THR Hi! Post THR recovery

[JohnWilky]

Day 13 , jeeps that has gone quickly. Groundhog Day yday just some relaxing ( well still not comfy ) ,a few walks on crutches around the house , plus some simple exercises .

Still got dead leg ,no movement without assistance .what exercise could I start to strengthen without regressing my recovery.

Night peeing a minor problem but it keeps me moving , and sleeping as well as to be expected for someone lying on their back.

Pain is more aching really , continuing with a couple of paracetamol x 4 / day .

When will I be able to chance pulling my knee twds chest don’t know the technical term ( heel slide ) without causing damage .

Pretty miserable dull Sunday weather wise , but it’s Mother day .

So to all mums have a lovely day.

 

[Mojo333]

Hi @JohnWilky
Happy Sunday, and Happy Mother's Day in the UK.

When will I be able to chance pulling my knee twds chest don’t know the technical term ( heel slide ) without causing damage .

I was doing this slowly and not overly repetitiously...and think you can do the same.
Just listen to your body and see how it all sits with you.
Hopefully the log leg sensation will start easing soon.
Spring is definitely springing here in southern USA.
Flowers are flowering, birds are birding, bees are buzzing...
Mojo is mojoing.
Hope your day is sunny

 

[JohnWilky]

Day 14 , wow 2 weeks post operation , and despite the confidence and great stories of members spectacular improvements , because today I very much have the Lazarus feeling.
I did a good half a mile walk around our locality with pretty much average effort and was very proud to complete the route.
Although by the end I was ready to return home , not breathless , lungs were fine and hip was fine ,just noticeable, but body wise very tired .Amazing for such a short distance that normally I wouldn’t regard as a starter.And since no adverse reaction.
All in all a satisfactory attempt along the long road , next outdoor milestone will be to complete similar distance with only one crutch.
Indoor progress still unexpectedly stiff around the groin area and still unable to move gammy dead leg independently without sharp pain in hip area , not pushing it though.
Bodywise almost nearly back to normal toilet wise , definitely got my appetite back , and even shared a small beer on sat evening.
2 weeks ! That’s is brilliant and couldn’t have done without the help of Bonesmart, thanks all much appreciated.
Next step Staples out tomorrow.
BoneSmart waits with baited breath for the complaints and questions.
Hope everyone has a decent day.

 

[Mojo333]

Groin pain and tightness...normal recovery niggles but good on you for getting out and about.
It can be a mind game as much as a physical one.
I just had to remind myself often -
Tightness is a normal occurrence after this kind of major surgery. Your surgeon did major carpentry work and disturbed every millimeter of soft tissue in this area. You aren't tight because your muscle is underused and needs to be stretched and rehabbed. You're tight because your tissue is healing... If a long full step right now is causing pain and limping, don't take long full steps. Take smaller steps. Take a short walk several times a day, instead of longer walks. Use your cane. Use ice. Rest a lot.

This isn't the time to do anything to excess. Baby steps now, and lots of patience, pays off big time later. Recovering from self-induced tendinitis can end up taking weeks or months. Consider yourself as still recovering from surgery and structure your return to your life as a slow, gradual process where you introduce very small increments in activity, and then give yourself time to see how you react to it.
All temporary, and worth the patience. I am certainly glad I am able to get back to a full happy life.
Hope you have a great week @JohnWilky

 

[JohnWilky]

Fully understand, no need for heroics, cheers M

 

[JohnWilky]

Day 15, Staples out and never felt a thing , nice that we know the nurse and chatting away distracted the 30 staples being taking out . What I never realised that there is a lot of internal stitching ,so I would assume it’s going to take a fair while that all the area is going to take a while to knit and heal.

Should I be cautious regarding too much movement in the groin ,top of the thigh area.Thinking allow it to grow.

Otherwise was able to do short walk along the street and was comfortable, could have a gone further but conscious not to push too far.

Still having nightmare bedtime , just can’t get comfortable whatever I do or position , but eventually drop off only to wake up wanting a pee , never had any trouble in that area just assuming is me lying very comfortable in bed.

All in all very pleased with my recovery, thxs to everyone who has taken the time to reply and advise .

Have a great day everyone .

 

[Jaycey]

@JohnWilky The tired feeling is very normal. Read this article again Energy drain for THRs. Still early days!

 

[Layla]

so I would assume it’s going to take a fair while that all the area is going to take a while to knit and heal.

Yes, months. I had some numbness and sensitivity in the area for many months, slowly shrinking over time until gone.

Should I be cautious regarding too much movement in the groin, top of the thigh area.Thinking allow it to grow.

Here is an article explaining healing that you may find interesting -

Healing: how long does it take?

How Long Does it Take to Recover from Joint Replacement Surgery? Most patients undergoing total hip/knee replacement surgery want to know when they'll be able to return to their normal life. "Recovery time" is a common question posed to specialists and non-specialists alike. There are many...

bonesmart.org

Have you tried lots of pillows in bed? May sound silly but there is something comforting about it. You can prop one here, place one there etc. If you have extra bed pillows around the house surround yourself somewhat with them...just try it.
Nothing to lose, hopefully sleep to gain.

Yay for staples out Those unsightly Frankenstein looking things.
Hope the rest of your week is good!

 

[JohnWilky]

Day 16, no reaction to staple removal , ventured out for walk into park with Mrs Wilks and her friend fellow THR patient ( 4 month in )

Swopped some interesting tales , for instance I had a posterior ( I assume ) and Jenny had anterior , so why one over the other. We know that both our respective surgeons have excellent records.

She was very surprised I am to wear TED socks for 30 days her surgeon doesn’t recommend ?
She was surprised I am not sleeping with pillow between my legs .
Unfortunately she is still suffering from lower back pain , such a shame after going through surgery.

But we had a laugh on a lovely day and my longest walk yet and felt fine.

Best night sleep last night too so a good day .

Good luck everyone

 

[Jaycey]

I had a posterior ( I assume ) and Jenny had anterior , so why one over the other.

It all about the surgeon's comfort level with the approach - experience and skill. It can also be a matter of choosing the approach that offers the easiest access to the hip joint.

She was very surprised I am to wear TED socks for 30 days her surgeon doesn’t recommend ?

Confirm the 30 day requirement with your surgeon's office. Very often staff at the hospital give this instruction when your surgeon has different ideas. After both my THRs I only wore TEDs for 2 weeks.

She was surprised I am not sleeping with pillow between my legs .

If you are already sleeping on your non-op side you should sleep with a pillow between your legs. This prevents that op leg from falling to the bed, thus crossing the midline.

Glad things are improving with your sleep!

 

[JohnWilky]

Thank you J just for clarification, I sleep on my back should I have pillow between my legs ?
I did confirm with hospital ward sister re socks , are you suggesting I contact the surgeons office direct ?
Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Jaycey]

I sleep on my back should I have pillow between my legs ?

I never did when back sleeping. Can't imagine why you would need one.

I did confirm with hospital ward sister re socks

Yes, contact your surgeon's office or your GP. This is what always happens. Someone on the ward give instructions and patients suffer weeks of wearing these things only to find out the surgeon doesn't require them.

Are you on any blood thinning medication at the moment?

 

[JohnWilky]

Day 17 .........belated happy St Patrick’s , and J Yea still on a blood thinner every night (30 days worth)
Sleeping much much better in between frequent peeing, as advised better pillow placement has done the trick.
Just completed my daily 30 minute walk / stroll, funnily felt tireder today but overall very well.Feeling slight twinge in knee good side when weight bearing climbing our stairs , nothing serious but noted. Not surprised.
Another day post yea!!!
Settled now Cricket on now for a couple of hours , will miss a few overs nodding off !
Good day hipsters all the best .

 

[Humbleservant]

@JohnWilky glad sleeping is going better! I have to use a bunch of pillows as Jaycey said and went out and got a tempurpedic body pillow which allows me to rest my entire operated leg on comfortably,when I’m on my side.

My experience with the TED socks were that the hospital told me 4 weeks and then the physical therapist said I don’t need them at all! I’m not trying to tell you to do either way, but I stopped wearing the horrid things!

 

[Jaycey]

Yea still on a blood thinner every night (30 days worth)

If you are taking blood thinner medication and moving around regularly throughout the day you probably don't need TEDs. Verify with your surgeon's office or GP.

 

[JohnWilky]

Will do ,they are not uncomfortable just very difficult to get on and off.
Love my body pillow H, but only used it folded for propping purpose.
Still not confident to sleep on my good side as yet.
At the risk of repeating myself H , how do you sit / relax during the day.
Have a good night all.

 

[cetch1]

I have various chairs with pillows around the house and on my porches (I live in California). The most comfortable place is sitting up in bed again with 10 pillows fore and aft. I have a 65 inch tv in my bedroom and chill out here a lot. I have an Airon office chair that I use at the dining room table when “entertaining” friends. Hope all goes well!

 

[Layla]

At the risk of repeating myself H , how do you sit / relax during the day.
Have a good night all.

Let‘s tag H, to make sure he see’s your question and can share what he does to get comfortable.
@Humbleservant

I hope your discomfort eases soon, JW.
A great weekend to you!

 

[JohnWilky]

Don't rub it in C , that sounds superb so like the more pillows the better .
Continued recover

 

[Humbleservant]

@JohnWilky hey JW to sit and relax I bought a tempurpedic foam pad to sit on while on my recliner to lift me up a bit, and while reclined I put a pillow under my legs and behind my head as well... the entire time having my ice machine attached to me!

Very very rarely do I sit in a normal kitchen or table chair at all......I just don’t find it comfortable and certainly not for any length of time! But in the rare occasion I do, I
use a couple thick pads! With the regular chairs I feel like there’s too much awkward feeling pressure on operated hip!

Oh and I have not slept on my operated side! I tried rolling onto it a couple nights ago and very quickly realized it wasn’t a good idea haaaa!

Have a great day!!!