Shamrocker
junior member
I did a lot of net reading before my left THR (9/11/08) but sadly, never came across this forum until afterward.
Firstoff, many thanks to moderator(s) and members for taking the time to offer information, hope and encouragement to folks like me. As others have said, it can't be stated enough how helpful that is to those of us anticipating or just out of this major surgery.
Some observations I've made whilst lurking around here:
Sorry to rant, but that experience was so very frustrating, and may be enough to make me switch to another surgeon when I need the other hip done or need a revision. It's a shame, because he really is a fine surgeon - that's why I chose him (low complication rate, few dislocations, infections, transfusions, etc.). I think of myself as a fairly effective self-advocate, but I got nowhere on this issue. Then again, when you're post-operative, you're quite vulnerable so it's possible I didn't advocate as effectively as I do when I'm up to par. Has anyone else had this experience? I don't recall seeing any posts on this subject (my apologies if I missed it).
One quick question to close this obnoxiously long first post: I am 6 weeks post-op and experiencing persistent swelling and tenderness around the incision area. No discoloration, warmth, or signs of a clot or infection, and the incision itself looks good (well, actually I look like Frankenstein, but you know what I mean ; ). Icing doesn't seem to help much, but I'm doing it anyway. I'm pretty sure I'm not overdoing it with activities and exercise, and in fact, a few days I've tried doing next to nothing and it's still swollen and quite tender to the touch. Such a bad place for tenderness (posterior incision). The doc's office says not to worry. I'm not due to go back until mid-December. It's probably normal, but I wonder if others have experienced this and how long it may last. It's the last of my surgical discomforts and I'm impatient for it to be gone!
Thanks again for providing this awesome community forum!
Firstoff, many thanks to moderator(s) and members for taking the time to offer information, hope and encouragement to folks like me. As others have said, it can't be stated enough how helpful that is to those of us anticipating or just out of this major surgery.
Some observations I've made whilst lurking around here:
- There are a lot more "young" people having THR's than I had realized - I don't feel so alone now!
- There is a huge variation on almost every aspect of this surgery and recovery amongst patients - from time in hospital, to different meds used to treat pain, to time before getting off walking aids, etc.
- Things are certainly done differently in different parts of the world with regard to THR. Still can't get over reading about the member from (I believe) Australia, whose employer provided taxi service to and from work, therapy, medical appointments, and a BED (!) for occasional rests when he/she returned to work after surgery!!!. Qantas, here I come!
- There is a LOT we aren't told by either surgeons or therapists (i.e. no one ever mentioned the awful heel pain to me, and I was left on my own to develop ways to alleviate it). Surgeons ought to give patients this website as standard practice!
Sorry to rant, but that experience was so very frustrating, and may be enough to make me switch to another surgeon when I need the other hip done or need a revision. It's a shame, because he really is a fine surgeon - that's why I chose him (low complication rate, few dislocations, infections, transfusions, etc.). I think of myself as a fairly effective self-advocate, but I got nowhere on this issue. Then again, when you're post-operative, you're quite vulnerable so it's possible I didn't advocate as effectively as I do when I'm up to par. Has anyone else had this experience? I don't recall seeing any posts on this subject (my apologies if I missed it).
One quick question to close this obnoxiously long first post: I am 6 weeks post-op and experiencing persistent swelling and tenderness around the incision area. No discoloration, warmth, or signs of a clot or infection, and the incision itself looks good (well, actually I look like Frankenstein, but you know what I mean ; ). Icing doesn't seem to help much, but I'm doing it anyway. I'm pretty sure I'm not overdoing it with activities and exercise, and in fact, a few days I've tried doing next to nothing and it's still swollen and quite tender to the touch. Such a bad place for tenderness (posterior incision). The doc's office says not to worry. I'm not due to go back until mid-December. It's probably normal, but I wonder if others have experienced this and how long it may last. It's the last of my surgical discomforts and I'm impatient for it to be gone!
Thanks again for providing this awesome community forum!