THR Grannyhippy's Recovery Thread

[Granny Di]

Hi @Grannyhippy - I think most women look at least ten years younger than they are as compared to men who seem to look their age. Maybe it is because we can dye our hair? If you click on Cynthia777 's name in blue you will get a box popping up. Click on follow and you will get alerts when she posts. I am following you because you are close to me in age (I'm 69) although three months behind me in surgery. I have hit the 6 month mark and seeing improvement but much more slowly than the first three months. You are determined but be careful you don't overdo it -easier said than done. Take care!

 

[Cynthia777]

Actually my PT is 100% covered by my health insurance company. What's really expensive is the insurance
itself (a little over $900 a month)! Yes, our journey seems long, but in the scheme of things a year isn't really that long (it just seems so as we are going through it).

How kind of you to say I look young! However, this picture was taken about five or six years ago and the strain of dealing with this hip has probably added another five years to my appearance! So, age progress it up another 10 years...lol! I don't have a more current one, but if I did, I'd have to think long and hard about posting it (I wouldn't want to be reminded of how I've aged over the last five years)!!!!!

Should your present OS tell you all is fine after reviewing your X-rays, have you considered possibly getting a second opinion? It seems, by the comments from your PT AND your doctor friend, that something may be amiss? I'm praying all is okay and the only real problems your encountering is the need to strengthen your muscles. I have read over and over again, the ease of recovery is very much dependent upon ones physical condition (muscle strength etc.) prior to THR. Take care my friend and keep me posted.

 

[Grannyhippy]

Hi Cynthia, Yes I had the feeling that both my doctor friend and my PT thought something was amiss. I had not considered getting another opinion if my OS says everything is OK. I still have a few weeks to work on my rehabilitation before then so hopefully there will be improvement. Now that you have mentioned it I may consider getting another opinion if needed.

I know what you mean about the photo as I have had the same profile photo on my Facebook page for four years. It was taken at my son's wedding and I had makeup on and my hair done by a hairdresser. I normally have fine straight hair not curled hair as in the photo. I also dye my hair as I think I would look very washed out if I let it go grey. Yes Granny Di, I agree with your comments as well, and people tell me I don't look my age.

I am glad you are at least making progress Granny Di even if it has slowed down. At least I now know what to possibly expect.

Thank you both for your well wishes and your prayers Cynthia.

 

[Cynthia777]

I think from what little reading on the net, I think the word "subsidence" has something to do with the stem. I do know @Josephine will know if that's something that's normally checked on a follow-up or is the OS looking for a potential problem. Im praying all is fine.

 

[Grannyhippy]

@Cynthia777 Yes I have also read that subsidence means that the stem has sunk. The OS did indicate that on my first visit back. Not by much though. I had also read on the Internet that one of the reasons the stem can sink is because it is too small. I think I also read another article on this website about the stem sinking. Looking at my x-rays I also think there has been a slight lateral move but I am not sue.

They advise us to get our teeth checked before surgery and I was overdue for a check up and had not done so. Last night I lost a huge chunk of filling from one of my molars. Looks like a visit to the dentist as soon as possible. What's left is really sharp on the side of my tongue. I have to let the dentist know about my hip replacement so that he can prescribe antibiotics if needed. Apparently if any bacteria enters the body through dental work or even cleaning the teeth it can result in bacteria attaching itself to the prosthesis.

 

[Grannyhippy]

@Josephine

Hi,
How common soon after surgery is subsidence of an uncemented hip replacement? What are the possible causes of this happening? If this happens or there is minor movement of the stem does it require corrective surgery? How common is it to have very low blood pressure after having a spinal block and a general anaesthetic? Mine was low for a few days and required an increase in the drip speed to bring it up.

 

[Plum Perfect]

@Grannyhippy I asked my OS which prosthesis he uses, for me he is using an uncemented, collared 'stem', he explained that this would keep it from sinking into the femur. I don't know if this is related to me, my age, bone quality, or just his preference. I have also read that the first six weeks are the most important time for the bone to heal around the implant. I'm sure each OS has their reasons for each patients implants, I would ask for all the details. Not everyone wants to know so I don't think the information is often provided unless you ask. There are different methods for preparing the femur for the various implants, ask your OS and if you are concerned make an earlier appointment, you should not worry during your recovery. Wishing you success in your recovery and finding out you are just in one of the normal phases.

 

[Grannyhippy]

Hi @Plum Perfect, I have had a Synergy stem and R3 cup implanted. I was given a card to keep in my wallet. The implant is ceramic on ceramic and the stem is titanium.

 

[Cynthia777]

@Grannyhippy
I'm sure Josephine will be along soon and she will be able to fill you in on your questions. Please keep us posted and know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Grannyhippy]

I was lucky enough to get an emergency appointment with my dentist and now have a nice white filling in my molar but I will need a crown in a few years time. I did not need antibiotics. My tongue ulcer will clear up in a couple of days now that the tooth is not rubbing on it. The dentist gave me some mouthwash to use just to make sure I don't have too much bacteria floating around in my mouth. My teeth did not need a dental clean and I cannot believe I left it three years to go back. I usually had check ups on schedule. My how I have slipped up.

 

[Cynthia777]

I'm with you on the dental work @Grannyhippy! Had to replace a crown that broke

 

[Josephine]

What's left is really sharp on the side of my tongue. I have to let the dentist know about my hip replacement so that he can prescribe antibiotics if needed.

This is no longer true. Dental antibiotics: Evidence insufficient to recommend prophylactic antibiotics for dental procedures

I asked my OS which prosthesis he uses, for me he is using an uncemented, collared 'stem', he explained that this would keep it from sinking into the femur. I don't know if this is related to me, my age, bone quality, or just his preference.

Only one reason - surgeon's preference.

 

[Josephine]

When I was first prescribed Fosamax Plus because of a vitamin D deficiency I was under the impression I was to take it for life. I was not given any further information about it.

That is outrageous. Fosamax is a very dangerous medication as it can cause jaw bone death! I would not every take it not for any reason.

My mum had bad arthritis and really need two knee replacements but the surgeon said she was too old and it was a bit operation and she could die on the table.

That's also outrageous. I have been in theatres doing knee replacements since 1963 and have NEVER known nor even heard of a patient dying on the table during a TKR. How cruel some of these doctors can be.

She also told me to cut back on the number of reps with some of my exercises as I said I was sore after doing them. I think sometimes I am a little overenthusiastic.

Did you forget my advice to you earlier? That hips actually don't need much 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. Was I wasting my time writing this>

I also have a tight feeling on the right hand side of my spine in the lumbar region and over my hip and also on the right side of my right calf. Sometimes I get that feeling or pins and needles across the top of my foot or the front of my ankle. I feel that maybe my back is contributing to these symptoms.

That sounds like sciatica which is likely nothing to do with your hip. I suggest you go see a chiropractor and get your back adjusted.

How common soon after surgery is subsidence of an uncemented hip replacement? What are the possible causes of this happening? If this happens or there is minor movement of the stem does it require corrective surgery?

That's not the right question. This is actually quite UNcommon as it only happens when there is a loosening. If that be so, then the hip needs to be redone.

How common is it to have very low blood pressure after having a spinal block and a general anaesthetic? Mine was low for a few days and required an increase in the drip speed to bring it up.

Spinals do cause blood pressure to go down and that's one reason why surgeons quite like that form of anaesthetic, because it reduces blood loss during surgery. So what you'[ve described is actually pretty routine.

 

[Grannyhippy]

@Josephine Thank you Josephine for answering my questions. Your answers were very helpful and put my mind at ease about some things. I am still concerned about the fact that I cannot walk without a severe limp if I am not using the crutch and I am too unstable with a cane. It has been thirteen and a half weeks since my surgery. Yes I did remember your comments about physiotherapy which were also expressed by my specialist and I let my physiotherapist be aware of that and she has been very careful not to give me demanding exercises. My progress seems to be very slow. I have very little pain or discomfort if I don't overdo things and I have been taking it easy on the whole. I do go for short walks (weather permitting as it has been a little unsettled lately).

I think my surgeon is also concerned about the 1/2 cm subsidence as well, because (even though he said I probably would not notice any difference) he has given me a referral for further x-rays to be taken on the day I go back to see him and he has written "subsidence" on the referral. He did test my leg strength and range of motion while l was lying on his table last visit and everything seemed OK. He said my leg lengths were equal then also. (Go figure). I sometimes wonder if he is not telling me yet about any concerns he might have. Then again maybe I am reading something into this situation that does not exist.

I have had a lumbar microdiscectomy in the past and I do have disc degeneration in several areas and spondilolithesis L5/S1 so yes it could be sciatica returning.

I have realized my visit to the OS in only a week and a half away and I will keep everyone posted.

I am not keen on Chiropractors even though some people swear by them. A physiotherapist once told me Chiropractors cripple more people than do physiotherapists even though sometimes physios do the same manipulations. His partner at that time was testifying in court about a patient of his who had his arm paralysed by a chiropractor he went to before seeing him. I have know other people who have used them frequently and been very happy with the results. I don't think I want to risk it.

 

[Grannyhippy]

I have been reading quite a few articles on the Trendelenburg gait which I suspect I might have but I have not had that officially diagnosed and I do feel that my gluteus muscles were weak before my surgery and still are. That is why I want to slowly strengthen those muscles in particular.

 

[Grannyhippy]

@Josephine. Regarding the surgeon refusing to do my mother's knee replacement 15 years ago I agree with what you think. My sister and I did not know any better then and accepted his opinion. A vet I took my son's pet to recently said his mother had a hip replacement at age 90 and is OK. He saw my limp and I explained why and that is why he commented. A couple of years ago a friend's mother broke her hip and have to have a replacement. She survived the operation and seem to be recovering and died a few months later. I think she was 88 which is pretty old anyway.

 

[Plum Perfect]

@Grannyhippy I'm sorry to hear you are having such a hard time, I'm sure the waiting to see your OS is not helping. You might consider acupuncture, I know it may not be something you've considered and I'm not suggesting it would effect your hip but it might relax you and be supportive. The first time I had acupuncture I fell asleep and often do. It's hard to imagine that one would fall asleep while being 'stuck with needles' but I do. I am already looking forward to post surgery visits. I'm wishing you the best to resolve your issues and look forward to hearing what your OS says.

 

[Hoppy Nanny]

@Grannyhippy My gait was really bad for some considerable time post THR....I limped badly and was told that it was due to my bad gait before the op.
I had hydrotherapy which helped, but was told to use one crutch until the limp stopped. It took 6 months but after that I walked perfectly. I, too, had bilateral discectomies which I think had some bearing on my gait.
Hope your appointment goes well x


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[Grannyhippy]

@Hoppy Nanny, Thanks for your post. Now I don't feel so bad about having to stay on one crutch. I now won't be in such a hurry to lose the crutch if keeping it for several months helps me to walk without limping. Glad you had a successful outcome. I have only been to our local pool once since my surgery and found it awkward getting showered and changed in the change room without my grabber to help me dress. At that stage I still was not allowed to bend passed 90 degrees. I think I may start going back there now as I can manage to dress my lower half without the grabber.

Today I went for a short walk at a nearby salt water lake while waiting for my husband to ring for me to pick him up from a doctor's appointment at the local hospital. It is a beautiful sunny spring day and it was so peaceful and fairly quiet with just bird calls and distant noises. When walking down the path though I noticed the back of my thigh was a bit sore as yesterday when entering our back door at home my crutch slipped off the edge of the small step outside and I jarred my thigh when I stumbled. I was carrying a bag of groceries I had picked up on the way back from yesterday's walk and I think I placed my crutch too close to the side of the step. It does not bother when just sitting. I'll survive.

 

[Hoppy Nanny]

I took my grabber to hydrotherapy @Grannyhippy as I couldn't bend down to pick cossie up or towel.....anything that helped. I used my crutch up to the poolside as well. The first few times I was very nervous but good afterwards.
I remember hitting my operated hip on a door jamb & it was sore for a while! Trouble is you are SO aware of the new hip for a long, long time after the op. It was a year plus before it truly felt somewhat normal.
My recovery was slow...but sure & I had a good deal of anxiety throughout.....without BoneSmart I would have been lost.

Take care. Chrissie x


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