THR It is done

[Leftielouie]

I just looked at my wound. Looks like a piece of corned beef in the deli case.

 

[myglasshalffull]

Yes, first glance the surgery area looks a little scary but mine healed & scar so small now & almost can't even see it.

 

[Leftielouie]

Day 6, I can't believe that! Consumed all of my oxi, not all at once, 20 over 6 days, so not over doing, but I still have pain. Ice helps. Elevation helps. What else can I do?

 

[benne68]

The fact that you are still struggling with pain at this point is completely normal for less than a week out of surgery.

How often and for how long are you icing and elevating during the day? At six days post-op, I was still icing & elevating for 45 minutes every hour.

Are you taking any other medication for pain? Tylenol can help if you take the proper dosage: 2 extra strength tables (500 mg each) every six hours (4 times a day). Just be sure none of your other medications contain acetaminophen. It's important not to exceed 4000 mgs/day.

Remember that it's important to stay ahead of the pain by taking them on a regular schedule. As a reminder, here is a link to the pain management chart https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads...ing-pain-after-a-tkr-and-the-pain-chart.7969/

 

[Leftielouie]

I am not icing that frequently.probanly 3 times a day. Yes, taking 1000 Tylenol every 8 hrs. Doesn't seem to do anything. The night is the worst!

 

[AlanInAZ]

taking 1000 Tylenol every 8 hrs. Doesn't seem to do anything.

You can add NSAIDs to Tylenol. I used Celebrex but others like ibuprofen or naproxen might help if you want to avoid narcotics.

 

[Leftielouie]

taking 1000 Tylenol every 8 hrs. Doesn't seem to do anything.

You can add NSAIDs to Tylenol. I used Celebrex but others like ibuprofen or naproxen might help if you want to avoid narcotics.

Also taking Meloxicam. Says on my paperwork to not take any other nsaids.

 

[benne68]

taking 1000 Tylenol every 8 hrs.

You can increase the frequency to every 6 hours. The limit is 4000 mg.

 

[Leftielouie]

Ok. Thanks

 

[Eman85]

Ice for long periods of time, most don't ice long enough to see the benefits.

 

[Leftielouie]

My PT told me to ice for 15-20 minutes at a time. Anything over that is not harmful, but you don't see the benefits.

 

[Layla]

Hi and Happy Wednesday, Leftielouie!

Why Does BoneSmart Recommend Icing for Longer Periods of Time Than Advised by My Physical Therapist?

Icing for up to twenty minutes only is what most of us have heard or been advised to do following an injury. Following joint replacement, ice is a critical part of pain management and should be used not only on the joint, but any surrounding areas of discomfort for as often and as long as you're comfortable doing so, always placing fabric between your skin and the ice source. Icing helps bring relief from the soft tissue trauma and internal swelling. Icing is a great natural pain reliever and best of all, it's free. While some care providers do put a maximum time on icing, others suggest you ice as often as you see fit.

Icing after therapy, exercises, or prolonged activity that challenge ROM and endurance should help ease any discomfort, or preventively keep pain at bay. You may find relief through icing for weeks to months post op.

Obviously it's up to you, but rest assured a multitude here have iced way more frequently than advised by their PT's, with a positive result and no ill effect.

Enjoy the rest of the week as you continue healing!

 

[benne68]

but you don't see the benefits.

During my first two weeks post-op, I iced for 45-60 at a time, pretty much all day long. I would get up a walk around a bit and do some gentle stretching in between icing sessions.

I noticed a huge difference in my pain level and in how quickly my swelling went down compared with my first TKR, when I did NOT ice as consistently.

So, yes, many of us do see benefits from icing longer.

 

[Campervan]

@Leftielouie my surgery was one day before you. I had anterior approach. Having had two TKRs previously I was ready with the ice. I find it really does help with pain. I'm taking paracetemol and diclofenac plus baby aspirin.

The other thing I learned from Bonesmart is not to rush things and not to overdo it. And also not to get down when reading others threads who might be recovering quicker as no two hips or knees recover the same, not even on the same body. My first TKR was very slow recovery, my second very quick.

 

[Leftielouie]

Thanks. I have posterior approach. That's what my surgeon does and I picked him for his results. I actually think I am having a bad reaction to the meds, or lack there of, now. Still dizzy and have a headache. I am icing and it does help. Super sore and painful

 

[Campervan]

I read to choose your surgeon and take their approach. My physio recommended my surgeon because of skill and also because physio thought he was a good fit for my personality and he was correct.

I had morphine in hospital and threw up within 10 minutes and could see the empty capsule in the sickbag.

I don't know about the dizzy feeling but I'm sure one of the bonesmart staff will comment shortly. I do get the headaches, especially when I first wake in the morning and I take my first 1000mg of paracetemol and its bye bye headache.

 

[Leftielouie]

My cousin had hip replacement decades ago and had an allergic reaction to morphine. I had low blood pressure in the hospital. Also saw in my records , they were watching me for a blood transfusion, but didn't think I needed it. I just started taking my vitamins again. Always have a problem drinking enough water. My Tylenol seems to have no affect on my headache or dizziness.

 

[luvcats]

Apparently there are some people who don't get pain relief from morphine or really any narcotics. I am utterly horrified. My best friend not only doesn't get pain relief, but it makes her very, very sick to her stomach.
Bodies are so weird.

 

[Eman85]

Seems like we almost all have low blood pressure post op, we lose quite a bit of blood. Proper nutrition post op is very important to rebuild the blood and soft tissue.
Right out of surgery they had an icing machine on me and left it on continuously until I went home and they gave it to me to keep using. They didn't get the memo that it didn't work and I'm glad, ice was the best relief. The benefit is comfort and they said it wasn't harmful, what's to lose?

 

[Leftielouie]

I feel better today. Actually, yesterday was the best I felt post surgery. Not my hip really, but me, my body. Did wake up in pain at some point and now I have an almost aggravated nerve pain.
I am struggling trying to eat well since I don't have much of an appetite.