THR Hip #2 Detours, Roadblocks, With a Dash Of Hope^

[Layla]

Good Morning, Daffodil,
Wow, what a ride you've been on. Sorry you're having such a dreadful time of it.
Thankfully it sounds like things are leveling out.

Please check with your OS regarding the redness that's developed. I've always read here and know Josephine advises against using heat after surgery for a time. How long? I'm not sure. From the photo it appears the irritation / redness is right next to your incision. I don't see blisters but only the dry skin you referenced.

Because I'm curious, myself, I found the following information under a Wound Care Clinic site -
Beware of heating pads, they should never be used near an open wound, or after surgery. The temporary relief can cause unseen damage. Many times burning under the skin can occur, without seeing the visible signs first.

The article further mentions that many people burn themselves with heating pads. Stating that in many cases, the patient falls asleep due to the comfort of the warm heat. Other times, the patient cannot feel the skin burning because of neuropathy.

In addition - Second and third degree burns can be caused from heating pads, which not only will extend the healing process, but could also further complicate any treatment needed. Electrical burns can damage the skin, extending to underlying deep tissue and cause even more pain. Reports of patients falling asleep all night with heating pads and ending up in the emergency room are true, according to the article. The excessive heat, that your body does not need burns, leaving behind scars and pain.

I've posted this information here because you've initiated the discussion and posted a photo. I hope it is nothing serious and resolves on its own quickly. Most certainly a cautionary tale for those following your thread, or anyone who reads this and has considered using heat as another option for pain relief.

Please consider having it looked at.
Wishing you comfort and continued healing.
@Daffodill1

 

[Josephine]

I already warned her about using heat Mar 23, 2019

2. Never, ever use heat on your hip. That's the very worst you can do.

Here is the photo of where I apparently was on heating pad too long or too warm.

It's caused by using heat!

 

[Daffodill1]

Hello all,

The heating pad is called a Bed Buddy, it is a microwaveable sock type that holds heat up to an hour. You don’t get to set it to a certain temperature.

While I understand it is not recommended near incision it can be used on the groin area, which is where I actually put it. I was so exhausted that night I did not realize it had slid down over my hip.

Surgeon looked at it and said to keep an eye on it and use a burn cream over the area. It is a lot better this morning.

I realize that many people are very experienced here on the forum, and all of us have gone through the cycles of realizing we need a joint replacement, to having one, (or 2 or 3), and riding the wave known as recuperating.

I also, at 62 years old realize that everyone is different, their healing times are different, their pain level is different, their tolerance to pain meds are different, etc. As you all know this is my 3rd replacement, the first being when I was 53. Not one surgery has been what I would call normal. I don’t think anyone has a normal time of it. But please let me say this.

While one person may do fantastic on a certain regimen, another may not be able to handle it. We all are at the mercy of what our surgeon tells us to do, and our therapist if we choose to go that route. After all, they are the ones who have done countless surgeries and have seen the best and the worst scenarios. My surgeries have been horrid.

Jamie is going to combine my old account with this one and if you would like please feel free to see the journey I have been on previously with the other 2 surgeries.

I guess my thoughts are this. While I respect and understand and appreciate all of the advice I receive here, in the end, I will do what my surgeon tells me to do, until of course I realize that it isn’t working for me. I come here for other advise from those who have gone before me with the same issues I have and see what may have worked for them. Everyone here does that. They are searching for answers because what they are doing is not working.

As far as the heat goes I understand completely that heat can be a very bad thing for us. But when your therapist and surgeon tells you to use it on the muscles that are aching and sore, not the incision, and except for one time you make a mistake and fall asleep, it actually makes you feel good, eases the soreness and helps you do your exercises then that is what you do.

My pain is coming from hip flexors, am working on them, and beginning Friday will be working on quads. I apparently am the exception to the rule, the first day I went to PT I could actually put both legs on my bed without squirming around like a fish out of water. Today is my 5 week anniversary and my impatience is really showing. I want to be able to go and do and live my life without pain. I have a ways to go yet, but I am working on it daily. And last night I slept soundly no spasms. The opioids have left my system, and my body is happy. I still spasm early in the morning, but I get out of bed and walk a little and they are gone.

I honestly don’t want to seem like an ungrateful sourpuss. This forum has helped me, I spent hours a day here during my knee replacement. It is difficult reading things that say don’t do this or don’t do that, but you are doing them and they work. It can be confusing.

A good friend of mine had 2 hip replacement done in a 2 week period, took nothing but aspirin, and went to PT 3 times a week. After 5 weeks total you could not tell she had anything done. Her gait was perfect, no pain. Those kinds of stories can be very uplifting. Or upsetting to those who are having a terrible time.

Point is what she did worked for her. She also used a heating pad 3 times a day. Again, I don’t want to,come off as a know it all woman who thinks her way is the only way. It isn’t. We all have to find what works for us, no matter who tells us what to do. Every body is different and reacts differently.

There would be no forum if everyone had a great experience. We are here to learn, try what may work, and help others in their journey.

If administrators think I need to not be here, I understand completely. I don’t hold back, been through way way too much. I just believe that there is not just one way to do something.

I hope I have not upset anyone. But sometimes that can happen no matter what you say or do. I only know that I feel a lot better than I did when I was taking pain meds and no PT. But like I said, that is not true for everyone.

Thank you all.

 

[SE Florida]

I'm also 62 and have had 2 THRs. I found this forum extremely useful in finding information, making the determination (myself) on what may or may not work for me, and being extremely appreciative of any comments coming my way. I can read the comments and decide (again, for myself) on what I might want to try (or not try) to help my recovery progress. I think you'll find the forum posters and moderators here continually repeat the phrase "everyone one is different", "everyone's recovery is different". I'm very appreciative of all comments and would never consider debating anyone's posting as the debate is then counter-productive to the rest of us that need and want this information in order to make our own decision. A support forum is just that and unfortunately you may not get the answer that applies to your situation. In those cases, I would think calling my OS would be imperative instead of beating a dead horse on other's posts that are only trying to help. Again, debate is counter-productive and can deter other member's focus on helpful support issues.

 

[Daffodill1]

I appreciate your opinion, but please understand I am not beating a dead horse, nor am I debating anything. Debating is when you discuss pros and cons regarding a topic. I am stating only what works for me. Not debating why or how or my way is better than yours.

However, with that being said, my way is better for me. I have contacted my surgeon according to my log book 27 times in 5 weeks. About anything and everything. Here is why. My last hip replacement in 2015 was a breeze. I did not hurt at all, well maybe a little, I was walking very early, took no medication, etc. so when it came time for this one I was so not prepared for the exact opposite to happen. I am only saying what is true in my case and how it may not be true in another’s case.

Josephine has many many years of experience in both being a nurse in this field and also going through the actual process. And she is very knowledgeable about these things. Including how she got through her recoveries. And I respect that. Unfortunately for me, her way, and the way of many others here do not work on this body. Have no idea why. Doesn’t matter in the long run.

I knew when I wrote the post that it would not be taken in the way I tried to convey it. I am sorry that you and probably a lot more don’t understand what I was saying. Simply put we come here to get advice, read about others' journeys, and most of all to get answers for ourselves about how to get from point A to point B in the least amount of pain.

We all read posts from people who are crying as they write them about the pain they are in, surgeons ignoring them, something isn’t working, etc. We try to help them both mentally and physically by saying what we have done. Remember though, there are so many people that post dozens of times in hopes of finding what they are needing. And so many people post with answers that work for them but when it is tried doesn’t work for the one who is hurting. That isn’t a debate. I hurt, plain and simple.

I have been through nights I wanted to die. Literally die. And if my husband were not beside me every single step of the way I would have. By taking every single pill I could find just to make it go away. But that is behind me now. And if I offended anyone by saying my way worked for me, then I truly apologize.