your discomfort after driving. It took me quite some time to feel comfortable in the confined space of a car seat. It's difficult to stretch out and lengthy drives can cause stiffness. I also had the problem of the buckle of the seat belt landing too close to my healing incision and resorted to placing a gel ice pack in-between the seat belt buckle and my leg. I found it difficult to be in the car for more than 30 - 40 minutes for those first several months. Possibly an hour is too much for you at this point. Consider shorter drives temporarily or take a break to stretch your legs on longer drives and see if it helps. In my experience, time helped ease the discomfort. I hope you have a good week and continue to share your progress with us.
@Gierma

 

[myglasshalffull]

Sitting anywhere for any length of time in the beginning was very uncomfortable.
Friends that wanted to go for a lunch were very kind but if I did go I'd let them know I can't sit here for two hours, so yes, sitting in car right up there in these early recovery days.
Hope you feel better and have a wonderful day.

 

[Gierma]

I am now 4 months out. Question: should barometric pressure affect pain? I had a rough night sleeping for the first time in a long time. We had dense fog in the area.

I still have some thigh numbness and slight tissue pain, but last night was unusual.

 

[Layla]

Hi Gierma,
To answer your question -
For some people, yes. It's especially true for patients with arthritic joints who have not had a joint replacement, but also the case even after you have a new prosthetic in place.

Weather changes are predicted by changes in barometric pressure, which is the weight of the air pressing against the earth's surface. These changes can trigger pain and stiffness in the area of the prosthesis. The activity of bone adapting and growing around the metal leads to the sensitivity felt during weather and pressure changes. These sensations normally disappear within one to two years following surgery.

I had numbness for many months afterward, but it was continually shrinking in size. Consider it normal.

A great rest of the week to you!
@Gierma

 

[Merrimay]

I absolutely feel the barometric changes much more after hip replacement than I did before. When I see changes forecast, I try to take it easy, tho that isn't always possible, of course. Arnica has helped!