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THR Hip replacement after hip arthrosocpy

@Rdwolfe94 There is no "relation" to BMI for any approach. It's all about what the surgeon decides is a risk. Many surgeons are rejecting THR patients with a high BMI. If you have a surgeon in mind phone their office and ask what their BMI threshold is.
 
Jaycey is right. There was a time when many surgeons were a rather phobic about doing anteriors on the larger patient but then it transpired, it was unwarranted.

[Bonesmart.org] Hip replacement after hip arthrosocpy
 
Thanks @Jaycey and @Josephine. My Surgeon says I am ok. I am 5'8 200lbs but do a lot of weightlifting. My only other concern I read about the anterior approach is being over muscular. Is that a concern or is along the same line of the BMI.
 
I am all systems go for my replacement (Anterior) next Wednesday. However, I am a little nervous about the spinal anesthesia they are going to use. Can anyone tell me their experience with it. My prior surgeries have all been under general anesthesia.
 
I was more scared of the spinal than the actual op the first time around. But it is truly a non-event. They spray your back with an antiseptic that makes it very cold. You might be lying on your side or hugging a pillow. And I can honestly say I didn't feel anything. Not even a pinch. You are asleep instantly and the next thing you see is the recovery room. No groggy feeling and in most cases no nausea that you get with GA. It is so much easier recovering after a spinal. And the plus is the numbness for a couple of hours just post op. Instant pain management!
 
Hi @Rdwolfe94 I was given the spinal for both of my THR's and like Jaycey was more worried about that first spinal than the hip! It was so unwarranted,, the worrying, it was so easy and to wake up fairly alert and have no nausea was a big plus, in my opinion.
You will do just fine with it. In fact, just bear in mind, if they decide at the last minute to do general anesthesia, that is fine, too. they have so many medications now to control any issues that arise. We live in a very good time where we have so many good options available.
Are you to the stage yet where you are just wanting this done and over with? This last week will zoom by!
 
Tell staff you are anxious. They may give you a sedative to help you get comfortable. I found staff were very understanding and a great comfort just pre-op. They see nervous patients every day, several times per day. They are calm and very professional. I found that very soothing.
 
Hello, Happy Tuesday!
I had the same fears and it was just as Jaycey explained, only I did feel a little prick but nothing painful.
Legs go numb, they lay you down, then lights out. You wake in recovery in disbelief that it's over.
I'll bet you do great. Will look forward to following your journey.
@Rdwolfe94
 
Rdwolfe94 said:
However, I am a little nervous about the spinal anesthesia they are going to use. Can anyone tell me their experience with it.
Click to expand...
I had a spinal for both my knees. And having worked in the theatre for years and watched people having these, I'd always said that if they every wanted to do that to me, they'd have to catch me first! However, when the time came (both times) I meekly submitted and found it was nothing like as bad as I'd imagined it to be. Even when the doctor asked the anaesthetic tech for 'a longer needle' because I had so much fat for him to get through. But the best bit was waking up in recovery and feeling that wonderful, amazing sense of comfort and painlessness. Then I knew it was worth it!
 
I am on the other side of the replacement now. 4 days post op. These first 4 days have been rough. very stiff in the upper thigh, a little in the hip flexor and sweating a lot. Not full fledged night sweats but sweating a lot. Have been monitoring my temperature (running normal) and incision site looks good. No issues there. Is all this sweating normal. As I said, happens mostly at night time but not a full fledged night sweat. Tend to get hot and cold throughout the day.
 
Welcome to the other side @Rdwolfe94 . I had sweats post both THRs. I put it down to all the medication and fluids they gave me pre and post op. For me it just faded away.

I'll leave your recovery reading list here so you can refer to it during this journey.

Hip Recovery: The Guidelines
1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary
2. Control discomfort:
rest
elevate
ice
take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​
3. Do what you want to do BUT
a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you
b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.​
4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of this BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy
5. Here is a week-by-week guide for Activity progression for THRs
6. Access these pages on the website

Pain management and the pain chart
Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of THR recovery

Dislocation risk and 90 degree rule
Energy drain for THRs
Pain and swelling control: elevation is the key

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

BIG TIP: Hips actually don't need any exercise to get better. They do a pretty good job of it all on their own if given half a chance. Trouble is, people don't give them a chance and end up with all sorts of aches and pains and sore spots. All they need is the best therapy which is walking and even then not to excess.

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery. While members may create as many threads as they like in a majority of BoneSmart's forums, we ask that each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.
 
I was queen of the night sweats, day sweats and chills.. like Jaycey already said, they will eventually fade away. But it can take some time, mine lasted into the 3rd week, possibly the 4th. My surgeon mentioned it's possibly a combination of narcotics and or my body trying to figure out just what the heck happened! (my words there, haha)
Congratulations, you did it!
 
Hello and Happy Sunday :wave:
I didn't experience the night sweats but have read about it here many times. You're not alone in experiencing that. Not surprising when you think about the injury your body is trying to heal from and the medications you're on. I tend to view it in a simplistic way surmising that through the anesthesia and a controlled trauma to the body, everything went haywire and your body is in "reset" mode.

Get that ice going :ice: it will cool you off, lol. It will also help with pain and inflammation.
Wishing you comfort as you begin the journey.
@Rdwolfe94
 
The night sweats are gone but I am still worried sick about the stiffness in my flexor and thigh. It is only day 5 and my home PT today said I am good and the incision looks good. They say the stiffness is normal. When should I start worrying that the stiffness is still there?
 
I'm sorry you're worried sick, please realize there's no need to worry so. You are only five days post op.
Your leg endured major trauma. Your flesh was sliced, ligaments and muscles separated, hip possibly dislocated in an aggressive manner, bone sawed, then reamed out and a prosthetic hammered into place. You may experience varying degrees of stiffness for months to come. Sorry to be a bit graphic but given the description hopefully you will understand the stiffness, which is considered a form of pain.

What you need to do is take your meds on schedule so you're able to stay mobile and get up and walk for a few minutes every hour or two. Usually a trip to the bathroom, or kitchen to get a snack or beverage will suffice in these very early days.

You may not have made it through the Recovery Guidelines yet but take a peek at The Activity Progression For THR so you're staying sensibly active, without overdoing it.
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/activity-progression-for-thrs.13187/

Also, ice, ice, ice. It will help with pain and swelling. It's recommended you ice for 40-60 minutes, each session, several times per day.

Wishing you comfort as you begin the journey. We're here for you!
@Rdwolfe94
 
@Layla Thanks. I had the anterior approach. Does the same apply for this approach? I have been icing 40 to 60 minutes 5 to 7 times a day.
 
Hi again :wave:
Yes, ice just the same, if that's what you're asking. I iced often, as you are, while sitting or laying down. Even falling asleep with an ice pack.

Check this article and video out, I think you'll get a clear understanding of why you're stiff, suffering discomfort and pain. https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/thr-approaches-or-incisions.5428/
I promise it will get better, but it does take time.
@Rdwolfe94
 
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