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THR I'm just a pup at 3 wks post op. Am I normal?!

Been away for awhile! Life has been busy and with this awesome weather we've been having I have spent most of my time outside! :flwrysmile:Welll... I'm officially 12 weeks post op! 12 weeks! I made it! :happydance:Things are going very well although with increased activity I get some swelling and discomfort, but again... NOTHING compared to pre op. I can't even really describe it as pain. I seem to be able to have a great day then a crappy day and keep going with that pattern. Very frustrating. Doctors appt on Monday to hopefully get cleared to start work next week:bawl: Although...I could totally get used to being a housewife butttttttttttt my bank account begs to differ. I'm very scared to start work and I will have some restrictions as far as going back. I work as a physical therapist assistant in a skilled nursing facility. Lots of lifting heavy patients, putting myself in awkward positioning to benefit the therapy I'm providing and not only that, I work as a colleague with my surgeon. I rehab a lot of his patients with joint replacements. Yeah, it was awkward being one of his patients especially since i was so young haha. So my job is very physically taxing and I'm terrified. Plus...it's been threee months... DO I EVEN REMEMBER HOW TO BE A THERAPIST?!? :yikes: I'm just stubborn at times and need to remember what I went through and remind myself that when I need help from other staff to ask.

But seriously, I just can't believe how life changing this whole thing was. I mean.... I can walk without feeling like my hip is out of place! And I feel as tho my gait pattern is so much better. I can't see myself walk but it FEELS better. I can do so much more than before the surgery and I haven't even been cleared for full twisting and lifting yet! That's crazy. Just crazy. I'm able to do stairs like a 'normal' person, I'm able to walk 1 mile on uneven ground/sand and hills which is rough but I can do it. Scooching (spelling?) I can almost do without UE assist and so much more I can't think of. Before this, I didn't want to move, every movement hurt. Besides the feeling of my hip being out of place it felt like there was gravel in the hip joint grinding with every movement. That's the best way I can describe it. When I had to demonstrate LE exercises to my patients I was unable to demonstrate on my left side. I couldn't' even do a LAQ (seated knee extension kicks). My patients could, WITH WEIGHTS ON! and heres their therapist sitting next to them unable to do it without weights. Embarrassing! :dead: Ugh.

My muscles are still tight but I am able to bend now and get my shoes and socks on without as much difficulty, but still not perfect. I can tie my shoes! YES! all by myself! :egypdance:I'm like a proud 6 year old!

I just wish that I had a concrete answer of when I can get back to working out, playing rec sports with family etc. In this three months I feel as tho I have gained weight which has always been struggle with me since....working out hurt so much! but now it doesnt hurt and I just want to jump right into EVERYTHING!) Maybe I will have more answers on Monday (I'll update with what was said).

But things are great. Hip is doing well. Hopefully the Doc feels the same way! :yes!:
 
[Bonesmart.org] I'm just a pup at 3 wks post op. Am I normal?!



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Your incision looks great! Glad you are feeling so good and glad your honest that your still having bad days too. I have a week to go until I go under the knife!
Can't wait to get to the other side! Best wishes to you in going back to work.


Candice, 29 yo. Rheumatoid Arthritis. Australia. Sequential unilateral THR June 1st 2016 and July 13th 2016 :)
 
I made it through my first work week. Only four days but I made it! (Celebrating this 'milestone' with a watermelon margarita) Heck yes. Pain wise... I had good days and bad. And really it was just ONE really, really bad day. Win. Swelling is the biggest issue, it just does not want to go down. But boy oh boy do I loveeeeeee my ice packs when I get home. Yup. Ice, ice baby. My coworkers are being amazingly helpful with lifting and 'scolding' me when I get caught doing something I probably shouldn't. Good news is I'm not as tired as I thought I would be and... Wait for it.... I'm able to demonstrate exercises to patients USING MY LEFT LEG AND NOT STRUGGLING!!!! Things are going well. :-)


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Great news, @HIPpieGal7! About everything except the swelling, that is. Sure hope that gets better soon. Terrific that you can even demonstrate exercises easily with your surgical leg!
 
It's great that you have such a supportive workplace! Going through recovery must give you a huge insight into what some of your clients are experiencing! Keep up the good work and let us know how you're getting on. It's nice to hear the longer term recovery stories to get a picture of normality returning!
 
That watermelon margarita sure sounds good. I am glad your first week back at work went so well. You are lucky to have the support of your knowledgeable workmates. You certainly have an advantage working with and being a physical therapist yourself. It must feel good to once again feel able to demonstrate any exercises your clients need and not just have to tell them how to do them while you sit down.

Your scar looks very neat. Your doctor, like mine did a good job there.

Hope you continue to recover without too many setbacks.
 
@Zelda I'm feeling....meh. I feel as tho I'm kinda having a setback, I'm having pain in my groin that is limiting me from easily getting in the car without lifting my leg up, putting on socks and shoes on the L, getting up and down from the chair etc. Has anyone else felt that? I'm frustrated because I was doing so good but now this is happening...idk...i'm very frustrated. I feel great walking, the pain I had before the surgery from walking is completely gone its just these other movements that are the issue. Also... i have developed increased swelling in my right knee ( opposite my surgical hip). It could be coincidence but i think it may also be to the fact that my whole life i have been walking "wrong" and now that its "right" my legs aren't used to it! The knee is almost more frustrating than my hip! Has anyone ever heard of "iliopsoas tendonitis"? or had this groin pain after surgery. I keep reminding myself that it is only six months and the job i have isn't exactly the best physcially for someone after a hip replacement. haha I'll take any advice! hehe!
 
Sorry to hear you're having a hard time. I don't have groin pain but I do have gait issues and I get weird knee/foot/back pain at times which my GP and physio both say is just getting used to walking "properly" again.

Maybe tag Josephine for advice?
 
Hey @HIPpieGal7 !! I just finished reading your thread and feel your pain/frustration/meh!! I had a L THR on April 18th. I too, felt pretty good (almost "normal" after only 12 weeks post op, But then the hip dislocated after I fell. 9 days later it dislocated again after rolling over in bed and I ended up having to have a revision surgery that same day. I'm now 6 weeks post op from my 2nd surgery, but still get pains in my groin from time to time. Very frustrating and please know that you are not alone in your frustration. I think I'm more frustrated because I am so much more non active than I was before my surgery because I'm afraid to move due to another dislocation. I'm getting help with that, but wanted you to know that I can relate. Good luck and you are in my thoughts!:flwrysmile:
 
I have not had this but the article gives lot of advice on stretches and treatment. Have a read and ask any questions.
 
I love your thread so uplifting and bright! I had my first replacement at your age...second at 29..and now at the tender age of 32 I am getting the right side done again (check my thread If interested). They told me I had that Illiopsoas syndrome...seems like something that happens after a replacement sometimes since they are in there stretching muscles and what not . They offered me a outpatient "release" and politely declined as I did not want to go through another surgery (that was 2 years ago). I told the I would deal with it. Good luck on your journey!!:flwrysmile:
 
@McDeeva..... what have you done for relief? Has it gotten any better? It's very frustrating!
 
Well it turned out that I told them I would deal with it...2 years later I couldn't deal with it anymore and scheduled the release...got prep blood work and I actually had an infection which I am in the throes of fighting as I type lol:dubious:
So it wasn't that particular issue, but my OS said many people got relief with that release procedure. Prior to knowing about my infection I was just taking a **** load of Aleve and Flexeril which was tearing up my stomach. So I didn't really have that issue per se...but when they told me I did I just took the pills and went on about my life. Looking back I feel it was kind of sad...I was still living in pain everyday. So I actually didn't have the IT band syndrome as my pain went away once they took the infected joint out and put in the spacer...and my treatment for myself when I thought I had the syndrome was..unorthodox lol. I was a rebel. Go figure :hog:

But when they though I had it they told me to stretch and exercise it. Somebody mentioned it getting release manually by like a chiropractor or something. It didn't sound pleasant so I declined..not even sure if it would have worked. I was using the bands and the foam roller. I was also doing yoga which helped a lot!! I hope it gets better for you love!:flwrysmile:
 
Starting a gentle stretching and strengthening routine. :/ didn't realize how weak I actually was on my left. Need to get back on a routine and hope this helps with my pain. If this doesn't help then, back to the OS I go :(


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So I had to make an appointment with my OS. They can get me in Friday. I can't do this and need some sort of answer and weight off my shoulders. Fingers crossed! Could use some good vibes sent my way! [emoji20]I'm terrified of what they would say.


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