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THR Hi! Post THR recovery

Day 18, wouldn't you just know it ,last bedtime trying to wean off themnight was the worst night sleep ( well I didn't ) since the op , consequently feeling like a bag of poo today and grumpy. Not because of pain ,just blooming uncomfortable, it maybe due to the PD I,m not sure.
Also only took one parcrtamol at bedtime trying to wean off them ,maybe stay on 2 at night 1 / day for a while
 
Day 19, just completed my longest walk yet , tiring but nothing cannot manage, post walk seem to be able to feel the new mechanics and a sharpish pain in the knuckle area , not too bad , so got the ice pack into action . I,m not doing anymore PT aside a few sessions of calf raises , abductor movements and thigh strengthens ( difficult) and walking around the room.

Slept a lot better last night thanks to more pillows , mood much better today

.Resumed two paracetamol every 6 hours but amazing really not had / very little hip pain post op !!

Back on settee with lounge doctor wedge ( comfy ) for afternoon of sport.

Good luck everyone .
 
@JohnWilky Your body will naturally wean off any medication. You will start to forget doses - usually the midday dose. Meanwhile please stay comfortable. You need your rest to heal.
 
Great news on the sleep, JW. I find pillows make it much easier to get comfortable.
It‘s good to read your pain is tolerable, it certainly makes for a more peaceful early recovery when you’re not fighting pain all day.
Enjoy the afternoon of sports while relaxing with the Lounge Doctor. :)
@JohnWilky
 
Days 19 and 20. Nothing startling over weekend, aside one horrible night in bed, had to wake Mrs Wilky to get me out of bed and downstairs, it was killing me, just blooming uncomfortable lying on settee with leg on wedge got me some kip, of that makes you feel bobbins the following day.

Went on fairly long walk in fresh air, mastered the walking with crutches and taking bsmart advice ‘ walking is enough’ and it is, not moving any quicker and still a little vulnerable walking on any slope or uneven pavement.

Got my first PT appointment tomorrow, don’t know what to expect, will report back, but I will take heed of the advice on hippy of not doing too much.

Meds still 2 paracetamol 4 x / day, not feeling any real pain though. Blood thinner every night got 10 days left.

Able to sit and rise from most seats that’s getting better every day. But still absolutely nothing in independent movement of bad leg, in fact the only pain I get now is in the upper thigh / groin area when being assisted to get comfy, no real problems getting in / out of car but need help.

I‘m assuming PT will advise on the painful top thigh and my inability to move the leg.

So 3 weeks today post hope, not 100 % happy with the recovery, taken me by surprise. All other depts working ok, appetite (little) toilet visits, back to normality.

Have a good day fellow bonesmarties. And very best of luck
 
Still very early days @JohnWilky ! Of course you are not 100% happy. You need much more time to judge the outcome.

Unfortunately PT will probably give you a lot of grief about strengthening your op leg. Please don't do anything that causes pain. You are not in training, you are healing. Once that hip is healed there will be plenty of time to work on strength.

Let us know how it goes!
 
JohnWilky said:
no real problems getting in / out of car but need help.
Click to expand...

Here is a video that may help -
bonesmart.org

THR: bed, bath and car

First thing: don't automatically assume your surgeon will impose this rule because a lot don't! Very few do this in the UK, for instance though I have observed it to be more common in the US. But the dislocation factor associated with this is a RISK, not an inevitability so do not get too...
bonesmart.org bonesmart.org

Happy Three Week Anniversary! I hope you have a good PT session tomorrow.
 
Day 22, and just returned from Physio. Ok experience they were gentle with me, didn’t push me beyond any of my ‘limits’

Briefly, had to get onto bed myself (Caroline normally lifts gammy leg)

Lie on back bend ‘bad ‘ knee twds stomach, found that difficult not done the yet but managed some movement.

Turned onto good side, with pillow between legs attempted to open out (abductors) couldn't manage, advised not to sleep like that for 12 week (very uncomfortable anyway)

Lying on back ......lift stomach and buttocks as high as possible.

Standing exercises ....knee raise, almost impossible.

Calf and heel raises...fine.

Slight squat, managed fairly low bend.

Heel/knee raises....ok

Standing abductors ...ok

Leg straight move backwards ....ok

Toes and heel raises ....ok

10 reps all x 3 ( 30 each )

Stair climbing ... one step then straight onto next step , up and down ....Bit tricky .

Encouraged me to use one crutch as much as possible , and none as soon as comfortable.

All in all an easy sympathetic session, no pain. Further app 2 weeks.

My main problem is the band / muscle (not sure of the name) at the front top of the
thigh / groin, it’s the area which is most uncomfortable and most painful when attempting leg raising, I need to get this area moving for both exercise and comfort. I would normally describe it as groin pain.

Otherwise happy PT went well, I will start on a recovery exercise regime and hope for the best.

I still have dressing covering scar which looks fine, can I remove that now, physio offered no advice.

Cheers good luck all.
 
Wow @JohnWilky thats amazing how much progress you’ve made in 3 weeks!! Just be careful not to overdo it. I’m most interested in you going up and down stairs normally, were you able to do this before surgery? I haven’t done that in over 3 years and it’s what I’m looking forward to most when I’m recovered. Is this the first time you attempted it since surgery?
 
Hi there, JW
Your PT routine feels a bit ambitious for only three weeks into the healing process.
I hope you don’t notice any negative effect, but if you do, please ice, rest and step back until the discomfort eases. Then begin again slowly.

Below is an article explaining issues than can occur after beginning or overdoing certain exercises.
bonesmart.org

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy

You will have noticed there is a significant opinion here about the potential hazards of PT. You may feel that your therapists are experts and know what you should be doing. However, over the last several years I've been here, I have observed that the more intensive the regimen of exercising...
bonesmart.org bonesmart.org

Have a great week. :)
@JohnWilky
 
I agree with Layla, that's really a lot of PT for three weeks in @JohnWilky. I'm hoping you aren't hurting tomorrow, but there's something you need to be VERY aware of, our hips never complain at the time of the activity that is more than your baby hip is happy with. But that night or the next day! :shocked: I would suggest the following, just based on my personnel experience.




Lying on back ......lift stomach and buttocks as high as possible.

This is core strengthening and nothing you need to worry about right now, and new hips don't tend to like it.

Standing exercises ....knee raise, almost impossible.

Then don't do it.

Slight squat, managed fairly low bend.

Not something hips need, and usually don't like.

10 reps all x 3 ( 30 each )

I would back way off, try 10 reps period for a day or two. If your hip doesn't complain, add a little more. Better to ramp up slowly, you are not going to speed up your recovery anyway, might as well not end up in pain.

Stair climbing ... one step then straight onto next step , up and down ....Bit tricky .

Bit early for that.

Encouraged me to use one crutch as much as possible , and none as soon as comfortable.

Let your body be your guide. You will start using one crutch, and then none organically. Without thinking about it you will just make a small trip without a crutch and not realize until after you have done it. As long as you are limping you should use an assistive device.
 
Thank you very very much for the helpful and more so caring advice,the PT was not engaging one iota, as you may have detected I'm a gregarious chap who likes a chat and a laugh,but from minute one my session was functional,not cruel ! Don't get me wrong, but no interaction.
I will most certainly take hippy advice , I understand the mechanics of that approach and certain more overall experience.
Thf though ,I have had little or no reaction to my visit and apart from the frequent peeing episodes ,slept v well.
I will cut down all reps to 5 and see how I go , and definitely not push myself beyond my limits.
Prior to my op I had no trouble climbing up and down stairs ,it was more walking and distance my problem .
Thanks once again
 
JohnWilky said:
I still have dressing covering scar which looks fine, can I remove that now, physio offered no advice.
Click to expand...
I'm surprised they put a dressing on after your staple removal. No need for any wound cover now. Just keep the area clean.

I agree with all the advice about your PT routine. Unfortunately my experience with post op PT is that they are all on automatic pilot - assigning the same exercises no matter what joint is replaced. And they always assign bridging (Lying on back ......lift stomach and buttocks as high as possible).

Be very careful with pulling that knee into your chest at this early stage. Not something I would attempt until after your post op followup.
 
Thanks Jacey wise words. Day 23 , taking all caring advice given seriously, therefore following a much better nights sleep interrupted by peeing events , walked locally , stopping for an uplifting chat along the route , 30 minutes which I completed without any discomfort.
Will remove my dressing later as suggested ( would posting a pic of the scar be appropriate, if I can )
Still taking 4x 2 paracetamol ,but not really experiencing any pain , just a little uncomfortable at times.
Managing the stairs easily with Caroline acting as fall break as I,m not overly confident as yet.
Appetite much better ( normal ) and good in other depts thankfully .
The only negativity is the occasional feeling of helplessness, but soon put that on the back boiler.
Slowly slowly ,working for me .

Cheers everyone, and good luck
 
Glad to hear your first PT session didn't cause you any issues @JohnWilky. Just remember slow and steady wins the race, and listen to that new hip.
 
You seem to be doing really well, JW, taking it all in stride and progressing as you should.
You‘ll feel stronger and steadier on your feet week by week and therefore less helpless.
You‘re on your way! :happydance:
@JohnWilky
 
Day 24 , horrendous night sleep ( well no sleep) far far too uncomfortable ling on my back , how long will it be before I can sleep on my side , PT stated that sleeping on non operating ( pillow between legs ) not untill 12 weeks.I would imagine op side ( left in my case ) will be even longer. May have to start going to bed later ,but Mrs Wilky is shattered so we need to go 10 - 30 ish but too early for me. Maybe down to my other problem PD ?? Any sleeping advice in these circumstances will be gratefully accepted.
No reaction to my walk ,which was a bit up and down aside from a little shin pain.
Going to remove dressing today ,scar looks neat on peeking under dressing.
Please point me in right direction.
No chance of quiet day today ,one granddaughters class isolated from school ,but hopefully grab some shut eye in between home schooling.

Sorry for moaning fellow hipsters ,here's hoping all recoverers are healing quickly and comfortable.
Have a good day .
 
I was a side only sleeper before my partial knee surgery but right after surgery I couldn’t due to pain in that position.

I have successfully learned to sleep on my back, and still do now, 4 years later!

What helped me most was to elevate both legs. My particular elevating wedge has a cut in trough for one leg, which is pretty hard to come out of in my sleep. My wedge is only designed for one leg, but I put the other leg on it also.

I also use my pillow to prop my head up somewhat straight.

I now fall asleep much faster than I did when I slept on my side, (I don’t know why) so that’s an added bonus!
 
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