THR Long, Long Wait - Rhonda K's Recovery

[Rhonda K]

Added to my list. Thanks Beachgal!


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[Carriemay60]

@Rhonda K Yay on getting those staples out! May I ask why your Teds are hanging on the line and not being burned?

Also, add Nair to your grocery list; you will begging for it in the next week or two ~ someone has to help you though Not only does it feel good to get the hair off but it sloughs off a good bit of dead skin too!

 

[Rhonda K]

Hi there @Carriemay60, well actually My plan was to bury them in my backyard, but then the nurse that took my staples out burst my bubble. She just had to do it. Haha. Told me if I go on a car ride over an hour I might want to put them on. An hour really? With our traffic in So Cal that could be a shopping trip. Or if flying. That one I could maybe see. So it was hard, but I washed them and asked my hubby to put them somewhere where I won't see them haha. Yep have my Nair ready to go. Nurse said because a couple of my staples were imbedded (no wonder, after four weeks) and they bled a bit, not to take a shower for two days. So have to wait. We sure do wait a lot.........

Walking a little further each day, not very gracefully all be it with walker, but really need to get my tight thigh muscles and knee too to loosen up. Really working on bending that knee with each step. Didn't have any knee problems before but no telling what direction it was forced into during surgery. At least sure hoping that's the explanation. Thanks for checking. Hope you saw a small bit of improvement today. I think I did, but not as dramatic as first couple of weeks, but I'll take it.


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[Nannyannie]

Hi @Rhonda K Just caught up with your thread - wow, staples in for 4 weeks? In England about 2 weeks seems usual. No wonder a couple were embedded and everything feels "tight"!
Those wonderful TEDs, the nurse who took my staples out told me to leave them off as at night my feet/legs were up and during the day I was mobile with elbow crutches/walker. I was still on the bloodthinning shots for 6 weeks, though.
If you are feeling brave, you could watch a THR on Youtube - then you realise why your knee, etc. are feeling sore. I had a handprint-sized bruise around my ankle that puzzled me until I saw the film!
Take it easy and be prepared for the energy drop to hit you like a brick wall at times, in the middle of Walmart (Asda in UK) especially - our local one has a cafe doing coffee and cakes, good excuse! I reckoned it was about 6 weeks for the general anasthetic to wear off properly, same when I an op some years ago, that doesn't help.
Working out the time difference, I hope you are sleeping now - it's noon here in Old England - but rest as much as you can.
Regards
Anne

 

[Carriemay60]

@Rhonda K It is strange how different the protocols are for Teds, etc. I had a blood clot in my early 20's and then had one discovered very quickly after breaking my leg followed by a pulmonary embolism (P.E.) a few days later. I have a family history of clots and lost one Aunt to a P.E. yet despite being well aware of my history they did not put Teds on following my surgery. They knew I had a 4 hour drive the day I was released and a 4 hour flight a week after that. Thankfully, I have had no further issues but isn't the difference remarkable? Because I was on blood thinners when I fell and broke my hip my "emergency" surgery was delayed 48 hours while they waited for the blood thinners to leave my system and I will stay on blood thinners until my genetic testing is completed in January at least.

One easy, no stress exercise I do to loosen my knee is to sit on the edge of bed or a chair with my foot not touching the floor and gently swing my leg. Eventually, you notice a difference. I did have a good day yesterday, thank you for asking

 

[Rhonda K]

Thank you @Nannyannie for stopping by. I am hungry for any and all comments and advice to keep me aware of what others have experienced so I know what is to be expected, no surprises is why I read and read everything here. I started to watch that video, then thought better of it. I will in a few months, but still not quite ready yet, but I know you are right. My daughter watched it, she told me what movie it reminded her of, which I won't name, but yeah, I'm sure it really explains the strange pains....lol.

I think I have the most conservative Dr. He is an Osteopathic Dr. so maybe that has something to do with it. Adamant about the the stockings for a minimum of four weeks, 22 hours a day. And the warfarin also for 4 weeks. I made it through, though sometimes I wondered with those stockings. And yes I do think the GA might still be lurking around in my lungs and energy center. My lungs don't feel quite normal even now. My husband said he could smell the anesthesia when he gave me a kiss afterwards, so maybe I got a good dose or maybe that happens to everyone, don't know. But just a little more time and it should be outta here.

I do spend a lot of time resting, I do a few things, then rest, then PT, then rest and recuperate, and so on. Hope all is going well with you and thanks again for your thoughts, I look forward to any and all.


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[Rhonda K]

@Carriemay60 it sure is crazy the differences from one Dr. to another for the same procedure. I guess it all comes down to their training and personal feelings, in your case it is even more puzzling. My Dr. would of had you wear those stockings for, oh, at least six months......lol. But seriously, so glad you didn't have any problems. And I lived through them. Not much worse for wear. Only dry scaly skin, but that will go away soon.

Been doing those knee bends every chance I get and do feel improvement. Can't ask for more. Except another good day for us. Good start, went a little further on my walk this morning. Makes me feel like I am achieving a little something. Have a good day,


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[Hoppy Nanny]

Glad things a bit better for you @ Rhonda K....those muscles will get looser...it takes a bit of time but does get there....I found doing the post op exercises in the pool helped a lot.
All the different TED protocols are strange....I had to wear them for six weeks (sigh) as Ive had a PE previously...also Heparin injections for 6 weeks & calf pumps whilst in hospital...there were not taking any chances....I HATED those TEDs...they hurt my knee too !
Keep on with the small steps to progress...You will get there! X


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[Carriemay60]

@Rhonda K Little bits or progress all add up in a week and certainly big time in a month. Teds for 6 months? I think NOT!! lol I had them after my hysterectomy for a few days and felt like I was being tortured.

 

[Jaycey]

@Rhonda K sounds like you are doing well with this recovery. Congrats on ditching the TEDs. I did that today as well. Can't stand the things! You're doing great!

 

[Rhonda K]

Good morning!
Hope everyone is doing well and had a nice weekend. Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian friends!

Something is on my mind so what better place to come and ask questions. I have quite a lot of inflammation going on around my incision and all up my upper thigh. Lots of redness and feels warm. As far as we can see through the steri strips the incision looks good, nice and dry, not running a fever or anything so don't think it's infection. Thinking it is just inflammation. I know some is to be expected but at nearly 5 weeks out should it be subsiding? Even my sore knee is redder than the other one. Just wanted some input from others if they had the same experience and if I should be concerned or is this totally normal? I would be thankful for any input. Thanks.


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[beachgal]

@Rhonda K, I don't think you should be seeing this much inflammation/redness in either your incision site or your knee 5 weeks post op. My incision was healed by then although it was still very tender, there was zero redness. Never had any discoloration in my knee area or my entire leg, for that matter, except for the extreme dry skin after loosing those TEDs. I think it may be worth tagging @Josephine for some forum advice or putting in a call to your OS. I'm assuming you are not still being seen by a PT person? If so, you may want to mention it to them. I just don't think you should be having the redness and warmth there, even if it's dry and looks good, otherwise. Err on the side of caution and don't take any chances with this, ok??

 

[Rhonda K]

Thanks @beachgal, hmm you could be right. I don't see anyone till I have PT on the 21st. The puzzling thing to me is the redness was there when I've seen all the various nurses and PA's and they never mentioned anything, just told me the incision looked good. I asked one nurse about it once and he said he thought I was sensitive to the adhesive on the bandage. That's been gone a week and I think there is too much redness for that anyway. Maybe I will put in a call to my Dr's nurse. I know inflammation causes pain too and I still have moderate pain when putting full weight on hip and when doing certain movements, such as some of my PT exercises. Been trying to give it time but maybe time to ask some questions. Thanks for always answering my concerns, I can always count on you. Hope Josephine has time to give me some feedback soon.


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[Josephine]

I have quite a lot of inflammation going on around my incision and all up my upper thigh. Lots of redness and feels warm. As far as we can see through the steri strips the incision looks good, nice and dry, not running a fever or anything so don't think it's infection

You're 5 weeks out - why do you still have Steristrips on? That's barmy! You wound should be so well healed by now.

I'm going to ask you some questions and it would be very helpful if you would answer each one individually - numbered as I have done - in as much detail as you can then I'll come back as see where you are ....

1. what approach did you have for your surgery? Anterior, posterior, lateral? You can look here to see the various types THR approaches or incisions

2. what are your pain levels right now? (remember the 1-10 scale: 1 = no pain and 10 = the worst you can imagine. And don't compare this with the bone-on-bone pain you had before surgery!

) Also don't forget to include other forms of pain such as soreness, burning, stabbing, throbbing, aching, swelling and stiffness

3. what pain medications have you been prescribed, how much are you taking (in mg please) and how often?

4. what is your activity level? What do you do in the way of housework, cooking, cleaning, shopping, etc., and

5. what kind of PT/exercises are you doing? How much and how often? (and detailed details would be appreciated, please! Reps, sets and session and all that)

Note:
If you're not familiar with this, it goes like so:
1 lift of a 500kg bell bar = 1 rep or repetition.
Doing 5 reps and then a brief rest = 1 set of 5.
And doing 5 sets and finishing = a session.

 

[Rhonda K]

Thank you for answering @Josiphine


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[Rhonda K]

Thank you for answering @Josephine
I still have steri strips because my surgeon insisted on the staples being in for 4 weeks, so I just got them removed 6 days ago. I realize that is much longer than most and I was somewhat baffled, but that is his instructions.

1. I had posterior approach on September 9th
2.pain levels, when sitting very little maybe 1. When walking, 5. Very stiff upper thigh and tenderness on side of hip at times and knee stiff and sore.
3.was prescribed percocet in hospital, couldn't tolerate the nausea and vomiting, then prescribed Tylenol/codeine. Made me itch like crazy and constipation was horrible. Right now I take 1000 mg of Tylenol 3 times a day. It does help.
4. Still using walker at this late date per PT. He told me I was too weak for cane when I saw him last week. And I don't see him again until Oct 21st. He said under no circumstances was I to try it on my own. The walker makes doing chores difficult. I do some cooking and my own personal stuff. I walk for 20 minutes every morning and several times a day in my back yard.
5. They have me doing most exercises 30 each- heel sides, bridges, thigh clinches glut clinches, told me to do clam shells on side, but too painful so ditched that one, and straight leg lifts, lift 18" hold for 5 seconds, 10 each.Then standing up holding on to counter or walker side lifts, back kicks, small squats, up and down on tippy toes, repeat on other leg, which hurts when standing with full weight on op side. I do these 3 times a day.
Am beginning to wonder if inflammation is normal at this juncture. I do ice and elevate quite a lot. Still have swelling around incision. Thank you for any advice.


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[Carriemay60]

I find swelling, pain, redness (especially in my foot) go up, down, back and forth and thought it was all pretty normal. I can be almost normal for a couple of days and then suddenly feel like I am back at week 4 or 5 with some symptoms. Responses to your question have peaked my interest and I will be watching for advice!

 

[Rhonda K]

@carriemay, well at least now I know someone else has redness. Was just something I figured would subside and when it didn't I just began to wonder about it. Not too worried because I don't think it means any infection. The strange patterns of pain or just weird feelings sure are puzzling. They change constantly and you never know what's next. I am finally used to it I guess. Wow you went all out today! You did a fantastic job......sounds very exhausting, but you were able to do it! I'm sooooo impressed. I'm sure all the effort was so worth it to you and your family. I'm hoping that by our holiday I can do half as well and that's weeks away! Glad you had a good day.


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[Jaycey]

@Rhonda K are you icing your incision and that op leg? I have not had my dressing removed (today for me) but I get heat and swelling when I do too much. Also get burning if I twist wrong. Strange pain is nerves, muscles and soft tissue reacting to being traumatised. With my LTHR I experienced this very often starting at about week 4.

 

[Newhipneeded]

Ronda k, I have just been reading your progress. Glad to hear your doing ok and the staples are out now. I am using Vit E oil on my scar, like beachgal recommended, it's very good so worth a try. It is 4 wks today since my operation and not even tried to do clamps yet? In fact I've not been told to do any exercises apart from walking. So I wouldn't worry too much about that! Keep improving, good luck xx


I had THR on 15 September 2014. Had to have a bone graft due to protrusion into the pelvic bone. Also found out I have "soft bones" and therefore have small fractures on my femur due to operation.