THR If Your Surgery Is Postponed.....

[Texas1965]

I found in bed at night, a soft pillow between the knees, invaluable for helping to keep the hip in a better position and helping to find a more tolerable position for sleeping.

I have done the same, it's the only way to get to sleep some nights.

 

[SoKnotKidding]

I am going back to see my surgeon on Monday, I haven't been since January- too many things happened all at once to get scheduled before covid.
Plus, still working in teaching career I was/am unsure how long I would need to be out.
For scheduling now- there will be nothing available til late august- and that conflicts with start of the school year for sure.
So I am thinking of first week of November, the kids or I won't lose as much time then, and I will have them solid on classroom procedures and routines by then.
I also have lots of lower back pain and stiffness like others mentioned- I too thought it was a separate issue, but now I wonder!

 

[cannygirl]

I am still waiting and the pain is getting worse. My problem is exacerbated by the fact the my replaced left knee (2017) is swelling and warm. I guess my lopsided walk while waiting for the Right hip replacement, is putting more pressure on pressure on my left side. I try to cycle (electric assist) which is great but in winter not so good. Are there suggested exercises that can help? I fear that I may be waiting a few months yet and there is just no assistance here during the pandemic restrictions.

 

[Sigma1]

I would work on leg lifts on the floor or bed. Put your left foot adjacent to your right knee. Try to lift your straight right leg to match the angle of your left thigh.

If this is too difficult, then this would not be a good choice. If you can do 10 or more at a time, that would be good. You can do the non-operative leg too, but it's the operative right leg that will help the surgery most.

Also, I would look into getting a lift chair if you don't have one. Handy for more than one thing, but if they tell you to put your feet as high o higher than your head, that is maybe the only way to carry that out if you don't have a helper. Lift chairs come in different sizes, and can fit in quite well with normal furniture if you shop for that.

 

[Mojo333]

Hi @cannygirl
My sincerest sympathies for your long wait.
Even coming up on 5 years post BTHR, I can certainly recall the last 6 months before surgery.... the never-ending pain from bone-on-bone osteoarthritis, the sleeplessness, the depression....
I was still working...but just minimum walking, sitting, and standing caused pain and I can't imagine trying leg Iifts or other exercises.
I steamed my hips and back when home with a heating pad for a scintilla of comfort.

At best, I could control my weight with diet due to my lack of exercise... tried to eat healthier to keep my immune system cranking.
I also think if you concentrate on exercises for your arms and upper body that this will prove super helpful during recovery.
Having both hips done at once, my upper body strength enabled me to do more early days without assistance.

Once you get that new hip, you can work on regaining muscle tone and strength.

Staying positive is hard at this time, but I tried to get out and find distractions in order to stay sane.
Hope your date comes soon.

 

[Bodie’sMom]

Hi @cannygirl, I agree with Mojo. It’s tough, when the pain gets that bad. I found the only time I felt somewhat normal, was going for a drive, to get out of the house. I was advised to use a cane, to help me walk straighter and take some of the pressure off the bad side. Does a knee support help at all? I did have a groin, hip wrap, that helped, early on, but didn’t in later stages, when I couldn’t manage the pain, at all.

I am really sorry, you are going through this and hope this wave goes as quickly, as it came, so you can get your surgery soon.