@Josephine
Hi Josephine, Thanks for your response.....much appreciated.
1 & 2) I do understand Petechiae means rash. I also originally mentioned I read that one of the causes of the (rash) could be from blood clotting prevention protocol of which my surgeon prescribed 2x daily aspirin. I did mention this to the surgeons assistant when he returned my call. He neither confirmed, nor denied it as a possibility.
3) I do consider myself reasonably active. Trips to the bathroom, making coffee in the a.m. Putting together easy meals, basically plopping food on a plate and eating it at the table. I walk once every hour to two. I practice a flight of stairs (8) with my husband twice a day, do ankle pumps, quad sets, hamstring set, gluten set (supine) short arc quads, straight leg raises, long arc quads. Reps 10x holdings 5 seconds ea.
I do these 2x daily without pain, not pushing myself. I also practice walking across my livingroom with a cane but am still using a walker mainly for security. I'm off all drugs with the exception of the twice daily aspirin and one 500mg Tylenol for the overnight which I plan to try losing tonight.
I found my surgeon's directions for blood clot prevention not only excessive but extremely confining. I feel like a prisoner at times to the point of subjecting my poor husband to a mini melt down the other night. There was a discussion a few of us engaged in on Bonesmart days ago in regard to the plethora of protocol followed by surgeons across the country! I guess I'm left wondering how do we decipher who's right, who's wrong, who's excessive, who's dismissive? I tend to be a follower of rules. Both of my parents have had hip replacements, my dad both hips, my mom only one. They've healed without incident....to date.....seven years now for both. However, my dads, mother did have a history of blood clots. Having this in the back of my mind I decided I would follow my surgeons advice to the letter. When the surgeons assistant called me today I went over the TED socks, DVT cuffs, aspirin protocol again. He said going forward to continue with the TED socks, aspirin and use the DVT cuffs at least 50% of the time now that I'm further away from surgery.....Whew....a reprieve of sorts!
Lastly...wound dressing. Again, following instructions. My incision was closed with dissolvable under the skin stitches then glued closed. I could shower from Day One, just no submersion. Is there a greater risk of infection in changing it daily? With what I was given at discharge from the Surgery Center (supplies) if I didn't change it daily I'd have a soaked piece of gauze hanging on my incision each time I shower......puzzled?
I appreciate your time, expertise and advice, Josephine I love Bonesmart and the many kind, encouraging, sweet people I've interacted with. It's been a joy over the past few weeks to experience people reaching out to perfect strangers in love and care. It really is a beautiful thing.
A great weekend to you!
United States
