Not sure why PT is saying 12 weeks for the non-op side. Do you have any other restrictions imposed by your surgeon? Can you call the surgeon's office and check if they are OK with this?
THR Hi! Post THR recovery
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JohnWilky
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Not had any direction from surgeon ( none in fact ) for anything , and no contact for his secretary, reluctance also because I know how busy he is. I have my first post op appointment in 4 week, with his assistant.
As for raising my legs in bed , I thought I saw advice against that for only 4 week post ? But obviously great if it has worked and you sleep comfortably in that position , pleased for you.
Thanks for that info , have a great day.
As for raising my legs in bed , I thought I saw advice against that for only 4 week post ? But obviously great if it has worked and you sleep comfortably in that position , pleased for you.
Thanks for that info , have a great day.
@JohnWilky I found if I put a small pillow under my knees while back sleeping it took the pressure off my lower spine. Give it a try!
@JohnWilky I’ll reiterate what’s been said above, elevating your legs or even bending the knee of your non-op leg helps to take some of the pressure off your back. I’m a side sleeper too, and am really looking forward to returning to my side. My surgeon said I could sleep on non-op side as soon as I felt comfortable as long as I had pillows between legs so I didn’t cross midline. I haven’t tried it yet. My incision is lateral, where is yours? I think you should check with your surgeon.
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You seem to be doing great! Hope you don’t mind me asking but know you are in NW UK like myself. I feel that I am doing great but not sure how much walking is recommended? I have been out walking most days but dont want to overdo it. When you go walking-do you use 2 crutches or 1? I don’t go for physio until 6 weeks.
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JohnWilky
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Hiya Casper, won't be going out walking this morning ,the weather in Manchester area is dreadful,heavy rain and colder .
But when I do venture out I use both crutches for safety ,I use only one around the house and up and down stairs.
We ( and happy birthday to my wonderful wife Caroline ) have been increasing our walk from originally day 10 or so to today day 27 ,10 minute short walk once a day to a flat 30 mins 1/2 mile walk Inc some inclines ,twice per day .
I am creamed crackered when I get back but get my legs up and ice the hip area for a while.
Not only is it good for the legs it's good for the mind as well.
I will endeavour to use just one crutch this coming week.Hold the back page! Good luck and a speedy recovery , I trust the expert advice of bonesmart hipsters and I am cautious with respect of my PT advice .
But when I do venture out I use both crutches for safety ,I use only one around the house and up and down stairs.
We ( and happy birthday to my wonderful wife Caroline ) have been increasing our walk from originally day 10 or so to today day 27 ,10 minute short walk once a day to a flat 30 mins 1/2 mile walk Inc some inclines ,twice per day .
I am creamed crackered when I get back but get my legs up and ice the hip area for a while.
Not only is it good for the legs it's good for the mind as well.
I will endeavour to use just one crutch this coming week.Hold the back page! Good luck and a speedy recovery , I trust the expert advice of bonesmart hipsters and I am cautious with respect of my PT advice .
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Happy Birthday, Caroline! 
She deserves some BoneSmart love, after putting up with you over the past 25 days
I am kidding
I do enjoy following your progress and hope it’s only smooth sailing from here on out.
Happy Friday! I hope you two have a nice weekend.
@JohnWilky
She deserves some BoneSmart love, after putting up with you over the past 25 days
I am kidding
I do enjoy following your progress and hope it’s only smooth sailing from here on out.Happy Friday! I hope you two have a nice weekend.
@JohnWilky
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JohnWilky
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Day 26, tempus fugit, becoming much more confident with one crutch and fairly confident now climbing and descending stairs ,but still prefer the security of somebody in front of me.
Poor poor sleep again , my fault tried the pillow under knees suggestion but I was too ambitious with the size and the firmness of the pillow. After just 5 minutes propped up started / could feel pressure and sharpish pain at hip point , so quickly abandoned that and had to disturb Mrs Wilky to get the ice , which soon eased the aggravation.
Therefore not the best start to sleeping with an ice pack under the covers, just can’t get the pillows right, it’s terribly frustrating.Eventually dropped off but the awakened for pee and start the shuffling all over again . In fact I,m happy now at Sun up so I can get up , shame because pre op I could sleep on a washing line with a philharmonic orchestra playing underneath !!
It’s fair to say that this aspect of my recovery has been more than disappointing, this includes just sitting about too.
Still no real pain anywhere , some expected aching in shin and knee on op side ,irritating more than painful.
Cold windy day in NW England but will still have daily walk later.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Poor poor sleep again , my fault tried the pillow under knees suggestion but I was too ambitious with the size and the firmness of the pillow. After just 5 minutes propped up started / could feel pressure and sharpish pain at hip point , so quickly abandoned that and had to disturb Mrs Wilky to get the ice , which soon eased the aggravation.
Therefore not the best start to sleeping with an ice pack under the covers, just can’t get the pillows right, it’s terribly frustrating.Eventually dropped off but the awakened for pee and start the shuffling all over again . In fact I,m happy now at Sun up so I can get up , shame because pre op I could sleep on a washing line with a philharmonic orchestra playing underneath !!
It’s fair to say that this aspect of my recovery has been more than disappointing, this includes just sitting about too.
Still no real pain anywhere , some expected aching in shin and knee on op side ,irritating more than painful.
Cold windy day in NW England but will still have daily walk later.
Have a great weekend everyone.
FCBayern
Former BoneSmart Staff Member
Difficulty sleeping is definitely frustrating @JohnWilky. But this too shall pass, just not as soon as you'd like. Have a good weekend my friend.
Happy belated birthday to Caroline @JohnWilky
Elevating the leg comfortably is the trickiest thing and I’ve found that it never feels great for too long and then I have to reposition. The tricks I’ve found for trying to do it independently is to keep a stack of pillows close by and then use my grabber to position them under and around my leg. Sometimes a whole pillow works and other times I just want a nest of pillows with a slight corner of a pillow tucked under my knee. You’re doing great, go back and re-read your thread to remind yourself of how much progress you’ve made!
Elevating the leg comfortably is the trickiest thing and I’ve found that it never feels great for too long and then I have to reposition. The tricks I’ve found for trying to do it independently is to keep a stack of pillows close by and then use my grabber to position them under and around my leg. Sometimes a whole pillow works and other times I just want a nest of pillows with a slight corner of a pillow tucked under my knee. You’re doing great, go back and re-read your thread to remind yourself of how much progress you’ve made!
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JohnWilky
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Reassuring comforting advice , guess I,m just gunna have to be a patient patient.
Cheers everyone have a good weekend .
Cheers everyone have a good weekend .
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JohnWilky
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Day 28, best night sleep last night since pre op , don’t know why ? Consequently feel a lot better today , no pain, still uncomfortable sitting relaxing .
Going out for walk later a little too blustery atm. Hoping everyone is enjoying a nice weekend .
Going out for walk later a little too blustery atm. Hoping everyone is enjoying a nice weekend .
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JohnWilky
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Day 29 , exactly one month since op. Summary for month.
Stayed in hospital 5 days , I needed all those days , staff brilliant . Best ...little or no pain . Worst , uncomfortable naturally, 7 day constipation, first bladder function , horrendous hiccup episodes/ spasms.No trouble getting in car ( with assistance) meds’ just paracetamol and 30 days blood thinners along with Ted socks.
Week 2, able to manage stairs , short walks in street, very uncomfortable sitting, terrible sleeping, loss of appetite.
Week 3 , Staples out no problem and nice scar , icing occasionally first physio appt underwhelming , but getting more mobile everyday.Still sleeping problems.
Week 4 , Managing 1/2 walks on crutches with very little problem , still major sleeping problems, but able to get in and out of bed without disturbing very tired wife . Finishing blood thinners , removed Ted socks , still on 4 x2 paracetamol but no pain .
A tougher month than I expected , no pain ,but the diaphragm spasms and constipation worrying ok now , overall major negative lying on back and unable to sleep .
Stayed in hospital 5 days , I needed all those days , staff brilliant . Best ...little or no pain . Worst , uncomfortable naturally, 7 day constipation, first bladder function , horrendous hiccup episodes/ spasms.No trouble getting in car ( with assistance) meds’ just paracetamol and 30 days blood thinners along with Ted socks.
Week 2, able to manage stairs , short walks in street, very uncomfortable sitting, terrible sleeping, loss of appetite.
Week 3 , Staples out no problem and nice scar , icing occasionally first physio appt underwhelming , but getting more mobile everyday.Still sleeping problems.
Week 4 , Managing 1/2 walks on crutches with very little problem , still major sleeping problems, but able to get in and out of bed without disturbing very tired wife . Finishing blood thinners , removed Ted socks , still on 4 x2 paracetamol but no pain .
A tougher month than I expected , no pain ,but the diaphragm spasms and constipation worrying ok now , overall major negative lying on back and unable to sleep .
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Any side effects J with the blood thinners can’t tell with mine ?
They made me feel like everything I did was in slow motion. Not to mention I felt like a pin cushion after 30 days. I took Xarelto (Rivarxaban) for a short while post LTHR but soon found out I was allergic to it.
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Happy One Month Anniversary! Over all you seem to be doing well.
I’m sorry you continue to struggle with sleep. I hope it eases soon and you’re able to get some restorative rest each night. Consider the supplement Magnesium. Check out the info below and see what you think -
Magnesium supports the following:
Bone health
Healthy blood sugar
Cardiovascular health
Muscle relaxation and nerves
Promotes healthy sleep (falling asleep and staying asleep)
An article on Magnesium -
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/magnesium-is-a-star.20301/
Have a great afternoon and evening!
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JohnWilky
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Day 31, took advantage of the unusual stunning UK weather and the partial lifting of Covid restrictions to meet up with mates who I have not seen for a long time, just what I needed, no sympathy although more concern than if we were younger haha, they can see what’s on the horizon.
Amazing we are all in the later 60’s age most (and there nearest) have something or other to complain about, but they are all still active, Golfing, walking etc and it was great to swop tales. I would recommend to all recoverers to arrange Similar if they can, if only to give the nearest and dearest a break from caring, which is very important.
They were all surprised at my mobility so soon after surgery and was able sit on park bench which was quite low. Overall scar looks fine no pain from hip, just still uncomfortable sleeping and sitting but getting better everyday.
With that in mind I will reduce my recovery posts to weekly now “oh nooooo” I hear everyone say. Of course if anything goes wrong I’m posting immediately, so no rest for the mods.
Good luck everyone and a safe comfortable recovery.
Amazing we are all in the later 60’s age most (and there nearest) have something or other to complain about, but they are all still active, Golfing, walking etc and it was great to swop tales. I would recommend to all recoverers to arrange Similar if they can, if only to give the nearest and dearest a break from caring, which is very important.
They were all surprised at my mobility so soon after surgery and was able sit on park bench which was quite low. Overall scar looks fine no pain from hip, just still uncomfortable sleeping and sitting but getting better everyday.
With that in mind I will reduce my recovery posts to weekly now “oh nooooo” I hear everyone say. Of course if anything goes wrong I’m posting immediately, so no rest for the mods.
Good luck everyone and a safe comfortable recovery.
@JohnWilky Thanks for the great update! It is very encouraging for everyone who knows your story and others who are anticipating hip replacement to see good outcomes such as yours!
It sounds like you had a really fun meet up with your mates!
It sounds like you had a really fun meet up with your mates!
