THR Joydiver in recovery

[joydiver]

Hello All ! I haven't posted for a while but I've been reading and learning - and appreciate all the great expertise that's shared on this website !!

I had my TRHR done on March 30, with a posterior approach. Of course I've had some ups and downs and I've learned to expect this, so my expectations of my recovery are now more realistic .

My pre-op pain was SO bad that I scheduled surgery as quickly as possible, which didn't leave much time for prepping the house, etc. When I got home, I realized that ALL of our seating was way too low - and we had to drag lots of pillows whenever I wanted to sit down, but it wasn't always comfortable or as safe as I'd like to conform to the posterior restrictions.

Luckily I found a company that sold a special seating cushion for use after hip replacement - its a dense cushion with more support than my pillows and has a lower, gradual cut-out for my right leg (of course they sell a left leg version also). Cost about $35 and its been well worth it for my situation - excellent on wooden dining chairs, couches and also in the car. My home PT and Visiting Nurse had never seen this and both thought it was very useful. Hope this is helpful for someone else - don't recall the company name but if anyone wants to know, I'll be glad to find it.

Also wanted to get feedback re: Posterior vs Anterior Hip Replacements - I didn't have time to research this and so I had Posterior. I'm doing ok but it's a bit tough to remember the restrictions for 6 weeks. Does anyone have comments about their recovery with Anterior and pro's and con's with this approach ?

Thanks for any feedback !

 

[Jaycey]

Also wanted to get feedback re: Posterior vs Anterior Hip Replacements - I didn't have time to research this and so I had Posterior. I'm doing ok but it's a bit tough to remember the restrictions for 6 weeks. Does anyone have comments about their recovery with Anterior and pro's and con's with this approach ?

I am certain you will get plenty of input on this about how anterior approach is the only way to go - recovery is quicker and no muscles are cut. All marketing hype! Anterior and posterior approach recovery is the same. It's the same surgery with the same result. And no muscles are cut using posterior either.

These days many surgeons are not imposing restrictions - even those using approaches other than anterior. I had lateral for my RTHR. No restrictions and a quicker recovery. But it has nothing to do with the approach. It's all down to the surgeon and their experience.

 

[joydiver]

Just noticed the NY Times had an article in the Health Section on Monday about hip/knee replacements and recuperating at home. I added a comment and mentioned that the BoneSmart website was a great resource - it may take a while for the comment to be approved & published. There are already 135 comments so not sure how many people will see mine

Here's the article if you'd like to read it: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/24/...lights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront

 

[Jaycey]

Thanks for sharing this article and for your support of BoneSmart! Echos what we say here about going it alone post op.

 

[labanan]

Hi Joy,
Thanks for visiting me. You are a week ahead of me in recovery - my op was a month ago today. So weird. I did as you suggested with adding cushions to the love seat so I could watch a show with my fella. Worked pretty good but I did have a lot of discomfort last night. Nights are a drag! I did manage to actually spend part of the night sleeping on my good side - a first since the surgery.
Today I go see the physio for first time since flying back from St. Anthony. Little nervous as I've completely adopted the BoneSmart approach!
I'll post later with how it went.
Keep on keepin' on.

 

[joydiver]

Hi Jan - yes the recovery does seem to be dragging for me too. Glad the extra cushions on the loveseat helped a bit. Strangest thing for me is I'm napping a lot - something I never do.

Laughed at your grabber story you posted elsewhere - those tools are flimsy but I've finally started using them too.

Good luck with your PT visit - I try to do less than what they suggest and my guy is not pushy [emoji122]

Sad day for the US yesterday for healthcare - and today we start having Pres visits to his golf club in a nearby NJ small village. Ugh !

Going to see local production of play Noises Off tomorrow night - a silly British comedy which will be a a lot of laughs - perfect distraction !

Enjoy the weekend [emoji106]


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[labanan]

Love Noises Off! Excellent fun.
Sorry for your country's collective loss. Jayzus but it must be hard. Last week's New Yorker had a positively scathing article on the golfer and a long piece on his wing man Bannon as well. Yikes!
My PT was a student who looked like a young superman. I was straight with him. Did one set of exercises today of the two sets recommended. I also went on two wee walks!
Later...

 

[joydiver]

Most amazing thing about Noises Off was that this tiny local theatre group built the incredible front & back 2-story set with all the doors for the cast to dash through, in a temporary location. Highly energetic cast too - I was exhausted just watching the shenanigans !

Glad your PT has started off well. I'm still having various pains around my knee and shin, along with stiffness. I'm going to do even LESS PT at home to see if that helps - hoping it's not caused by spinal stenosis [emoji33]. My PT also said the rainy, cool weather may be a factor - so glad we have some sunshine today [emoji295]️

Just watched Obama's speech - what an inspiration he still is and glad he's going to stay in the public eye.

May go to a healthcare protest this week - if so, will be in the comfort of my rolling transport chair [emoji4]

Happy Monday !


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[labanan]

Yep - that show is a stage manager's nightmare but such a fun idea.
As to PT - I awoke at 1AM in lots of pain - up for 2 hours so definitely not doing it today. Gah! I'll go for my walks though it is raining here. I'll check out the Obama speech - since I went off Facebook I never know what's going on! Which, I guess, is the reason I went off.
Later...