THR Just looking for support

[ddj]

I am 5 years post THR on the left hip. Now scheduled for THR on my right.
Wondering if there is a difference in recovery the second time around.
This time the surgery will be outpatient, also wondering what that will be like.
Five years ago I found this site and it saved my sanity.
My surgery date is April 19.

 

[Jaycey]

@ddj Welcome back to BoneSmart! You will soon be a member of the double hippie club!

My second recovery was much easier than my first. The main reason was that I didn't wait years for surgery. It makes all the difference in the world if you aren't limping around for years.

We are seeing many of our members having joints replaced as an outpatient. Your main priority on the day will be to get your pain management cocktail just right before you leave the hospital. Don't be afraid to speak up if you don't feel ready to leave. They won't kick you out!

 

[Layla]

Welcome back!
My surgery wasn’t out patient, but I was only there for 23 hrs which felt frightening when I first heard of the plan pre-op. So many are experiencing outpatient THR these days and seem to do very well. There’s no place like home for comfort and if your surgeon was concerned that you might not be a good candidate for out patient surgery, you’d be spending a night or two in the hospital. I’ll bet you do great!
Will be following your journey.
@ddj

 

[Eman85]

I can tell you that my 2 hips were completely different recovery wise. Both times were same OS and same program with early morning surgery and spent the night at the hospital. The feelings in my hip seemed different, 2nd one had log leg and flexibility past 6 weeks was different. On the other hand I learned and remembered from my first to do nothing that caused pain.

 

[Mersada]

Only a few weeks to go. Mine is April 16 Friday...Looks like yours will be the following Monday. I spend the weekend in the Hospital. Wish you luck. We will be recovering at the same time....hopefully, and easy recovery for both.

 

[ddj]

I do hope this recovery is better. Last time pain control was difficult, lots of emotional turmoil, felt very isolated. Although, with CoVid, isolation is now a normal state of being.
Hoping to be more positive in my attitude from the beginning in order to create a better ending

 

[Layla]

Recovery can be better! For one, you aren’t walking into this surgery blindly and have an idea of what to expect. Hopefully that eases some anxiety. You will most likely be more keenly aware of pain control if it was difficult the first time. Take your meds on schedule and if you feel they need to be adjusted, your surgeon is only a phone call away.
Ice and elevate often.

Covid is a reality, but things seem to be improving, so think on that. You can use this time to make some positive changes, or set some short term goals. Begin planning / prepping your recovery nest now. We’ll be around to offer encouragement and support when you’re in need. Make sure you have some reading to occupy your time and mind. Crossword puzzle books are another idea, also adult coloring books. You can plan out a vacation, start a Pinterest board, peruse home decor ideas on Houzz, start a recipe collection, play online games, watch Netflix, movies on the Hallmark Channel etc. Possibly family or close friends will drop by for a visit. Phone calls are also a pick me up and a way to help fill the day. Nothing like the support of a friend or loved one when we’re feeling lonely or isolated. Check out the Social Room here also, if you haven't yet. That can provide hours of entertainment through games and threads to read.

You’re as young as you’ll ever be and I’m sure you’ll do great. A brighter future without pain is just around the corner. Chin up...Life Is Good!
@ddj

 

[Deputy#265]

Had Birmingham hip resurfacing on left hip 2014 with posterior approach. Took several months to recover.
Almost three weeks post op for total hip replacement (dual mobility) with anterior approach. Was off of pain meds after the first week and walking unassisted after two weeks.
Two totally different procedures and two totally different recovery experiences.
Alot will do with your mindset and fitness level going into it. I am 50 years old and extremely active. I trained for both procedures as if I was training for a competition and it really helped with recovery.
Wish you luck and success.

 

[ddj]

My surgeon did give me a note book with post surgery PT exercises.

 

[Eman85]

My surgeon did give me a note book with post surgery PT exercises.

What exercises did they recommend? What did you do the first time?

 

[ddj]

The PT focus was on regaining my flexibility then on strength building. Used the stationary bike a lot in PT, walking with a balanced gait without cane or crutch
my concern is that last time my PT person was VERY impatient. I would come away from a session more painful which then precipitated a major depression. Took me 3 years to finally feel like I can cope. Obviously not going back to him. My plan is to follow the information from the surgeon and try it on my own. Another barrier is the cost for each visit
I think I remember last time that someone said walking is the best
PT.

 

[Celle]

I think I remember last time that someone said walking is the best
PT.

That's true. It's also true that hips don't need a lot of PT to get better, so what you're suggesting sounds like a good idea.

 

[Eman85]

Sounds like you've got a good plan. My OS told me to stay away from outside PT, they would hurt me. Walking is the winner for recovery, and it's not a race or a marathon. I walked as I could but concentrated on form, had to constantly slow down and know when to stop. I have friends that have had joint replacements and it's noticeable that they don't walk well and they have commented that I do. I know they went to outside PT and focused on that but not walking and when PT was over they didn't go walking.

 

[ddj]

Another random question. Majority of my discomfort is in my thigh and knee. Is that pain being referred from the hip? Getting harder to move around and seems to be getting worse faster than I expected. Very frustrating and exhausting. I am still working full time and spending weekends giving CoVid-19 vaccinations at the mass vaccination clinics.

I am moving so slow that I am stressed by all the tasks I need to get done before surgery.
Seventeen more days to go.

 

[Mojo333]

I feel sure that bad hip is causing your thigh and knee pain.
Long days do make it worse on horrible hips... And the way we end up compensating with how we sit, stand, and walk also cause different things to hurt. Leastwise, that was the case with me.
Sorry that the bad parts of your first THR are causing you to stress over this upcoming hip replacement. As others have said, all recoveries are different and I hope you can get through the next few weeks and stay positive.
If this is the same surgeon, I would remind him that your pain cocktail didn't seem sufficient for your first.
Your profession certainly had to lead to extra stress over this last year...
Sending virtual hugs for comfort and a stellar recovery this time.

 

[ddj]

Thank you. I will try and talk with him at the pre-op next week. The nurse teaching the class was not the best at giving clear information when I asked her about pain management. Actually addressed it only briefly and indicated that the pain was not that bad .... ”do-able” not even sure what that term meant!
Working on not worrying about, which I think will be the best thing to do right now

 

[Eman85]

I had referred pain with my right that went down to my foot, since the THR my foot hasn't hurt. Every one is different as far as pain goes. Best relief for me was my icing machine which was on me at the hospital as soon as I got to my room and I took it home with me. This should be something you have planned out in advance to make recovery easier. Plenty buy 1 ice pack and put it on for 10 mins. or less and don't get any relief. If you don't have an icing machine it will take multiple ice packs that you can rotate out and follow the recovery recommendations for length of time to ice. With my machine I would ice continuously, even when I slept, as it would stay cold for hours.

 

[Going4fun]

Yes, at one point I had excruciating knee pain, went to a knee specialist who took X-rays.

I enter his office and he calls up the X-rays and says, "your knees are fine. This is likely a hip issue."

 

[Celle]

Another random question. Majority of my discomfort is in my thigh and knee. Is that pain being referred from the hip? Getting harder to move around and seems to be getting worse faster than I expected. Very frustrating and exhausting. I am still working full time and spending weekends giving CoVid-19 vaccinations at the mass vaccination clinics.

I agree with Layla, that compensating for your bad hip is probably causing your pain.

Are you using a stick to take some of the load? If not, it might be a good idea.

 

[ddj]

Only a few weeks to go. Mine is April 16 Friday...Looks like yours will be the following Monday. I spend the weekend in the Hospital. Wish you luck. We will be recovering at the same time....hopefully, and easy recovery for both.