THR Kathi’s Jan 30 RTHR

[kathibean01]

Day 9! Patience is a good idea for me! I need to let my body heal!

I’m walking and icing! Still use walker but more for balance! Strange I still can’t lift my right leg from flat without help!

More PT tomorrow! I may get out to store and look for a cane to practice with! My sweet husband is always by my side! Need valentines for the grandchildren

I still use oxycodone at night along with muscle relaxant and ibuprofen during the day!

Learned to use Saran wrap in shower to ease worries on the suture covering getting lose! A nurse friend suggested!

Any cane suggestions? I’ll do a search of blog!

So thankful for you sharing your stories! I’m learning we all heal at different paces!

 

[Kritterkiddo]

Aww @kathibean01 I remember those days! Being out of that stabbing hip pain was euphoric for me.
I am a few months ahead and have to say yes, patience. I still treat my hip gently because it takes at least a year for it to heal. I am only a quarter o the way, so you are, like, 2/52 o the way!!

All the best!

 

[kathibean01]

Encouraging! I hadn’t prepared for such a long recovery! They made it sound like anterior was so easy! it’s not! Still a lot of disturbed muscles and tissues and everyone is wondering why Im taking so long to recover when I was home same day! Thankful for everyone sharing so I don’t feel pressured!

I may back off PT as I feel the need to rest ice and heal!

 

[Layla]

everyone is wondering why Im taking so long to recover when I was home same day!

Wow! Can they give you a minute?! You're home the same day because surgical techniques, anesthesia and pain management have all improved over the years allowing many to experience what is considered out patient if released within 23 hrs. You're likely low health risk and it was confirmed that you have support at home, that's why you're home the same day, not because you're healed. I realize that you understand this. It is too bad others have unrealistic and higher expectations for your recovery.

Your leg endured major trauma, in a very small area, albeit controlled. Your muscles, tendons, ligaments and other soft tissue is going to cause you discomfort and pain for a while yet. It's only been twelve days into a recovery that can take a full year and even longer for some. You're right where you should be, so no worries!

I may back off PT as I feel the need to rest ice and heal!

It is not necessary to exercise your injured hip to promote healing. The controlled trauma sustained through THR will heal on its own. Often though, we're impatient and want to move the process along. In doing so we run the risk of struggling with pain and setbacks stalling the healing process. The best therapy for recovery is walking, but not to excess. Start slowly increasing time and distance incrementally in an effort not to overdo it. Give yourself the TLC you deserve and reap the benefits of a successful recovery.

Happy Sunday, kathibean! I hope you have a great day and week.

 

[kathibean01]

Thank you! Happy Sunday to you too!

 

[Eman85]

You'll find that skipping PT icing and resting will cut down your need for any pain meds. Many that do too much PT too early on get into a cycle of pain and needing meds for it or meds to get through the PT when they step up the PT trying to recover faster.

 

[kathibean01]

Mine was Jan 30 and still recovering but almost done with walker! Using a cane!

i would talk to surgeon about PT! I like the bonesmart hip healing philosophy and wish I had discussed with surgeon! Mine sent me there too soon imho!

Prayers for successful surgery and recovery!

 

[Freyagirl]

Day 9! Patience is a good idea for me! I need to let my body heal!

I’m walking and icing! Still use walker but more for balance! Strange I still can’t lift my right leg from flat without help!

More PT tomorrow! I may get out to store and look for a cane to practice with! My sweet husband is always by my side! Need valentines for the grandchildren

I still use oxycodone at night along with muscle relaxant and ibuprofen during the day!

Learned to use Saran wrap in shower to ease worries on the suture covering getting lose! A nurse friend suggested!

Any cane suggestions? I’ll do a search of blog!

So thankful for you sharing your stories! I’m learning we all heal at different paces!

Get a cane that can stand up by itself, not one with a small tip. Then you can let go of it while standing at the counter and it won’t fall to the floor. A padded grip is great. Be sure there is a strap for hanging it - like on the door of a public toilet. Many canes come in bright colors - mine is tropical flowers and it makes me feel less like an old lady and more stylish.

 

[sistersinhim]

I‘ve moved your post above out of the Monthly team thread as we reserve that thread for surgery date information, and so members can see who else has surgery the same month. We prefer all other comments and discussions to take place in a pre-op or recovery thread, such as this one. So, I’ve started this Recovery Thread for you. Enjoy interacting with others who are on the same journey, here in this thread.

 

[kathibean01]

Day 9! Patience is a good idea for me! I need to let my body heal!

I’m walking and icing! Still use walker but more for balance! Strange I still can’t lift my right leg from flat without help!

More PT tomorrow! I may get out to store and look for a cane to practice with! My sweet husband is always by my side! Need valentines for the grandchildren

I still use oxycodone at night along with muscle relaxant and ibuprofen during the day!

Learned to use Saran wrap in shower to ease worries on the suture covering getting lose! A nurse friend suggested!

Any cane suggestions? I’ll do a search of blog!

So thankful for you sharing your stories! I’m learning we all heal at different paces!

Get a cane that can stand up by itself, not one with a small tip. Then you can let go of it while standing at the counter and it won’t fall to the floor. A padded grip is great. Be sure there is a strap for hanging it - like on the door of a public toilet. Many canes come in bright colors - mine is tropical flowers and it makes me feel less like an old lady and more stylish.

Thank you for your tip on canes! I never knew there were so many choices!

 

[kathibean01]

What do surgeons do at the first post op appointments? Guessing

xray
suture or bandage site check
blood work
answer questions

im still a few weeks away. This is day 12! Appt is not until 1/26!

Im using a cane more! still icing! Ibuprofen and 2 low dose aspirin! Odd feeling/swelling in suture knee area, anxiety producing!

oxycodone and muscle relaxant at night! Going to try to eliminate oxicodone tonight! Will continue muscle relaxant til empty!

PT! I plan to back off heel slides as I think they are causing unneded pain! Wondering about the next step machine!

Are most not doing PT?

 

[benne68]

Hi @kathibean01

The post-op appointments can vary a bit based on timing and the individual surgeon.

My surgeon does 2 week and 6 week post-ops. He does not take xrays at the 2-week appointment since some were taken right after surgery. He waits until 6-weeks out so he can see how the bone is growing around the implant. I've never had blood work at a post-op with either knee.

What my OS does do is: examine the incision to see how it is healing, check my extension and flexion, and watch me walk so he can assess my gait. He also asks questions about pain level, activity level. etc.

I'm sure you will hear from others about their experiences. But you should call the surgeon's office so you can find out what your individual surgeon does.
_ _ _

Please notice that I've merged your newest post with your original recovery thread. We ask that you have just one recovery thread for several reasons:

• It keeps all your recovery information in one place, making it easier for us to review your history before we provide advice.
• If you have multiple threads, you will miss posts and advice left for you in your original thread, and some information may be unnecessarily repeated.
• Having only one thread will act as a diary of your progress that you can look back on.

So please post any updates, questions or concerns about your recovery here. You may want to Bookmark this thread to make it easier to find. For more on how to navigate the forum, you can read through this article: https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/how-can-i-find-my-threads-and-posts.56840/

 

[Eman85]

Are most not doing PT?

Some do because everyone tells them the need to, but the ones that tell them have never had a THR or are making money from PT. In the first weeks you really can't build any strength on damaged muscles, they just need rest to heal.
Aspirin and Ibuprofen are NSAIDS and can be rough on your stomach.

 

[benne68]

Are most not doing PT?

My surgeon does not order physical therapy for his THR patients, except in cases where the person has other mobility issues. He insists that all you need to do to recover is, in his words, to "walk, walk, walk, walk, walk!" I recovered hip mobility completely without PT. Of course, you need to build up slowly!

 

[kathibean01]

Hi Benne68, I’m confused on how to stay within one thread. Do I go to my last post and quote it? I’m not sure! I want to give occasional status reports yet agree it needs to be in hip post op thread!

 

[Layla]

Good Morning kathibean,
While on your thread, you don't need to quote, unless you're specifically addressing a response someone left you, then you may want to quote. Another option is to tag a member if you want them to read a post of yours. You do that by placing this symbol -> @ in front of their name with no space in between or punctuation. I'll tag you as an example right here -> @kathibean01

When posting on your thread or any thread for that matter, go down to the open space below the last post, where you'll see your green identifying avatar and just begin typing.

Many choose to bookmark their thread in their computer browser, making it easier to locate while on the forum. How can I find my threads and posts?

A link to help you navigate the forum - How To Use This Forum

I hope this helps. Please let us know if you have additional questions and we'll do our best to clarify.
Happy Valentines Day!

 

[kathibean01]

I‘m into Week 2 and still swollen in thigh area below incision! I am still elevating and icing! I seem to have less pain and can now raise my right leg easily! My leg is still painful when I walk too much!

At physical therapy I pretty much do the same exercises and mostly I am doing them with little pain now! The leg is still stiff like muscles are still not awake! PT massaged the thigh area with a padded roller and it felt odd but good ! It seems something to start doing regularly with a small ball or rolling pin!
10 days from my post op visit!

Praying everyone‘s recovery goes well!

 

[benne68]

Hi @kathibean01. Glad you were able to find your way back to your thread!

I‘m into Week 2 and still swollen in thigh area below incision!

This is completely normal. My swelling lasted for two full weeks. Continuing to ice and elevate is the best way to get the inflammation down, so keep doing what you are doing.

At your next PT session, ask your therapist to show you some self-massage techniques so you can work on your muscles at home. Just be careful to avoid the incision until it is fully healed.

Good luck with you upcoming post-op visit. Keep us posted!

 

[MapleGroveMNGuy]

Are most not doing PT?

My surgeon does not order physical therapy for his THR patients, except in cases where the person has other mobility issues. He insists that all you need to do to recover is, in his words, to "walk, walk, walk, walk, walk!" I recovered hip mobility completely without PT. Of course, you need to build up slowly!

Sounds like my surgeon! Walk, walk, walk! However my initial walk days I tried to walk, walk, and walk! I was getting real sore and stopped after 3 minutes. I'm doing walks more frequently but for shorter periods of time and gradually building that up - stopping before the pain hits. I know my body and I know not to force something when I hurt. Simple response to the question "It hurts when I try to walk too long or too far" is "then stop"!
All my PT is at home, which I prefer. I agree with those who have said to be careful when working with PT's, especially early on. I had an overnight stay after my surgery and a session the next day with a Physical Therapist on what I should do when I get home. I'm 77 and in pretty good shape for my age but this was 24 hours after my operation and I was no way ready for what he wanted me to do.

 

[kathibean01]

i had my 4 week checkup! Doctor removed incision cover and all healed well! i told him about soreness in thigh region and how I got very tired after a few hours of activity! He said it is normal and that I’m still healing ‍! Swelling in thigh region will lessen as time goes by as you all have shared!

I asked about biking and only stationary bikes at 8 to 12 weeks!

He told me to keep taking aspirin and said I could travel in April but continue aspirin for DVT!

He said I could wrap my thigh with ace bandage for support!

I could probably lose the compression socks now!

Only showers not tubs or pools or hot tubs!

He approved 4 more weeks PT!

I take a cane with me but rarely need it unless I get on a low chair or toilet but it does help if I get really tired.

Each day I get a little less pain unless I over do!

I told him I wanted to post my scar and X-rays and he said he could share his too!

i guess he has a hip replacement himself! I will get my x-rays on the phone at my next checkup in April and share! I’ll share my scar after removing all his ink marks!

He said the tissue will be forming around the prothesus by 8-12 weend!

That‘s the news at 4 weeks! Thanks for all your support and guidance!