THR Hitch & Get Along<

[NanaKP]

Saw Dr. Hipster this morning. He watched me go up and down a step so he could see exactly where my pain was, then did another Xray to make sure everything was still in place (it is). The Xrays also showed that other hip to be failing very rapidly (he has no idea why I'm not in excruciating pain from it). He believes that my pain is probably originating from the hardware that was put in when the fracture was repaired. The muscles, tendons, nerves are being constantly irritated by its presence. So, after much examination and review of the Xrays, we talked about getting that other hip scheduled for replacement - poor old thing has worked itself to death trying to carry the weight for both sides. He suggested the first week of November (that gives the left operated leg another 5 weeks to learn to be the "good" leg) and then scheduling the removal of the hardware mid-December. He wasn't pushy but was very thoughtful, even scooting his chair very close in front of me and taking my hands when my eyes started to leak (I was telling him about some of those very dark days I've had). He understands my hesitancy after all of the "extra events" that have happened since May 2 but also knows that my right side is looking pretty bad. He also said he'd make sure to have plastic surgeon at the December surgery to do some work on the scar. I have a fairly deep cavity where the wound had opened up and was infected - I think it looks (and feels) terrible (that is definitely adding to my dark mood).

My husband and I need to pull our calendars out tonight and look at dates (is there ever a good time to have major surgery?). I will pow wow with Hipster's right hand gal once we decide what dates will work. I knew this time would come to make this decision to move forward or to wait. It's rather funny because as I'm back at work, my right hip has started to ache something fierce, seemingly out of the blue. Maybe it overheard Hipster talking about its poor condition and it doesn't want to play second fiddle anymore!!!

 

[Mojo333]

I am sorry for you..but happy for you...if you know what I mean.
It's not going to fix itself...you know this.

(is there ever a good time to have major surgery?)

Not really...but there is no better time to get this over with it and live pain free.
I am praying this gets done, goes well, and you get your life back!
Hugs

 

[NanaKP]

Decided to drop the two images that I have when the OS installed the hardware to fix the fracture. This lovely trinket will be coming OUT in December.

 

[Mojo333]

Oh my stars...

He believes that my pain is probably originating from the hardware that was put in when the fracture was repaired. The muscles, tendons, nerves are being constantly irritated by its presence.

It certainly looks like it had the potential to cause irritation.
It looks like on first picture that "little clamp" has become detached from where it should be anchored? I have no medical experience WHATSOEVER...but doesn't look "right" to me.
@Josephine, have you seen one like this?

Glad you are getting this out..time to be out of pain.
Take it easy until then!

 

[NanaKP]

The one picture shows it just being placed - that's why it looks detached. I just had an xray done this week and it's on there nice and tight.

 

[Jaycey]

@NanaKP Best to get this revision done now before you are having major mobility issues. Sounds like your OS is a real gem! Well done on finding the right partner to get you through this.

 

[Mojo333]

The one picture shows it just being placed - that's why it looks detached. I just had an xray done this week and it's on there nice and tight

Whew!
It was making My leg hurt

Hope your day is peaceful...hoping for some reprieve from pain for the weekend @NanaKP

 

[Alitm]

@NanaKP I just finished reading your thread. Well those certainly aren't ups and downs, they are landslides! I just looked at the hardware in your leg.....YIKES! This has been such a test for you and your husband.

My biggest fear in the next six weeks until my next surgery is something happening with hip surgery #1 and it not being strong enough to support the second surgery. I too worry about dealing with rehabbing hips, and the winter months. We don't get too much snow, but with climate changes the winters are so varied. We are on the west coast of BC, Canada.

I see that you have your November 5th day posted in your signature, and we've chatted briefly about being recovery buddies - I look forward to that

Wishing you comfort through out the weekend

 

[Josephine]

It looks like on first picture that "little clamp" has become detached from where it should be anchored?

The one picture shows it just being placed

Quite right, Nana!

 

[NanaKP]

@Alitm - I certainly did not expect to find out at 12 weeks into rehab that I had a fracture. I had been going to PT faithfully and doing all exercises at home, as prescribed. I was beating myself up mentally thinking I was doing something wrong because the limp continued to get worse. NO ONE said it was even a possibility so you could've knocked me over with a feather when we were told.

We have had numerous people tell us to seek legal counsel and to get another OS (including our daughters) but after meeting with the surgeon in his office (after hours on the weekend, no less) that we didn't want to change surgeons midstream and seeking legal advice wouldn't change my condition at all. I don't believe it was intentional and we do still have a lot of trust in him. He came highly recommended to us by 3 different physicians - things happen, we know that - we just wanted my condition FIXED so I could move forward. The surgery to stabilize that fracture was a difficult one for me and I had to spend the night in the hospital. It was 3 weeks into that recovery that the wound opened up and the infection started. It has finally close up and no infection but I'm left with a nice 'divet' in my thigh where the dehiscence was. When the surgeon removes that "claw" and wire, we'll have a plastic surgeon come work on that crater. That will be sometime in December.

Yes, it has been a wild (emotional) ride. I have my OS and his right hand gal in my phone (their personal cell #'s) and I've been encouraged to call with ANY questions, concerns, etc. I have a lot of fear going into this second hip replacement but I have too much life I want to live being active to keep putting it off. I will keep praying that this time around everything goes close to textbook and that 2019 will be my year to recover 100% and start chasing those grandsons around again.

Speaking of grandsons, the two oldest spent the night with us last night and the baby came over this morning. The baby is currently napping and the oldest two are now riding bicycles around after playing an intense game of baseball with Poppy (my husband). Time for Nana to go get in the "game" with them (moreorless watch from the sidelines).

 

[NanaKP]

As a PS - My situation was relatively minor compared to what @Fractured has gone through. My husband and I STILL talk about his first xray posted on here and then all of the complications to boot. That man is the epitome of COMPLICATIONS - my hat is off to him and his wife. One of these days I'll remember to put that picture on my phone so I can show Dr. Hipster - I'm thinking he'll be mortified by it!!

 

[NanaKP]

I have a general question for y'all. Since the fracture that happened with my LTHR did not heal in the 12 weeks that it went "undiscovered", does anyone know if taking calcium and/or other supplements prior to and throughout the recovery of the RTHR scheduled for 11/5 would ASSIST in any healing??? Of course we're not planning on another femur fracture but I have wondered if it's maybe MY bone quality (or lack thereof) that prevented that break from healing?

I don't know if that makes sense. For years my husband and I have believed in supplements and we do eat pretty darn healthy. For the last 5 years or so, I haven't been so great at remembering to take supplements (I already take meds for high blood pressure and high cholesterol).

Thoughts?

 

[Mojo333]

I did take calcium supplements, and vitamin C after THRs but didnt think of it prior. Had to knock off some supplements as my D was too high according to my GP Apparently a few of my supplements had D in there also for "absorption"?
I didnt take excessive quantities...just one daily stuff.
I did, however try not to take any NSAIDS while recovering...have switched to Tylenol for minor things vs my standby Aleve or Motrin.
Josephine told me early on in my recovery Tylenol was a better choice.
I am constantly reading confirmations through research that NSAIDS are not a good choice for recovering hip patients.
FYI - an excerpt:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0300060517732697
Postoperative drugs
Painkillers are frequently used by patients with hip osteoarthritis. In our experience, most of these drugs are represented by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs are the least safe of painkillers in terms of osseointegration. NSAIDs impair the osseointegration process of titanium implants by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2. This results in decreased levels of prostaglandins, which are important in promoting inflammation and supply of bone-formation cells. Therefore, we suggest choosing acetaminophen (paracetamol) for mild to moderate pain and opioids for severe pain in patients following total hip replacement.[/QUOTE]

 

[NanaKP]

@Mojo333 - I have also read very similar things about NSAIDs (which has been my "go to" for years). My GP said that my bloodwork looks good but I'm a bit concerned about calcium prior to this next THR. I'm trying not to overthink it but at the same time, be proactive so I do appreciate your response. I'll be taking a closer look at all supplements prior to starting them. I have my pre-op with GP on 10/24 so I'll need to decide before then if I'm going to start taking them or not.

Thank you again for your reply and help!

 

[Mojo333]

Of course some good old yogurt with fresh fruit...calcium rich (and I don't drink alot of milk)
Keeping that immune system in good cranking order is also important so that was my reasoning behind the Vitamin C.

 

[NanaKP]

Well today is a first for me, I believe I feel the impact of the cold, rainy (possibly snow) weather on my bones, namely my hips. I don't recall this feeling of having both of my hips being in a Vice with pain at every step. I figured my "rebuilt" side was stiff from being up and down with the grandsons yesterday afternoon but my right side is protesting every move I make. I am at work but I'm not sure how long I can make it. I don't recall feeling like this before or perhaps I just wasn't aware of the pain being in my hips. I know that my right side has been rapidly deteriorating but goodness sakes, I haven't had this type of discomfort before. I gave in and took 2 Aleve caplets (that's what I have here) but I don't think it's touching it and my lower back is starting to join in the throbbing. Ugh. I thought I was "jumping the gun" somewhat scheduling hip #2 but now 4 weeks seems like an eternity away.

 

[Layla]

Sadly, we hear this story often. With your right hip quickly deteriorating your gait has most likely changed in a reaction to pain and you're engaging differently. I'm guessing you're tensing up a lot more.

Four weeks will pass quickly and relief is on the way. Sorry you're suffering. Hang in there.

Something that worked for me in those last few weeks was a heating pad. Try it if you haven't already. It does offer some comfort, at least I found that to be the case. I'd use it in bed at night over the last couple weeks, watching tv. As close as you are to surgery, a long day on your feet is usually hard to take.
Wishing you comfort as you await November 5th.
@NanaKP

 

[NanaKP]

Thank you @Layla for the advice. Tonight I will search for that elusive heating pad that I know we still have. The thought of icing when it's a mere 37 out, isn't too appealing but that's what I did yesterday for awhile. It's another cold, dreary day here and once again, my hips are NOT liking it. I actually told my husband that I may start toting around those crutches to use at work in the late afternoons. The back of our shop is really cold and though I have a heater going in my office, I still trek back there several times a day with parts, use the restroom, etc.

 

[Layla]

Use the crutches. Whatever it takes to stay comfortable and get you to November 5th.
Below normal temps in my part of the world also. Can't we just have a little Fall?!!
As you know, the last weeks before surgery can be miserable and draining, both physically and mentally.
Continued wishes for your comfort!
@NanaKP

 

[Alitm]

@NanaKP I thought I'd come over to your thread to respond, as I tend to derail other folk's threads when not careful! No fracture for me, just a majorly complaining second hip.

We also had damp cold weather last week and this weekend. Yesterday I was really sore, op and non op hips, back etc. Today the sun is out and I feel better again. Up and down and all around this recovery.

I do believe our second hip is holding back the recovery of the first. I was perking along in my recovery quite nicely, but things have slowed down it seems. My left hip (#2) is catching more and more, particularly when I'm getting dressed, or stepping up the back door steps. It comes and goes and I never know when it is going to happen. I'm trying to be moderate in moving forward with #1's recovery, but never totally relying on #2!

I'm finding staying on a regular schedule with the tylenol is helpful, and the heating pad on the back and #2 hip when it is really damp out also helps. Bring on November.

You amazing me with keeping up with your business. I'd be on two crutches by the end of the day for sure. Get the support as much as possible.

Just read an interesting article yesterday, published in the Harvard medical school journal or some periodical published by Harvard...should have bookmarked it (stumbled over it when googling about assisted devices re: THR). It was about the general public's treatment of individuals using crutches vs. canes. Apparently the study showed that people were more spatially respectful and more helpful toward folks on crutches, vs. folks on canes. Interesting. The only exception was when at an orthopaedic convention, where the folks attending were equally respectful of and helpful to both folks using crutches AND canes!