HI, introducing myself

[webbie73]

Hi Everyone, I can't believe I just found this forum. I am sceduled for a MIS?computer navigated THR on March 24. I am a bit stressed out just thinking of some of the pain and hip restrictions. I will be in the hospital for 3 nights and then tranferred to a rehab center. I would like to hear from others who have been to rehab. How was it? My biggest fear is forgetting I can't bend at the hip and how the heck I am going to get out of bed.

Kathy

 

[Jamie]

Welcome, Kathy! I'm from the knee side, but you'll find plenty of "hippies" who can ease your fears about your upcoming surgery. Quite honestly, most report that it is "live changing" and the best thing they've ever done. You'll be hearing from other forum members soon. Don't hesitate to post any time that you have a question or concern. There should always be someone around who has experienced just the thing you are going through. You'll find plenty of positive support here!!

 

[webbie73]

I already have one question. I have really bad...limiting type of pain...in my groin. I can not even spread my legs. My question...how will this improve? Anyone have really bad groin pain pre replacement?

Kathy

 

[Judles]

Hi Kathy! Welcome from another hippie! I just want to tell you that the surgery will change your life! I had bone on bone arthritis,,,,avascular necrosis(bone death!), In my case, the pain came o gradually,,,,It seemed like one day I could walk around the high school track 16 laps (4 miles),,,,& then I had trouble walking from one side of the room to the other !
There was no question as to if,,,in my case,,,,rather when! I found this wonderful forum after my surgery,, The minute I woke up from my RTHR, I had NO PAIN!!! That was Nov 7th,,,,Every day is a new joy! I am amazed how what wonderful progress I made! Since I have always been active, I made sure I was in as good shape as was possible before my surgery! I had 2 weeks of PT after Rehab,,,,smart decision! I worked my butt off but the difference now is very evident!
My hubby(Nurse Ratchett sometimes!) Was my biggest cheerleader! I want to live as active life as possible,,& now I CAN!!!
I didn't have the groin issues, discuss that with your OS! You are not going to be in a cast! When you're in Rehab,your PT & OT will work closely with you! Of course you will have limitations at first,,,we ALL did! But look what you have to look forward to! No more debilitating pain!!! Best of good luck! The countdown's begun!

 

[UTdave]

I already have one question. I have really bad...limiting type of pain...in my groin. I can not even spread my legs. My question...how will this improve? Anyone have really bad groin pain pre replacement?

Kathy

Groin pain.

That's the classic symptom of hip arthritis. The joint lies near the groin. Most people think of their hip as where their pants hang, where they wished they were skinnier or the place that shakes when dancing. The actual joint is in the groin area. As time goes by the range of motion commonly decreases as joint scarring, joint hypertrophy and bony hypertrophy ("spurs") occur.

The coolest thing, IMHO, about this surgery is that all that stuff gets immediately better the minute you get out of the operating room. The groin pain is pretty much gone and replaced with a new, temporary pain, at the incision and supporting muscles that I found to be lesser than the arthritis pain. The limitation in range of motion is immediately better (in my case, anyway) and only gets better over time.

Good luck!

 

[Judles]

OoooooH! Love your description of where most of us THINK their hips are, Dave!!!!

 

[Josephine]

Darn! That Dave's gone and done it again!

 

[rodney]

Hi webbie you will be amazed at what you will feel like afterwards.Im 3weeks postop having had both of my hips replaced and it is amazing.Wife gets on me for not using my walker which i know i should but my progress has been unreal.I thank god daily for this blessing.My pain went all the way down in to my knee caps which felt like they were going to blow off.Now i am painfree except for when i do therapy trying to stretch these muscles i havent used in 5 years.My range of motion spreading my legs was horrific but now no problem and no pain.good luck .

 

[Judles]

Good Going, Rodney! You & your must be just thrilled! I know my hubby & I are positively delighted with the recovery! And every day gets better. & better!

 

[Judles]

Sorry about that,Rodney! Of course I meant you & your WIFE!!!!!

 

[JudyS]

Kathy
Welcome from another hippy. I had my hip replaced in June. I had the groin pain and very limited range of motion. the groin pain was gone pretty quickly. Dave described the change in pain perfectly.
Don't worry about the restrictions., I did and even suggested they use duck tape on my legs so I would not accidentally turn my leg the wrong way when asleep!!
But, the fact is it is just uncomfortable to turn or bend in that direction , so you don't do it. Now my range of motion is so much better in my new hip than the left original.
Just take pain meds on time, take stool softeners on time too.
Take a hospital joint replacement class if offered. GEt a toilet seat riser, a reacher grabber. Have your computer handy to communicate with your new best friends.
Judy

 

[Peta]

Hi Kathy and welcome! I had a LTHR last October and I had the severe groin pain for over 12 months prior. (Having a gynaecological examination was just about impossible). The good news is it has ALL gone!
As everyone before me has said - you won't believe what a difference it will make having the replacement done!
And the "turning the wrong way in bed" was just NOT an issue - I couldn't have turned the wrong way even if I'd wanted to - way too painful.
The hospital should go through everything with you before you come home - so rest assured.
As I often say - I now have my life back! And that is no small thing................!

Peta

 

[aussie]

Hi and welcome Kathy,

I second all of the above. You won't realise just how life changing this operation is until you have it. You will have your quality of life back along with a much better range of motion. The most remarkable aspect for me was as soon as I stood up from the surgery the excrutiating pain had gone, and all that was left was the pain from the incision and that improves every day.

Best wishes to you.

Chris

 

[Karen54]

Hi Kathy and welcome from another hippie! I RTHR 5 weeks ago, and just today finished with "formal" PT - graduated with honors according to my therapist! I also had the groin pain, sometimes it would even move up and feel like my appendix, except I don't have any. It was almost impossibe to put my sock on, tie the right shoe, get in the car. I was pretty much pain free immediately after surgery, and just in the last week or two some of those muscles are really waking up from the PT and letting me know they need more work. It is an amazing surgery! Keep posting!

Karen

 

[Judles]

Your new BFF will be your abduction pillow! We've all formed close attachments to ours!!!

 

[Josephine]

 

[BigDog Mom]

Hey Webbie,
My hips were so bad that I could not move my legs outward or bring them in close enough to stand on a bathroom scale. ;) I had to use crutches to walk any great distance with out being in agony and by the end of the day the only way I could get up the stairs was on all fours.
THAT pain was GONE in recovery!! It is not a myth, even though before you go through it - it is very hard to imagine. It is an amazing surgery.
Afterward you have have to work at rebuilding all that you have lost by being so restricted. I am 6 mos out from bi-lats and my life is my own again. I do resistance training (in my home) 3 times a week and power walk and run 4miles, twice a week. Besides running around with a lot of very large dogs day to day. ;) The strength comes back fairly easily, the flexibility is something that takes a little longer (but that may be just me because I haven't worked on it as much). Until recently I was not able to sit on the floor cross legged but now even that is back ;) yay!
Go for it don't wait. Life is too precious to waste time in pain when there is a fairly easy fix.

Donna

 

[webbie73]

Groin pain.

That's the classic symptom of hip arthritis. The joint lies near the groin. Most people think of their hip as where their pants hang, where they wished they were skinnier or the place that shakes when dancing. The actual joint is in the groin area. As time goes by the range of motion commonly decreases as joint scarring, joint hypertrophy and bony hypertrophy ("spurs") occur.

The coolest thing, IMHO, about this surgery is that all that stuff gets immediately better the minute you get out of the operating room. The groin pain is pretty much gone and replaced with a new, temporary pain, at the incision and supporting muscles that I found to be lesser than the arthritis pain. The limitation in range of motion is immediately better (in my case, anyway) and only gets better over time.

Good luck!

I have spoken with my OS about the classic groin pain but for some reason forgot to ask him when the pain will FINALLY go away. Thank you so much for your answer. It was so encouraging.

Kathy

 

[Judles]

Now if we could all just do something about those bathroom scales! . Now THAT was a great excuse!!!!

 

[webbie73]

Wow you all are wonderful. I am so glad I found this board. It is nice to talk to people who understand the pain. I am really looking forward to walking again without a cane. I am too young. LOL 58 to be a cripple. Thank you all for answering and the encouragement.

Kathy