I'm New Here

[clwhit]

Hi! Had a RTHR on June 25, 2008. Was in the hospital for 5 days then went to a rehab center for 4 more days. I've been home for 2 weeks now.

I feel my recovery has been remarkable. Immediately after surgery, I no longer had the deep, nauseating pain I'd been living with for the past two years. What a relief. I've had pain from the incision but nothing like what I dealt with before.

I'm using a walker to get around. My OS has restricted me to 60-70% weight bearing on my right leg until I see him again on July 22nd. I feel I could bear more weight but am being a "good girl" in following my doctor's instructions. I have a PT who comes to the house to work with me 3 times a week. She is amazed that I'm able to do as much as I can at this early date. In fact, when I was two weeks out, she thought that I was at four weeks!

My only setback is that I have a 3 cm opening in my incision. Fortunately, it does not have signs of infection. A nurse comes to the house 2 times a week to check on it. I am using aquacel in the "hole." My, that is some powerful stuff to help it heal. I also have some swelling in my thigh below the incision that becomes pretty painful when I do too much.

I look forward to reading each of your posts and updates on your recoveries. Thank goodness there's a site like this we can all come to to share our experiences.

-Carol Ü

 

[Sofa King]

Carol,

Hey! Welcome Sweetheart!! I read your post, and I'm not sure I understand about the 3 cm incision opening, and it's reason or cause by your Surgeon, but I'm sure it has a good REASON! Please explain! I'm a 38 y/o M, 6 week post op LTHR... and I want to know! It's great you've joined us, and feel free to PM any of us, if we can help, or to keep posting, and we'll do our best to answer...

~Dalton

 

[JudyS]

Welcome Carol

I am in So Cal and am 6 weeks post a right hip replacement. Please post with any questions or comments, one of us as probably been in the same situation!!

Judy

 

[clwhit]

Hi Dalton:

Don't really know the reason for the opening. At 8 days postop, my OS removed some of the staples to relieve some pressure. He replaced the staples with steristrips. I think that is most likely the cause of the opening. It seems to be healing slowly but surely.

Carol

 

[jacihull]

WELCOME HOME!
I know,it's so exciting how much progress you can make in a day. I'm 16 days out and am moving around with a cane and riding my scooter. (can't drive yet)
Could be that the opening is from a drain that they put in the incision to drain blood from the surgical area. I had one in my hip a few inches below the incision and it was removed on the 3rd day by the surgeon.

 

[Josephine]

It's just delayed healing by the sound of it. Sometimes if there is excess swelling, some staples will be removed to release the tension. It's then not uncommon for the skin edges to separate. In this case, healing has to be by what is known as 'second intention' which takes quite a bit longer as the wound is healing from the bottom up. Hence the use of the Aquacel dressings which encourage this healing.

Hi, Carol. Welcome to BoneSmart.

 

[chaloo]

Carol

Welcome to the forum.

I had RTHR on 25/04 this year. I hope everything will work out fine with you. Take care.

Jaz

 

[clwhit]

Thank you all for the welcome. Josephine, I believe you are right on with what's going on with my incision. Tomorrow will tell as I go to my OS for a follow-up. Will keep you posted.

 

[sunshine]

Hi Carol Welcome, you can tell us everything the Doc said when you come back. My incision opened later on but they found some stitches in it that never disolved so it got a little poofy and they opened it more aghhhhh That hurt! Now it is ok and back in the pool avoiding the heat here. Hope all is ok!!

 

[clwhit]

Hello All:

Had my follow-up appointment with the OS today (tomorrow will be 4 weeks post-op on my RTHR). He said things look good! Will allow me to put 100% weight on right leg or as tolerated. Said I could drive in two weeks. Will also be able to begin using a cane then and will return to work!

Regarding my opening in the incision, he put me back on antibiotics and said we need to continue to watch it. He said it was due to fat necrosis. When I looked it up online it didn't make sense. He said that he'll have to open it up and restitch it if it doesn't heal soon. If this is the worst of my recovery what a breeze.

Now for a question to you all. I've mentioned to my OS, VN, and PT that from time to time I get a sensation in my incision that sends a chill down my leg then gives me goose bumps. They all say that I'm the first to ever describe such a sensation and don't know what it could be. I'm thinking it's probably my nerves healing. Anyone out there have something similar happen to them?

Thanks for all of your comments and support. Talk to you soon!

-Carol Ü

 

[*gmac*]

Carol-
Welcome to the forum. Before I forget; when your ready for the cane you will hold it with your left hand. Going back to work at 6 weeks? Desk job?
-Gary

 

[clwhit]

Gary:

Thanks for the tip with the cane. Unfortunately, I had to use one for almost a year prior to my surgery so I'll be good to go in two weeks when I begin using it again.

Yes, I guess you could say I have a desk job. I'm an elementary principal. I am on my feet quite a bit, too. Fortunately, I am able to dictate the amount of walking and sitting I do each day.

Carol