THR Hip Recovery

[Teresa17]

Day 4
I took the oxycodone last night before bed and slept pretty good. It’s hard to roll over onto my non-surgical side. I have to grab the edge of the bed for help. I felt pretty good this am and used the grabber to put my sweat pants on. The raised toilet seat has also been very helpful.

I‘m in some pain now. It seems to come on about 1-1/2 hours after I wake up. My entire leg is throbbing and my foot feels numb & tingly. My surgery site feels warm and the front & back of my knee hurt a lot. Last night I felt really good. Keeping ahead of the pain w meds and icing really helped. Looking forward to the meds kicking in.

The hospital sends me reminders every day. I knew I was suppose to do foot pumps but their message today said to do it 20-30 times every hour. They also said to do deep breathing exercises to prevent blood clots and pneumonia. Just curious how this surgery would cause pneumonia. Thoughts?

 

[Layla]

Hi Teresa,
I was able to put on pants early on also with the help of my grabber, injured leg in first, then good leg. Each step toward independence feels so fulfilling!

I remember grabbing onto things (headboard) also while maneuvering in bed. Upper body strength definitely comes in handy during recovery.

I’m sorry you’re starting out the day with some pain. Get your leg elevated and ice, ice, ice. Ice your knee also if need be. The knee can be manipulated rather aggressively during the dislocation process. New bruising may still appear also, so don’t be alarmed if it occurs. I was freaked out a bit to wake to a greenish yellow bruised knee area on Day 17 post op.

I understand foot pumps and movement in relation to DVT, but as far as pneumonia goes, you’re not an elderly bed bound individual unable to clear your lungs on your own. I’d do the foot pumps and get up for a five minute walk every hour or two. A trip to the bathroom or to the kitchen for a snack or beverage should take care of that.

I hope you feel better as the day progresses.
@Teresa17

 

[Sashimu]

One of the nurses at my surgeon's office said about the ankle pumps "it gives you something to do" I don't do them anymore now that I'm on day 23, and I gave up pretty quickly on the deep breathing.

 

[FCBayern]

Just curious how this surgery would cause pneumonia. Thoughts?

The health system I had my replacements surgeries (along with several others) always sent me home with one of those little plastic gizmos that have a ball you are supposed to suspend by breathing in hard. Anytime you got general anesthesia, you got sent home with one. The landfill has WAY too many of those darn things from me.

 

[Eman85]

I didn't have general anesthesia but did get the spirometer to check my lungs. Just a precaution, I'm sure it's a low percentage that get pneumonia but what's the harm? Deep breathing is just a good everyday thing to do, it's part of Yoga. Pretty surprised at anyone in medicine saying ankle pumps are just to keep you amused and pass the time. You can do the google and find info on it. People that sit for long periods as truck drivers or airline passengers can benefit from the movement to prevent clots.
As far as pants go I was able to put pants on my myself pretty early on. I'd place the pants on the floor and use my dressing hook or a grabber to get the started and up to my knees. Then I could grab them and pull them up. For the first weeks I used soft exercise type pants.

 

[Teresa17]

@FCBayern The hospital sent me home w the spirometer also. I’ve used it a few times but not sure I’m using it correctly.

I thought ankle pumps were to prevent blood clots.

 

[Celle]

They also said to do deep breathing exercises to prevent blood clots and pneumonia. Just curious how this surgery would cause pneumonia. Thoughts?

Well, deep breathing exercises won't prevent blood clots, but they could help to prevent pneumonia.

People can develop pneumonia after any operation, both through having an anaesthetic and through lying still on the operating theatre table. You're usually lying flat and not moving, and your respirations may not be as deep as they are normally. Also, some of the gases used may irritate your lungs.

 

[Scaredofsurgery]

Can put pants on now at 2 weeks post-op using the “grabber” but prefer nightgowns with no underwear pressing on incision.

 

[Teresa17]

@Scaredofsurgery Congratulations!!!!

 

[Teresa17]

Day 4. Evening

Feeling much better, always do after meds/ice relief kick in. I think going almost 10 hours without meds while I’m sleeping is doing me in for the morning. My sister put an oxy next to my bed so if/when I wake up I can take one and hopefully not be in as much pain when I wake up. I get around very easily and I’m already thinking about moving to a cane next week. It seems my foot on my operated leg wants to turn inwards. Is that a thing?

It seems like a lot of people on here experience immediate pain relief in their thigh and groin. Unfortunately, I wasn’t one of those lucky ones. OS said it may be a while for the thigh pain because of the tendinitis. I don’t really understand that.

 

[Hippielife]

Just think around the short time we are limited. I wore skirts, dresses, kaftans that went over my head until I was comfortable with getting my op leg into a pair of pants. Used my reacher to put undies on .

it’s amazing how good we get with those reachers. I still use them today... in the garden pulling weeds, lifting small items from the ground and picking up things that fall always dropping stuff. Can pick up a pill ... I have one in several rooms .

The other best aide was the leg lift and sock helper... I use one to play frisbee with my dogs.

A little time and all this recovery will be behind you and on to a better quality of life.

 

[Teresa17]

@Hippielife

 

[Sashimu]

@Teresa17, I've noticed the same thing about my leg, that it seems to want to turn inward. Unfortunately I didn't think to ask my surgeon about it when I saw him on Monday.

 

[HipMom143]

I think going almost 10 hours without meds while I’m sleeping is doing me in for the morning. My sister put an oxy next to my bed so if/when I wake up I can take one and hopefully not be in as much pain when I wake up.

@Teresa17 I still set an alarm to take my meds in the middle of the night. I usually wake up right before it goes off, so it must be right around when I’m getting uncomfortable. 10 hours is a long time to go without meds this early on. Maybe try an alarm?

 

[Teresa17]

Day 5
I woke up about 6 and took an oxy and slept for about another 2 hours. I didn’t have that late morning pain that I’ve been getting. Took my first shower today and washed my hair! Easy peasy. No problems at all. Dr had me wrap my bandage area with Glad press and seal. I have an aquaseal so it’s waterproof. I’m just not suppose to let water hit the area directly. I now understand all the comments about how the first shower is the best! Just to be clean and rid of all that hospital kinda feeling.

My sister helped me get the compression stocking off my operated leg- still having trouble getting socks on that leg. Also the girdle type thing I wear to keep my bandages from coming off. We didn’t see any bruising at all. That was kinda shocking. I was up walking/ standing a lot this am so I slept most all afternoon. My leg started throbbing a little but not bad. This experience hasn’t been a piece of cake but I wouldn’t say it is hard/ difficult either. I feel that when my leg swelling stops then the pain will too. Icing really helps!

I get around really well and find myself walking without the walker. I backtrack and get it because I don’t want to have my leg give out. Luckily no nausea or anything. I’ve had 3 bm but only took 1 stool softener. It may be attributed to the tianzine med.

I take 2 ibuprofen, Tramadol and tizanine(?) every 4 hours. I think I can stretch it to 6 hours starting tomorrow and then start lowering how much I take. Also still drinking the protein drinks the dr gave me. I think I’ll ask him about my leg turning in tomorrow.

 

[djklaugh]

Also the girdle type thing I wear to keep my bandages from coming off

@Teresa17 Is this girdle thing something that was given to you in the hospital or prescribed by your surgeon? If not please check with your surgeon about wearing such a garment. Bandages usually stay on quite well and do not need any extra holding. My concern is that a too constrictive garment may actually increase the swelling you are experiencing and restrict blood flow.

 

[Teresa17]

@djklaugh Good question. I looked at my packet and it came from the dr. It’s a HipRap. In the paperwork it says I do not have to keep it on but it’s recommended when I sleep to prevent the edges of the bandages from rolling.

Maybe I’ll just wear it at night and take it off during the day.

 

[Hippielife]

@Teresa17...a wrap over incision, that’s interesting to hear about a hip wrap for bandage protection. it can help protect the area while sleeping I guess. Just curious what does it look like.
I had a negative pressure wound therapy device I wore for two weeks after surgery. It kept the surgery area protected but the mild pressure was a bit uncomfortable. The tube attached to the wound under the tape over the incision then the opposite end of the tube attached a small battery operated console I kept in my pocket. see pic below.
You are doing so good with all your daily improvements. It’s always encouraging to see small improvements. One day at a time. Easy slow with short walks ... Amazon /Walmart has sock personal assist aides... they are great. See YouTube.

 

[Teresa17]

@Hippielife Thanks for the reminder about the sock assist. It came in my hip kit but I keep forgetting about it. Here is what my hiprap looks like. The battery pack you had is interesting.

 

[Teresa17]

Day 6

Took the oxy and tinzadine (?) before bed. Slept well, woke up about 3, took an oxy and went back to sleep till 7:30. No pain this am. I took the hiprap off and got dressed. I have extended my meds from every 4 hours to every 5 hours today. The swelling/ throbbing is less today. I ordered a four prong cane which should be here Saturday. I have been awake all day today which is a change. I’m kinda sleepy so I’ll be taking a nap shortly. I can feel progress every day which is good. My focus today is to keep the swelling down and extend the time between taking meds.