THR Harder than expected

[MinnieAnn]

I am so grateful to have found BoneSmart! Tomorrow is 3 weeks since my anterior total left hip surgery and I wish I had found this site so much earlier but here I am now. I appreciate so much the time and heart people put into these forums and feel a lot calmer since I've seen how many others have had similar confusion about the different things that can happen after surgery!

A little about my experience so far - I am 78 and have rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and was told I could continue my methotrexate throughout the process. Surgery went fine. Lasted around 65 minutes and I was home that evening with no difficulty. I was prescribed acetaminophen 1000mg every 8 hours as a baseline as well as an anti inflammatory, tramadol and a muscle relaxant as needed. My first week went well - was walking regularly short distances with walker, no additional medication for pain needed. Beginning the second week I was unable to tolerate the Celebrex given for anti inflammatory and my pain increased as did the random and painful nerve responses on my thigh and into my calf. I began to feel discouraged and don't really know anyone who talks about how scary it can be to experience different body reactions and feel like you can't get a helpful response. And of course my days varied - sometimes I felt ok (and exhausted myself by overestimating) and some days I did not want to get out of bed.

Then I found BoneSmart and I think I may have read every post (not really but a lot). You all have helped me to step back and look at the actual experiences my body has gone through and what has to happen for the body to heal from these experiences. First thing I learned is to go with what actually is happening not what I think should be! Today I feel pretty good. I did have an RA flare for several days but it is subsiding and I feel comfortable with my medication choices. I am taking a half dose of the tramadol which is working for the pain and I have found that aloe vera gel soothes that electric feeling on my thigh skin. I'm even sleeping a little better! I am able to drive and do 1 errand and then I get fatigued and come home. Mostly though the difference starting week 4 is that I feel like I have a place to find and possibly give back some understanding to others. I am glad to be here now!

 

[benne68]

Welcome @MinnieAnn! . Please give us the exact date of your surgery and which hip was replaced.

So glad you found us so we can provide support.

Please don't be discouraged You are very early days in this recovery and have lots of healing to do. I will share our Recovery Guidelines with you. Each article is short but very informative. Following these guidelines will help you have a less painful recovery.

Just keep in mind we are all 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 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.

If you want to use something to assist with healing and scar management, BoneSmart recommends hypochlorous solution. Members in the US can purchase ACTIVE Antimicrobial Hydrogel through BoneSmart at a discount. Similar products should be available in the UK and other countries.

2. Control discomfort:
rest
elevate
ice
take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)

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. At week 4 and after you should follow this
Activity progression for THRs

The recovery articles
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?

Good nutrition is very important during recovery:
Dietary Tips for Recovery
Nutrition Basics

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

 

[MinnieAnn]

Thank you for all of this helpful information. My surgery date was 11/15/2024 and it was my left hip. I am excited to dive in to all of the resources now that I'm officially here!

 

[benne68]

Don't hesitate to ask questions, @MinnieAnn. We've been on this journey and are happy to share our experiences with you.

 

[Hip4life]

@MinnieAnn I can so relate to finding BoneSmart after the fact. It was about the same time as you. I was so glad to have found this site and glad you found us, too! It so helped me with all of those little details that can worry you and to keep things in perspective.

The best thing you can do (besides reading the recovery guidelines, lol) is to listen to your body. That hip will let you know what it’s ready for. Let rest, elevating and ice be your best friends. Don’t be too quick to ditch your assistive devices. They’re tools to use not symbols of weakness. Use them until you no longer limp. Give yourself plenty of TLC and as you found out, don’t compare your recovery to anyone else’s.

You’re fast approaching the time when others think you should be back to everything and you’re not feeling that you’re even close. You’re still rehabbing. That brings me back to my first point: listen to your body and I’ll add, trust your instincts. You’re the only one who can give yourself this precious time to heal. We’re here to listen and support you whenever you need a willing ear. Keep up the great work and blessings as you continue your healing journey.

 

[msart]

@MinnieAnn so happy you’re here!! I also have RA & am on week 11 of posterior THR. Bonesmart has really helped me through my journey-it is a great relief to have people to take you-provide information, support and HOPE!!

i know we had different approaches on our surgery but same auto immune disease. I hope your RA continues to be manageable during your healing. I’ve had a few episodes but nothing major & have been able to rest & I have stayed on my meds except for during hospital & I think a week prior, but that was bc of antibiotics. But so far so good. However, my RA caused my hip to break so I am concerned about my other one. But there is nothing I can do right now.

I hope you continue to heal well. And welcome to our little community of support.

 

[myglasshalffull]

Welcome Minnie!
I share your enthusiasm on finding bonesmart! I found it about 10 days after my surgery & would have been lost without it.
You will find a lot of support & information here. And while no two recoveries are exactly alike we share many of the same experiences.

 

[Phoebie]

Before I found Bonesmart I visited a few Facebook groups. It was discouraging as it was either extremely competitive: "I got off the operating table myself, having assisted with no pain relief, shook the surgeon's hand and ran the 12 miles home same day". Or very depressing: "I wish I had never had this operation. It has been six years and whilst I have no pain I still can't tie my shoelaces".

So glad to be here.

 

[MinnieAnn]

@MinnieAnn so happy you’re here!! I also have RA & am on week 11 of posterior THR. Bonesmart has really helped me through my journey-it is a great relief to have people to take you-provide information, support and HOPE!!

i know we had different approaches on our surgery but same auto immune disease. I hope your RA continues to be manageable during your healing. I’ve had a few episodes but nothing major & have been able to rest & I have stayed on my meds except for during hospital & I think a week prior, but that was bc of antibiotics. But so far so good. However, my RA caused my hip to break so I am concerned about my other one. But there is nothing I can do right now.

I hope you continue to heal well. And welcome to our little community of support.

Thank you for the RA feedback! Made me laugh as the very day I wrote my first message I figured out that some of my symptoms were from a beginning flare. It seems to be following the same course as usual but I was confused due to different hip symptoms. I had wondered if RA could cause that kind of damage and am also concerned about my other hip but have been told that there is no evidence yet so I guess we stay in wait and see mode. But now we have brand new hardware at least I am very happy to be joining the community!!

 

[Sparks22]

@MinnieAnn Hi everyone here is so lovely and helpful. It's a minefield of information outside (I'm on a few Facebook groups and wow its crazy in them!) Bonesmart is a great place with the best advice - listen to your body, ice, rest, ice, recover at your own place and ice!!! (Ice is definitely the best and I don't do it enough)

 

[msart]

@MinnieAnn apparently yes RA can cause this kind of damage. My surgeon said when he got in my hip it was full of inflammation & arthritis-which looking back on my pictures from day bf (I was at the beach) and my left hip was very swollen. Everything bothers me every now and then so I thought nothing of it. However, the next morning when I got out of bed, I must have caught it just right & next thing I know I’m in an ambulance headed to hospital. I had them check my other hip & I will have them check it again in January. I would have much rather had an opportunity to schedule this kind of surgery.

 

[MinnieAnn]

Wow, that could easily have happened to me I see! It's only by accident that I chose a time to have my surgery while I was not having a lot of flares or whatever from the RA. That has been lucky for me. Thank you so much for telling more of your experience - really helps me to remember to pay attention to the daily changes that happen with RA. Each day is a new adventure Grateful you are here and doing well!

 

[msart]

@MinnieAnn -agreed everyday is an adventure due to RA, I can wake up with a new body part bothering me. My back & shoulders bothered me a lot during this recovery. I have done a lot of stretches. I did Pilates for years, so I have implemented some of those stretches in to this. Or at least the ones I can do without discomfort. I highly recommend, if your surgeon says ok & you feel comfortable. I have always been a big stretcher in mornings & evenings. I even asked my surgeon if I could have done too many? He laughed & said no Michelle, stretching did not cause your hip to break. Just in case you needed a little laugh.

Glad you’re here also. Hope you have had a good day‍

 

[Layla]

Happy One Month Anniversary, MinnieAnn!
Warm wishes for the holidays!
@MinnieAnn

 

[MinnieAnn]

At the end of week 5 and seem to be in more pain than week 3. I have done only isometric exercises given by surgeon. I have worked up to 1 mile walking broken into 2 sessions each day. Increased sitting to 4 hours daily for work with ice and breaks. Drive every few days combined with 1 small errand. I can do laundry and other moderate chores without pain. It doesn't seem like I'm overdoing but my hip pain frequently interferes with sleep which it was not doing at week 3. All of this has gotten physically and emotionally fatiguing for me in spite of the fact that physically my soft tissues seem to be improving function consistently. Would really appreciate any feedback and reality check

 

[daisyduck0801]

Hi Minnie. I am somewhat new here too. I am not in the same exact situation as you. Actually, you are some weeks ahead of me in our recovery journeys. But I read everything I can about what others are going through because you never know. I could wind up in a similar place or condition as someone else and I want the benefit of reading about their experiences.

Two very important things that I have picked up during my short time in this community are:
1. Regarding exercises - of any kind (except for walking) - watch out. It is very possible that physical therapy, exercising, etc could wind up doing more harm than good. Maybe our bruised and battered tissues need more time to just do old fashioned healing (on their own) before even attempting to engage in exercises of any kind.
2. Most of us probably expect that recovering from THR will be a linear, bottom to top progression of feeling incrementally better, day by day. Nope. Doesn't work that way. Our experience is in reality steps forward, steps back.

I am only 11 days out from my surgery and I have already seen very clearly evidence of these 2 truths.

 

[Hip4life]

@MinnieAnn This is the graphic that represents what @daisyduck0801 was describing.

It may not seem like you’re doing much, but that hip is letting you know that it is still not quite ready for what you’re asking of it. Our hips are in charge of the recovery and don’t care where we or anyone else thinks we should be. Recovery is a wide spectrum. The best thing to do to keep from driving yourself to distraction is to keep expectations realistic and basic.

So, if work is a priority, do that as your daily activity and reduce the others. See how that goes for you. When things settle and your hip is less cranky, then you can start slowly adding activities back or increasing them. Continue to do the breaks of getting up and moving, icing, and elevating. Get a walk in but keep it moderate. Slow and steady. You’ll get there. The toughest muscle to exercise is the “patience” muscle. We all understand wanting to get back to your life. You just don’t want that enthusiasm to give you any set backs. Hang in there. You’re doing just fine.

 

[MinnieAnn]

@Hip4life thanks for the reminder. It seems like as soon as I learn something I forget it in my rush to be done with healing

 

[MinnieAnn]

Hi Minnie. I am somewhat new here too. I am not in the same exact situation as you. Actually, you are some weeks ahead of me in our recovery journeys. But I read everything I can about what others are going through because you never know. I could wind up in a similar place or condition as someone else and I want the benefit of reading about their experiences.

Two very important things that I have picked up during my short time in this community are:
1. Regarding exercises - of any kind (except for walking) - watch out. It is very possible that physical therapy, exercising, etc could wind up doing more harm than good. Maybe our bruised and battered tissues need more time to just do old fashioned healing (on their own) before even attempting to engage in exercises of any kind.
2. Most of us probably expect that recovering from THR will be a linear, bottom to top progression of feeling incrementally better, day by day. Nope. Doesn't work that way. Our experience is in reality steps forward, steps back.

I am only 11 days out from my surgery and I have already seen very clearly evidence of these 2 truths.

This is so reassuring and helpful! I am struggling to get the hang of that not linear thing planted in my brain for sure. Would seem that I am creating many of the steps back I'm experiencing!

 

[msart]

@MinnieAnn -i could not get this through my head until the very end. Everything you know in your mind-is not the case with this healing. Exercise is not going to improve things-sadly. Minimal is key. It’s a fine line balancing act I could not grasp. I continued to over do it. Your body actually will tell you, STOP. You just have to listen to it. Took me a minute-even though everyone told me, and told me.

Maybe through the holidays, it might be easier!! Good luck