THR Kelly's Right Hip Recovery

[myglasshalffull]

So right, no place like home, that's all I kept wishing for, just get me home!!!
Wishing you a relaxing day.

 

[skigirl]

I have to admit that I am in significantly more pain with hip. Iam glad Anna is here, I am having trouble moving because of the pain

 

[skigirl]

This hip scar is more to the side! The anesthesiologist was great though. I had GA and I woke up completely clear headed! Last time I was groggy for an hour or two. I have arthritis in my spine too so I don’t want anyone to touch my back. The anesthesiologist asked me what I wanted and said that either one would work!

 

[Layla]

Ugh! So sorry, Kelly. It sounds like wander03 is having a bit of a rough start also.
Hopefully with rest and lots of icing, you’ll get some times of relief.

I’m guessing you were noting differences between Spinal anesthesia vs General anesthesia? I had both with my THR. I felt a little groggy initially, but not for long at all. Then I was simply elated, most likely because surgery was over and I was awake, but I’m sure the drugs were contributing also.

It’s good your daughter is there to help today.

 

[wander03]

@skigirl I hope by now you are feeling better. I asked for and got pain meds about midnight, about 8:00 AM, and about noon. I am going to take them on a 4-hour schedule for at least the first week.

Candice, a PT, came in this morning and had me do some simple exercises, I think to make certain that I am mobile enough to function at home. She is supposed to come back between 2:00 and 3:00 after which I will be discharged.

I am not going into the difficulties I had yesterday, but I hope you will read my thread. It was a really rough day. My daughter worked out how to attach the video she made of me yesterday afternoon to one of my postings. It appears that BoneSmart is not set up for videos to be attached, only photos. But Jennifer is a bit of a tech guru, and she figured it out. I was really out of it.

My incision appears to be a bit slanted toward the outside of my left thigh, whereas the incision on the right thigh was basically straight down. I guess every case is different, even for the same person. Jennifer said Dr. Bradshaw said my left hip was far worse than my right hip; that it barely moved in the socket. He said he could barely move it. But, he said, it is perfect now, and the legs are even. What more can a person ask!

I have not had much pain today except when I get up to walk, but that probably is attributable to the pain meds I’ve had regularly.

i read through my entire recovery thread from my first THR on Sunday evening. I enjoyed the walk down memory lane. Because that recovery went so well, I thought this one would be the same. Not the same yesterday, but things are looking up today.

Hang in there, girl. You will be feeling much better soon.

 

[Elf1]

@skigirl happy to see that you're home and hope that by now you are resting comfortably. Try your best to get some sleep tonight and hopefully tomorrow will be a bit better.

 

[skigirl]

Vi have to admit that this is a I’m in significantly more pain this time than last time. I get a lost of pain with every step. It is a burning pain from my incision. I can barely walk today! I am goin to drag myself downstairs to get a shower in the walk in shower. I am hoping that will help!

So far I have been taking 5 mg of oxy and 650 mg of acetaminophen every four hours but nothing drives the pain away completely. By this time with my first hip I was walking with one crutch.

 

[Layla]

Ugh..that’s really unfortunate. Hopefully the shower makes you feel a bit better along with some steady icing. It is amazing how recoveries do vary even with the same person. I hope the pain eases as the day progresses.
@skigirl

 

[skigirl]

Me too Anna is going home tommorow!!

 

[skigirl]

Yes finally the pain is backing off and my son in law will come over tomorrow to help me too!!! I can already mov a lot faster. I am ready move around again

 

[Zoebichon]

Skigirl! You are only 2 days out! Not much moving around is necessary! Potty and kitchen only!

 

[skigirl]

Yay Anna covered my kitchen chairs today and I made a tablecloth from this fabulous fabric she found, I have not used my sewing machine since Bob died. Yikes welcome back to life Kelly, I obviously feel better today although I seem to have log leg which I did not have last time,

 

[Layla]

Oh my, I don’t know what to say. You made a tablecloth, today?!!
Is Anna afraid to leave you alone? I would be if you were my mom.
What‘s on the agenda for tomorrow…I’m afraid to ask.
@skigirl

 

[skigirl]

Layla, Anna and I are alike in many ways!!she did all the hard work. Today I feel much better and now I understand how folks could use help the first three days I don’t know what I would have done without Anna, Sophia and my daughter, Liz!! Anna flew in from Ann Arbor ,Michigan and I was not sure I needed help!! She insisted and oh my gosh did I need her! With this hip I had a lot more pain and I realize that I have had “log leg” so that I could not stand by myself!!! Today I can walk around without the walker and one cruch!!

Anna even ran out last night and got some light plastic to cover the tablecloth while my grandchildren are here!!!

My pain is now localized to my incision and that right leg is finally moving on its own!!!

 

[Layla]

Wow, you’re doing amazing then, really. It took me 11-12 days to part with the walker and move onto a cane for about a week. It’s good your daughter insisted on coming, Kelly. She will feel much better leaving since witnessing the progress you’ve made and now have a visual of how you’re going about daily life. Hopefully icing relieves the incision pain, even if it’s only temporarily at this point.
@skigirl

 

[skigirl]

Layla here is how my kitchen table now looks!! It had ugly , dirty white chair covers before me no no

 

[Layla]

Oh wow! It’s so fresh, cheerful and colorful. Bravo…good job!
White probably isn’t the best color for dining chair covers. Especially if there are kids in the picture.

I hope you’re resting comfortably today and any pain is well controlled.
Happy holiday weekend! It’s gonna be a long one.
@skigirl

 

[skigirl]

Oh I am dreading this weekend! My poor little corgi has big ears. She trembles when she hears thunder. Last night it rained so only a few fireworks! But she gets scared. Last year she was in my lap for hours!

I am so surprised to still nr taking the oxy. Last time I took one total! This time it is e Rey four hours!

 

[skigirl]

I just tried to do my OneStep exercises and my right leg will not move to the right! I can do clamshells on my left side but cannot lie on the right side. I was so surprised that I cannot move my right leg to the side! Is this “logleg”. How long will this last?

 

[Layla]

Log Leg - your brain is telling your leg to move but the muscles and soft tissue have been so traumatized that there's no reaction. It normally doesn’t last very long. If you’re having difficulty lifting your leg into bed, try using the belt from a bathrobe for greater ease.

Here is a more detailed explanation of Log Leg -
The first stage of healing is the inflammatory phase. During this time it is very common to notice swelling. After lower extremity surgery, or trauma involving bleeding and inflammation, there will be fluid in the leg causing the sensation of heaviness. Gravity pulls the fluid downward and since the patient is less mobile the fluid is not pumping back through the heart as quickly. The swelling gradually eases, but can persist for up to 3-6 months in some cases. Regular movement will assist in the reduction of swelling, as will elevation and ice.

BoneSmart wasn’t involved with OneStep during my recovery and I’m not familiar with their exercises. I am not sure if you remember, but Josephine (BoneSmarts Nurse Emiritus for those reading here and wondering who, Josephine is) frowned upon clamshells as especially hard on IT Band. Just a FYI. Possibly you did them without any issue while recovering from your first THR?

Clamshells - especially hard on the IT band