got my date

[helenjoan]

went to see surgeon yesterday. Got my date 3rd Sept provided pre op ok on the 24th of august. So worried about whole procedure.

As my other leg is straight, do I need to do things at home to make it easier to recover?

How soon after op did they get you up to stand or walk?
What was the pain like?
I've had 4 children without pain relief but when i had my knee fused the pain was much much worse than that. I couldn't even put my leg to the floor when i was meant to as it was so painful despite morphine.

It took me about 3 weeks after this time. I know this wont be like that as the awful pain im suffering will be gone but am still scared.

Is there a lot of bruising after this op as i think the extensive bruising caused me a lot of the pain with the fusion.

I know i must try and think about the good points of having it done but the worries seem to occupy my mind constantly. Thank you for listening to me. Also not sleeping well due to pain so maybe that's getting to me too.

Sorry

 

[Texas]

Hi Helen Welcome...yes the pain is rough in the beginning but take the medicine when you are supposed to, use ice and you will be ok.......Sorry you are having o much trouble but really look at it this way the pain after sugery will go away what you have no wont........They got me up about 2 hrs after sugery. really they want you walking or doing PT....The only thing that bothered me about getting up in with you stand and the blood rushes to your leg ouch but thats a few seconds and gone....................Im so glad you here, post anytime....These people helped me so much thru my surgery and we will all do the same for you...............Im glad your getting it done...I have 2 kids and that was a big reason for me I got tired of telling them i cant and you know im 4 mths and I can now.....you will to..Good Luck to you..post anytime with questions..... you really will be happy you did this !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JudyS]

WElcome Helenjoan,
I also have 4 kids. They got me up the next day after surgery. Getting the leg off the bed is the uncomfortable part. It seems to weigh 10,000 pounds so the pt will help you move it. Once it is up I had no pain really. I used a walker in the hallway. I had more trouble trying to use a walker than anything. Two days later I switched to crutches as I had my husband bring mine in to the hospital. That was a piece of cake walking with crutches.

Welcome and I have to tell you that I just love my new hip.
judy

 

[leosmom]

Hello HelenJoan and welcome. I was out of my hospital bed the following day and onto a walker. I had assistance to get my leg off the bed and moving the IV lines with me. They removed my catheter that morning so I was moving out of bed every half hour to use the facilities :hehe:. The IV's were removed the next day and I was getting up myself and onto a walker (up and down the hall). I had quite a bit of bruising all around my thigh and things did hurt but as long as I took my pain meds on schedule that kept the pain at bay. It's when I skipped the scheduled dose and had to 'chase' the pain that I ran into trouble. You'll be fine. You'll be amazed at the recovery and being able to do things you couldn't do pre-op. It takes time.... but take it slow, follow your instructions, ice, elevate, medicate, and rest.

 

[Josephine]

Hi Helen. I think you'll find you'll have a spinal anesthetic so you won't be got up until the next day. And you'll have a morphine pump that you can self-administer for pain relief which is great.

I would imagine a knee fusion would be so much more painful than having a hip replacement so don't worry about that. Other than that, what the others have said is pretty much spot on.

 

[loghaula]

Hi Helen,
Welcome to "Bonesmart"; this site is awesome for us hippies and kneesies.

I have not had any work done on my knees, but have had both hips replaced. Am so glad I have as ALL the nasty pain has gone and I can now sleep through the night, even on my tummy:thmb:.

Over here in the good old US it seems the norm to get us up the next day as it takes the first day to get over the anesthesia. Like most of us, you will be absolutely amazed how good that feels when you put that foot on the floor, gingerly put your weight on it, and it doesn't hurt like it used to, some hurt, but easily tolerable:D

Make sure to drink lots of fluids as constipation can be a problem.

I had both hips done about 8 weeks apart, same OS and same hospital and had totally different responses. First one done with an epidural, the second with nerve block. First one was almost completely pain free, the second had a naggy ache, mostly in my knee which finally quit after being home a couple of weeks. Had to use pain meds with the second hip for couple of weeks, but didn't use any with the first. Did not have any bruising with either, just tenderness and swelling.

Have been back for my 3-week post op checkup and OS very pleased. Am back to driving and out and about, able to do light work, such as raking the yard and going shopping.

Main thing is to not overdo which seems to be the biggest problem popping up on this site. We get feeling great and push the poor hip more than it wants to be pushed which it will let you know in no uncertain manner. Slow and steady is the rule.

Main thing after your surgery is to keep up your exercises, as this really helps with your recupe. There are times when you may feel really down and depressed; this is all part of the process. I didn't have it with the first as I was so thrilled to be without the pain, but suffered with it after the second as I was tired of being bed and housebound. Got on here and vented and had lots of good responses and have been zooming forward ever since.

We all recupe at different speeds; I am a female, 61, and have been physically active all my life and have been recuping very well. A couple of years ago, I shattered an elbow and had to keep my arm in a cast for 6 weeks before doing pt and that was way more painful than either of my hip surgeries and more debilitating.

So keep that chin up and spend these next few weeks planning out your recupe; what aids you will need, such as crutches, walking stick, elevated toilet, extended handle on shower brush so you can scrub your lower legs and feet, as you can't bend down that far, a tool for reaching up and picking up stuff from the floor, etc, etc. And get some meals made up and in the freezer.

And make sure you have reliable help lined up as you cannot do this on your own.

I have absolutely no regrets at having this surgery done; I even have hips now instead of having a boy's figure:pnc:

Glenys
LHR 5/28/09
RHR 7/23/09

 

[Beaumont's Mom]

Hi-

I had a THR on May 1- I had soreness and muscle pain- but the grinding pain was gone when I woke up.

I used a walker and was given a cane Day 3.

I think I was very lucky in being able to go to Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC.

There really wasn't much pain at all.

It's been 3 months and the bones are healed and I am able to do pretty much anythning- including riding my horse - with no pain

You will be pleased to have your life back!