Bilateral THR Jad26 in recovery

[cold_brew]

4 weeks is still early times, there’s a long way (up!) still to go!

 

[Eman85]

Overall im happy with how things are going but i dont know what i should be doing 4 weeks post op like should i be completely pain free? Is it normal to have some days where the pain is worse? When can i not worry about resteictions? Lol just a bit confused seems like im stuck

4 weeks, you're doing fine, you might not be progressing for a week or so but it will happen. Judging ROM or wanting to be pain free at 4 weeks is a little too optimistic. Takes quite a while to be to the point you forget about your hip, I don't think there is any point of pain free as I still have stiffness and random pains from muscles in my hip area. At 4 weeks walking is great but measuring speed and distance didn't work for me. Walking for form in short distances did more and caused less pain. ROM improves as the muscles heal and you can slowly and easily stretch them. I know from having 2 THR's that no 2 are alike. It takes it's own time for the muscles to allow themselves to be stretched and release. Forcing them just causes undue pain.

 

[Kanne]

Really early to do away with restrictions. Waiting for the bone to grow in. 12 to 28 weeks? I am right behind you at almost 3 weeks... can't wait to have it all come together now!

 

[Layla]

Overall im happy with how things are going but i dont know what i should be doing 4 weeks post op like should i be completely pain free? Is it normal to have some days where the pain is worse? When can i not worry about resteictions? Lol just a bit confused seems like I'm stuck.

First, I am sorry you were sick, Glad you're feeling better. Being sick is never fun, especially when you're recovering from major surgery.

What really helped me was the Activity Progression For THR. It is pretty conservative and is only a rough gauge, but it gives you some idea of what you can safely do. Check it out and see what you think
Activity Progression For THR

I agree that pain at four weeks, off and on, is not uncommon. Your body is still in healing mode, but activity can also be the cause. I should say "over activity". What are the restrictions you're wondering about? Consider calling your OS's office for direction if he didn't clarify a length of time for any restrictions you're under.
Happy One Month Anniversary! I hope you have a nice week!

 

[Jad26]

Thank you guys for the replys. Maybe im overdoing it a bit with the walking as last thurs and fri i walked alot and now for some reason my right side is still really sore is this normal? Its been 3 days since friday and i went for a walk today and had to turn back as i got really sore. I dont know if its from overdoing it on previous days or something might be wrong which is why i had a fever? Its worrying me now it only feels sore if i walk a distance outside and its fine when im indoors. Dont know what to do is this normal i thought i would be getting better not worse

 

[Jad26]

Overall im happy with how things are going but i dont know what i should be doing 4 weeks post op like should i be completely pain free? Is it normal to have some days where the pain is worse? When can i not worry about resteictions? Lol just a bit confused seems like I'm stuck.

First, I am sorry you were sick, Glad you're feeling better. Being sick is never fun, especially when you're recovering from major surgery.

What really helped me was the Activity Progression For THR. It is pretty conservative and is only a rough gauge, but it gives you some idea of what you can safely do. Check it out and see what you think
Activity Progression For THR

I agree that pain at four weeks, off and on, is not uncommon. Your body is still in healing mode, but activity can also be the cause. I should say "over activity". What are the restrictions you're wondering about? Consider calling your OS's office for direction if he didn't clarify a length of time for any restrictions you're under.
Happy One Month Anniversary! I hope you have a nice week!

Restrictions like bending over to pick things up or certain stretches that open up the hips. I didn't really get told anything so i dont know lol. Thank you! Have a great week

 

[Layla]

Use the golfers reach for bending over

 

[Jad26]

Use the golfers reach for bending over

Ok thank you i will try that ive just been bendinf over with knees bent but cant reach the floor yet feels like its never going to come. Regarding the sore pain on the right i was talking about i managed to just walk to my local shop and have lunch by the river and there was no pain? I did take it slower as ive been trying to walk at fast speeds and i think this causes the sorness so i need to calm down a bit lol

 

[Layla]

Yes definitely use the golfers reach. You'll get into the habit easily enough. I think you're wishing for things that will come naturally with time, but not at only one month out from bilateral replacement. You have to keep in mind that this surgery can take a full year to recover from and many notice improvement into their second and even third years post op. Let your body heal first, from the "controlled trauma" of this major surgery, these other things will come.

Lunch by the river sounds so nice as my day across the pond is only just beginning with coffee and a little check in on my BoneSmart friends. I'm happy to read your pain is gone and I am sure it was probably from overactivity as that's most often the case early on. So orders from headquarters - s-l-o-w down.
Give yourself the TLC you deserve right now.
@Jad26

 

[Jad26]

Yes definitely use the golfers reach. You'll get into the habit easily enough. I think you're wishing for things that will come naturally with time, but not at only one month out from bilateral replacement. You have to keep in mind that this surgery can take a full year to recover from and many notice improvement into their second and even third years post op. Let your body heal first, from the "controlled trauma" of this major surgery, these other things will come.

Lunch by the river sounds so nice as my day across the pond is only just beginning with coffee and a little check in on my BoneSmart friends. I'm happy to read your pain is gone and I am sure it was probably from overactivity as that's most often the case early on. So orders from headquarters - s-l-o-w down.
Give yourself the TLC you deserve right now.
@Jad26

Thank you! Your message has put me at ease. Yes your right exactly im overthinking and wishing things to happen to soon my brain just seems to tell me im not doing enough like strengthening my leg muscles or working on range of motion. I just need to relax a bit and let the healing happen. I will continue with the walks at a slower speed and i have a indoor bike i can also use. Have a lovey day all the best!

 

[Eman85]

Restrictions like bending over to pick things up or certain stretches that open up the hips. I didn't really get told anything so i dont know lol. Thank you! Have a great week

Just think about where the incision is and how they rotated your femur to get the head of it to that spot. That's the movement that would put strain on the stretched muscles and allow possible dislocation.

 

[Jad26]

Restrictions like bending over to pick things up or certain stretches that open up the hips. I didn't really get told anything so i dont know lol. Thank you! Have a great week

Just think about where the incision is and how they rotated your femur to get the head of it to that spot. That's the movement that would put strain on the stretched muscles and allow possible dislocation.

I had anterior so incision is at the thats where most of the sorness come from is that area and the side of hip

 

[Jad26]

7 week update. Hips seem to be doing really well a little sorness now and then on the side but nothing major that requires any type of painkillers. My walking is really good and i can finally lift my legs to get on to a bike something which was impossible beforw surgery. I can walk quite a good distance still not able to get shoes and socks on quite yet but can touch my foot when in a seated position really happy with how my hips are. A few negatives i still feel really warm sometimes especially at night i dont know if the medication i started for my inflammatory arthritis condition but yeah im very warm. Unfortunately my knees are really playing up still i have a sharp pain on the outside of my left knee that really hurts when going downhill or down stairs but going up is not a problem. Both knees are swollen and stiff its really annoying cause if it wasnt for my knees i feel i would be doing even better in hoping the medication can bring the swelling down as i dont want any steroid injections again

 

[Jad26]

If anyone has any solutions for knee pain and swelling would love to hear thanks guys

 

[Woodstockhip]

Have you tried icing?

 

[Jad26]

Have you tried icing?

I have iced a few times but to be honest not everyday no maybe i should do it a few times a day and see how it goes. Ive always struggled with knee problems but since the surgery my knees are worse than before surgery it started getting worse around week 4. Are the knees affected in hip replacement surgery?

 

[Woodstockhip]

I think in many cases, ice is the magic bullet. I flop my icepacks all over my body as needed. Right now, my lower back. Earlier today, my knee. Before that, my operative hip. Knees are most definitely affected in hip replacement surgery. They have to be man-handled when the hip is being dislocated and, since everything is connected in there, muscles are pulled and tendons are stretched. I highly recommend icing and elevating -- prop your leg up on a pile of pillows and see if it helps. Good luck!

 

[Jad26]

I think in many cases, ice is the magic bullet. I flop my icepacks all over my body as needed. Right now, my lower back. Earlier today, my knee. Before that, my operative hip. Knees are most definitely affected in hip replacement surgery. They have to be man-handled when the hip is being dislocated and, since everything is connected in there, muscles are pulled and tendons are stretched. I highly recommend icing and elevating -- prop your leg up on a pile of pillows and see if it helps. Good luck!

Thank you for the information i will definitely start icing the affected knees on a regular basis i do elevate but it only seems to help a little bit lets hope the ice can help

 

[Layla]

Are the knees affected in hip replacement surgery?

The knee is often manipulated rather aggressively during the dislocation process. I would suggest icing also as Woodstockhip did above.
Give it a dedicated try several times per day hips / knees both, whatever bothers you. Try to do it for no less than 45 minutes each time. Take care to always place fabric between the ice source and bare skin. I hope you find relief soon.
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/ice-to-control-pain-and-swelling.5493/

 

[Jad26]

Thank you!